Not Exactly Roughing It

Yes, it’s true that this morning I was running through this:

Don’t punch me in the face because you are jealous.

And, I’ve got to say it was magical being at 8,900 feet and going through this enormous area of Aspen trees called “Aspen Glade.”

Again and again this weekend, I kept thinking to myself just how in my element I was running up and down trails, sometimes feeling like my lungs would explode, sometimes dodging roots and rocks and always taking in devastatingly gorgeous views.

This picture was taken after Ken and I ran up on the Overlook Trail from the village below (yeah, that’s right. We started down there). Once at the top, we ran along a ridge for awhile.

Beaver Creek, Colorado, which is a few miles west of Vail, has the slogan “Not exactly roughing it” for good reason. It is a small and exclusive community tucked away in the mountains at about 8,100 feet. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile it’s rather ironic that I would stay in a place like this (or even be able to afford it), but I have to say that as much as I like camping, I also like a warm, cozy bed (Sleep Number anyone?), super double ply soft toilet paper, and a glass of chardonnay on the deck overlooking the village (and maybe eat some Pringles and Pop Tarts).

Our family and another family went up together and stayed in a gorgeous condo in the village. There was some wine, some Catch Phrase, some pool time, some hiking/biking/running, and some Apples to Apples (most parents will know this game because their kids make them play it quite a bit).

Beaver Creek may not be roughing it, but you’d be hard pressed to bike, hike or run in this place without roughing it. There is no level ground anywhere. You are either climbing and dying or flying down some trail out of control. You might even find yourself stuck in some snow if you hike far enough up. I swear I didn’t Photoshop this:

Dude thinks he’s king of the world in his goofy John Lennon glasses:

Do you prefer roughing it, luxury, or a bit of both? What’s the most luxurious place you’ve ever been? I always feel luxurious when I stay at the Wynn in Vegas. For my 40th birthday Ken and I splurged and stayed in the most amazing 1,500 foot suite. Usually, I am not found in luxurious settings, however (except the bathroom).

What was your favorite board game to play as a kid? Monopoly (although I kind of hate it now, and dread it when my kids ask me to play. Longest game ever).

SUAR