Monday, February 12, 2007

Ice Hotel in Sweden and in Canada


Photo Jan Jordan© - Art Thomas Wingate 04/05 Self-Similarity
ICEHOTEL Art & Design

Welcome to our ICEHOTEL made from the frozen water of the Torne River.

Outside Icehotel
Photo Jan Jordan© - Skulpture Lena Kriström-Kulin 03/04
How it all began

If it is possible to build a hotel of ice in a small village 200km inside the Arctic Circle, which strikes the whole world with amazement, then anything is possible. The story of ICEHOTEL is indeed a fairy tale come true.

The free flowing Torne River is the origin and artery of ICEHOTEL. From the river, the ice of ICEHOTEL is borrowed each year. And it is here, on the river shores in the village of Jukkasjärvi that our story begins.

River rafting
Photo Peter Grant©
It started off as a summer destination
The company Jukkas (present day ICEHOTEL) has been a tourist operator in the region since the 1970s. For many years the company focus was on the summer season and the magnificent outdoor experiences offered by the land of the midnight sun. During the dark winter the river was frozen and the people of the small village of Jukkasjärvi went into hibernation.
Cold and darkness as an experience

By the end of the 1980s it was decided to turn things around. Instead of viewing the dark and cold winter as a disadvantage, the unique elements of the arctic were to be regarded an asset. Inspired by the work of visiting Japanese ice artists, in 1990 the French artist Jannot Derit was invited to have the opening of his exhibition in a specially built igloo on the frozen Torne River. The 60 square metre building named Artic Hall attracted many curious visitors to the area.

Northern lights
Photo Peter Grant©
Ice suite

Photo Jan Jordan©

Design Tjåsa Gusfors

ICEHOTEL known all over the world

One night a group of foreign guests, equipped with reindeer hides and sleeping bags, decided it would be a good idea to use the cylindrical shaped igloo as accommodation. The following morning the brave group raved about the unique sensation of sleeping in an igloo. Hence, the concept of ICEHOTEL was born.

A lot has happened since. Today ICEHOTEL is world famous for its unique concept, its fantastic works of art and its extraordinary experiences. The fairy tale nature of ICEHOTEL brings out the child in guests of all ages.

ICEHOTEL® The original hotel built of ice and snow since 1990 ICEHOTEL® Jukkasjärvi Sweden. Every winter for almost two decades we've built a unique hotel of snow and ice. ICEHOTEL is situated in the village ...www.icehotel.com/

Photographs of the Ice Hotel, Jukkas Järvi, Sweden A photographic tour of the Ice Hotel in Jukkas Järvi in Lapland in the Arctic Circle, Sweden, shot on holiday in December 2000.www.head-space.org/ice/index.html

How to sleep in Ice Hotel:
-See if you can reserve a double sleeping bag for solo use, especially if you’re a stomach sleeper.
-Don’t over dress, a thin silk or wool layer will be more than enough. Wear silk socks under your wool ones in case your feet get overheated.
-Don’t worry, you won’t have to sleep with the bag completely covering your face.
-You will be sleeping on a foam egg crate foundation so it’s not really hard or uncomfortable.
-A family bed with bickering adult children is not conducive to a restful Ice Hotel experience. The family beds are plenty big enough, though.
-You WILL have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Even if you don’t drink anything. Drink liberally at the Ice Bar to make this experience worth while. I didn’t even suit back up; just scooted over to the warm bathroom area clad in boots and long underwear.
-Have a watch or small clock with you since there is no other way to know when the Ice Hotel person will be arriving with your hot Lingonberry Juice. Don’t allow klutzy adult daughter to set hers down-Lingonberry Juice stains snow.

 

Then off to Canada:

ICE HOTEL IMAGES


PICTURE TOUR
We have a "guided tour" with images and information about the Ice Hotel. Whenever you see a "360" link you can "step" into that part of the Ice Hotel.

PROFESSIONAL PICTURES
In this section, you will find pictures taken by our official photographer Xavier Dachez. They include rooms and areas of the Ice Hotel.

VIDEOS
Watch our short promotional video and get a taste of the wonder that is the Ice Hotel.

N'ICE PICTURES
Here are some very N'Ice pictures taken by Sandra Bellefoy, friend and ambassador to the Ice Hotel.

Say you can not draw, what do you do? Cut up the pencil!

 

jennifer maestre pencil sculptures PENCIL SCULPTURES. Please Click on Title for Larger Image. line decor. Jennifer Maestre Sculptural Work represented by Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA. ...www.jennifermaestre.com/pencil_show.html

 

 



"You don't have to love in words, because even through the silences, love is always heard."
:
[Fwd: Fw: Just pencils!! Amazing!!]       Yippe,  I did find the link, Suzi ;) Ann:)

Friday, February 9, 2007

Snow & Ice Festival.....Absolutely Beautiful!!!!


Icefile000.jpg


 


Visitors enjoy ice sculptures in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, on Saturday December 23, 2006, prior to the official launch of the annual ice and snow festival. Over 2,000 pieces of ice and snow sculptures are displayed at the festival that boasts the largest of its kind in the world, Xinhua News Agency said. [Xinhua]

 

 

 

icefile002.jpg







Mammoth snow sculpture greets visitors to Harbin

R Todd King: China Photos 2003 -Northeast Winter Rather than suffer the cold, the residents of Harbin celebrate it, with an annual festival of snow and ice sculptures and competitions. ...
http://rtoddking.com/chinawin2003_hb_if.htm

icefile003.jpg






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Thursday, February 8, 2007

Mammatus Clouds

 
Jorn Olsen,  Hastings, Nebraska, took these photos. The stadium lights are at the Hastings College stadium just east of his home.  The clouds are called Mammatus clouds. They do not precede a tornado, or foretell a storm, and are formed when the air is already saturated with rain droplets and/or ice crystals and begins to sink. The worst of the storm is usually over when these kinds of clouds are seen.
They are quite rare, but really beautiful.
Spectacular Mammatus Clouds over Hastings, Nebraska
 These photos were taken by Jorn Olsen, he lives on Heartwell Park in Hastings, Nebraska.
 e-mail - jolsen@dutton-lainson.com
His website is:  http://www.jornolsen.com which you may be interested in looking at.
Three of these photos were featured on the front and back cover of the Journal of Meteorology
and circulated in 26 countries.
GO TO: Summer 2004 Photo Gallery 1
GO TO: Summer 2004 Photo Gallery 2
READ ABOUT Mammatus Clouds


Return to:  The Lincoln Photo of the Month Page
Go to: Our Photo Gallery
Return to:  The Lincoln, NE, Climate Home Page
Return to:  The Nebraska Weather & Climate Home Page
UNL
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
High Plains Regional Climate Center
 
 
june2004hastings-mammatus Spectacular Mammatus Clouds over Hastings, Nebraska These photos were taken by Jorn Olsen, he lives on Heartwell Park in Hastings, Nebraska. ...www.hprcc.unl.edu/nebraska/june2004hastings-mammatus.html

Jorn Olsen Photography www.jornolsen.com/mammatus/mammgallery.htm

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Artist: Manuel S. Franco

                
"De Los Pueblos I" Artist: Manuel S. Franco

 

Into my life came a radiant hue,
Colors of friendship, and riches anew.
Your unselfish manner asking, "What can I do?"
I'm glad I've touched keyboards with you!
 
Your friendship I treasure--words simply can't say,
The warmth and affection your e-mails display.
Always wishing to give, and your words do ring true.
I'm glad I've touched keyboards with you!
 
We share many secrets as most "Friends" do.
We've suffered, survived; and, yes, made it thru.
Those difficult times, when most had no clue.
I'm glad I've touched keyboards with you!
 
As the breeze gently blows thru fresh morning air,
I see you not, yet I know you are there.
*Smiles* that glisten as fresh morning dew,
I'm glad I've touched keyboards with you.
 
You've painted my world, and Oh what a 'View.'
Sweet pale pinks, fresh greens, and gentle blue.
When my day is finished, and I bid adieu,
I thank God I've touched keyboards with you.
 
 
 
 
Fantastic Caverns
CLICK HERE to View Thumbnail Images
Missouri has over 5700 caves.


Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Tiger Paintings by Pip

Wild at Heart


 

 

Tiger in Water 2


 

 


Tuesday, January 16, 2007

It was our turn! Ice Storms; had no power, phone, gas, still no kerosene heat or water








 
I missed this before, see baby wolf or pup? in this front downed tree top?