Builders of Ice Castles: 1

When I woke this morning, it was -7 F without the wind.  Fortunately, it was pretty still.  But, that's getting chilly.  Typically I like to stay indoors around a nice, warm fire and find things to keep me busy during the coldest days of the winter.

However, when an ice castle is built, people will come regardless of the weather.

So, I dug out the camera, put on some warm clothes, and drove to the MOA to check out the ice castle.  By the time I got there, it was 4 F.  Almost tropical!

Meet Red.

I first saw him walking on top of the castle walls with crampons on his feet and the ice pick.  He clearly was one of the workers who helped form up the ice.

 He was gracious enough to climb down for a portrait.  He works for the company that builds these types of ice castles.  The first castle was, and still is, in Colorado.  The Minnesota MOA castle is the second.  Next year, they plan on building 4. 

It is a cold job and they have been at it for about a month.   This castle is not built out of blocks of ice.  But, is built using dripping and running water to form a rustic, almost glacial look.  Red and the others cut pathways through the ice.

Check it out!

Thanks Red!  Keep warm up there!