A Gold Medal Shot With the Eiffel Tower

I love the Olympics, and while I may not currently be at the games in Paris, France, I had just enough time to get the gold medal shot with the Eiffel Tower on my most recent visit.

Midnight Madness & Kitschy Thrift Shop Finds

Last night was Midnight Madness in downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta, and over the last couple years, this has become one of my new favourite Christmas traditions. Mostly, it's an excuse to snack and shop, but in addition to a few great visuals (like the balloon glow) we've made a habit of using the event as an excuse to find thrifty treasures around downtown.

If you're wondering where all of your grandparents' kitschy gems ended up - last night I bought 'em all! I am a sucker for vintage books, film, travel souvenirs, photography, etc.

A few of my finds included more VHS, 45s, and 8 tracks. I also found a handful of location-based glassware, your grandma's spoon collection from around North America, and a handful of vintage travel guides - including the official photo book of the torch relay from the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, the guidebook from the Tower of London gift shop, and a 1966 travel guide of Pompeii (100% in Italian). And what did my total come to for all of these incredibly rare historic artifacts? A whopping $18 for the night. It was a lot of fun.

 

1980 Olympic Arena in Lake Placid, New York

Also known as the Herb Brooks Arena, this venue was built for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. In addition to numerous events being hosted here, this arena is where the "Miracle on Ice" took place which saw the United States' 4-3 victory over the Soviet Union. More images from the Olympic Center here. 

 

Olympic Center & Museum in Lake Placid, New York

The current Olympic Center and Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum located in Lake Placid, New York is within the Olympic Park that was used for both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The site is also home to the original 1932 rink and the 1980 rink where the famed "Miracle on Ice" was played. In addition to artifacts from the Lack Placid games, the Olympic Museum also features metals and torches spanning all of the Winter Olympic Games.

 

1932 Olympic Arena in Lake Placid, New York

Also known as the Jack Shea Arena, this 1932 rink in Lake Placid, New York was the first indoor arena used for the Winter Olympics. More images from the Olympic Center here.