A Candy Cabin Adventure at Beaver Creek

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Sweet Memories

A Candy Cabin destination atop a soaring, snow-covered peak; the voyage of a tiny, first-time snowboarder off to conquer a swift-moving quad chair lift; reminiscing notable firsts and unfortunate falls as our boots dangled with the tops of trees; the gratification and reward of a true-to-life ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ pillage; and the winding trek back down the mountain. It was a bittersweet farewell to another season, melting slowly into the commencement of beloved springtime adventures.

The Tale of the Candy Cabin

As the story went… there once was a cabin, brimming with confections. There were barrels of taffy, jars of gummies, tubes of chocolates, and shelves of delicious treats. However, this particular cabin was precariously placed far from reach. It required a Candy Cabin adventure to an elevation most children wouldn’t dare (without a responsible adult, a ski lesson or two, and proper winter gear that is).

The tale was alluring, and the venture intriguing. I was mostly sure that if I didn’t pack our bags right away, I might wake to find my little Hansel and Gretel trailing breadcrumbs through the forest.

“Beaver Creek is our favorite family staycation!” It’s the pitch I was given. Luckily for my adorable little negotiators, they were right – we all love Beaver Creek – and, a visit from the Auntie was in the works. Beaver Creek would be the perfect destination for our last hurrah of the season.

The Candy Cabin was everything they had dreamed, and the joy of braving the terrain to arrive safely at our destination was all part of the enchantment. The twinkle in their eyes and the giddy giggles as they hugged barrels of sweets told the stories of their hearts. I knew this was a day they wouldn’t soon forget!

The sugar rush contributed to a delirium of bravery as we sped our way safely back to the bottom of the mountain to have a relaxing patio lunch and après ski Colorado brew – the perfect toast to another amazing escape at Beaver Creek.

Beaver Creek Candy Cabin

• Top of Strawberry Park, Avon, Colorado 81620
• Operational Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Price Range $
• Phone (970) 754-5539

Dashingly Dirty

It’s dashing and it’s dirty…it’s the Dirty Dash and it’s coming to a location near you. Well, maybe not. That depends on where you’re at BUT it’s coming to a location near me! Can you say #TeamFineS’Wine!

Intimidating, I know. Fear not…this race is great for all skill levels AND you can whoop it up for the cam an we’ll never know how many pits and obstacles you decided to tiptoe around. As for team Fine S’Wine, well, let’s just say there *was* blood, oh ya.

411 Recap from last yr? Here: 411 Recap from last yr.
Photo Journal? Here: Photo Journal.

What’s the chapstick first aid about you ask? Well, let’s just say — that Fine S’Wine wasn’t a Boy Scout 😉

Get the scoop on this year’s muddy mess…and start training now! Beer, mud, more beer, friends. Yep. That’s it. You’re in! Oh, camera. Check.

 

ColorCoatedGnar’s Favs @ColorMeRad

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If pummeling your friends with powdered color bombs and getting hosed down by perfect strangers armed with liquid color spray are your idea of a good time, then this is the 5K for you! What I love most about these silly themed, untimed races – um, besides the silly theme and the fact that it’s untimed – is that they’re ideal for beginner runners…aka: my five-year-old, whom raced via piggyback for most of this one #mommyworkout

Top Favs and/or Least Favs:

Blue boogies – two days worth, yum
Uber blue bath water – and the ring it left behind
The blue glow on our skin – three showers later!
Can you say #PhotoOp? (yes, in shades of blue)
Blue stain – how is it that the entire rainbow of colors we encountered = blue?

Team “Fine S’Wine” Gets Dirty @TheDirtyDash

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There’s Really Only 1 Way to Conclude a #SummerO’Fun

Yep, it’s on the books, in the plans and we’re crossing our fingers for seriously fab weather! Will we brave the slides and terrors of family raft rides!? (um, yes, I *am* mostly referring to the little accident we had last year!)…we shall see. Till then, here’s a recap of last year’s adventure including our PHOTO JOURNAL! W.W., here we come!!!

and the Scores are in…Sports Camp 101

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Skyhawks Sports Camp was a week-long success with a grand finale game day this morning. I was able to capture some excellent action shots – smile – and big brother came out to lend his own kind of moral support (yes, mostly mandatory). Everyone had a great time. Noelle made new friends, learned new skills and received rave reviews from her coaches. At the end of the day, she wasn’t afraid to relax, step out of the world of #futureOlympiansinthemaking and act like a kid again, haha.

My Fav Highlights:
student to coach ratio (check out my fab stills)
excellent organization, instruction and safety precaution
consistency in management
a welcoming atmosphere for parents and families
the fact that she was excited to return each morning!

Would I recommend Skyhawks to friends and family? …affirmatively so.

Live the Life…Virginia Beach

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Epic Thrill – Minimal Skill

Ever wondered what it would be like to soar through the Colorado canyons – majestic sights from a birds-eye point of view – the ground below looming hundreds of feet beneath your toes? How about the exhilaration of leaping from one cliff edge to return safely to the other side? No, it’s not a fantasy excerpt from an ever-popular vampire saga, though I’m sure athletic fictional heroes would be a most excellent selling point, ha. This is the REAL!

Catch the full story at Mile High Mamas: “Adventures in Lost Canyon With Captain Zipline”

FULL PHOTO JOURNAL

The End of the LEGO Obsession (or just the beginning!?)

Sunday morning, 2:30 a.m., I awoke to thoughts of the LEGO KidsFest review that I had yet to write #myweekofprocrastination…and in those wee hours of the morning I heard my daughter tossing, turning and mumbling in her sleep. As I listened closely, I made out the distressed words, “No more LEGOS.”

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So, you might be wondering why I’d share that with my readers when the clear goal of this editorial review is to help *promote* LEGO KidsFest…but stay with me here 😉

I got to thinking about all that the KidsFest had to offer: build areas, the BIG brick pile, monochromatic bricks, mosaic LEGO art, race ramps, games, challenge zone, LEGO friends, Brickscapes, the marketplace and much, much more…and I realized something – this KidsFest is a LEGO lovers dream come true! One small problem for my sweet little Noelle, she’s just not quite old enough to have really caught on to the LEGO brick obsession. AND that was the problem…

Scared of small, toy bricks of immense creative capacity, no.
Intimidated by a life-size LEGO Hulk creation, maybe.

I think the real fear was derived from the fret over a simple, red LEGO t-shirt. Because she hadn’t quite caught the LEGO bug yet, not a single toy set in the marketplace quite suited her fancy. What she was looking for (obsessed with) was one of the raffle t-shirts (which she did not win). Unfortunately for her, it was time to leave and not a single LEGO t-shirt in sight. Oh the travesty.

I can just imagine my sweet baby girl – all grown up – sitting on the psychiatrist’s couch explaining the night terrors, images of enormous LEGO monsters and an insatiable desire for one, simple red LEGO-imprinted t-shirt. Ya just never know how ya might really mess up in this parenting stuff, hee hee.

Captain Zipline & Our Lost Canyon Tour

A daring voyage high above the canyons near one of my favorite destinations: Salida, Colorado. Thanks to my valiant friends, shared laughs and an unusually intrepid adventure…this one will go down as a #forevercherishedmemory. Full story coming soon to Mile High Mamas!

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