McCall in Winter: Ice Festival

We’ve heard about the McCall Winter Carnival for several years now, and always wanted to go check it out. After my mother’s funeral, I was dreading xmas without her. It was a rough holiday and we survived but the lingering feeling of being out of place, planted the seed of getting away to the snow. Family and McCall was the best idea! The Winter Carnival was scheduled for late January, the flight was booked, the house was booked and the car.

We packed, we flew, we drove and planted our boots in the snow. We booked a house in Clem’s aunt and uncle community overlooking the golf course. We were lucky that our 2 hour drive north from Boise went smooth. After we arrived at the house the snow started up again from the night before. By the next morning the car was covered with at least an inch of snow. One of the major highlights of the trip was going to watch Clem’s cousin enter their dog into the Annual Iditarod Qualifier thats held at the event. To be clear, the qualifier offers sled dog race. As we learned the Iditarod is a team of dogs.

Sadly, the sled dog race ended up being cancelled because the outside temperature on our second day dropped below zero. As you can see from the post cover photo, we made it to the race and had a blast. It was a two day event and we were also treated with the announcer being the family as well! Great job bob! The kids went skiing up at Brundage twice and we hit the sled hill twice! Hikes through the snowy paths through golf course. Our favorite meals were all provided master chef Aunt Linda and I must note, we finally ate at the local sushi restaurant, something we have talked about for at least 10 years. I know risky to eat sushi in Winter let alone, in the middle of the land locked state. The dinner was excellent, a complete shock honestly. Worth a go back.

Then there was the ice sculpture competition. Another part of the festival that we were looking forward to. The highlight though was the snow slide park that had several sculptures displayed and incorporated into the slides. Check out the images below, and let me know in comments which movie was theme of the sculptures. It was epic! Here’s a hint this adventure movie was huge in the 80’s. And check out the dog.

The trip is what we needed, all of us! It was a way to escape the real world and just have fun and relax all bundled up in a snowy house. Thankfully during our stay we only had small storms hit us. Then on the day we were to drive south to Boise to head home. As we pulled out of the driveway the storm was hitting and it just wall of snow coming down 3/4 of the drive to Boise. The kids loved the trip and we hope to go back someday for the festival again. The good news the 7+ day festival is being reduced to one weekend, which honestly I think will be a better solution.

The downside of the trip was me not realizing that when I proceeded to put the twins on a week long school contract, for a 4 day week. I should have also taken the lead of the school admin, I didn’t need the contract. I just wanted to follow the rules. In the end, Lochlan lied about completing his work. I was so consumed with an issue that arose during the ski vacation back at home. I didn’t pay attention enough to make sure their work was completed. The kids have so much juggling online to get their work completed and submitted. In the end, Lochlan and I both learned a lesson.