Our first adventure of the year was to journey off to Alaska where we joined our son Tony, his wife, Cammie and our three grandkids for at the World Ice Carving Championships in Fairbanks Alaska. This carving won first prize and served as the January photo for us.
Each year Peggy and I go through our photos from the past year to create a Family Calendar for our kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews. Luckily, the family isn’t too big! We use Apple to produce the calendars, and the company does a beautiful job. It’s a fun review for us— and a job. (grin) I go through the several thousand photos we have taken and pull out a hundred or so. Peggy then goes through the hundred with me and we winnow it down to 12.
I thought it would be fun to share some of the photos with you. They were all included in blogs I posted this year and reflect our journeys. I am not going to limit myself to 12, however! I am going to post 30: 10 today, 10 on Thursday, and 10 on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy.
We took the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks, which provided a wonderful opportunity for sightseeing and photography.
These Birch, which I rendered in black and white were along the way.
As was this view of Mt. Denali. We were ever so lucky. Having lived in Alaska for three years, I know how rare it is to capture the mountain on a clear day.
Further along, we came on these mountains.
The ice carvings were marvellous. This one was called ‘First Breath.”
This one, by a Russian carver, “Yahoo!”
This was titled “Stuck-up,” which seemed quite appropriate for a cat.
Flying back to Anchorage, I looked out the window and caught this photo of the Alaska Range.
Back in Anchorage, we watched sled dog races. Warm temperatures meant they had to put down snow for the races. And it meant that this snow sculpture of a native Alaskan was melting. I still found it beautiful.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Nice memories Curt.
No ice in UK this Boxing Day (except in the gin and tonic), it is unseasonably mild!
I used to do these reviews but this year has been disappointing, I have posted regularly but I have had fewer visits and comments than in the previous three years so I have nothing to report! I have been posting here for 8 years so maybe the blog has just got tired!
I hope you had a great Christmas!
Mine was mainly an excuse to go back and look at my year, Andrew. Eight years is a life time in this business. I started in 2010 so I understand. –Curt
Despite my regular reading, there are some images here I don’t remember seeing. The one of the countryside reflected in the curving train is a favorite. I’m quite taken with the melting fellow, too. I wonder if he might have escaped from MacArthur Park?
Happy travels, or happy resting, depending on what you’re up to now. I’m looking forward to these next posts.
The train was a favorite of several people Linda and the melting fellow was one of mine. I think what he wasn’t escaping was global warming! Anchorage even had to import snow for the sled dog races.
We’ve been having fun visiting with our son and his family in Connecticut and then our daughter and her family in North Carolina. We slipped a quick trip into Boston in between. Sorry it took so long to get back here. I was interrupted by grand boys. 🙂 –Curt
All wonderful, Curt. They become our memories as well!!
What a nice thought, G. Thanks. –Curt
I love the ice sculptures, and that picture of the train is spectacular!
Alison
I really liked the train photo as well, Alison. It seemed to capture the spirit of the train ride. And the ice sculptures were special. Thanks! –Curt
What a year, Curt! Thank you for sharing it with us through the last twelve months and for the recap. See you in 2017!
A very good year. 🙂 My pleasure. Looking forward to another year with my blogging friends! –Curt
Me too, Curt! Goodbye 2016 and hello 2017!
Great pics. I recognise the ice sculptures. 🙂
Laughing. I’ll bet you do, Peggy. 🙂
Great pics, Curt. I bet this is the type of ‘job’ you don’t mind.
Thanks, Susan. And indeed a fun chore. –Curt
What gorgeous pictures! I can only imagine which made the cut for the calendar. We have an ice sculpture festival here in Hamilton, Ohio every other year in January. The last festival was so warm that the sculptures were melting. They usually have a literary theme, I believe. Or maybe those are the ones I remember most.
Peggy and I have quite the challenge selecting calendar photos!
I suspect ice artists are quite worried about global warming. 🙂 It was even a problem in Alaska. Literary would be fun. –Curt
The train shot wins it, hands down.
They had a few open windows in the passages between the cars and I was able to lean out to take the photo. The train trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks was a joy, and we were incredibly lucky to have great weather. I saw more of Mt. Denali in one day than I did the three years I lived in Alaska. –Curt
You were definitely lucky in the weather. When I toured Washington, Rainier was out to lunch under heavy clouds.
The secret is to go back. 🙂 Again and again and again. –Curt
Scenic mountains, buffets, and the gym: satisfaction in repetition.
Anything scenic and buffets on occasion, but I’d rather be out hiking, or whacking weeds, than go to the gym. 🙂 –Curt
Oh, me, too, I was just being all Modern Confucius. You know, profundity without misogyny.
Oh,oh, oh… profundity without misogyny. I am left gasping for air. 🙂
Enjoy it where you can, you’re not going to hear it in any political speeches for at least another four years.
Ain’t that the truth!
I especially enjoy the intricate details of ‘First Breath’. -Ginette
I was amazed at the artistry, Ginette. And it was fun to watch the artists work on their pieces. Several worked right up to the moment of the judging. –Curt
I love the trees the best. Everything else makes my teeth rattle, though they are gorgeous. Brrr!
There were definitely some brrr times when we were in Alaska, D. Especially when we were out at night taking photos of the ice sculptures. Make that a double brrr! 🙂 –Curt
Amazing ice carvings Curt! You have had one incredible year!
Thanks, Sue. My kind of year for sure! 🙂 –Curt
Isn’t it next to impossible to narrow a years worth of photos down to just a few favorites? I find the task almost impossible and am deeply in the trenches at the moment trying to do the same with my overflowing stockpile. I must say that the first ice sculpture that won the competition is awesome! What a year it has been for you and Peggy. I’m looking forward to slipping over to your next post for a recap of your bike ride rerun 😃
It’s forever a challenge with the photos, as you’ve noted Joanne! I find it fun, however, since it lets me relive experiences. And I appreciate the opportunity to share photos on the blog. It was a great year. Peggy and I are looking forward to another one. (grin) –Curt
Thanks Curt for a year of engrossing posts.
Looking forward to 2017’s treasures!
Regards Thom.
And thank you, Thom! There should be some fun blogs… 🙂 –Curt
Love the sculpture entitled “First Breath” — so much detail. And my fave photo has to be the second one. I can only imagine how you hung yourself out the window to get that shot!!! Nice.
It was a cold breath. 🙂 And the whole train ride was drop dead gorgeous! –Curt