Vail
- shimonsolof
- Feb 15, 2025
- 5 min read
Day 1: Thursday
After loading our car with everything we'd need for the road trip and grabbing a quick lunch, we hit the road. Our first stop was Riverside Park in Easton, Pennsylvania, where we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the water and took in the views of the dam on the Delaware River. The Crayola Factory is nearby if you're looking for an indoor activity.
We then continued our journey toward Wheeling, West Virginia, while admiring the scenic mountains on both sides of the road. We stopped at a beautiful rest area for a delicious BBQ dinner.
Day 2: Friday
After a quick breakfast, we headed toward Cincinnati to settle in before Shabbos. Along the way, we stopped at Three Creeks Park in Columbus, Ohio. We enjoyed walking along the winding paths that followed the creeks and lakes.
We continued our drive to Cincinnati and prepared for a restful Shabbos.
Day 3: Shabbos
We had a wonderful Shabbos in Cincinnati. The community was incredibly warm and welcoming. After Shabbos, we took a walk across the Purple People Bridge into Kentucky, enjoying the peaceful evening.
Day 4: Sunday
Our first stop today was Garfield Park in Indianapolis. It was a beautiful park filled with gardens, fountains, and lakes.
We then drove to St. Louis to explore the downtown area, including the famous Gateway Arch and the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River. Afterward, we checked into our hotel for the night.
Day 5: Monday
The drive through rural America became a bit monotonous as we entered more remote areas.
We stopped at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens, a stunning botanical garden in Kansas City.
After a relaxing stroll through the gardens, we headed back on the road toward our hotel in Salina, Kansas. Despite searching for a bowling alley or anything to do after dinner, we couldn't find much in the area.
Day 6: Tuesday
We spent the day driving through rural Kansas and Colorado. With few attractions to visit, we stopped at gas stations and small-town shops to try on quirky cowboy gear.
As evening approached, we began our ascent into the Rocky Mountains. We stopped at a scenic park for a BBQ dinner before continuing our drive to Vail, Colorado—our final destination for the day. We were thrilled to have arrived!
Day 7: Wednesday
We headed out toward Rocky Mountain National Park near Denver. The views along the way were breathtaking, and we marveled at the sheer size of the mountains.
At the park, we hiked to Granite Falls. It was a beautiful, fairly easy hike, and we had fun climbing rocks and trees and spotting ruins along the trail.
Next, we drove up the mountain to Estes Park and quickly learned that the mountains in the Midwest are far more massive than those on the East Coast! We discovered the concept of the “tree line” as we drove higher.
At a lookout point, we enjoyed a picnic lunch with magnificent views. As we ascended above the tree line, the drive became scarier, with no guardrails and steep drops on the side. However, the views from the peak—12,000 feet above sea level—were absolutely worth it (though the weather was freezing). We recommend keeping sweatshirts in the trunk for easy access.
After descending, we stopped at a beautiful rest area for a BBQ dinner before heading back toward Vail. Though the drive was beautiful, we suggest visiting the park either before or after Vail to avoid extra driving.
Day 8: Thursday
Today, we hiked the challenging Hanging Lake Trail. It was strenuous at times, but the views were incredible. Reaching the top, the alpine lake and waterfalls were absolutely stunning, with the lake's turquoise waters glistening in the sun.
The descent was easier, and we stopped at some lookout points along the way.
Back in Vail, we visited the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, a small, free botanical garden just outside Vail Village, where we also enjoyed a BBQ meal. We were there just in time as it started pouring!
Day 9: Friday
We drove to Denver to prepare for Shabbos. Our first stop was the Denver Botanical Gardens. Despite the rain, we loved walking along the beautiful paths and admiring the flowers, shrubs, and trees. Afterward, we picked up our Shabbos order from East Side Kosher Deli and stocked up on essentials before heading to our hotel.
Day 10: Shabbos
We had a wonderful Shabbos in Denver, joining Aish Hatorah for davening and exploring the city in the afternoon. After Shabbos, we took a stroll through downtown Denver, enjoying the sights and atmosphere.
Day 11: Sunday
We set out early for Colorado Springs. Our first stop was the Garden of the Gods, where we marveled at the beautiful red rocks. We explored the area by walking along the pathways and later enjoyed a Segway tour.
Next, we drove to Pikes Peak, the tallest mountain in continental America at 14,110 feet. The drive up was spectacular, with multiple stops to admire the views.
About halfway up, there is a mandatory stop to adjust to the thin air. We browsed the gift shop and explored the area while taking a 30-minute break.
Continuing our drive up, we once again encountered sheer drops with minimal guardrails. The weather at the peak was cold, with locals telling us it had snowed the day before. The views from the top were incredible. The descent was quicker but just as nerve-wracking.
After the required brake check on the way down, we headed back to Vail, stopping at 11 Mile State Park for a BBQ dinner surrounded by stunning mountains and lakes.
Day 12: Monday We rented bikes from Canyon Bikes in Glenwood and enjoyed a scenic ride along the river in Glenwood Canyon. The ride was easy and enjoyable, with several stops to take in the beautiful views of the canyon and surrounding mountains.
Afterward, we returned to Vail and explored Vail Village, a charming area filled with shops and boutiques.
Day 13: Tuesday
We started the day in Glenwood by visiting Blue Sky Rafting Company for a thrilling rafting trip in the canyon. We had a blast, especially when we went over a small waterfall. To add to the excitement, it started hailing while we were on the water.
Afterward, we dried off and headed to Glenwood Caverns, an amusement park on the edge of a cliff. We enjoyed the mountain coaster, zipline, and cliff-edge swings, all with stunning views.
Day 14: Wednesday
Our final day began with a ride on the Vail Eagle Bahn Gondola to the peak of Vail Resort. After enjoying the zipline at the top, we hiked down the mountain, taking in the stunning views of Vail Village and the surrounding peaks.
Next, we went on a thrilling ATV tour with Sage ATV’s right outside Vail. We drove along cliff edges and enjoyed magnificent views, all while guided by fantastic instructors.
We spent our final evening in Vail walking around the village and along the creek before packing up for the journey home.
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