A Week in Vail - 2020

We escaped the heat of Texas and the reality of #thecovid for a family vacation in the mountains. Afton had volleyball until late afternoon, so once we got on the road - we only drove 5 hours to Amarillo before stopping. We had dinner downtown and then stayed up late, excited for our adventure. 

On Saturday, we got on the road early and drove straight to Vail. Our condo was situated right on Gore Creek. The cool temps and sound of the bubbly water made for the perfect 'vacay feel'. 

On our first full day in Vail, we got up and hiked 6 miles to the Upper Piney Falls. It was a good 'welcome to Colorado hike', rated intermediate . It was the perfect amount of elevation. After we wrapped our hike, we drove to Beaver Creek for some paddleboarding at Nottingham Lake. Beautiful day!

On Day 2, we headed out to Paddleboard on Lake Dillon. It was COLD. Like the water was 45 degrees. But the sun was so warm, it didn't bother me at all! (Also I did not get in the water-lol). After we got home, Maisy and I went to the Betty Ford garden and playground. It was just a short walk from our condo. Parks are so much more fun when it's cool outside!

Day 3-We will always remember this day. It’s the one where Jeff took us on a 3-hour unguided ATV tour up above the tree line to the top of Copper Mountain. It was crazy cold, then it started raining, and then it started sleeting. We were drenched and cold, but we didn’t die! 🤣 Spent the afternoon and evening enjoying the warmer weather back in Vail Valley.

Day 4 we decided to keep things a little calmer. No crazy ATV rides. Just a very 'difficult-rated' hike to a waterfall! Climbed up to Booth Falls! Breathless on the way up - but the picturesque waterfall made the burn worthwhile. Enjoyed a picnic lunch with a view and before making the slippery descent back down. Outside our condo, the girls floated the creek on the paddleboard. We did a little shopping in Frisco and then played at Ford Park. Jeff made steaks for dinner. Great day! ❤️

Last day of our Colorado adventure- we went mountain biking in Vail. There were a few spills, scrapes, and moments of fear. But everyone got the hang of it! Maisy and I stuck to the wide ‘green’ routes. Jeff and Afton cut off into the trees on the narrow, bumpy ‘blues’. We had one last dinner out in Vail Village and wrapped up the night sitting under the stars. 

Maisy's injury after riding into Afton at full speed. She flew off her bike and landed on her back. Luckily, the only cut was on her pinky finger! 

Thankful for this trip with my family.