Glacier Hike

Our adventure yesterday has become a new entry into my list of top 10 reasons to live in Juneau, Alaska. We drove out to the glacier and hiked across the frozen lake all the way to the face of the glacier. We brought the sleds to pull the kids in and they loved it. Now before you "lower 48-ers" start freaking out that we pulled our babies across a thin sheet of ice that was breaking up and exposing the frigid lake below with every step, let me remind you that we do live in Alaska. Since we haven't had a temperature above 30 in about a month now--usually in the teens or 20's--and we had about 8 inches of snow just after Christmas, the conditions for a hike across the lake were perfect. It's hard to tell from our pictures but there were actually a lot of people out there doing the exact same thing we were. And even though we've lived here for three years now, this is the first year we've made it all the way. We did try two years ago when Carly was a little older than Isaac, but it was very windy that day and the wind was flying down the face of the glacier right onto our faces. Carly did not appreciate it, so after a few hundred yards of screaming, we turned back. It was probably a negative temperature with the windchill that day. The temperature was much better yesterday--somewhere around 18.
We estimated that the hike was about a mile across the lake to the glacier and then of course a mile back. It was great to get out and get some exercise. Especially since we've been a little cooped up lately preparing for Christmas.
We recently got a new sled for Isaac. It has a little seat molded into it complete with a strap and buckle. With Carly and her red sled we found out that the seatbelt feature is very nice. One little bump of snow and a top heavy toddler goes right into the snow face first. Plus with Isaac being so active, we knew he'd try to jump out of the sled unless "restrained". So this new little blue sled is perfect for him. I hope we get lots of use out of it this winter. It'll be great for all kinds of winter walks.

Lee pulling Isaac through the powder. Shawn and Lee both have the same days off right now, but not for long.

Almost there!

The happy, chilly nosed family

Lee and Knox, the newest Alaskan Phelps family

Imagine the blue color being about 3-5 times more vibrant and that's what it looked like in person.

On the walk back, Isaac feel asleep. Actually, he was sitting up in his little blue sled and feel asleep in a sitting position. We eventually switched him and Carly so he could lay on his back on Carly's sled. Carly then sat up in his sled. We also put the purple buff/neck warmer I was using on him after we got going. Being a boy, he doesn't usually wear purple, so I thought I'd explain. It was a bit cold and we were afraid he was too cold. So it was a matter of survival. He didn't seem to mind.