Winter wonderland

The temperatures have finally stabilized below freezing, and we have had our first significant snowfall (about 5 inches). The boys were really ramped up and couldn't be calmed until we were on a sled on a hill somewhere. So, we headed off to a city park called Russian Jack Springs that has sledding hills and lots of cross country ski trails. After about two hours they were tired and satisfied.

The snow actually fell while we were on a weekend trip to Fairbanks to check out Chena Hot Springs and North Pole, AK. The hot springs were almost too relaxing. We spend about three hours soaking in different hot tubs and swimming in the heated pool. It took about an hour to drive there from Fairbanks. The drive back found everyone (but me) passed out from experience. The sun set just before 4:00. We could hardly choose from the dinner menu once back in town!

North Pole, Alaska is a small, rural town with a hard to find, mostly gift-shop-based, attraction called the Santa Claus House. It is quite a gift shop, though. Santa and Mrs. Claus were there to hear the requests and endure photo flashes to the point of retinal damage. We did find an actual candy-striped pole in town at which we documented our northern progress.

Winter is proving to hold lots of exciting adventure. The boys start cross country ski and snow board lessons this week.