Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Travel: Hotels & Lodging Restaurants The Beach Travel
by maribeth
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Mid-Atlantic Discoveries: Virginia Beach
VB Hotspot: The Sexy SkyBar
I have to admit I’m more of a Saint-Tropez kind of gal, so I felt somewhat wary about the idea of spending time at Virginia Beach, a destination that conjured up images of guys in muscle shirts and girls romping about in wet T-shirt contests on the beach. But it made sense for me to park myself there for a few days until my boyfriend, Steve, came by to pick me up for our trip to the Outer Banks. He had actually lived in VB for a while nearly two decades ago and his curiosity about the evolution of this major resort town encouraged me to check it out.
Both of us ended up being quite impressed by this super beach-y destination.
And who wouldn’t be? The Atlantic is gorgeous here. It stretches out as far as the eye can see and comes crashing in with big tumbling waves. I love the vastness of the ocean but I find it even more interesting when there’s activity on the water and here, at practically the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, there’s plenty to see. Cruise ships, barges, immense freighters and all kinds of pleasure boats pass by at varying distances from the horizon, providing endless hours of entertainment, especially for a landlubber like me.
Neptune's Statue on the Boardwalk
The beach and boardwalk tract the coast for some three miles here. My biggest decisions revolved around whether I’d walk on the expansive sandy beach or meander along the impeccably maintained boardwalk. Now that’s vacation mode. Most of the time I ended up doing a combination of both. The scene at both locales percolated with locals and visitors alike doing all the fun things you do at the beach. And yes, I saw a number of muscle men, but more in the form of super fit guys jogging, walking and roller blading along the boardwalk. Few posers here. This is the real deal since Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, our country’s largest naval facility is located in VB and I can assure you that all of these military dudes and dudettes appear more than fit to serve. The locals overall look as taut and tight as most Coloradans. This is a beach community after all.
The tourists seem more concerned with gorging themselves in one of the many restaurants, bars, ice cream shops and various other eateries along the beach. And VB is their oyster when it comes to choosing their preferred form of temptation. There’s something for every taste and pocketbook and most scintillate with a brightly-colored decor that offers outstanding views of the beach.
VB Ocean Beach Club Penthouse
Far from a tired old beach town, Virginia Beach pops and bubbles with beautiful places of lodging as well. The Virginia Beach Ocean Beach Club is one such place and I felt so content here that it was hard to tear myself away from the sunny interior of my eighth floor abode that plunged over the ocean. The crash of the waves on the beach lulled me to sleep and I snatched every possible moment to sit on my balcony high above the activity below. Morning meant gazing down at early risers strolling on this vast playland of freshly raked beach. I sipped tea (hot and iced) bemused by pods of dolphins that frolicked in the surf throughout the day. In the evening I savored white wine staring down at this constantly animated tableau and one night I even worked on my laptop from my little perch. The combined glow from the moon and my computer screen will never be forgotten.
VB Ocean Beach Club at Dusk
A little investigating led me to unearth lots of charm amidst all this newness. Of course the quaintness of the beach never waned, but I delighted in discovering some small, soulful places that clearly rank as locals’ best-loved establishments. I peeked into Pelon’s Baja Grill, a surfers’ favorite, the first day I arrived, yet sadly never made it back for some of their renowned fish tacos and guacamole. I picked up some excellent take out instead from Taste nearby and brought it back to my surf-side enclave. I also longed to experience the old beach house interiors of Doc Taylor’s and Tautogs, but opted out of eating there as well since the beach beckoned. (I swear I’ll return to Doc Taylor’s some day, especially for their crab crêpe with veggies topped with Hollandaise sauce.) Steve and I did, however, grab breakfast at The Belvedere Coffee Shop, a real classic that hasn’t changed since the days when he would come here with his buddies before a day in the surf. The Belvedere is a totally unpretentious diner that offers fantastic views of the ocean and tasty eggs cooked to order.
Rockfish, a must-see for anyone that has a love for the Beatles, presents more great vistas of the beach. After having studied the plethora of Beatles’ memorabilia here (one of the largest in the world), I was happy to sit outside and gaze at the VB Fishing Pier over their lighter version of scrumptious She-crab soup (a sort of bisque) and Pina Colada. She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Steve arrived for my last night and I was excited to show him all that I had discovered at Virginia Beach Oceanfront. We strolled along the boardwalk, his eyes widening as though he was seeing it all for the first time. We stopped in front of the many different points of interests—-extraordinary statues and the like—that were erected at each intersection of a street along the Boardwalk. He was amazed at how far this once shabby beach town had come, how handsomely the oceanfront had been developed over the past ten years or so. We lingered at the Neptune Plaza for a while where free concerts are performed nightly to a highly animated crowd. We poked in at The Jewish Mother, an institution of sorts known for hosting performers such as Dave Matthews and Dr. John (before they became big). Steve informed me that it hadn’t changed an ounce since his college days but we learned that it is slated to take over new digs in 2010. (This is likely a good thing since to me it looked like too much of a dive.) Their eight-inch tall carrot cake, however, tempted me greatly but we were in search of a more romantic venue.
We found our bliss at the SkyBar, the wraparound pool bar that opens at 10 p.m. on top of the Hilton. Apparently it’s only open to hotel guests, but that alone would give me reason to stay there. Part Miami, part Marrakesh, part (yes) Saint-Tropez, the look of the SkyBar is sexy and alluring. As soon as the doors opened, we busted onto the scene, took one look around and threw down my jacket on one of their many double-wide loungers that punctuate their pool deck. After doing the 360-degree tour, we opted for a lounger within the indoor pool area. It was nearing late September by now and the ocean breeze cast a chill in the air. Inside felt like a tropical paradise. We sipped strawberry daiquiris and lounged in each others’ arms amidst piles of white terry towels, many of which were rolled up into perfect bolsters. Steve moved to take off his shirt until I suggested we not become quite so comfy. As much as we were enjoying each other, we didn’t miss a minute of the action that played out before us. House music blared and fashionable folks slithered by as though they were mingling at a mixer on the beach.
I wondered how many people had ended up in the pool after a couple of hours of partying. Undoubtedly a few. If so, VB’s wet T-shirt exhibitions have certainly come a long way. Steve and I vowed to come back to take in even more next time.
SkyBar and Its Infinity Pool by Day
Virginia Beach Ocean Beach Club, 3401 Atlantic Avenue, 757-213-0601 or 800-245-1003, www.vboceanbeachclub.com
Hilton, 3001 Atlantic Avenue, 757-213-3000, www.Hilton.com/VirginiaBeach; SkyBar is open Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. throughout the season (which goes at least until October 31st when they’ll have a Fire & Ice Halloween Party—ooo la la!). SkyBar memberships are also available inside Catch 31, the showcase restaurant of the Hilton, for $100.
Pelon’s Baja Grill, 3619 Pacific Avenue, 757-417-3970, www.pelonsbajagrill.com
Taste, 36th & Pacific Avenue, 757-422-3399, www.tasteunlimited.com
Doc Taylor’s Restaurant, 207 23rd Street, 757-425-1960
Tautogs, 205 23rd Street, 757-422-0081, www.tautogs.com
Belvedere Coffee Shop, 3601 Atlantic Avenue, 757-425-0613
Rockfish Boardwalk Bar and Sea Grill, 1601 Atlantic Avenue, 757-213-7625, www.phrinc.com/restaurants/rockfish
The Jewish Mother, 3108 Pacific Avenue, 757-422-5430, www.jewishmother.com
More Fun
Pocahontas Pancake & Waffle Shop, Atlantic Aveune & 35th Street, 757-428-6352, www.pocahontaspancakes.com; loved the kitschy decor and will definitely return some day for their griddlecakes.
Whalebone, 1616 Laskin Road #748B, 757-437-8141, www.whalebonesurfshop.com; the place to shop for surfboards and surf attire, particularly ultra-cool T-shirts.
Coastal Edge, 2122 Atlantic Avenue, 757-491-9017, www.coastaledge.com; a super-popular surf and skate shop with numerous locations in Virginia Beach.
Forbes Candies, 2318 Atlantic Avenue, 757-425-5173, www.forbescandies.com; an Old School candy company that continues to make yummy saltwater taffy and other treats in big copper pots.
Art & Culture Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas Travel: Art & Culture Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas Travel
by maribeth
Comments Off on Mid-Atlantic Discoveries: Baltimore
Mid-Atlantic Discoveries: Baltimore
Historic Fell’s Point
When my boyfriend, Steve, asked me to accompany him to his brother’s wedding on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I didn’t expect that the trip would grow into such a big travel week (actually more like ten days). But I should have known that that would be the case since the travel writer in me itched for new experiences and, of course, it takes more doing than one flight to reach the Outer Banks from Telluride. It’s rare that I can go to a place and just BE; instead I seek to live it fully, gathering all kinds of information along the way, jotting down notes, doing what I can to find the story.
We flew from Denver to Baltimore and since I had never visited this major hub, I decided it was a must-see. It did not disappoint me in the slightest. We stayed our first night together on the east coast at The Admiral Fell Inn, a historic property on Fell’s Point, Baltimore’s original port and Maryland’s first National Historic District. (The area was spared destruction in the late sixties after a grassroots effort prevented construction of a highway plumb through this now happening neighborhood. Can you imagine?)
Once dominated by ship building and commerce, today Fell’s Point is a charming harbor side district characterized by centuries-old buildings, eclectic shops, lively taverns and cobbled streets made from bricks of granite used for ship ballast. Goods once flowed through the wharves and warehouses of Fell’s Point with as many as eighteen shipyards operating in the area, building hundreds of vessels. Many of these structures have recently been converted into fun spaces for people to live and play; others, such as the taverns, have existed for ages.
French Provinces Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas: French Provinces Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas The Beach
by maribeth
Comments Off on Sizzling Sensations from Saint-Tropez
Sizzling Sensations from Saint-Tropez
Sexy Saint-Tropez
O.K., I mentioned Saint-Tropez a few posts ago and I’m still tapping into a well of exhilarating emotions. What a scintillating town! And all under the guise of an old fishing village that exudes a delicious combination of Provençal charm and Côte d’Azur pizazz. It’s both glitzy and real. To me, it’s one of the most picturesque and authentic tourist destinations in the world. It’s also a great place for shopping and gallery going, so be sure to meander within the maze of old streets to seek out your favorite boutique. K. Jacques, renowned maker of sandals, is most definitely one of mine. You’ll also find lots of great pottery shops, antique dealers and fashion-forward clothing and accessories boutiques tucked within this glamorous enclave.
Hotel Byblos: A Saint-Tropez Classic
The celebrated Hotel Byblos is still the magical place to be for lodging, dining, drinks, spa treatments or lolling on the beach (hiding behind designer sunglasses in a skimpy little number, bien sur). The whole establishment is awash with cheerful, fresh colors characteristic of Provence and the French Riviera. The hotel has clearly not spared a dime in recent refurbishments since most of the rooms have been beautifully decorated in luxurious fabrics from leading French names Canovas, Frey and Lelievre. Here your beach experience is extended in bathrooms beautified with Italian marble, exotic tiles and polished pebbles. For further pampering, visit The Byblos Spa that features a host of treatments created exclusively by Sisley Cosmetics for Byblos. A stay here (and to Saint-Tropez) is not complete without dining at Spoon Byblos where you can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine along with an international wine selection. An Alain Ducasse restaurant, the first Spoon, opened over ten years ago in Paris, a highly successful concept that has been replicated in several other countries.
Hotels & Lodging Travel: Hotels & Lodging The Beach Travel
by maribeth
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Golfing and Much More in Puerto Rican Paradise
Gran Melia Puerto Rican Paradise
How about zipping off to an island Shangri-La where you can enjoy great food and golf? Of course such a trip would involve lots of other activities including relaxing by the pool or beneath a flower-draped pergola, spa going, tennis playing or even participating in a Salsa or Merengue dance class. A good friend, who also happens to be a very discriminating traveler, recently discovered Gran Melia Golf Resort Puerto Rico, a breathtaking and luxurious enclave in Puerto Rico that embraces one of the most gorgeous sites of the Caribbean. The resort’s two 18-hole golf courses are so picturesque that you might find it hard to keep your eye on the ball! Both have been designed by PGA-legend Tom Kite and are located at the hotels’s Trump International Golf Club (Click on that link to see some awesome photos of the courses!) Be sure to ask about their terrific offers valid now through December 22nd (must book by November 30th). The hotel also opens to PR’s largest-lagoon-style pool, a heavenly kingdom lush with flora, perfect for swimmers, golfers and loungers alike.
Gran Melia Golf Resort Puerto Rico, 200 Coco Beach, 787-809-1770, www.gran-melia-puerto-rico.com
One of Many Delightful Bars and Lounges to Enjoy After a Round of Golf
Aspen Colorado Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas The Rockies: Aspen Colorado Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Shopping Spas The Rockies
by maribeth
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Aspen Highlights
Best Summer Program in Aspen: Hike First Then Leave Lots of Time to Shop, Spa Go and Wine and Dine in the Chi-Chi Capital of The Rockies
Going to Aspen for a Tellurider is like going to the big city. Actually the level of sophistication one can experience in Aspen is more than what most cosmopolitan cities offer. I love checking out the shops, spas, restaurants and hotels and prefer to chince on my outdoor activities here in order to take in all the happening spots in this chic Rocky Mountain resort town.
Limelight’s New Look
I was holed up in Aspen for nearly six weeks this past off-season, ample time to return to some of my favorite haunts and discover new ones. I walked the streets some with my dad which is how I came to discover Limelight Lodge. He had stayed at this family-owned long-established hotel eons ago but now it touts an entirely new look. The original lodge was actually torn down and replaced by a sleek, new building that houses an expansive modern lobby/lounge area and style-y rooms outfitted with mini kitchenettes (fridge, microwave, coffee maker, silverware and plates). Aspen has never looked so cool, comfy and contemporary. I’m sure it’s quickly becoming the hotspot to stay in town.
Colorado Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Romance & Relationships Skiing & Snowboarding Spas The Rockies: Colorado Hotels & Lodging Music & Dance Restaurants Skiing & Snowboarding Spas The Rockies
by maribeth
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Skiing and Spa Going: Part One in Vail, Colorado
Après Ski Necessities at Vail Plaza Hotel & Club
What? Don’t tell me you’re tired of hearing about skiing. While most die-hard skiers are still plowing through mashed potatoes and corn snow at ski areas such as A-Basin in Colorado and Mammoth Mountain in California, most of us ardent ski buffs have finally resigned ourselves to hanging up our skis for the season. But smart travelers should begin contemplating next season.
If any of you out there (devoted readers, for example) have been waiting with bated breath to read about my weekend with Steve (see Weekend Expectations blog below), I can tell you our time together scored exceedingly high marks. We, in fact, spent two weekends in a row together in April experiencing end-of-ski-season bliss. Plus we learned that spring is a great time to ski and spa go without dealing with the crowds. Bargains are excellent during this time as well. (The same, of course, holds true for early season in November and the first half of December.)
Vail and Its Fairytale-Like Village
We zipped off to Vail after Telluride officially closed to experience the fun and fanfare of their closing weekend. A spring storm dumped impressive amounts of snow on the mountain beginning the Thursday before. Had it not been for Steve nursing an extremely sore back (from apparently having skied too hard the previous weekend in T-ride which had also benefited from an outstanding snowfall at its closing), I would have feared more powder day problems. Instead we carried on like two lovers on a weekend getaway where skiing and mountain fun entered into only part of the equation (wink, wink).
I had only been to Vail once before many years ago for my PSIA (Professional Ski Instructor of America) certification, so this time I was eager to discover it for real. Steve gladly toured me around Vail’s renowned back bowls and I was thrilled to find myself cruising on black terrain considerably softer than what we have in T-ride. (Of course I love our steeps but they do require more effort.) After just a few hours of skiing, however, Steve declared that his back had had enough. That was fine with me since by then I felt as though I had a good grasp of the mountain and looked forward to the day when I could return and really wear myself out at this world renowned resort.
This left us with time to explore Vail Village, a pedestrian-friendly assemblage of shops, restaurants, bars and places of lodging that truly made us feel like we were on vacation. One might look at this Bavarian-inspired hamlet as hokey (I have in the past), but it really does transport you to a faraway land and we jumped on for the ride. Steve, with his family ties to the Italian Alps, pointed out how authentic these alpine chalets really were in their construction and interpretation. This enchanted me even more, so I suggested we stop for a coffee and a strudel at Hotel-Gastof Gramshammer, one of the more charming wooden establishments in the area, founded in 1965 by Austrians Sheika and Pepi Gramshammer.
It was a good choice. We sat at their German beer garden terrace and then later discovered that this classic alpine establishment also housed two other restaurants, a particularly animated bar and hotel rooms above. I wasn’t sure whether I was more wooed by its charm or Steve’s attentiveness.
Hotels & Lodging Restaurants The Rockies Travel: Hotels & Lodging Restaurants The Beach The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Grace and Grandeur on Florida’s Gold Coast
Florida's Gold Coast
I’ve been hanging out in Aspen for nearly two weeks now. I often spend a part of off-season here with my dad in his condo where he resides part-time. We both enjoy this in-between time when the crowds have gone home and life is no busier than the patio of Mezzaluna on a bright, spring day. (Still totally manageable.) There’s also more to do and see here than in Telluride during the shoulder season, especially with Aspen Highlands remaining open an extra two weekends in April. (More on that later.)
As our high-altitude sun melts the winter snow, however, I can’t help thinking about how nice it would be to find myself on a beach. Thankfully I’m able to live many wonderful travel experiences through friends and contributors that dutifully report back to me. So when I can carve out the time to travel some distance, I know exactly where I want to find myself.
A Colorful Cozy Nook at The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club
I recently sent my friend Peter, from Resort Maps, to The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club in Delray Beach, Florida. He selected Delray Beach; I zeroed in on The Colony. Both proved to be winning choices. (Resort Maps exist in some of the most charming travel destinations in the U.S. and Peter was headed there on business which proved to me that Delray Beach was a place to report on.) Known as an artists’ colony during the 1940s, Delray Beach is still considered to be a hip, trendy destination today. I recommended Peter stay at The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, an historic landmark built in 1926 that is a member of Historic Hotels of America (a clear sign of distinction!). I didn’t know that this part of Florida’s Gold Coast exuded so much history and grace, but clearly there’s a surplus of it in Delray Beach as well as at The Colony where Old Florida meets today’s sunny chic. One of the highlights of The Colony is lunch at the Cabana Club, an unpretentious haven of calm along the Atlantic where lunch is served to hotel guests and club members only. Peter enjoyed a hamburger there with friends while I drooled over the pictures.
Boca Raton Resort & Club
He experienced an even more elevated culinary experience at Morimoto, a stunning sushi restaurant, headed by Masahuru Morimoto (of Iron Chef fame), located within the tony confines of the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Boca—like nearby Delray—is steeped in history and the Boca Raton Resort & Club radiates all the glamour and glitz of its roaring Twenties era. And then some. Built the same year as The Colony by legendary architect Addison Mizner, this icon of elegance blossomed from a 100-room hotel (the most expensive ever constructed at the time) to a 1,000 plus-room resort now part of The Waldorf-Astoria Collection. Modeled after a Spanish castle, I liken this impressive assemblage of buildings and outcroppings to The Broadmoor, the Grande Dame of the Rockies in Colorado Springs. Fortunately I can speak about the Broadmoor from firsthand experience, although my Boca Raton Resort & Club information has come from a variety of sources including Carole Boucard, P.R. Director of the resort. Carole recently chatted about Boca and her fine property on Travel Fun and the feedback from members of my audience was remarkable. Both the radio interview and its announcement prompted many people to write in about their memorable experiences at the resort and its environs. Clearly the Boca Raton Resort & Club ranks as one of America’s more treasured places of lodging. And their selection of dining options places them as an important culinary destination along Florida’s Gold Coast as well.
Morimoto: One of Many Superlative Restaurants at the Boca Raton Resort & Club
Carole rounded out our program by informing me about some of the hotel’s great summer deals, many of which must be booked by May 10th. I quickly thought about the often chilly string of days that typically occur here in the Rockies during July and August, the period so aptly named monsoon season. For me, the current so-called mud season is just a small puddle to cross compared to those months. I’m happy to hole myself up in Aspen as the warm days of spring emerge between a torrent of wet, snowy days. But I’m thinking about more balmy locales nonetheless and Delray Beach and Boca Raton, both just a short distance from easy-to-get-to Miami, have recently been added to my must-see list of destinations. And, of course, I’m a sucker for historic properties every time.
Porch Days Are Calling at the Boca Raton Resort & Club
The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, 525 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, 561-276-4123, www.thecolonyhotel.com
Boca Resort & Club, 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, 888-491-2622, www.bocaresort.com
More Colony Quaintness
Suggested Reading
“Boomtime Boca: Boca Raton in the 1920s,” by Susan Gill and The Boca Raton
Historical Society
“The Boca Raton Resort & Club: Mizner’s Inn,” by Donald Curl and The Boca Raton Historical Society
“Skinny Dip,” by Carl Hiaasen
Boca Resort Dressed for a Wedding
Thank you to Bob Biener, one of my Travel Fun readers and listeners, who passed on the above photo (and many more fabulous shots) to me. His cousin was married at the resort just recently.
Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Romance & Relationships Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies Travel: Hotels & Lodging Restaurants Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Weekend Expectations
It’s often recommended not to have any expectations. But how can you not when it comes to a weekend getaway? I’m sure even guys think (O.K., fantasize) about what they want out of a romantic weekend away. That’s part of the fun. Call it another form of travel planning.
I’m trying not to think too much about my plans for this weekend. Yet still little glimmers of mostly romantic moments keep popping into my mind. Let’s face it, even if it’s not fireworks it darn well had better be good. And how do I define good? Nothing short of blissful togetherness. Perfect harmony where the mere thought of it all coming to an end makes both of our hearts sink.
Vail is closing for the season this weekend and I thought it would be great to take in the festivities with Steve, my new love. Normally I wouldn’t question (even remotely!) if all would go well but there’s a big storm in the forecast and Saturday is looking like a powder day. There are no friends on powder days as the saying goes, and I found this out for real back in January when we took our first weekend away.
We both were incredibly psyched about discovering Crested Butte, a spectacular Colorado destination known for its rugged terrain, authentic spirit and quaint Victorian town. Neither of us had spent any real time there, so it was uncharted territory for us both. Truly though I think it was the idea of spending forty-eight hours together that appealed to us the most.
The Pearl Room at The Crested Butte Retreat
The drive there couldn’t have been more perfect since we talked nonstop, sharing thoughts, dreams and ideas that we hadn’t yet revealed in previous conversations. We tiptoed in to The Crested Butte Retreat, a high-end bed-and-breakfast that I had located on the Internet. Our meeting with our gracious hosts would wait until morning. We pushed open the door to the Pearl Room (also known as the Honeymoon Suite) and sauntered into an immense, milky-colored space, twice the size of my apartment back home. We savored a glass of red wine on the loveseat before falling into bed, totally smitten with each other and our surroundings.
We Could Ski Right Outside the Door of The Crested Butte Retreat
After an elegant breakfast together, we left practically hand in hand for the slopes the next day. It was a perfect day, punctuated by many fun runs together on Crested Butte’s craggy slopes and one long break at the Ice Bar, a popular gathering spot on the mountain where we gulped frosty beers and snuggled up to each other at a wraparound bar made entirely of blocks of ice. We cooed some more over an après-ski hot chocolate and then rushed back to the Retreat for a quick change for dinner. (We even endured a goof up with the public transportation which resulted in us missing a bus and having to wait a near eternity for another. We didn’t care much though; we were one with each other.)
We opted out of a romantic dinner à deux to dine with Ken and Kim Stone, two incredibly warm and enthusiastic people that both Steve and I knew from their time in Telluride. As the CEO of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Ken provided us with the full rundown on this once rough-around-the-edges mountain town that is morphing into a more sophisticated destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the know. We chatted about this evolution over cheese fondue and juicy steaks in the uber sleek setting of the newly opened Prime in Elevation Hotel at Mt. Crested Butte. No one, of course, could have asked for a better introduction to the Butte.
We fell asleep in each others arms, professing our utter contentment with each other and openly stated that something had to bring us back to reality. It was almost dizzying to feel so high up in the clouds.
Be careful what you wish for—I’ve been warned of that many times, too. Our fluffy white haze turned into a big, dark thunderhead that rained upset and grief upon us by mid Sunday afternoon. The day started out excitedly: Steve was pumped about skiing powder with Ken and Kim and I felt proud of myself for giving him space to knock himself out since I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them on Crested Butte’s renowned double diamonds. The plan was that I would go on a Meet the Mountain tour and meet him for lunch. All was well in honeymoon land.
By almost 2 p.m., however, I was a wreck. He never showed up for lunch. “What? How could you forget?” I cried in between sobs.
“I don’t know, I just spaced it. I’m sorry. I screwed up.”
High Drama Hot Tub
Our weekend was irretrievable. Even a late check out and a long soak in the Honeymoon hot tub, couldn’t take us back to the soft space we had created together the first 3/4 of our weekend away. It took more time than that for both of us to fully recover.
Now here we are on the eve of another ski weekend away, another powder day. It would be silly for me not to expect to have it go well. But if there is a glitch, maybe now I wouldn’t take it quite so personally. Travel, after all, always brings out the best and the worst in relationships.
The Crested Butte Retreat, 970-349-1701, www.crestedbutteretreat.com ; please note that since this story was posted, The Crested Butte Retreat is no longer operating as an inn. You may, however, rent out the entire property for special retreats.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort, 800-810-7669, www.skicb.com
Prime in the Elevation Hotel at Mt. Crested Butte, 970-251-3030, www.skicb.com/cbmr/things-to-do/dining-mtcrestedbutte
Crested Butte is known for its proliferation of wildflowers in the summer. I have never seen this spectacular display but hope to some day soon. Maybe it will provide me with the opportunity to rewrite our ending in the Honeymoon Suite.
Hillside of Flowers in Front of The Crested Butte Retreat
