It’s so hard to go back to reality when a vacation has been this good. There are countless things I’m going to miss when we leave Vail, and I’m sure I’ll be longing for them all when the craziness of life starts to set in again. But the place I’ll miss the most is this spot–the front living room at the cabin.

At night, Brian and I would tell the kids stories by the big fireplace while it snowed outside. After the kids were in bed, Brian and I would read, talk, eat dessert, and sometimes be quiet and just watch the fire. I love this spot. I think it’s one of my favorite spots in the whole world.

If I had to choose a second spot, it would be the summit at Vail.

I grew up skiing, but after a terrible water ski accident that entailed me hitting a log face on at 30 mph, losing all feeling in my body from the neck down for 24 hours, and having to give up tennis, needless to say, I’ve been afraid of the feeling you get when gliding. Thus, isn’t that pretty much what skiing is? As you’ve already read, Brian is an AMAZING skier, and even though he’s never pressured me, how can you not hope your family will someday ski too? So I decided to get a little farther in tackling my fear and took a lesson the first day.

The lesson was wonderful in confidence building–just what I needed. For the next two days Brian and I skied together. It was far from skiing black diamond runs, but we were skiing together, laughing, me getting sprayed with snow one to many times, and having lunch at the lodge on the summit. The summit is a definite second favorite place because of all that this symbolized for me and my journey to work through a fear I can’t wish away–but is going to eventually fade away if I work at it.

(Brian and I having lunch at the lodge on one of Vail’s beautiful summits)

So I made baby steps. The kids made leaps. And Brian cheered us all on.

What a wonderful family vacation.

Thank you again to the Converse and Galbreath family. Your generosity in sharing this magical place leaves us speechless.