This was a long (but fantastic) day.......Below is an actual recorded timeline of Michelle and My adventures at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
T-1 day: Packing up the Bumble. For those of you unaware, my Ford Expedition is nicknamed "The Bumble" after the abominable snowman in Rudolph. It's massive, it's white, and it bounces (except for that one time on the 520).
20 February 2010
3:something; Get up, stumble into shower. Got to double check for passports, tickets, and PILLOWS! Can’t forget the pillows! Oh, and then check again for passports and tickets. And again in the car, check for passports and tickets.
4:29 on our way!
5:37 No road trip can commence without the obligatory drive through McDonald’s breakfast. Today’s addition brought to you by Burlington, WA
6:10 Driving through Bellingham; we can see the lights at the ski runs on Grouse and Cyprus Mountains in North Vancouver from here, no joke, an hour away it’s like UFO's in the sky.
6:37 We’re here at the Peace Arch – Can’t believe it, we’re driving straight into the customs booth. This guy is a bit gruff, “when was the last time you were here?” What? No idea, but whatever I told him got us across the border.
7:17 Following our google maps, we find the Bridgeport light rail station in Richmond, BC with it’s parking garage (shared with the River Rock Casino). Perfect back-in spot, against the wall, flat and good for sleepin' later. At only $2 a day, it’s an unbelievable bargain for parking at the Olympics.
8:05 After a short light rail ride, we’re in downtown Vancouver. Skytrain is easy as can be, and at this hour barely requires any standing passengers. Now here we are, early morning sunshine in our faces; what’s next? A quick bobsled run, zipline? How about first things first, where’s the Starbuck’s?8:50 We discover a Japadog location; there are a couple, this is the restaurant. We'll hold out for the hot dog cart at lunchtime. Saw this on Anthony Bourdain when he was in Vancouver, it’s been getting a lot of press this week.
9:30 Walking, Enjoying the sunshine and the building crowds. The color is out today, flags, painted faces, what a fantastic setting. The exhibits at Canada live area doesn't open until 11 though, don’t think we can stand in line for an hour and a half.
10:06 crepes! OK, tims for brunch, second breakkie, whatever you want to call it. mmmm banana nutella crepe.10:47 Walk into The Bay; can you believe there is a 2 hr wait just to get into the Olympics store in the Hudson's Bay store??? That is crazy. If this were in the US, every empty storefront in downtown Vancouver would be rented out for the month to sell souveniers.
11:25 Finally make our way to the Olympic Cauldron near the Vancouver Convention Center on the waterfront. Large fences, large crowds, and we’re looking to meet Brian and Terri. This should be easy; Where is the white guy with the Asian girl? Uhhhh.11:34 It’s the Carlsons! And their friends! BC actually sprung for the international phone call (which means I did too) to find us. Many joyous hugs and handshakes follow, along with the obligatory group photos with the Flames in the distance.
12:14 Japadog Time! I’ll take the #1 please; Kurabota pork, teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, seaweed…..Something wrong about this, but oh so right. After finishing this interesting concoction, I was introduction to Fireball! Canadian whisky infused with cinnamon. Yeah, this is good; warms the throat and then the belly. As BC informed me “Tastes like Heaven, Burns like Hell”. A stop at the duty free on the way home may be in order.
1:15 Back on the Skytrain; did I mention how easy this is? We waited on maybe 2-3 trains leaving downtown Vancouver, a total of about 10 minutes. Things are getting a bit more crowded now, downtown starting to fill up with flags, songs, and people people everwhere. 
2:03 We arrive at the Aberdeen Station in Richmond A mile walk to the venue, the Richmond Oval. This is a beautiful facility on the riverbank. What an amazing day, when we arrive to the venue, there is a sea of Orange, the Dutch fans take their speedskating VERY seriously. This is going to be fun!!
2:15 The line is now moving, we’re going in! It's all a piece of cake, a model of efficiency, a polite but excited crowd, a beautiful day and a beautiful arena. Can't believe how well everything has gone so far...
4:15 The Richmond Oval is an amazing place, humongous roof beams constructed with reclaimed wood, seating is intimate and close to the ice all the way around. We start with 19 pairs of skaters (actually 37 guys total, one went alone). The guys race in pairs, but rankings are done by the clock. Each competitor gets one run, 3.75 laps around the track 1500m in all. It will all come down to the last couple of groups. The Dutch fans are out in force, with Orange suits, wigs, flags, horns, and beers in hand. There are plenty of Canadian and American fans as well, but it looks like a Tennessee football game in here!
5:50 Shani Davis comes to the line. It’s the last pair, currently a Dutchman is in the lead, Shani Davis of the USA is the pre-race favorite. No joke, in 2006 he became the first African American to win an individual medal at the winter Olympics. “The Incredibles” character “Fro-Zone” is modeled after him and his “Super Suit”. He looks ready, here we go! 
5:51:46 Silver medal for the USA; The Dutch fans erupt as the (2) appears next to Davis' name, awarding the Gold to their man. The “recognition ceremony” is nice, kind of like when they used to award the medals right after the events. Now of course there is an opportunity to sell tickets to an “Award Ceremony” so we don’t get to see them get their medals and hear the anthems anymore. Oh well, was nice how they still got to be acknowledged together by the crowd.
6:25 We’re back into the cold night; another mile walk to the Richmond “O-Zone”, following the jovial mostly Dutch crowd.6:54 Huh, this looks like a high school football field. It is! The Richmond “O-Zone” has food halls, a music stage, big screens showing the games, and the Heineken Holland House!
7:07 HUNGRY! Find a Greek stand in the food tents. Lamb donair for yours truly; Yum!
7:14 Mich ops for the Shu Mai, dumplings, and I add some spring rolls. It’s decent, got something in our tummies anyway. This is a really nice setup, really gets the locals involved and a great place to enjoy watching the games with the community. We stick around for a bit for the short track semifinals. JR Got Robbed! Apollo on to the finals! Should we stay or should we go? This event finished a lot earlier than we thought….we can make it home by midnight and skip sleeping in the truck. Let’s go for it.
8:50 After another short light rail ride back to the Bridgeport station, we make a quick stop at the Casino for a look around and to catch the Short Track final (Go Apollo!). Alas, only a bronze for Ohno and the USA, but a record setting achievement nonetheless (his 7th Winter Olympics medal).
9:15 I like to shop at the duty free shop; Fireball and Absinthe!
9:40 Get into line at the border crossing back to the states. It’s a short line, but as always I pick the wrong one and become infuriated when the other two lanes move so much faster than us! Dangit!
9:53 Back on American soil! 13 min total, amazing! USA! USA! USA!
10:30 Can't....keep....eyes....open. Rest Stop sign, time for a nap in Skagit County. Just a quick nap, an hour or so and we'll be home by 1am. Just a few minutes…..
4:31 Woke up in back of truck. Well, so much for a quick nap. Snoozed for a bit, restroom break, and get back on the road. Btw, what kind of volunteer is selling cookies at a rest stop at this hour? Probably the folks I don’t want to be buying cookies from.
5:42 Another pit stop at Starbucks in Marysville; A chance to get rid of some more Canadian money
6:28 home sweet home. It’s been 25:59 hrs total garage door-to-garage door. Back to bed.
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