Final Days

Woodsy -
To update you on the last couple of days in Whistler ... on Wednesday, Beadraich and I spent several hours in the Village buying souvenirs. On Wednesday night, we went to see Women's Bobsleigh finals. You were able to get so close to the actual track! We saw Canada get a Gold and Silver. AMAZING! The crowd broke out in O Canada as we were leaving the Sliding Centre. Once again, tears in my eyes. As Beadraich previously mentioned, we skiied with our hosts at Whistler on Thursday. Once again, skiing was amazing! Powder staches everywhere. As we skiied through them, we all yelled "whohoo", except for me because I didn't have a voice. I would do a fist pump and then try to squeak out a "whohoo" at end of the run! Skiing in BC through powpow is so different than skiing on Ontario ice! We went out for dinner with a new friend from Toronto (originally from KW) and then walked around the Village. The vibe in the Village has been unreal. On Friday we went skiing with Beadraich's cousin. Lindsay Vonn got in the gondola before us. She was very focused because she had a race in about 1/2 hour. On Friday night, our hosts had a farewell dinner for all of us with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. It was great spending our final night with everyone including Graydon. Graydon had an amazing job! Everyone asks if I met any athletes or famous people. Graydon did this several times a day, every day! Lots of athletes, chef Michael Smith, Princess of Leichtenstein.
We were on the bus early on Saturday morning to Vancouver. Luckily, the trip home was uneventful.
This whole experience was unbelieveable. We met so many people and are definitely going to keep in touch with them. The hours were long but it was worth it and so much more. It made me very proud to be Canadian. It was wonderful to be able to pick up and go for 2 1/2 weeks and not worry about anything. Thanks to so many people for making this possible for me...my parents, my brother, my boss, my friends, Pat and Elly our hosts. Thank you to Graydon for being a great travel companion and friend. Especially to Beadraich for entertaining my crazy idea to apply for the Olympics and for having the same energy level to always keep busy and see how much we can fit into a day! I think it was our best trip!

Kelly Vanderbeek visits Weasel House!

Our Last Day!

Beadraich - Sadness prevails as we spend today saying goodbye to new friends, and a new love called Whistler Mountain.

Yesterday Woodsy and I spent the day skiing with our hosts, Elly and Pat. They took us over some bumps, and through powder, including a small amount of glades skiing. All new experiences that sufficiently tested our skills. We then enjoyed some time with at the Weasel House with our new friends, and met Kelly Vanderbeek, a Gold Medallist from Torino.

Today, Woodsy and I both fighting the Weasel Cough, ventured up to do some turns with my cousin who is a RCMP posted to Whistler Mountain for the Olympics. Bryan has many years experience skiing out here and took us for a few turns, until Woodsy went home for a nap. Bryan and I continued to look for powder stashes and cruising runs.

With tired legs we made our way to the Gondola, and I checked out for the last time. In to see Leah at the accreditation and check-in house where I received my thank you gift from Vanoc.

One heck of a good meal.

Beadraich - Here is a photo of the cellar at Rim Rock, the restaurant that we had the pleasure of dining at tonight. It certainly made the top 10 best meals list.

Sent wirelessly from my personal account on my BlackBerry device.

Blackcomb and Glaciers!

Beadraich - Today was my first time on a glacier, as Woodsy and I ventured onto the Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain. Now this photo was taken from an overlook, looking down the mountain.

Whohoo!!

Woodsy - Beadraich and I just found out that neither of us have to work tomorrow.  Most of the Men's Alpine Crews have the day off.  So...we are technically done with our volunteering duties.  I told my crew chief that I would stop in on Thursday or Friday to say good bye etc.
Yesterday we worked, met Michael's cousin at the Weasel House and then went for dinner at Creek Bread again.  We were home in time to watch Virture/Moir win gold.  It was excellent!
Today we skiied Blackcomb with an old neighbour of mine, Neighbour Dave.  We went on a tour with a Mountain Host.  It was a great tour, went up to 7th Heaven which was fun!  I have decided I like Whistler better.  We are going to Rim Rock tonight for dinner.  It is supposed to be a really good restaurant.
Gotta run, I typed this blog post while on the gondola!!
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Goofing off!

Beadraich Photo - a view of the Roundhouse, as well as Whistler and the various peaks in the background I think a few of the names are Brandywine Mountain, Mount Kee, and Powder Mountain.


Beadraich Photo - Harmony Chair, this photo is from near the start of Pika's traverse, and shows the top of the Harmony chair looking out over the ridges.

Beadraich - Today was interesting. With my Crewchee (Crew Chief) having gone back to Calgary where he lives and works, along with 4 of our crew, it has left what little communication we've had, very confusing. Yesterday I was instructed to report to Jim, a section chief who was responsible for the entire top section of the race course. Jim communicated clearly what needed to be done, and me, and the two other remaining members of my crew quickly sorted it out, and got the start area ready for a race.

After the race, I was be loaned out to a crew on fence duties. When I went looking for them, there was a cute steward guarding the gate, and after flirting with her for a moment or two, a spectator had an accident in a tight section of trail, and we blocked the trail to await the crew, and of course the Ski Patrol. My crew never showed up, I guess the decision was changed regarding fencing so, i went and skied.

Today, after signing in, with no crew to meet up with, and no instructions on where to report, or who to report to, I went looking for Jim or anyone to report to, and I just couldn't find them anywhere on the back bowls of Whistler. Today was a perfect photo day!

Woodsy and I are off tomorrow, so we will ski early and maybe late depending on the snow, and then go off exploring before our special treat - Rim Rock for dinner!