Colorado/Utah Trip- Chapter 9 Park City, Utah

We checked out of the lovely Crystal Inn following an extraordinary feast at the complimentary breakfast buffet and made a (not so) quick stop at Olympic Park in Park City.  It was actually on the way to Estes Park, Colorado.  Park City was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and still serves as an Olympic training center.  When we arrived skiers were practicing their jumps and landings.

When we finally grew tired of watching the jumpers we entered the visitors center and the Alf Engen Ski Museum.  Not really sure what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised at all of the Olympic memorabilia included in the museum.  From ski fashions to improvements in both skis and snow boards the exhibits were both interesting and informative. I liked the upstairs best of all with many of the actual costumes and puppets that were used in the 2002 Opening Ceremonies. We also found several pictures and references to LeAnn Parsley from Columbus that both Sharon and I had met.. LeAnn won the silver medal in the Skeleton and made a visit to Flyer's in West Jeff and spoke at several of Sharon's school Olympics at Holt Crossing.

Barb and me at the Alf Engen and ? Quinney statue

Barb Orr demonstrating the correct form on the skeleton sled

The 2002 Olympic mascots

Ski fashions

A tribute to Ted Ligety, Home town hero!

This bison head was used in the opening ceremonies as part of the native American portion of the performance

Mountain lion mask used in the opening ceremony

Leann Parsley with Gold medal winner of the Skeleton

A bison covered with newspaper clippings from the Olympic games and signed by some of the athletes.  You can see Leann Parsley's signature below.

A small portion of the museum was dedicated to the Paralympics

Olympic Pins from 2002

These were photographs of some of the Olympic athletes at many of the National Parks that we had just visited!

The rest of our day, over 8 hours, was spent driving through northern Wyoming on our way to our last destination, Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park.