Well, I'm sure there was an easier way, but I just simply did not come upon it, and before I trash my computer out of frustration in trying to upload photos here, I've gone to Plan B.
If you're already a Facebook Friend of mine, go there now, and you'll be able to see all 157 (that's actually less than half!) with captions.
If you're not a Facebook Friend, just copy and paste this address into your browser window: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=535222266&ref=search&sid=535222266.4096485826..1 and you'll be taken there, but then I think you'll have to join - do not be afraid - just an email address and a password, that's all you'll need. I promise the pics are worth it!
Thanks for your patience!
Linda
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday - On the Road
Today I said goodbye to my home for the last month - the chalet or cabin as they call it, of Leo and Loraine Astorino in Black Tusk Village. I have been so comfortable with them, and in their mountain home - so much more at home than I ever could have imagined. I was truly blessed to have found them as my hosts.
We departed Whistler mid-morning, and drove the Sea-to-Sky Highway back to Vancouver. The whole time, I watched the passing mountain scenery outside the car, and wondered when I would see it next.
They took the roads rather than the freeway through Vancouver, so I got to see Robson St., where all the Olympics festivities had taken place, Stanley Park, the various suburb/cities that make up Metro Vancouver, and even the infamous East Side. We dropped Leo off at their business (Astorino Catering and Hall), and Loraine and I ran a few errands. I have enjoyed Loraine's cooking so much, that I thought it appropriate they receive a food-related thank you gift from me - she had often expressed her wish for a microwave at the cabin, but said that she just doesn't ever seem to get around to getting one (and they've had the cabin for 25years!), so that's what I got her today, and I really hope they get lots of use out of it up there.
We pretty well killed the day, arrived at their home in Coquitlam late afternoon, got myself organized, had a great long chat with Siobhan over the phone, another amazing dinner from Loraine, and now I'm winding up my blog.
The next entry will be for picture purposes, and on Ontario soil, as I am scheduled to fly out tomorrow night, and get into Toronto Thursday morning, but it's really killing me to be all done here, and not back among my loved ones, so I'm heading to the airport first thing in the morning, and going to try and go stand-by on an earlier flight - here's hoping! (Cause the other night, that damn Tim Horton's commercial of the family flying into Canada for the first time, and they kiss, and cry and - man, I was a mess! You know the one?? Good times or not - I've got to get home now.)
We departed Whistler mid-morning, and drove the Sea-to-Sky Highway back to Vancouver. The whole time, I watched the passing mountain scenery outside the car, and wondered when I would see it next.
They took the roads rather than the freeway through Vancouver, so I got to see Robson St., where all the Olympics festivities had taken place, Stanley Park, the various suburb/cities that make up Metro Vancouver, and even the infamous East Side. We dropped Leo off at their business (Astorino Catering and Hall), and Loraine and I ran a few errands. I have enjoyed Loraine's cooking so much, that I thought it appropriate they receive a food-related thank you gift from me - she had often expressed her wish for a microwave at the cabin, but said that she just doesn't ever seem to get around to getting one (and they've had the cabin for 25years!), so that's what I got her today, and I really hope they get lots of use out of it up there.
We pretty well killed the day, arrived at their home in Coquitlam late afternoon, got myself organized, had a great long chat with Siobhan over the phone, another amazing dinner from Loraine, and now I'm winding up my blog.
The next entry will be for picture purposes, and on Ontario soil, as I am scheduled to fly out tomorrow night, and get into Toronto Thursday morning, but it's really killing me to be all done here, and not back among my loved ones, so I'm heading to the airport first thing in the morning, and going to try and go stand-by on an earlier flight - here's hoping! (Cause the other night, that damn Tim Horton's commercial of the family flying into Canada for the first time, and they kiss, and cry and - man, I was a mess! You know the one?? Good times or not - I've got to get home now.)
Monday - Day 22 - Spa Day
So, what's a girl to do once her unlimited olympic ski pass expires with the onset of the Closing Ceremonies? (how about those floating beavers, eh?!) Take a Spa Day, of course.
The Fairmont Chateau Whislter offers use of their facilities to non-guests for a fee (and of course I asked for the special "Blue Jacket Rate", and got a discount :), so I packed up my "house" (that's my backpack I've been carrying everywhere, every day, with everything I could possibly need from early morning till late at night, and got a ride in from a nice Newfie lady (I know - a little far from home, that one) - the dumb Black Tusk bus that hardly ever came, and when it did, was way off schedule, is no more, now that the Games are over.
I made my way through the Village, where all kinds of workers were packing up various things - disassembling stages, booths, and add-ons to restaurants that had been used as social and dining 'houses' for various countries, such as the Swiss House where we had dinner last week.
The Chateau is located at the base of Blackcomb, and is just gorgeous; the locker room shouldn't even be called that, it's so lovely - solid oak lockers, inside and out, granite counters, fresh flowers, all the toiletries and tools a girl might need, terry bathrobes, towels, etc etc. I had a great workout on the eliptical, rowing machine, and floor, for a good hour and a half in their gym - top of the line equipment, three big screen T.V.s, mountian view, and of course, smiling staff standing at the ready to serve at a mere glance in their direction.
When my workout was complete, I was into the sauna. Once all heated up, I slipped into the refreshing pool, dipped underwater, and swam forward, through a little passageway, and up I came, on the other side - that would be OUTside! The mountain towers over this area - a recreational pool, a lap pool, three large hot tubs, and a bar - with, of course, in-pool service. But, I was there to get fit, and the partying must stop sometime, after all! So, into the lap pool for me, where I swam up and down and up and down - oh, and did I mention the underwater stereo? Once that last lunge at the fitness thing was complete, I immersed myself in one of the bubbling hot tubs, then finished off in the first pool, afloat on my back, arms outstretched (this takes a certain amount of aquatic skill and concentration), gazing up at the mighty mountain.
Its long fingers of snow-white clearings descending from its peak, disappearing into the forested lower elevations...we said our goodbyes. It had been such a source of trepidation before I came, and ended up being my teacher, my confident, my friend.
The Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, Canada...where God has turned the earth inside out.
I ended off all alone in the private steam room of the ladies' locker room. Mmm...now, that's reeeeeelaxin'! Then, got myself all girlied up, and met up with Alanna and Ingrid for a final dinner out at the Rimrock. They kindly drove me all the way home, and thus ended my final evening in Whistler, B.C.
The Fairmont Chateau Whislter offers use of their facilities to non-guests for a fee (and of course I asked for the special "Blue Jacket Rate", and got a discount :), so I packed up my "house" (that's my backpack I've been carrying everywhere, every day, with everything I could possibly need from early morning till late at night, and got a ride in from a nice Newfie lady (I know - a little far from home, that one) - the dumb Black Tusk bus that hardly ever came, and when it did, was way off schedule, is no more, now that the Games are over.
I made my way through the Village, where all kinds of workers were packing up various things - disassembling stages, booths, and add-ons to restaurants that had been used as social and dining 'houses' for various countries, such as the Swiss House where we had dinner last week.
The Chateau is located at the base of Blackcomb, and is just gorgeous; the locker room shouldn't even be called that, it's so lovely - solid oak lockers, inside and out, granite counters, fresh flowers, all the toiletries and tools a girl might need, terry bathrobes, towels, etc etc. I had a great workout on the eliptical, rowing machine, and floor, for a good hour and a half in their gym - top of the line equipment, three big screen T.V.s, mountian view, and of course, smiling staff standing at the ready to serve at a mere glance in their direction.
When my workout was complete, I was into the sauna. Once all heated up, I slipped into the refreshing pool, dipped underwater, and swam forward, through a little passageway, and up I came, on the other side - that would be OUTside! The mountain towers over this area - a recreational pool, a lap pool, three large hot tubs, and a bar - with, of course, in-pool service. But, I was there to get fit, and the partying must stop sometime, after all! So, into the lap pool for me, where I swam up and down and up and down - oh, and did I mention the underwater stereo? Once that last lunge at the fitness thing was complete, I immersed myself in one of the bubbling hot tubs, then finished off in the first pool, afloat on my back, arms outstretched (this takes a certain amount of aquatic skill and concentration), gazing up at the mighty mountain.
Its long fingers of snow-white clearings descending from its peak, disappearing into the forested lower elevations...we said our goodbyes. It had been such a source of trepidation before I came, and ended up being my teacher, my confident, my friend.
The Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, Canada...where God has turned the earth inside out.
I ended off all alone in the private steam room of the ladies' locker room. Mmm...now, that's reeeeeelaxin'! Then, got myself all girlied up, and met up with Alanna and Ingrid for a final dinner out at the Rimrock. They kindly drove me all the way home, and thus ended my final evening in Whistler, B.C.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Pics are coming...
I swear they are - it just is really tough here in the hotel - I'm going to see if I can do them in Vancouver at my host's home. If not, check back in a few days - I'll get them on once I'm home, for sure - or should I say, Gord will - one of the many reasons I miss you so, my Darling!
Sunday - Canada Breaks the Medal Record!
This was the last day for our unlimited lift pass, so just haaaad to be a ski day.
I checked out, instead of checking in, as I had done every other morning, in order to receive my parting gift. You see, every day that you work, you get a sticker, and every three days that you work, your Accreditation card gets punched and you receive an appreciation gift. Girls, you'll see the loot when I get home, so I don't want to spoil the surprise here, but we'll have lots of fun divvying (sp?) it up, for sure!
I uploaded by 10am, and even though I knew many were gone, I had no idea the place would be so desolate - banners and flags are being rolled up, I didn't have to go through any security, not an athlete to be found anywhere, no blue jackets, fences down, hardly any equipment in our ski storage room, the soup tent at Midstation which was a social hive every day for the last 3 weeks was deserted. But, no bother, I'm here to ski today, so up one more chair, past the fog, to the top. And voila! Visibility!
Skied the higher runs for a few hours, and then the weirdest thing happened: for those of you who have been here, you'll know that the Harmony Chair accesses some of the most lovely skiing, and is very popular with the experts on the hill - usually lots of great skiing and boarding to be seen from the chair. But, at about 12:15 I was riding up, and I noticed the dwindling numbers had fallen to zero - I scanned the entire mountain of runs visible from this chair, and there are many - not a skier, not a snowboarder, not a Mountain Host or a Ski Patroller in sight. I suddenly felt totally alone in the world, and completely ill at ease with the thought of skiing anywhere at all. If I had a fall, I could be there forever - bloody hockey game! (Sorry hockey fans). I really felt it wasn't smart to continue while every other human being in this town was apparently glued a TV. I skied back to Midstation, and even had a tough time convincing the lift operators to let me download, as they were going to shut the gondola down while the game was on since there were no races, and the public is still not allowed up that lift. If I didn't go down now, I'd be stuck up there till who knows when. So down I came, had my last VANOC soup lunch - let's hear it for everyone's favourite - the Garlic Tomato - mmmm!
Scooped up my skis, boots and poles, and parked myself here, at the hotel, typing away for the afternoon. I did, in fact, get up and saunter over to the lobby bar to see the last two minutes of the Gold Medal Hockey between Canada and the US - so I wasn't totally ignoring it - well, almost - don't know why - don't like pickles, and don't see the fuss about hockey - just my taste, that's all. In any event, I'm very proud of Canada's most recent win - elevating us to record medal-holder status.
I'll now be off to the bus, with not just my usual backpack on my back, but my boots hanging over it, my skis on my shoulder, and two pairs of poles - a friend very generously gave me a great pair he couldn't use, so Siobhan and Brenna, if either of you wants my old poles, they're now up for grabs!
A couple of you have asked if I'm going to the Closing Ceremonies - the answer is no, one would have to have purchased tickets way in advance, which were very expensive, and don't forget, I'm not in Vancouver, I'm two hours north in Whistler.
My plan is to spend a nice evening at home with my host, Loraine. (Leo is working back home in Vancouver right now.) She's an amazing cook, we'll enjoy some wine, and I'll start to prep for my departure in a couple of days. Leo is coming back to drive us down on Tuesday morning. They have very kindly offered their home to me in the city for one more night. Then, I depart Wednesday night. I am going to see if I can get an earlier flight though - here's hoping...my heart is already on its way, now I just need my body and baggage to catch up...
I checked out, instead of checking in, as I had done every other morning, in order to receive my parting gift. You see, every day that you work, you get a sticker, and every three days that you work, your Accreditation card gets punched and you receive an appreciation gift. Girls, you'll see the loot when I get home, so I don't want to spoil the surprise here, but we'll have lots of fun divvying (sp?) it up, for sure!
I uploaded by 10am, and even though I knew many were gone, I had no idea the place would be so desolate - banners and flags are being rolled up, I didn't have to go through any security, not an athlete to be found anywhere, no blue jackets, fences down, hardly any equipment in our ski storage room, the soup tent at Midstation which was a social hive every day for the last 3 weeks was deserted. But, no bother, I'm here to ski today, so up one more chair, past the fog, to the top. And voila! Visibility!
Skied the higher runs for a few hours, and then the weirdest thing happened: for those of you who have been here, you'll know that the Harmony Chair accesses some of the most lovely skiing, and is very popular with the experts on the hill - usually lots of great skiing and boarding to be seen from the chair. But, at about 12:15 I was riding up, and I noticed the dwindling numbers had fallen to zero - I scanned the entire mountain of runs visible from this chair, and there are many - not a skier, not a snowboarder, not a Mountain Host or a Ski Patroller in sight. I suddenly felt totally alone in the world, and completely ill at ease with the thought of skiing anywhere at all. If I had a fall, I could be there forever - bloody hockey game! (Sorry hockey fans). I really felt it wasn't smart to continue while every other human being in this town was apparently glued a TV. I skied back to Midstation, and even had a tough time convincing the lift operators to let me download, as they were going to shut the gondola down while the game was on since there were no races, and the public is still not allowed up that lift. If I didn't go down now, I'd be stuck up there till who knows when. So down I came, had my last VANOC soup lunch - let's hear it for everyone's favourite - the Garlic Tomato - mmmm!
Scooped up my skis, boots and poles, and parked myself here, at the hotel, typing away for the afternoon. I did, in fact, get up and saunter over to the lobby bar to see the last two minutes of the Gold Medal Hockey between Canada and the US - so I wasn't totally ignoring it - well, almost - don't know why - don't like pickles, and don't see the fuss about hockey - just my taste, that's all. In any event, I'm very proud of Canada's most recent win - elevating us to record medal-holder status.
I'll now be off to the bus, with not just my usual backpack on my back, but my boots hanging over it, my skis on my shoulder, and two pairs of poles - a friend very generously gave me a great pair he couldn't use, so Siobhan and Brenna, if either of you wants my old poles, they're now up for grabs!
A couple of you have asked if I'm going to the Closing Ceremonies - the answer is no, one would have to have purchased tickets way in advance, which were very expensive, and don't forget, I'm not in Vancouver, I'm two hours north in Whistler.
My plan is to spend a nice evening at home with my host, Loraine. (Leo is working back home in Vancouver right now.) She's an amazing cook, we'll enjoy some wine, and I'll start to prep for my departure in a couple of days. Leo is coming back to drive us down on Tuesday morning. They have very kindly offered their home to me in the city for one more night. Then, I depart Wednesday night. I am going to see if I can get an earlier flight though - here's hoping...my heart is already on its way, now I just need my body and baggage to catch up...
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