Our Last Summer Hurrah in Vail

As time zipped past us, we decided to take the kids on one last trip before school started.  Given the unbelievably hot weather this year, we decided to head to the mountains and introduce the kids to one of our favorite places.  

Sam and I love the mountains--skiing, hiking, just staring at the natural beauty while breathing in the sweet, clean air as it cools our upturned faces.  My friend, Erin Dedrickson, accurately describes it as God's country. We love it.

Coming on the heels of a family reunion, I did not have the chance to clean the house and adequately prepare for this trip.  At departure time, I was still packing feverishly.  To better achieve this, I let Ethan play on the Wii while I finished up. 

Big mistake.  I finished up sooner than expected (with his engineer mentality, Sam had a schedule and WE NEEDED TO STICK TO IT) and Ethan did not get to play on the Wii for more than 5 minutes.

From home to Vail, he complained every 3 minutes he was awake that he wanted to go home.  Ally was a good sport until eventually, she decided to join in on Ethan's fun and follow every one of his whines with "Are we there yet?  And don't tell me we already got there and I missed it because you always say that."  She's on to me.

Our arrival in Vail was welcomed by all except Ethan when he realized our stop was not at home at all.   The kids perceived walking to the bus stop as a full-fledged hike, and they let everyone within hearing distance know of their displeasure.  Frequently, when I am out with the kids, they are complimented on their behavior or how people are surprised with how cute they are, given their genetics.  Not in Vail, and not because the people were snooty.  The kids just complained that much, and that loud.  After awhile, our sense of self-preservation made us laugh at the whole situation.  

Going into Vail Village was an adventure in itself.  But, we forged ahead and took the kids in the gondola to get to the top of the mountain for a day of fun.

Ally was thrilled with the ride!  

Ethan was absolutely terrified and held onto my leg for dear life.

There are so many family-friendly activities in Vail in the summer, I really don't know which season is my favorite up there.  We started out on our hike after a lovely lunch.

Typical Ethan, filling his pockets with rocks.  

In contrast, Ally appreciated the flowers.  

I wish I could say I didn't make her pose for this sweet picture.

I also wish I could say our hike lasted further than 200 feet on a paved sidewalk.  We finally gave up and went back down.  Miraculously, the kids found the energy to run and play in the stream.

Ethan was inordinately proud to have made it to this rock with his sister.  The look of sheer joy and pride on his face (and probably diabolical plans to push his sister into the water) made me laugh so hard it startled people out for their afternoon stroll.

Climbing these rocks was quite taxing on our little princess.

 There was a little girl nearby, and in typical boy behavior, Ethan thought the best way to get her attention was to throw a rock at her, immediately after he had been warned to do no such thing.

We finally got a moment to just sit (actually, I was sitting the whole time.  There was no way I was getting in that cold water.  No idea where Ally gets her princess tendencies.)

 Ally was happiest playing on the rocks, conquering every one and turning for a photo op.  

Although we did get to spend a few days at one of our favorite places, we left with looming questions for our future vacations:
1.  Do we keep torturing them and ourselves by taking them into the mountains?
2.  Or, do we leave them behind so we can enjoy it ourselves?

My thoughts are to continue the torture so that eventually, they will learn to appreciate it as much as we do.  Or, they hate it so much they never ask us for money to go skiing with their friends when they get older.  Something good always comes out of every situation.