Fire and Ice Festival

Every year Lava has a Fire and Ice Festival  This year I finally attended one day's worth of activities.  Cheryl, Regina, Katrina and Shanna came along for the fun.  We started with a rendez-vous at my house, loading up in the jeep and driving down.  We were so chatty that we missed our exit.  I was able to follow another vehicle (who also missed the exit) across the median and back to our off ramp.  The world was cloaked in a misty haze that made missing the exit very easy.  But, I'm sure it was the fact that we were just talking and having a good time that was the real culprit.

I dropped everyone off at the Chuck Wagon cafe and then parked up at the hot spring pools.  I figured we'd want the vehicle close to where we'd be leaving.  The food at the Chuck Wagon is outstanding western diner fare with yummy scones.   We were able to buy penguins for the afternoon Penguin Race in the cafe and we even scored a plastic penguin for Katrina.

Next a bit of shopping to kill some time before the Penguin Race.  Purple Moon, Positive Space, and Dempsey Creek Trading.

While at the Purple Moon the Running of the Bulls race started.  We all went out to watch.  These crazy people run in their swimming suits from the big pool to the hot pools. Anyone running gets into the hot pools free.  It was fun to watch, perhaps because the Superbowl was on the same day the crowd running and watching was much smaller than I would have expected.  Many of those running were kids.  So in some ways it was more a running of the calves than the bulls.

Much shopping was done and many treasures were found.  I was so proud of my ability to not buy anything till near the end when a pink agate Peruvian ring stopped me.  Alas.  But it IS gorgeous.  Big pink glass 'diamonds' were chosen for Katrina and Mira (Cheryl's granddaughter in absentia) and other items.

Stopping at the Aura Soma Lava store Shanna tried on many a kooky hat.

We then walked on down to the bridge area where the Penguin Race would begin.  The world was quite frost covered though the weather was good enough by now not to feel too cold.

Apparently only ~150  penguin/ducks (the penguins really were kinda duck shaped) were sold.  So a cardboard box was all that was needed to carry them down to the bridge and dump them in the water.

It was awesome to watch how quickly the current carried many of them away, while another batch got caught in the eddies.  Poor sad penguin last and truly stuck.  I'm sure it was one of ours.  We then walked on down to the other end of the race course.

I was very slow. Something about slick surfaces still makes me nervous.  In any case, I still beat a few penguins.  People with nets and waders were waiting for the penguins and catching them so they wouldn't truly float away.

Another hike and we were back at the jeep getting our swim gear and then going to the hot pools to soak and laugh and rest.  That was lovely.  I really like the new pool with it's lower temperature.  Although I still always start with the big one that has the rocks on the bottom.  Always good for one's feet.

Finally, rested, soaked, and tired we loaded up and drove to the Sweet Shop for ice cream.  They make their own, as in homemade, waffle cones.  AND they serve huckleberry ice cream.  It was a match made in heaven.  Finally we headed back home.

I had an empty road when I slammed on the breaks and turned the jeep around so that everyone got a look at a  ring-necked pheasant also called a Chinese pheasant or Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus).

From http://www.allaboutbirds.org

Where I don't know about anyone else, but I took a much needed and very peaceful nap when I got home.
Next year, I think I'll go again, but maybe start with Saturday's activities...
P.S. Thanks Regina for taking all of these photos!