We've had some really nice weather here and a fabulous experience at Canada Olympic Park. The campground is right next door to the 1988 site of the Winter Olympics and they have turned the place into a very active winter and summer activity venue. Miles and miles of dirt bike paths; zip lines from the 90 meter ski jump tower and a hamster ball (my term) ride that straps you into a clear plastic over sized beach ball and let's you roll down a ski slope, insane but the kids like it. You also have unfettered access to all the areas including several ski jump towers; bobsled and luge tracks and a really neat museum and Hall of Fame.
Getting ready to jump - 60 meter tower They athletes practice year round and they use the 60 and 90 meter towers to jump. Yes, no snow just plastic mats, looks a lot like grass that they keep wet with sprinklers and these folks come down the ramps on skis and land and slow down in soft dirt. Absolutely amazing.
We were at the top and saw and heard these young folks jumping. We were able to walk over to where they were and I passed a comment about how much "courage" it took to do something like that. The coaches overheard me and they invited us to come closer and we had an unbelievable experience. We actually stood underneath where the slope ends and they jumped over our heads ! We got to stand alongside the landing areas (during snow and competition the officials would be standing here) and the views were incredible. You could actually hear the wind as the skier passed by you, maybe 6 feet away !
We stood right below this jumper.
He's past us and heading down I've always been fascinated with the winter games and this was a lifetime experience. Some of these kids (girls and boys in their 20's) will compete in the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
On the way down, track has water on it
We were standing on the steps to the left. The pictures show some of the action, but I'm not sure you can get the full feeling.
Our viewing platform on the right
We also toured a historic fort in downtown Calgary where the first contingent of the Northwest Mounted Police began guarding the territory in the mid 1800's.
Downtown Calgary Gene & I got in 18 at Fox Hollow Golf Course today and we're off to Banff and the Canadian Rockies on Saturday.
Fox Hollow GolfBTW, it's 9.24pm and the sun is still shining. Days are getting longer !
We"ll talk again soon.
Gene & Laurie
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