Though we have lived here almost a year and a half already, we are just beginning to check some places off of our Colorado To-See list. We spent a day in Vail with my sister and niece recently and we all really enjoyed ourselves.

We took the scenic route from Colorado Springs, which was so nice and relaxing and we were also rewarded with wonderful vistas and views. We arrived in Vail around lunch time, so we started our day there with a meal at Alpenrose Restaurant, a German-Austrian restaurant. Vail is so reminiscent of Germany, so it only made sense to enjoy a German meal there. Everything was delicious, but hands-down, everyone’s favorite thing was the Spätzel! It was cooked the way we like it, with just a bit of crunch. We dined al fresco and enjoyed people-watching and seeing the festive attire worn by skiers and snowboarders – most went all out, as it was the last ski weekend of the season.

After lunch, we spent time shopping in Vail Village and then walked from there to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, where we were rewarded with stunning views, peaceful streams, and once at the Gardens, the babies were able to enjoy some time on the lawn playing together.

I think our day in Vail was my favorite kind of day: no real plan, no time constraints – just exploring a new place with people I love. The kind of day that fills my soul and that I know I’ll always remember and cherish.