Prince George - Smithers (Day 93)

Well today is day 93 and the relay made its way from Prince George to Smithers. I'm driving today and we had a nice morning start at UNBC. We then proceeded to Vanderhoof where we were greeted with a picture perfect winter day as a light snow was falling with temperature around -2. The lunch celebration was in Burns Lake and as usual we were well received by the community.

My day is now over and I will be off to my northern adventures tomorrow as I'm flying to Dawson Creek where the relay will make its way to the surrounding communities. I will then board another flight and go to Fort Nelson. Stay tuned!



Carpe Diem

Chuck

Williams Lake - Prince George (Day 92)

I was off for day 91. Our route today started in Williams Lake and finished in Prince George. My day started in Quesnel after the lunch celebration. I was on the bike today. This duty is great as I get to meet all the torchbearers as I am in charge to turn their torch on at the start and off at the end of their run.

For me it's a sprint in between each runner in order to make sure that the next is ready. Total tally for me today was about 20 km of riding on a nice sunny day. The crowd was great in Prince George which was a nice way to end the day.

Carpe Diem,

Chuck

Revelstoke - Kamloops (Day 90)

My day started early this morning with a 645 start. You could still feel the cold as it was about minus 6 out there. The flame got on a train from Revelstoke which was quite nice to see with the lit cauldron at the back. As we arrived in Salmon Arm for the lunch celebration, the sun was out and it was starting to warm up.


The Flame travels aboard a CP Train



The torchbearer lights her torch from the train's cauldron

It amazes me to see how many 1988 Olympic torch relay uniform that people are wearing on the side of the road. The crowd was great and another nice celebration was on its way. This is the end of my day, which was a short one running wise with about 10 km of running. The flame will make its way to Kamloops tonight.


Special assignment:
I got back in the relay tonight. I was lucky to be assigned to Mark Recchi currently playing for the Boston Bruins as he was the final torchbearer along with famous Canadian athlete Nancy Greene Raine. I spoke with Mark and he was very proud to carry the Olympic flame.


Mike Recchi

Carpe Diem,

Chuck

Vernon - Revelstoke (Day 89)

My day started in Vernon after the lunch celebration. The weather was great and we started with a wonderful group of Special Olympians carrying the torch. As we made our way through the smaller communities, it never ceased to amaze me to see how many people came out and cheered on the flame and Canada. The torch was even carried on a houseboat!

The flame on a houseboat in Sicamous

As for the night celebration, it was nice to enter Revelstoke on a clear night, with sub-zero temperature and snow on the ground, which made it feel like the winter Olympics! We were greeted by a great crowd. I ran a total of 18 km today and it was a great day for it. I'll be on the morning running team tomorrow.





Carpe Diem

Chuck

Penticton - Kelowna (Day 88)

First day back with the torch. I did not run, but drove one of the vehicles. It was nice to see all the people lining the road everywhere the torch would go. What was even more amazing was to see that many people were dressed in red with Canadian flags and smiles all around.


Crowds await the flame in Summerland

There is nothing better than seeing the torchbearers with a smile as they finish their run. Our day finished in Kelowna and we were greeted by a crowd of over 10,000 people. Tomorrow I will be running from Vernon to Revelstoke.


The cauldron is lit in Kelowna

Carpe Diem

P.S.
Here is a photo of the lantern that keeps the Olympic flame burning at all time (the torch is lit from these flames). The flame in the lanterns is the one that was lit in Greece.

I've arrived!

I just landed in Penticton. The sun is showing itself through the snow covered peaks but my first thought is "it's a bit cold up here". Well this is just the beginning as it will get much colder before we get to Vancouver.

I'm excited though. I'm joining the Olympic relay this afternoon and will be running from Penticton to Kelowna. I will give you all an update tonight after my first running shift. Hope to see you all in New Westminster on February 9!

Carpe Diem!