Olympic Torch Comes Through Calgary

So it's finally here.  The Olympic Torch has returned to Calgary for the first time in 22 years.  We joined the throng of onlookers on the city streets to view this once in a lifetime spectacle.  Well maybe not "once" in a lifetime but it is unlikely that the flame will pass through this city again, anytime in the next 20 years.

It was an interesting sight, but one that lasted all of 5 minutes and then was over.  Funny how people will stand on the streets for an hour prior just to view something that is over in a matter of seconds.
And don't even get me started on some of the dedicated citizens of our great city.  Cops patrolled by asking people to stand back...oh good, maybe now I will get a good view of the relay.  But no, the second the cops were past, big tall men would stand in my way again...and I am short.  Not so short that they can't see me standing there with my camera trying to get a shot, but short enough that I am completely disregarded in a matter of seconds.  Particular man in question had even asked me a few minutes earlier if I could see.  How thoughtful...but he must have alzheimers cause 10 seconds later he forgets what he just asked.  Sheesh.
Oh, well, I did manage to get a decent shot.

Julianne even did some cheering of her own with her little flag.  She was enthralled, squealed in delight when the cops drove past, forcing people back, sounding their sirens.  She oohed and ahhed over the big vehicles that paraded past before the torch actually arrived.  I know she will not remember this day, but there are pictures that she can see later and know that she was there.

Another first for me, was actually seeing the flame on the top of the Calgary Tower lit up.  This is done very rarely and in the few times that it has been done, I have never had the chance to see it.  But tonight I had to venture close to downtown and had a pretty good view.  I know it's far away, but if you look real close, in the background you will see the flame on top of the tower.  I had more close up pictures but this is the only one that came out relatively clear.