Breckenridge Mountain

We're just about to wrap up these Colorado photos. Which will sadly mean I have to get around to processing more  some of the photos I've taken since then so I can use them for the blog. Ha. So, for today, our ride up Breckenridge Mountain. We got it in just before the rain started, which is of course the order you'd like to do it in, if at all possible. There was way more to do at the top of Breckenridge Mountain than at the top of Vail Mountain, but less the boy could do, because they had this 3 year minimum restriction on everything, including the dang pony ride. That one was totally silly. But, we were able to ride the chair lift on up to the top of the mountain with him. Here are some photos:

First, before we went up the mountain, 

I caught a couple cute ones of the boy, playing on the back patio.

OK, on up in the gondola.

Those dang pine bark beetles had been here, too.

Then up on the chair lift.

I wasn't a big proponent of the chair lift ride. I've got a pretty healthy phobia of heights, and this thing was open air. Also, as we went up the mountain, it was windier and colder on that lift. But, I persevered on behalf of the group. And, it was very pretty on top, so I'm glad I did. 

You can see the rain coming here, and Dad pointing out something interesting.

There was some haze in the air, from the wildfires.

LM was checking out the closed restaurant.

Apparently, it's only open in the winter. 

LM and I missed the "green" memo on this date.

LM and Daddy playing around.

The ride back down was even WINDIER and COLDER.

Seriously cold.

That's Dad and Torchy behind us.

We got on first so I could get a photo of them on the lift, as they were ahead of us on the way there. But, the guy at the top was making three empty seats go by before he loaded another one. So, they were WAY back there. And I want you to know I risked life and limb anyway to turn around and take this photo, which nearly scared me to an early death. But it all turned out OK. Ahem.

There is this beautiful little babbling brook under the ski lift.

Something you would never see in the winter!

There is a pretty good rendering of the activity area on the mountain.

There is a lot of stuff, like I said!

Since we were three cars ahead, though, I could catch them getting off!

The old people get confused sometimes. 

For a second, they thought it was Six Flags.

Hee hee.

They did a good job though!

The green ones and LM.

That rain was getting closer, so we headed on down the gondola too.

This sign amused me.

Me and my Daddy. I'm the one with the nutso smile.

What is that all about?

Now that's a cute kid. 

I'm sure here, he was saying, "Daddy, LM's leaning back."

Then he went sans glasses, briefly.

Because glasses are necessary. And cool.

We liked Breckenridge Mountain, we did.

See you soon.

On Top of Vail Mountain

Once my Dad and Torchy arrived, we ramped up the intentional activity scale. On my day off, we headed up to the top of Vail mountain right as they opened. Here are some photos:

On the gondola

Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of gondolas.

But I worked on getting over that for the cause.

And to be fair, the payoff is pretty good.

We took a very short hike around the top.

Then we posed for photos.

A family pose.

With plenty of evidence I've got to get some weight off.

Ugh.

Even the flowers posed.

There were very few flowers though, it being so dry.

Then we found the pony rides.

On top of the mountain, there is a restaurant, pony rides, a jumping bungee thing and maybe a couple of other things. There are more activities on top of the Breckenridge mountain, which I'll show you another day. Anyway, LM wanted to ride the pony right off. So, Grandpa went in and bought him a ticket right off. 

There was as small pony and then an even smaller one.

Of course, LM wanted to ride the BIG one.

No helmet this time, but he held on really well.

And the video, with my expert commentary included.

It was a beautiful day on top of the mountain. We went down after a bit and drove a long way for some pizza. But, that's another story. 

See you soon.