Let the Games Begin . . . The Pacific Northwest is Ready to Celebrate. - - -
After having some fun with the weather last week, in a post highlighting the lack of snow in the Northwest, while the Northeast received enough snow for years to come, it is time to get ready for the opening of the XXI Olympic Winter Games. At the same time we can't ignore the fact that a lack of snow is still a major problem for a few events scheduled for the Cypress Mountain venues closer to Vancouver. 
The good news is that the premier opening event on Saturday, the men's downhill, is in good shape as it is being run down Whistler's Blackcomb Mountain, (seen in this picture) where three-feet of snow fell a few days ago on top of a six-foot base. My wife and I enjoy Blackcomb and Whistler as favorite vacation spots. It is a wonderful alpine-like village area with magnificent vistas from the top of the ski slopes. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
The organizing committee's big mistake was to not have all the events requiring snow held in the Whistler area. Cypress Mountain to the south is the venue for freestyle events like the moguls and snowboarding. Cypress more closely resembles a mud hole right now, while helicopters are bringing in support for the bases and hundreds of trucks continue to haul snow in a desperate attempt to stay ahead of the warming weather. The big problem is that artificial snow making does not work if the temperature is above freezing. Right now, the long range forecast calls for warm rain.
I do have faith that the rugged Northwest spirit will win out, and even if a few outdoor freestyle events have to be moved or rescheduled, the Winter Olympics that the Northwest has been wanting for over 50 years will be a great show.
And, hey . . . I kind of like the weather, making it easier on the visitors traveling to the games, and maybe they'll even be attracted our balmy "winter" weather . . . and stay on permanently.
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