Up, up and away...without the balloon.

This was going to be a long day.  I knew that in advance.  The weather was decent, and there were a lot of stops to make.

My outfit was capris and a red tee-top, flats, but with no jewelry except my necklace, and no makeup or bra/padding - due to the microscopic possibility of meeting someone I know at a railroad excursion.  However, that didn’t happen.  I could have worn a dress.  Everyone was friendly.  Train staff (male and female) took my hand to help me on and off the train.  (As a guy, typically a hand is offered, but staff does not pursue it if I just step up or down),   I suspect they thought I was female, though I did not hear "Ma’am."   

 Other passengers were friendly, but not overly talkative.  That’s fine with me – and I didn’t hear “Sir”. 

After the excursion, I got in the car and drove to the Olympic Bobsled track, as I wanted to take the guided tour.  (No, I wasn't spending their outrageous price to ride the wheeled bobsled down the short track.)  After our guide finished the tour at the top of the hill he gave everybody a chance to walk back down the mile from the top to the bottom.   Like this:

The picture sure gives you an idea of the relative size of the track...

I was the only non-walker out of about 20 – and many of them were young kids or girls up to thirty-something, with only one guy. (Not me, obviously)  I commented to the driver that I'll probably be at the ski jumps before they reach the bottom.  His response, “Yes, Ma’am, you probably will.”

From there, I drove out to the ski jumps from the 1980 Olympics, and Oh My Gosh are they tall!   Unfortunately, the elevator to the top of the 120 meter jump was broken, so the top was off-limits today.  :-(  But the chair lift (which I had had to ride either way) was still operating - it was the only way to get to the base of the towers.  And being the daring one, I took a chance.  Why not?  I really wanted to see them, up close and personal.

Also, it was my first time ever to ride a chair lift.  So the twentysomething girl attendant took it upon herself to help me get on the seat, which never stops moving...    Must be policy that the guy helps the guys and the girl helps the girls.  Nothing was said to indicate that they recognized me as anything other than female.  

The bonus was: another item off that bucket list (since I don't ski, I certainly won’t be riding a chair lift any time soon!)

Other than to take the above picture, I didn't look down very often.  But then, there were so many things to see off to the sides!  My head was swiveling like a "sideways bobblehead", so I didn't have time to take a lot of pictures!

If you watched the 2014 Winter Olympics ski contests, you might have wondered how steep the ski jumps really are.  Take my word for it - they're steep!  The above pic sort of reinforces that thought.   I'm not a professional engineer, but the slope on that jump appears to be about 40 degrees or more.  Wow!

After completing that adventure, it was getting to be time to pack and prepare to head south the next morning.   Needless to say, I never know when to call it a day on these excursions.  I couldn't resist stopping at a clear mountain stream near the road - one with a little waterfall and some wildlife enjoying the rushing water.   Notice the beaver working on some greenery, with the ducks swimming calmly past...

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch"....oops....motel....it was time to pack for tomorrow's departure.

But first, I went across the street to none other than Mickey D’s…same one as last night.  (Too convenient - and cheap - to pass up.)  This time,  the male clerk (a different one) saw me as a bloke.  And proudly announced to the world, a cheery "Thank you Sir."  

I certainly wasn't as happy as he was.  Good thing tipping isn't required at Mickey D's.   'Cause he might just have been the first server ever to receive a "tip" from me to "be more sensitive to trans people"...instead of cash.   But not being in a mood to stir up a battle, I let it pass.

More about my adventure soon...

Mandy