Vancouver Olympics, Feb 28th, 2010 - a Perfect Day

The drive up from my house near Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia, takes less than six hours. That's just too close - there wasn't any way I would miss a chance to see at least part of the Winter Olympics.

I've always been a fan - sure, over time, the Olympics have seen some of the same overt commercialization that has so damaged professional sports. Still, there is a sense of magic around the Olympics, especially the Winter Games.

We were able to go up twice - once on February 14th when we were able to see a hockey game between Russia and Finland, and again on the 28th for the closing ceremony. And as luck would have it, to be in Vancouver for the Gold Medal hockey game between Canada and the United States.

Silly me, I had hopes of getting into a bar to watch the game, which started at noon. When we arrived in Vancouver we found out all the downtown bars and restaurants had been full since 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning. We were relegated to walking the streets and looking in. Luckily, a lot of places had a screen pointed outward to provide strollers with game coverage.

But it wasn't even the game that was the fun part. The crowd, the excitement, the absolute immersion into a citywide celebration were the best parts - and why there was no better place to be on that day, at that time.

As Canada scored once, then again - the people cheered from their seats, their cars, their balconies and rooftops. The U.S. team scored once, but Canada was on top, 2-1, with less than a minute to go. The excitement built to a near frenzy as a city - no, a nation - waited to begin their biggest party ever.

And last-minute goal from the Americans tied it up, and you could feel the air get sucked out of the streets. But alas, the party was only delayed, not set aside. Sidney Crosby's overtime goal was the crest of an even higher wave. The aftermath of the victory was something wonderful to experience!

Just as the game ended we needed to make our way into B.C. Place for the closing ceremony. Once seated, we were instructed what to do as part of the audience participation, including when to don our moose antlers with flashing lights. It was fun, entertaining, and an event to always be remembered.

There were three parts of the closing that were highlights for me.

The Russian presentation was interesting, and I would love to able to attend the 2014 games in Sochi. I like the Black Sea, and hope to see the games set on that shore, far from the Pacific waters.

Niel Young singing "Long May You Run" as the flame was extinguished was a priceless pairing of event and entertainer, lyric and moment.

And the closing extravaganza around the "Maple Leaf Forever" was delightfully tongue-in-cheek while also paying good tribute to Canada and it's wonderfully open people.

All in all, I can't think of a better place to have been.....good job, Canada!