On Tuesday, we took our kids to Ford Park which is sandwiched between Vail Village and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (elevation 8,200 feet). We let the kids run around the amazing park and then we took a break to let the kids snack.
The epic Horvath Family...
Later we strolled through Ford Park where these beetle killed lodgepole pine trees stand nearly 50 feet tall. Artists used chainsaws to slice the trees in perfect halves from top to bottom, exposing the unique growth of the tree and the bluestaining left by the beetle that ultimately killed these trees.
We walked over to Vail Village for lunch and later let the kids throw rocks in the river.
On Wednesday, Courtney and I hiked to Booth Lake Falls. The hike to the falls is 2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 1500 feet—not exactly a cakewalk but definitely worth every step because the scenery along the way is absolutely stunning.
At the beginning of the trail before it inclines....
A few times, small streams either crossed the path or was a part of the path, very cool...
At the summit of Booth Falls...
Courtney looking over this ridge at the 60 foot waterfall...
Our path was ever changing and unpredictable. At times, it was a forest covering of many types of trees, at other times it was open plains sprinkled with colorful wildflowers. It was breathtaking. It goes without saying these pictures don't do it justice!
It also started to rain during our descent which added to the sense of our adventure...
On Thursday, we rode the bus (for the kids) to Pirate Park in Vail Village.
This was our bizarre group picture in a dry river bed...just because we were there. :o)
Later that day, we rode the Eagle Bahn Gondola to the top of Vail Mountain.
We hiked along the Eagle Loop trail and engaged in about 45 minutes of picture taking because of the breathtaking views...
Nathan watching out the window as we head back down in the Gondola...
On Friday, Nathan and I took a 2 hour bike ride around Vail and had a total blast...
Since it was just the two of us on this excursion, I had to be resourceful in getting us on video. In this video, I'm holding the camera with my right hand and steering the bike with my left. Eventually, you'll see sneak peaks of Nathan riding along when I turn the camera around
The next video cracks me up. I wanted to get Nathan and I in the same frame, so I set the camera on a the ledge of a bridge, hit record and then ride away. You'll see Nathan and I ride by in front of the camera but expect a few seconds of 'dead air' in between our drive-by's. Towards the end, there's a man walking by looking at my camera and wondering who left a camera on the bridge, hahaha!
On Friday, we raftecd the upper Colorado River. About a 2 hour ride with just enough small rapids to make it fun for adults with kids...
Here's a brief video of us rafting:
That was our awesome vacation in Vail with the equally awesome Horvath family. Thanks for everything Horvaths, we had a terrific time!