Fratkins, Paynes Attend Winter Olympics

Background

Teri decided about a month before the Olympics that this was probably her best chance to see the Winter Games for many years to come. With Allyn's help and encouragement, Teri started to scour the web for information on the events, lodging, etc.

We settled on seeing four events: Ladies Figure Skating Free (Long) Program, Ladies Giant Slalom Skiing, Four-man Bobsleigh (Bobsled), and a Short Track Speed Skating Program consisting of 500m Mens, 1000m Ladies, and 5000m Mens Relay. These events were spread out over three days.

Teri found lodging at a private rental called the "Hannah Wells House", a historic house in downtown Salt Lake City, just about three blocks from THE Mormon Temple. Easy walking distance to the downtown Olympics Plaza, site of the Figure Skating and Short Track events. It was very convenient.

Alan Payne, one of Allyn and Teri's co-workers from HP, realized that his wife Mandy was also a big Olympics fan and would love a trip to the Olympics. So he started collaborating with Teri and Allyn (in secret) to plan a trip and surprise Mandy. (She was surprised!).

In a stroke of luck, Alan and Mandy were able to share the house that Allyn and Teri were staying in, making it very convenient for everyone.

Mandy and Alan saw the Figure Skating and Short Track events with Teri and Allyn, but instead of the Skiing and Bobsleigh, they went to the Bronze and Gold medal Curling events. Curling is an odd sport similar to shuffleboard with large heavy stones pushed along a sheet of ice, eventually stopping in a bullseye, with the team closest to the center winning.

See the Pictures!