Work Day and Our Home Away From Home

Woodsy - Today was my first actual "work day".  I got up at 5:10 am, arrived for breakfast at the venue at 6, meeting at 7 and to the "mid station" by 7:30.  I was taken on a tour and then began working.  A Steward's job is to maintain the integrity of the mens course-basically not allow people on the course.  I was off the mountain by 4 pm.  I even got a ride home from one of the other Stewards, who lives around the corner.
Speaking of home, our home away from home in Whistler is amazing!  Our host, Pat picked us up at the bus stop on our arrival and our hostess, Elly greeted us at the front door, taking pictures.  On the evening of our arrival, we were wonderfully surprised with a delicious lasagna dinner.  It was definitely what we needed after a long day of travel and we really appreciated.  Beadraich and I have our own wonderful bedroom and we share a bathroom with Graydon.  We are 2 bus stops away from Creekside, which is wonderful!
We are going to watch the opening ceremonies tonight and have dinner with our hosts, their daughter, Shannon and grand daughter, Reighan.
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Somber day.

Beadraich - Today is a sad one as the word spreads around Whistler about the Georgian luger who died tragically at the Whistler Sliding Centre today. I think I can speak for woodsy and myself when I say that our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and country.

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Whistler Creekside

Beadraich - Here is my view as I try to decide what to do. Go skiing for a little bit then go home and sleep, or relax as I get ready to come back and work at 10PM. This is the view looking up towards the timing flats, from inside the secure area where we gather each morning with other volunteers.

The blue army meeting

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First day

Woodsy - Today was our Training Day.  It was about 1 hour of training which included a safety video, venue tour and question and answer.  After that both Beadraich and I were able to "free ski".  There were 7 of us that headed up the Creekside Gondola.  We had just met in our Training-people from Halifax, Toronto and Newmarket.  After we got off the Gondola, we ran into our host, Pat.  He is also a "mountain host", meaning he knows where the powder statches are.  We did a couple of runs with him, a couple of runs on our own and then headed into The Village.  We met up with Graydon, as she is doing "on the job training" tomorrow.  All in all, a great first day.  Now we are heading back to The Village to meet Beadraich's cousin for dinner at The Brew Pub.
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Schedule changes and work.

Beadraich - Here is the e-mail that I just received from my crew chief. I'm sharing this for everyone to appreciate what we are experiencing.

Crew!

For the next few days be prepared that the track will run 24hrs a day and we may get a shift in the middle of the night or have some super long days. Make sure you have water and food in your pack at all times as who knows how long the days will be until the race is done.

They want us ready to go and get it done until the downhill is complete.

Breakfast at 6 and meeting at 7 in the large tent for tomorrow.

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Getting supplies!

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