Reader Suzanne Sorenson of Chicago wrote in to ask how my Colorado trip went. Thanks for the note and the question, Suzanne.
The trip alternated between riot and rest. Hannah and I spent a week in Vail/Beaver Creek. Lots of fun, red wine, snow, and late-nite laughs. It was a big family/friend gathering on my Dad's side of the family. Christopher and Josh flew in from LA. We flew from Milwaukee with my Dad, his wife Jan, my step bro and sis Ruslan and Natalya. 10 more folks found their own way. We were hosted by Tom and Dorothy Thompson, two characters with a lot of heart. They built an enormous house at the top of Beaver Creek. I was told it cost over $14 million in construction costs. To say it was palatial would be to do disservice to palaces. As a woodsy lodge with over 9 bedrooms and lots of Colorado charm, I know there are many worse ways to spend some time in the mountains.
Hannah and I have already talked about a summer trip through Vail, to hike and camp. I would go back either way, summer or winter. It is pretty, even if Vail/Beaver Creek as towns are a bit bland and homogenized (Vail less so, because it still has some funk it to.) Anyway, I think the 18 of us drank like 30 bottle of wine in six days. Lots of stories, hanging out, and some snow action. It was nice, too, because Hannah and I had some moments for naked intimacy that our Chicago lives haven't allowed as much as we would want. All in all, a good time. Will never forget it. Why? Read part two of this story.
