Colorado to Pennsylvania

Last week I had the pleasure joining The Lapp family on their vacation to the Colorado Rockies. 

We started the week skiing at Vail. 

There we skied under clouds, blue skies, in the trees, over bumps, and in cold days. It was wonderful to finally see this place that so captured my heart this summer, in the season I love the most.

We were joined by Brandon for the beginning of the week.  Our first day skiing I was so surprised and excited to receive a text from an old co-worker from St Anthony's in Lakewood, CO, who spotted me in line at the base of Vail.  We were finally able to meet up by the end of the day.  The next day we ran into one of the girls again just as we were going in for lunch, so I was able to spend a little more time catching up.

What a joy it was to see them.. people I thought I'd never see again! And how strange they should recognize me, when the girl they were familiar with 6 months ago was always in navy scrubs, a red sweater, and thick glasses :)

Jenn and Kellie, RNs from St Anthony's

Later I admitted to Carly that I had low expectations for her skiing ability.. Almost immediately I was proved wrong, and our days were full of trying to kill as many runs as we could, without killing Brandon.

Our forth day of skiing we had pristine blue skies. Just the two of us that day, Carly and I could barely make it down a run without stopping to gape at the view.

That evening we ventured into downton Vail for dinner and shopping.

Struck mid-week by a respiratory bug, Carly and I took two days off from the mountain for spa treatments, rest, a wintry walk (in which I slipped and fell more than actual walking), exploring downtown Vail, and an elaborate Valentine's Day lunch. 

We also went out to a great restaurant for Valentine's Day dinner with Carly's parents. 

After our two days of rest and recuperation, we took our skis and weak lungs West on I-70 to Beaver Creek.

Our first day on the mountain we were greeted by a dumping of fresh powder.  Carly and I conquered the famous Birds of Prey, and got some woods runs in before our bodies completely gave up on us.  Our last run down I heard a faint voice say, "Meg, stop! Look up!" only to see the clouds had opened up for an amazing view!

Carly and her parents, Bev & Chuck

Day two at Beaver Creek was even better than the first.  We had a plan, and immediately headed to the left side of the trail map on the mountain - Stone Creek Chutes. 

We went non-stop in the chutes, pushing the boundary line for untracked fresh runs.  By lunch time we seriously needed a break.. so we sat by a fire and indulged in my new favorite treat - hot chocolate and whiskey.

We got some more runs in, one of which was in the glades and nearly spent us all of our energy.  We ran into Carly's parents in the lift line and had a run with them, then Carly and I went to a bar at the base of the mountain for happy hour.

our free champagne toast at 330p

Alas our week of skiing in Colorado was over.  The week itself was so full, it almost felt like three separate trips; Vail for 4 days with Big Time, two days of indulgence and exploring Vail, then two days of great skiing in Beaver Creek. 

Now I find myself back in PA.. with three weeks to fill until I start at Passavant. So far this week I have used my days for yoga, reading, hiking, hanging out with locals, running with my dad, unpacking and repacking boxes and suitcases, and watching mindless fluff.  Despite my diminishing funds that were spent on trip after trip, I arm determined to have more adventures in the days leading up to resuming work. Let's see what trouble I can get into before March 11th..