In my last blog, Road Trip to the Olympics: The Dream of a Lifetime, I told the story of our ill-fated attempt to go to the Olympics, which was thwarted by a flu bug.  But after a 48 hour recovery period, we were ready to go!

At 7:30 AM on Thursday, February 25, we headed up I-5 toward the Peace Arch border crossing at Blaine, Washington.  Our Olympic mobile contained 2 moms, 4 kids and lots of happy anticipation, especially mine.

We arrived at the Bridgeport Sky Train Station where we planned to park and ride into the city.  The garage was already full, however we noticed many people parking in a mud lot underneath the train tracks.

“Can you park here?”  I asked a man and his wife who were heading into the station. “I don’t know.  We walked from our hotel.  We are from Holland,” the man replied in his Euro accent.  Wow!   We were having what I envisioned in my Olympic experience and we hadn’t even parked the car yet!

After parking, we purchased our $9 all day train tickets and boarded the Sky Train. We rode to the Waterfront stop, several blocks from the Olympic flame Cauldron and the Pacific Coliseum where the figure and speed skating events were taking place.

Along the quarter mile walk to the Cauldron past the Coliseum, we saw vendors selling Olympic pins.  Each Olympic venue and sport had a collectible pin.  Volunteers carried some in their pockets.  If you were lucky, they had one to give to you when you asked.   The kids loved this giant treasure hunt taking place all over the city.  They collected four pins each and bought two more.

We picniced fifty feet from the impressive Olympic Cauldron. After taking pictures, we headed toward Robson Square, one of several “Celebration Sites.” On the way, we stood in line to receive a free ball cap at the Omega Plaza behind the Art Gallery.  The kids got their picture taken in a real, cherry red bobsled.

At Robson Square, a zip line was strung between two towers at a breathtaking height and distance. A juggler entertained a crowd next to an ice skating rink where the public could skate for a $2 skate rental fee.  We scored two Olympic pins there and rested our feet watching Finland beat Switzerland in hockey on the live Jumbotron outdoor screen.

Next we walked to BC Place, where the women’s gold medal hockey match was soon to begin. Streams of fans in red maple leaf Canadian jerseys flowed toward the rink.  The band and cheering crowds could be heard from outside. We were looking for one of many pavilions offering free activities. The line snaking around the Ontario house indicated a two-hour wait to enter, which was typical of the indoor venues.  We contented ourselves with the outdoor ambiance and headed off to find our souvenirs at a quaint section of town called Gastown.

As afternoon edged toward evening, our Olympic adventure wound down with the waning stamina of six-year-old legs.  We meandered back to the Sky Train for the trip home.

Though we hadn’t seen a single athlete or attended an athletic event, our expectations for our road trip had been fulfilled.  We’d been to the Olympics!  We’d seen the flame.  We met people from other countries. We experienced outstanding Canadian hospitality.  We had Olympic pins and souvenirs to treasure.  Our kids had a unique experience that would enhance their Olympic enjoyment for years to come.

I’m still smiling.  We pulled off a spontaneous, nearly cancelled, very affordable, fabulous Olympic road trip. I’ve had a dream come true. And to think I almost missed it!

-posted by Donna Detweiler, who suggests you take a road trip to Vancouver for the Paralympics coming up in March.

Posted on Tuesday, March 9th in Bits and Pieces, Things to do, family.
Tags: donna detweiler