A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-28-06....Ice Castles

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Today is the last day of February, and spring is just around the corner, but before you get out your shorts and sandals, let's take one last look at the beauty that's only associated with winter - ice and snow sculptures.

A friend sent me these photographs last week, and they are absolutely breathtaking! Hope you enjoy them before they melt. :)

Your chariot is waiting...

Last one! Imagine all the hours that go into all of these creations, with no way to preserve them except through photographs and memory. Hat's off to these artists!

Brrrrrrr! Now who wants hot chocolate?

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-27-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

WOW! I think Nature had a little help with that sculpture. :)

[Billie]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, dixie. THANKS!!!!!!!

So glad you lenjoyed the pics!

[trooprally]

Sure will.
Have a great evening

[Billie]

This is so beautiful, Billie! I love the snow effect over the entire thing. I should have done that to my Alaska post. Wouldn't that have been pretty? But at the time I didn't even know it was possible to overlay an animated snow graphic without using one of those java script thingies (which John doesn't allow).

We used to be able to do all kinds of java script thingies, didn't we? :)

Thanks, Lori, I'm glad you think so. The snow effect actually had to be turned on before each picture, and turned off after each, but did think it added a lot to the overall effect to have the snow falling on all of them.

[Billie]

Again .... these ice sculptures are awesome.

Thank you, Amy. I'm glad you enjoyed them. So much of the country is warming up, it was going to get too late to post them if not today. :)

[Billie]

no way, how is that possible? It is beautiful though...

It looks like Waterford crystal, doesn't it? The chariot is my very favorite - it is way more intricate than the others - I guess because it has so many cutouts for one thing. :)

[MEG33]

http://www.doorbell.net/tlr/ice.htm

Here's where I found it.

[Billie]

I'm saving the bookmark you posted for the ice sculptures because I want to see them, but can't just yet. Thank you!

[Billie]

I wish I could carve something like that! the most carving I ever did was a pumpkin for Halloween! lol!

LOL!

[Billie]

Is that really ice, I wonder? In HAWAII?! OUTSIDE?! :)

[Billie]

That's beautiful! Sand Castles are just as pretty as Ice Castles. :) (and they don't last long either.) Sigh

[Reaper FReeper]

Okay good!

[LadyX]

Trying valianty to catch up!
Everyone might enjoy what I will link here about Ice Art Alaska - -

- Click Here to View the Home Page -

"Fairbanks, Alaska is the site of the World Ice Art Championships every March.

For the event, Fairbanks provides the largest natural ice blocks in the world, allowing the sculptors an opportunity to work on a pure and transient medium.

While there are other ice sculpting competitions in the northern hemisphere, none are like the World Ice Art Championships."

=====================================

The most fun we had during the 60's in Fairbanks was the Lottery for the breakup of the frozen ice on the Tanana (TAN-a-naw) River - and another of the Chena (CHEE-na) River in Fairbanks...

"Breakup Lottery

One interesting winter sport for the early spring (breakup time) is river watching - specifically, betting on the Nenana Ice Classic. For $2 you can have a shot at winning thousands ($300,000 in 1998) by guessing the date and time of the Breakup of the Tanana River as measured in the town of Nenana."

It usually occurs "sometime in May," and the elaborate setup to measure the exact time is closely guarded against tampering..:))
Not even al-Quada could get to it - LOL

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wow, what amazing sculptures. Thanks Billie.

I haven't forgotten this one:

[Billie]

Oh my... that Cinderella carriage with the snow effect added is breathtakingly charming!

Yes, it appears to be everyone's favorite! Thanks, Majjie. :)

[Billie]

I really like that one, Bob! Thanks for your talents (it *is* talent, don't argue) :)

[Majie Purple]

Thank you for posting The Fairbanks link. A dear Friend lives there. I bookmarked it in my computer for easy reference guide...

[Issaquahking]

Nenana Ice Classic? MY PARENTS wom one year! I believe it was back in 1974 on Mom's ticket! Pretty exciting thing back in the early 70's. Money wasn't what it is nowadays...Mom and Dad split with a couple of friends, so they still got $2,600 dollars for it!

Best of luck to freepers this year for a shot at the time this year.

[Billie]

Oh, meandog - that brings tears to my eyes - and I'm sure to all who read it.

[Billie]

Absolutely beautiful sistah! Love how its snowing all over the table!!! (((billie)))

Thank you, dutchess. It was an easy one to 'make beautiful'. Had fun putting it together - didn't have to *say* much! :)