A Place Where All Dreamers Live

 

“My favorite space is the one between where the sea ends and the sky begins. It’s the place where all dreamers live.”

 ~ Jordyn Hay

It’s lazy mornings, long hikes, picnics in the park, swim days, video games, playdates and books we said we’d read but didn’t.  It’s the life, COLLEGE LIFE!

Alright, so you’re on to me. I write for Mamas, and no, that’s not a realistic glimpse into higher education, well …first semester, freshman year, maybe…but live and learn, right!? Ok, so I’m not done with my list here:

Late(ish) nights, unkempt rooms, uncontrollable raucous, random stickers fused to the floor, leftover pizza, evaporated Lucky Charms (minus the marshmallowy yummies) crispfused to the table and a never ending pile of seriously dirty laundry. Still sounds like college, doesn’t it? I know what you’re thinking – too many charms in my bowl, but hear me out.

I have a theory.

If it *sounds* like college, then it should *look* like college…SpRinG BrEaK 2013, oh ya! With healthier snacks, extra towels and a lot more SPF! What I’m suggesting is a legit Spring Break vacation. Not every year, but some year, this year (or next – after you plan and budget – hey, we’re responsible parents here!).

I’m just going to go ahead and admit that it’s been a while since I had a real Spring Break (hard to believe, I know)…but for the sake of journalism, I am willing to go out and capture the story for you — after I score that gig (stay tuned). BUT, what I did do is ask the opinion of a very real college expert. Brilliant and you’re welcome. Check out her tips and suggestions for an unforgettable spring break experience:

…and THAT is just a teaser for my upcoming MHM post! I know what you’re thinking and no, I’m not blog post MIA – I’ve been working on this (and many, many other things), and let me tell ya of the things I won’t do for journalism. Crickets. Yes, I landed that gig and ’tis good. Full report to come following SpRinG BrEaK 2013!

Meanwhile, plz don’t rob my house over SB’13 (I have few valuables and one neighbor with far too many guns – crazy and true), do know that my blog is alive and well, check out the invaluable advice that only a hip college undergrad can give – @MileHighMamas later this month and absolutely start planning your SB’14 getaway RIGHT NOW!

To come: “Is Spring Break a proper noun?”

photo credit: Jordyn Hay

Live the Life…Virginia Beach

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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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Learn to Ski/Board on the Cheap @ Echo Mountain

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Wouldn’t it be great to have a ski area close enough to Denver to avoid all the I-70 mess? How about a place with affordable prices, small enough to set the kiddos free – night skiing available (to squeeze a few runs in after work/school). I guess I’d wish for close-in parking, reasonably priced food and amazing views too…but we can’t have it all, right?

Well, maybe we can @ Echo Mountain!

Echo is fairly new to Colorado, privately owned and designed to meet the needs of families…but they let experts on the slopes too, particularly in the tricked-out terrain park, where boarders can be seen from the chair lift – entertaining crowds with their daring performances. The lodge offers spectacular views of the Rockies, free WiFi AND a close watch on the one, main lift as well as a good portion of the mountain. What does that mean to you? Well, if your kids are old enough, you can relax, work, surf the net and maybe even sip a cocktail…all while the kids take their wild energy to the slopes.

Not quite there yet? Echo has ideal accommodations for the little ones too! With a magic carpet, handle toe and several novice runs, you are assured opportunities for those in their early years on the mountain. Kid’s lessons are a good idea too. Get ’em up there young and they won’t have to endure the pains of adult learning!

Don’t forget to gear your little ones up right! “Best Winter Gear for Kids”

Beaver Creek Summer Vacation

Destination…Beaver Creek, Colorado!

Ahhhh, a restful vacation in Beaver Creek – filled with ongoing excitement that is! What is there to do in Beaver Creek in the summertime? Well, let me tell you…

Mutton bustin’ at the Rodeo at Tracer Creek, jeep exploration with High Mountain Adventure Tours, BBQ lunch on the mountain at Saddle Ranch, a wagon ride to the base of Larkspur Bowl for a fabulous gourmet dinner at Beanos Cabin, skating the Black Family Ice-Rink in the center of the village (yep, even in the summertime), swimming, s’mores and restful nights at The Charter…oh, and don’t forget savoring warm chocolate chip cookies at the base of the mountain, 3:00 p.m. daily, served on a silver platter by chefs in white hats…part of the “not exactly roughing it.”

Our Beaver Creek family vacation was the highlight of our summer!

~ Chocolate Chip Memories ~

Could be the chip that stole my family’s heart? There’s something heartwarming, mouth-watering and utterly comforting in the air at the majestic Beaver Creek…and I don’t think it’s just the fragrant aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Our winter ski vacation at Bear Claw was amazing and left us longing to go back. Memories of making our way down slopes just in time for the perfect ooey gooey indulgence to get us through our last run of the day…we knew we’d return…what we weren’t expecting was to have that opportunity just a few months later!

Beaver Creek, Summertime
It was a sight to behold. Noelle had packed her ski gear (which her mom unpacked twice!) because she couldn’t imagine the slopes any other way than blanked with mounds of white powder and she wasn’t about to miss out on epic skiing! The rest of us understood pretty well that we’d have to choose a different kind of adventure this season, but I do think we were all rather surprised (and impressed) at how much there was to do…and at how much fun we had doing it!

We played the game of finding our favorite ski runs and trying to remember back to what they looked like in the wintertime. Silas was impressed that there was a full mini golf course right where he had stood in line to get on the chair lift…with a snowboard! Everything was much the same but really quite different. I hadn’t appreciated the actual Beaver *Creek* until we took a walk along the quaint trail along side it in the summer time…which is a funny story because — I LOVE the free shuttle service in Beaver Creek — and I use it often when staying there. In the winter, it just makes sense – mounds of snow, loads of gear and enough ice to slow a walking pace to a crawl. In the summer, well, I really don’t want to admit how long it took me to realize this, BUT if you stay in mountain lodging (such as the Charter), um, you can just walk out your back door. The trail system is beautiful and fabulous, and goes directly to the village with parks and playplaces along the way.

So, when you call for the shuttle and the dispatcher tells you the wait might be 10-15 minutes because they’re a bit behind schedule…but politely suggests the *brilliant* option of walking (because it takes about four minutes)…give it a try! #BecomingInfamousInBeaverCreek

Further details on “What to do in Beaver Creek?” coming soon!

Photo journals of Beaver Creek Winter Fun and our summer memories: Horsing Around ~ Beaver Creek.