A Vail Tale

Prologue
Once there was a loyal stallion, a careful mare, an energetic cowgirl, and a crawling lizard who all lived together and took care of each other. They were a happy crew, but often dreamed of venturing out of their little blue house and getting a different taste of the great big world.

The stallion wished to climb a mountain. The mare wished to find a meadow of brilliant wildflowers. The cowgirl wished to meet a giraffe, and the lizard wished to fly.

One day, the four decided to set out on a journey to make these dreams come true. The cowgirl got a map and led the way.

Chapter One: Denver Zoo and the Cowgirl's Wish
Early on in their quest, the travelers were startled by an East African crowned crane . . .

 

 . . . but soon came upon the sought-after long-necked beast. The cowgirl's wish was the first to come true.

 

 

The four continued their safari for some time even after meeting the giraffes, seeing many other unusual creatures, and soon became very hot and thirsty . . .

 . . . until they came to a giant canister of milk . . .

 . . . that produced bowls of ice cream!

 

Feeling refreshed by the magical fuel, they went on with their journey. They still needed to climb a mountain, find a field of wildflowers, and help the little lizard fly.
Part of the next day was spent in a mysterious, rainy garden where the cowgirl turned into a colorful bug-eyed bug.

 

Thankfully, she returned to normal once the rain stopped.

Vail Alpine Gardens

 

As they went on, they wandered by a cottage next to some aspen trees. The cowgirl was convinced that seven dwarfs were trapped inside, but neither the stallion or mare could get the door open, so they were forced to send for Snow White and Prince Charming, wish the dwarfs luck, and move on their way.

Their next stop was in the village of Vail, where they saw some curious things they had never seen before . . .

Volvo made entirely out of legos (except the wheels)

. . . and paused to play in the village fountain.

 

 Chapter Two: Shrine Mountain and the Stallion's Wish

By the third day of their journey, the stallion had found his mountain of choice, so the travelers arose early that morning to begin the ascent. The cowgirl rode on the stallion for part of the way up . . .

 

. . . but did her fair share of walking, as well.

The lizard rode on the mare throughout most of the mountain excursion, except when she requested a brief release.

 

After a long and tiresome trek on the trail, the four hikers reached the top of their mountain, and were rewarded with some breathtaking views.

 

Finding some chairs made of stones, they sat down to rest and enjoy their accomplishment.

The Stallion's wish had come true. Two wishes down, two to go.

Although the mare still had not found her meadow of wildflowers, she was pleased to discover several patches of vibrant flora alongside the trail.

Perhaps the stunning views invigorated the cowgirl, because on the trail back down the mountain, she walked the entire way without ever getting on the stallion's back.

Ramona walked about 2.5 miles of this hike on her own

However, even energetic cowgirls have to sleep sometimes. She promptly fell asleep upon reaching the foot of the mountain.

 

Not long after she woke up, it was time for the next adventure of the day. The travelers arrived at a small farm with miniature animals--all very different from cranes and giraffes.

Petting zoo with a view

Here the cowgirl hopped onto a pony, and although it was miniature like the other animals on the farm, (and not very mobile) she put on a big grin and didn't complain.

 

There were no more giant milk canisters in this part of their journey, but our characters still managed to refuel themselves with other varieties of magical food.

Blackberry chocolate, dark chocolate sorbet, caramel, pistachio, cheesecake, and milk chocolate at Rimini Gelato

Dining with a view at Campo de Fiori

Chapter Three: Vail Mountain and the Lizard's Wish
With the following day came the lizard's opportunity to fly for the very first time. All four travelers went on board a large, glass box that slowly moved up toward the sky, toward the clouds, and toward the tops of the mountains. The little lizard, who spent most of her time crawling on the ground near other people's feet, beamed with exhilaration to be lifted above the earth in this manner and watched in fascination as the village grew tinier and tinier below.

Before they knew it, the four were released from the box and greeted with a fantastic mountaintop view.

 

 The travelers did some exploring while on this mountain . . .

 . . . and came upon a dark-haired pony that looked just the cowgirl's size. She saddled up and went for a ride.

 

 "That was fun," said the cowgirl. "But I'd choose my stallion over that pony any day."

After their mountaintop explorations were finished, the four got into another glass box and got to fly one more time--this time back down to the village.

 

They finished the day's adventures with a visit to the magical wall of colored lights. Now there was just one more wish left to be granted.

Imagination Station at Lionshead Village

Chapter Four: Booth Creek Trail and the Mare's Wish
On the final day of their journey, the four travelers awoke to a misty morning and followed a trail alongside yet another mountain.

 Gradually, the clouds cleared, and the sun shone down upon . . .

 . . . a magnificent field of wildflowers.

 

 The stallion, the mare, the cowgirl, and the lizard felt happy. All four wishes had come true, and their journey was almost complete.

After one more taste of that magical fuel . . .

Raspberry goat cheese ice cream and pomegranate sorbet from Joe's Famous Deli

 

 . . . and one more splash in a village fountain . . .

 . . . the travelers returned to their little blue home, where a rainbow welcomed them back with its arms stretched wide across the familiar skyline.

NOT the end . . .