Just got back from a trip to Vail, Colorado.
With the RIGHT CONNECTIONS, we landed a suite at a swank lodge. (Not quite roughing it.)
My friend Nancy's son is a concierge for the Ritz Carlton
and he was able to snag accommodations with extraordinary views at a Motel 6 price:
Yes. There's a ski lift right outside our balcony.
The place was practically deserted because it was 'off-season', but I think the season was mighty fine.
This resort is super DOG FRIENDLY.
In fact, dogs are permitted to jump up on the furniture in the lobby:
The St. Bernard on the left belongs to the hotel
and will be available for guests to enjoy dog-walking in the mountains when he grows out of puppy-dom.
Wowie-zowie I was crazy about that furry pup . . .
even though he likes to give slobbery hand nibbles!
Nancy's son arranged all sorts of fun for us,
including nightly meals at upscale restaurants which were FREE, sans tips.
Being the friend of the mother of a concierge comes with amazing benefits.
Here's Senor Concierge (Kenny) with my friend and I jeeping in nose-bleed country:
He arranged for us to go with a guide named Theo who was absolutely fearlessdriving on snowy high-country roads at 12,000 ft. altitude without snow tires.
(It was dicey.)
As we ascended, we saw hillsides populated with naked aspens.It's WINTER up there.
Theo showed us where bears have pawed at the aspen bark.
Coming back down, we returned to autumn, although there was fresh snow on the rugged peaks in the distance.
One evening, Vanessa, the daughter of my friend 'Bonsey', drove up from Aspen, Colorado for a visit.
She joined our three-some for a hike and we ended up getting lost.
It didn't matter. The company was delightful and the laughter between the four of us sustained us.
Eventually, we found a way off the mountain, trail or no trail!
The morning of our departure, I snapped a last photo from the balcony.
The clouds shadowed the tops of the mountain adding to the richness of the colors in the foreground:
It was definitely hard to leave such a luscious place.
POST SCRIPT:
During the car trip, I stepped on the brake and pulled over to the side of the road for this unusual site:
She joined our three-some for a hike and we ended up getting lost.It didn't matter. The company was delightful and the laughter between the four of us sustained us.
Eventually, we found a way off the mountain, trail or no trail!
The morning of our departure, I snapped a last photo from the balcony.
The clouds shadowed the tops of the mountain adding to the richness of the colors in the foreground:
It was definitely hard to leave such a luscious place.
POST SCRIPT:During the car trip, I stepped on the brake and pulled over to the side of the road for this unusual site:
Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah. Near the summit.
2 comments:
Just gorgeous Ginger! What a great view you had! Why do they call it off season? It's still a season and as you say, a lovely one at that! :D
HOLY CATS. I wanna be rich so I can go. And I want it to be autumn in full flame for another month so I can catch up (with no deer hunt, so we can ride). WHAT a trip. What an incredible trip. See what that sweet face and winsome smile gets you?
Post a Comment