Leaving the YVR

So I have decided to cut my trip home a day or so short. I have had an absolute blast here - so many good memories.   Having said that, I feel like I have been in Vancouver for a significant portion of my late 30s.  

This is not the end of curling for me....well maybe for February. March heats up with the US Nationals next weekend in Kalamazoo, followed by my and Grace's duties later in March as Team Leaders for the US Women at the World Championships in Swift Current, Saskatchewan......yes, that Swift Current.......I am indeed going to attempt to be the first South Carolinian to travel to so-called "Speedy Creek" ....and return.  (Apparently 3 Georgians did make it in 70s so Grace will have to settle for being number 4.)

I have had great company on this trip and would like to thank lots of people for great memories (in no particular order):

Dave Ogrean - USA Hockey
Jeff Turnham - Triangle Curling Club
Sandra - Smokey Mountain Curling Club
Chris Dawes - Vancouver Curling Club
Crystal Muller - London, Ontario
Dick Zokol - PGA Tour
Patrick Sanduskey - USOC
Jen Kim - NY, NY
Vernon Davis and Lisa Goodwin - SF 49ers
Sasha Taylor - San Jose, CA
Team USA - Curling and families - MN and WI
Rick Patzke and Terry Kolesar - USCA
Bob Weeks - Toronto
Leland and Margaret Rich - Fairbanks, Alaska
Kellie Krake - NBC
Dan Field - Chicago
Carl Lewis - New Jersey
Dick Fosbury - Ketchum, Idaho
Greg Stremlaw - CCA
all the World Curling folks - Joanna and Kate from Scotland , Graham and Sandy from Canada, Didi from Germany, and many more
Kelli Obrian - MN
Angela, the CIA lady - parts unknown
Matt Van Houten - USA Handball
Gerry Guerts - London, Ontario

I'm sure there are others, but it's just past 5am and I have had about an hour sleep. I have cleared customs and am waiting on the first of like 14 flights to get home.

The pic shows some of the poor saps that are like me - stuck in early morning airport existential bliss.

Thank you Vancouver - thank you friends and family and other people that have gotten stuck reading this.

Talk to you soon....until then "Good Curling."