Our last day at the Olympics was a another early start for the Alberta Train.   Today we had Bob Thompson, vice chairman of the board from the Calgary Stampede join us on the train and make some connections of his own.   On the way back to Vancouver Bob met Steve Podborski, ” Crazy Canuck” and successful ski athlete, a legend to many.

We again enjoyed a great day in Whistler and bought endless Olympic souvenirs and items, I know I will enjoy for many months to come.  When we returned to Vancouver on our last evening there we wanted to take as much in before the flight home.  Alberta house was packed as the Stereos were playing on stage and captured the many fans and passer bys.

We finished off the night by watching the firework display and looking forward to our next big event and fireworks….the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

While the Stampede is still 80 days away, this was a great way to get ready for Calgary’s celebration in July.

We boarded the Sunday train at the early hour of 6:00 a.m to head to Whistler today. While we were unaware of who would be on the train we knew another good day was ahead. Dr. David Chalack, President and Chairman of the board for the Calgary Stampede joined us on the train today, and did some PR work of his own. In the morning, he met everyone on the train and even captured some media attention of his own.

Once we arrived in Whistler we were able to take in the sites and sounds as it gets busier and busier as each day of the the Olympics goes by. We saw many characters and local celebrities including Peter Mansbridge. In the afternoon before we boarded the train we stopped to check out the Sam Roberts Band perform on the Whistler Live stage, which reminded me of the Coca Cola Stage at Stampede Park. People sitting on the grass minutes before the concert to ensure that they have a great spot. The show was great and was a nice finish to our day in Whister. 

Heading back on the Alberta train today was fun as the Tim Hus was playing, and in true western Style, Dr. Chalack got every one on the train going by two stepping with me on board train car 4.  It is definitely challenging to two step aboard a moving train!

Another early morning today, with a 5:00 am start in order to board the Alberta Train from Vancouver to Whistler.  Met incredible people on the Alberta Train today from our German friends as well as many other travel partners and media.

We also got to witness our first Olympic event today.  The women’s super G.  The course was tough and 15 skiers were not able to finish the track.  Even though a couple of Canadian skiers were in that number, it was still incredible to watch Brydon and Ruben ski.  It was a tight race between the top three and kept me curious right until the end.

Once the event was over we walked down the hill very carefully in our cowboy boots as it was a bit slippery.  We were able to enjoy lunch on an outdoor patio at the winter Olympics and explore Whistler village.

In Whistler, the streets were very busy and everyone had a statement to make.  Whether it was the Aussies, the Americans or the Cowgirls we all had a story to tell.

Ty and Kurt flew out this morning and ended their Olympic journey for the week.  As Ty heads out to Ottawa for a Bull Riding  competition, I take a less challenging journey to the streets of Vancouver to explore the festivities it has to offer.  As the weekend approaches the streets are much busier and it reminds me of Stampede Park’s buzz and excitment.  Families with little ones getting photos with living statues, and couple enjoying breakfast and coffees on the street. 

While the remaining time we have at the Olympics will be spent in Whistler, Vancouver will still offer a taste of Alberta with the variety of statues on the street.

Alberta Day events came to a close for our team when we attended the Medal ceremony at B.C. place.  We had a lot to be excited about.  Maelle Ricker was to receive a gold medal and the ceremony was to be followed up with a performance by Paul Brandt. 

Being in BC Place with over 20,000 Canadian was an emotional and exhilarating feeling when Ricker, a Canadian snowboard cross racer stepped up on the podium to receive gold.  

Following the ceremonies was a fitting performance by Paul Brandt to close off Alberta Day.  With thousands of cowboy hats in this Vancouver crowd, the scene was ready for a great show.

And so it was, Paul Brandt’s great performance got our Royalty singing and even our cowboys foot tapping to the show.  The show came to fitting close with Brandt’s Alberta Bound.

Harry the Horse and Calgary Stampede volunteers where also working hard in Vancouver spreading the Calgary spirit.

In partnership with the great staff at Canada Pavilion, Tourism Calgary, Travel Alberta and Winsport Canada, 2500 hats were distributed to people visiting the Canada Pavilion starting at noon.  Among the volunteers was Alderman Joe Connelly with his Stampede and Alberta spirit.

This was a popular event and the hats were gone quickly.  An added bonus for Harry the Horse and the hat receipts was that the Canadian Men’s luge team was on site signing those hats.

Today is Alberta Day and the Calgary Stampede was sure to make Alberta proud. 

In partnership with Travel Alberta we had another early day on the train; The Stampede Queen and Princess and the Indian Princess joined Ty and Kurt today to represent the Calgary Stampede on the train to Whistler.  Today, Harry the Horse waved everyone off as the train left the station.

The train is a beautiful ride to Whistler that allowed us to meet with several media and ensure they knew the Alberta story.  Once we in Whistler, the boys took in the sport events and ladies and I headed to Whistler village.   

Whistler Village was incredible and the royalty had so many great photos with great people from across the globe.  In the image below you can see a proud German couple and their Olympic Spirit at the Winter games.

This morning, Kurt and Ty were picked up at 5:00 a.m for a 6 a.m departure on the Alberta Train up to Whistler.  It reminded Kurt of Stampede time when they get up at the crack of dawn to exercise the chuckwagon horses.  They enjoyed a luge event and met lots of media from around the world.

This afternoon, we got to join Harry the Horse at the Canada Pavilion and meet Miga and Quachi for the first time.  With true western hospitality Harry presented both of them with the symbolic white cowboy hat of Calgary.  We had some great photos with the Stampede Royalty in the Canada Pavilion with the Olympic mascots and many visitors from around the world.  

Tonight we had dinner at Alberta House where we met the Mayor of Calgary and other personalities including the Chair of the Canadian Tourism Commission.  As the crowds began to line the streets of Vancouver after the hockey game and medal ceremonies, we decided to take in some excitement and join the crowds along Robson and the streets of Vancouver.

Come help us celebrate Alberta Day on Wednesday at the Canada Pavilion and get your very own cowboy hat starting at noon.

I arrived at the Vancouver airport with Ty Eliott, professional bull rider and Kurt Bensmiller, chuckwagon driver, to a surprisingly calm but busy airport at 2:30 p.m.  The excitement started to kick in once we started heading towards the core of the Olympic action in Vancouver.  A great first day that was topped off with a meeting of  Olympic Gold medalist, Alexandre Bilodeau and silver medalist Jennifer Heil.

Join us tomorrow Tuesday February 16, 2010 at the Canada Pavilion at 3:00 p.m. for a meet and greet with the Royalty and see Harry meet the mascots of the Winter games.

Only a few more sleeps until the start of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. The Stampede family including the Stampede Royalty, Harry the Horse, Ty Elliott and Kurt Bensmiller, is participating in the games with our partners like Travel Alberta on two exciting activities: the Alberta Train and Alberta Day, on Feb 17.  Watch here for daily updates starting Feb. 15