Only Once in a Lifetime!

Today is Day 86 of the 2010 Olympic Torch relay across Canada and we had the great honour of the torch coming to our very own little community! And why do you ask would they venture to the middle of no where to a tiny town like Elkford? Well we think it has a little something to do with the fact that Elkford possesses 3 of the 5 mines that are run by Teck. Teck is one of the providers of the raw materials that the Olympic medals are made of. Todd works for Teck. You can read more about the medals here.

Spencer and I got up at 5am this morning knowing that we would see the Olympic flame come to our very own sleepy little town.

We met up with what seemed half the town of Elkford this morning at our local community center. We grabbed some official 2010 Olympic flags and some candles to light the path of the torch.

Outside the community center the local fire department had parked the fire engine with a huge Canadian flag hanging from the ladder.

We watched eagerly as the official Olympic torch vehicles began to assemble in the parking lot in front of us.

The fire crew lit a mock torch and stood on top of the engine.

And from behind us amid the crowd, the official flame emerged! AMAZING site! This was the first official runner for Day 86 of the relay.

We watched as she ran off into the darkness of the night carrying the beautiful flame! Truly a wonderful and once in lifetime site.

The town had arranged a cool fireworks display at the end of the street marking Elkford on the Olympic torch relay map.

Once the torch had left the town, we gathered in the community hall for a pancake breakfast. The first 3 runners of the day arrived not too long after, holding each of their torches. What I didn't realize is that each runner was able to keep their respective torch. What an amazing piece of memorabilia to keep and cherish!

Spencer and I had our picture taken with this morning's runner #2, Mark.

Here's a few close ups of the beautiful flags we were given as part of the festivities...

This one even says Elkford on it!

This is our third runner of the day, gladly sporting her torch...

Spencer even got a chance to try it out!

And of course... I couldn't resist either! I can honestly say I have held an actual Olympic torch!!!

After a FREE sticky pancake, egg and sausage breakfast, we drove home to have Todd arrive only a few minutes after us. We wish he could have come along with us but he was still on night shift when everything happened.

A once in a lifetime experience for sure! I'm glad that I had the opportunity to experience it!