35 below zero. Minus 35. Negative 35. That was our temperature today in North Pole. No matter how you put it, 35 below zero is COLD.
One would think that when it is that cold, normal, everyday people would have the God-given sense to stay inside where it’s warm. One would think.
Obviously, Mike and I do not use the sense God has given us or He hasn’t given as much as you thought. Throwing caution to the wind, Mike and I bundled up in our warmest clothes and headed out the explore downtown North Pole.
If you’ve never visited downtown North Pole, you might imagine candy canes, ginger bread houses, Christmas trees or even, Santa, himself. While North Pole is not a bustling metropolis like Fairbanks, we do have a quaint, little community.
The streets of North Pole have very appropriate names, such as, Santa Claus Lane, St. Nickolas Drive, Mistletoe Avenue, and Badger Road. Okay, maybe Badger Road doesn’t fit. Scratch that one. Donner Drive, Kris Kringle Drive and Blitzen Drive. Driving down Santa Claus Lane, the streets are lined with candy cane light poles and fire hydrants that are painted with the stripes of candy canes.
The main attraction in North Pole is not the Taco Bell. It’s not the Pizza Hut or the McDonald’s. The community of North Pole was built around The Santa Claus House. This is the main attraction.
Founded in 1952, The Santa Claus House has been the only attraction in North Pole for the last 57 years. The Santa Claus House has reindeer and everything that will make a child happy, including the “real” Santa Claus.
North Pole also offers “Christmas in Ice” an annual tradition of ice sculpting contests which is held next to The Santa Claus House. This is what captured our attention for the day.
At exactly 1:08 p.m. AKST, Mike and I headed out to downtown North Pole. Since we have had a nice snowfall recently, the roads and the trees were covered with snow. Everything looked so beautiful and so much like Christmas!
Once we arrived, Mike and I strolled around the exhibits and decided to wait until it got darker to finish looking at the ice sculptures. Not really thinking about how cold it was, we went for a short walk along Beaver Springs Nature Trail.
After about 30 minutes of walking, Mike was so cold that we had to turn around and go back to The Santa Claus house so that he could warm his hands. Now, you may be thinking, “Why was Kristie not cold?” If this was your very thought, let me give you an answer. I, Kristie Calvin, was dressed appropriately.
Here’s the breakdown. First, I had on a turtleneck and a fleece pullover. Second, I had on my jeans and my insulated snow pants. Third, I had on “Big Blue”, my super, heavy-duty, you could survive at 100 below zero, parka. Fourth, I had my super-warm mittens that could keep a polar bear’s paws warm. Fifth, I had on a very thick and very warm fleece hat that kept my body temperature from escaping through my head. With everything on and tucked inside my coat, I was ready for the cold. Finally, my feet were clad with Sorel boots rated to 40 below zero and two pair of Wigwam socks. I almost dared my toes to get cold!
After a 30 minute trek back to The Santa Claus House, Mike ran inside to get warm and I stayed outside to take pictures. By the time he came back out, it was dark enough (3:30 p.m.) to go back to visit the ice park.
The sculptures were absolutely beautiful with the colored lights! We strolled around for about 20 minutes and then the cold began to get to me. After two hours of 35 below zero, I was ready to call it a day. With that, we warmed up the car, had a quick bite to eat and came home.
I am now snuggled warm in my jammies and sipping a cup of hot tea. With this, I will sign off for now.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
One would think that when it is that cold, normal, everyday people would have the God-given sense to stay inside where it’s warm. One would think.
Obviously, Mike and I do not use the sense God has given us or He hasn’t given as much as you thought. Throwing caution to the wind, Mike and I bundled up in our warmest clothes and headed out the explore downtown North Pole.
If you’ve never visited downtown North Pole, you might imagine candy canes, ginger bread houses, Christmas trees or even, Santa, himself. While North Pole is not a bustling metropolis like Fairbanks, we do have a quaint, little community.
The streets of North Pole have very appropriate names, such as, Santa Claus Lane, St. Nickolas Drive, Mistletoe Avenue, and Badger Road. Okay, maybe Badger Road doesn’t fit. Scratch that one. Donner Drive, Kris Kringle Drive and Blitzen Drive. Driving down Santa Claus Lane, the streets are lined with candy cane light poles and fire hydrants that are painted with the stripes of candy canes.
The main attraction in North Pole is not the Taco Bell. It’s not the Pizza Hut or the McDonald’s. The community of North Pole was built around The Santa Claus House. This is the main attraction.
Founded in 1952, The Santa Claus House has been the only attraction in North Pole for the last 57 years. The Santa Claus House has reindeer and everything that will make a child happy, including the “real” Santa Claus.
North Pole also offers “Christmas in Ice” an annual tradition of ice sculpting contests which is held next to The Santa Claus House. This is what captured our attention for the day.
At exactly 1:08 p.m. AKST, Mike and I headed out to downtown North Pole. Since we have had a nice snowfall recently, the roads and the trees were covered with snow. Everything looked so beautiful and so much like Christmas!
Once we arrived, Mike and I strolled around the exhibits and decided to wait until it got darker to finish looking at the ice sculptures. Not really thinking about how cold it was, we went for a short walk along Beaver Springs Nature Trail.
After about 30 minutes of walking, Mike was so cold that we had to turn around and go back to The Santa Claus house so that he could warm his hands. Now, you may be thinking, “Why was Kristie not cold?” If this was your very thought, let me give you an answer. I, Kristie Calvin, was dressed appropriately.
Here’s the breakdown. First, I had on a turtleneck and a fleece pullover. Second, I had on my jeans and my insulated snow pants. Third, I had on “Big Blue”, my super, heavy-duty, you could survive at 100 below zero, parka. Fourth, I had my super-warm mittens that could keep a polar bear’s paws warm. Fifth, I had on a very thick and very warm fleece hat that kept my body temperature from escaping through my head. With everything on and tucked inside my coat, I was ready for the cold. Finally, my feet were clad with Sorel boots rated to 40 below zero and two pair of Wigwam socks. I almost dared my toes to get cold!
After a 30 minute trek back to The Santa Claus House, Mike ran inside to get warm and I stayed outside to take pictures. By the time he came back out, it was dark enough (3:30 p.m.) to go back to visit the ice park.
The sculptures were absolutely beautiful with the colored lights! We strolled around for about 20 minutes and then the cold began to get to me. After two hours of 35 below zero, I was ready to call it a day. With that, we warmed up the car, had a quick bite to eat and came home.
I am now snuggled warm in my jammies and sipping a cup of hot tea. With this, I will sign off for now.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Beaver Springs Nature Trail
Christmas in Ice
Santa's Reindeer
The Santa Claus House
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