Fun Under the Midnight Sun
We've never had more nighttime fun than here in Fairbanks. In the summer, this means nearly unending sunlight. We've hiked, geocached, kayaked, and explored the area at all times of the day and night.
One longstanding tradition here in Fairbanks is the Midnight Sun Run that is held the Saturday before Summer Solstice. This year was our third Sun Run. We didn't have Jody here with us this year, but Grandma and Grandpa joined in on the fun. The Sun Run is 10K that runs from UAF (University of AK at Fairbanks) to Pioneer Park. There are over 3,000 participants each year, ranging from the serious runner to the casual walkers (US!!). It is such a fun event, with an incredibly festive atmosphere. We gather at UAF a few hours prior to the start to people watch. There is a costume division. Over the past few years one gentleman from the Lower 48 comes up with the most amazing costumes, and this year was no exception. Then you have the locals with such creative ideas....spawning salmon, the Northern Lights, the Osbornes. This year a group of 5 gals were "couch potatoes," with one posing as the TV, two on a couch, and the other two pushing the couch. Tristan decided to dress as a soldier. He looked pretty cool, especially when he was hanging around a group of uniformed Marines that were competing as a group.
The Sun Run route meanders mostly through residential neighborhoods. Folks sit at the end of their driveways, cheering the runners/walkers, offering water, and spraying them down with sprinklers or Super Soakers. One street really gets into the spirit and holds a yearly block party, which has gotten larger every year we've participated. This year they had a live band, which was really cool.
The Midnight Sun Run is the highlight of Tristan's summer. He absolutely loves it!! Last year the little trooper walked the entire route in the rain and was completely drenched at the end. Not 3 minutes into this year's race, Tristan found another boy to talk to. As it turns out his dad is also deployed to Iraq, and he only lives a few miles away from us. Tristan can really make friends anywhere!
I had taken a series of pics, but when I tried to upload them to the computer it said that the files had been corrupted. :o( Even with a downloadable program, I was unable to save them. I'm going to head to the local photo place and see if they can salvage the pics.
One longstanding tradition here in Fairbanks is the Midnight Sun Run that is held the Saturday before Summer Solstice. This year was our third Sun Run. We didn't have Jody here with us this year, but Grandma and Grandpa joined in on the fun. The Sun Run is 10K that runs from UAF (University of AK at Fairbanks) to Pioneer Park. There are over 3,000 participants each year, ranging from the serious runner to the casual walkers (US!!). It is such a fun event, with an incredibly festive atmosphere. We gather at UAF a few hours prior to the start to people watch. There is a costume division. Over the past few years one gentleman from the Lower 48 comes up with the most amazing costumes, and this year was no exception. Then you have the locals with such creative ideas....spawning salmon, the Northern Lights, the Osbornes. This year a group of 5 gals were "couch potatoes," with one posing as the TV, two on a couch, and the other two pushing the couch. Tristan decided to dress as a soldier. He looked pretty cool, especially when he was hanging around a group of uniformed Marines that were competing as a group.
The Sun Run route meanders mostly through residential neighborhoods. Folks sit at the end of their driveways, cheering the runners/walkers, offering water, and spraying them down with sprinklers or Super Soakers. One street really gets into the spirit and holds a yearly block party, which has gotten larger every year we've participated. This year they had a live band, which was really cool.
The Midnight Sun Run is the highlight of Tristan's summer. He absolutely loves it!! Last year the little trooper walked the entire route in the rain and was completely drenched at the end. Not 3 minutes into this year's race, Tristan found another boy to talk to. As it turns out his dad is also deployed to Iraq, and he only lives a few miles away from us. Tristan can really make friends anywhere!
I had taken a series of pics, but when I tried to upload them to the computer it said that the files had been corrupted. :o( Even with a downloadable program, I was unable to save them. I'm going to head to the local photo place and see if they can salvage the pics.
posted by Nomadic Dreamers | 1:45 PM
4 Comments:
That run sounds really wonderful. Thanks for describing it for us!
Sorry to hear about your photo problem. If the photo shop says they can't help, maybe ask a computer shop. There might be a geek who would love the challenge! Good luck.
I am so interested in your blog...I once lived in Fairbanks before children and I am now unschooling....
Ahh....the good 'ol Midnight Sun Run!! I have fond memories of participating in that a few times. The last run I did was in 1987, before leaving Alaska permanently (except for visits).
I've got the yearning for the far North right now, but the weather is certainly not very tempting (at least in Wasilla).
See you in a couple weeks!
Argh...I still need to get those pics off the card. Thanks for the suggestion, Sandra! I don't know why I didn't think of a computer shop, and we have a great one here in town. Gotta get that done before L&L!!
And the weather? Even up in the Interior it's looking more like Seattle than arid Fairbanks. I think we've now had like 21 straight days of precipitation?? And, looking out my window, it appears like we are looking at Day 22. ;o)
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