A few days before the holiday weekend, we started thinking about outdoor activities in our area. We could go hiking, golfing, explore the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, or BBQ with friends but we decided to do something different. We packed a small bag and, early Friday morning, set off on the scenic drive to Vail, Colorado.
Vail is known to both locals and tourists as one of Colorado’s premier skiing destinations. The town is surrounded by the White River National Forest and is home to Vail Ski Resort, the most popular ski resort in the state. During the summer months, Vail offers plenty of activities and events, including golfing, hiking, gondola rides, free music at various locations, and, during the Fourth of July weekend, evening fireworks displays.
We left early Friday morning because we had a tee time at Eagle Vail Golf Club. In my three years of golfing, I’ve never experienced a course quite like this one. The front nine were fairly typical, but the back nine were breathtaking. The Eagle River runs past several holes, and the course is adorned with colorful wildflowers. Beautiful homes with lush gardens and well-decorated patios lined the course, creating cozy nooks and large seating areas perfect for relaxing, reading, or enjoying a BBQ with friends and family.
Two holes featured a 10-foot drop, challenging me to hit the ball hard, straight, and with plenty of loft to avoid falling into dense brush or water. Usually, I play nine holes, but this course required the full 18 and I didn’t mind at all. Each hole offered a new challenge, and I eagerly anticipated the next lush scene around every corner.
When waiting for other players to take their shots near the river, I soaked in the cool breeze and listened to the water rushing over rocks and boulders. Despite the hot day, the breeze kept me comfortable and refreshed.
After golf, one of our friends suggested a local restaurant with a prime rib dinner for just $19.95. We went for it. The restaurant and bar were nothing extraordinary, but the patio was lovely. The drinks were decent, and the prime rib was very good, though the wild rice was a bit dry and the squash medley could have used more seasoning. Overall, it was a satisfying meal for the price. We headed back to our condo to relax for the night.
Our condo was near the village center on a busy street. Without air conditioning, we kept the windows open, which was a bit noisy, but the condo itself was beautiful, spacious, tastefully decorated, and equipped with modern appliances. We curled up on the comfy couch and watched a movie.
The next day, we slept in a bit since the parade didn’t start until 11 a.m. We walked to the village center, had breakfast at a French deli, and enjoyed the parade for a couple of hours.
Afterward, we took Vail’s famous gondola ride and planned a hike down after lunch at the restaurant at the top. The food was okay, but our main focus was the hike and the views. The Berry Pickers Trail was about three miles, taking us roughly one and a half to two hours. The trail was mostly downhill, passing through mild brush, streams, wildflowers, and lush trees. Some muddy spots made it a bit challenging, but the comfortable 70-degree weather made the hike enjoyable.
Back at the condo parking lot, we drove to Westin Maya Restaurant for happy hour because a friend had raved about the patio view and it did not disappoint. The large patio offered stunning mountain views, and the fresh fruit and vegetable margaritas were excellent. I had a pineapple margarita, while my husband Glen tried the spicy jalapeño. So impressed were we that we stayed for dinner before heading back to the condo for drinks and a movie.
The next morning, we took our time getting ready, grabbed breakfast at The Little Diner, and headed home. Although the drive should have taken about an hour and a half, it ended up taking closer to three—but we arrived relaxed, refreshed, and ready to start the new week.
Links:
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$19.95 Steak Dinner: Gas House Restaurant
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Sun Vail Condo: Sun Vail
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Maya Restaurant: Maya
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Eagle Vail Golf Club: Eagle Vail
