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THE SOUND OF RUSHING WATER

by Tumbleweed Smith

We had a real vacation. I mean we didn’t even get in our car for a week. We walked, hiked, biked, ate, played games and laughed a lot. Our two sons and their families joined us in Breckenridge, Colorado. We stayed at Valdoro Mountain Lodge, which is centrally located to downtown. I guess the thing that impressed me most was the family atmosphere. We saw folks doing the same things we were doing: enjoying some time away from work with the people we love the most.

It is becoming more difficult for all of us to get together, since everybody has jobs that require specialized talents. But we make the effort to get together at least once a year, although for some it means financial sacrifices. We forgot about those work responsibilities as soon as we got settled into our living quarters.

Breckenridge had an enormous snow melt this spring. That means the waterways that run through town are full of fast moving streams of water. We watched the water with envy. Coming from a drought area, the roar of rushing water nearly brought tears to our eyes.

The mountains surrounding Breckenridge still have snow on them. It was fabulous to see dark green lawns, trees and beautiful flowers in beds, planters and hanging baskets. People all over town were watering their yards and taking care to see their homes and business properties were in good shape.

Breckenridge must be the bike riding capital of the world. Within a few blocks of the lodge where we stayed were dozens of bicycle rental places. Even the lodge had one. Five us took a bike ride to Frisco, a thriving vacation town ten miles from Breckenridge. The bike paths around town are like highways. Breckenridge is an extremely friendly bicycle town.

There are so many free things in Breckenridge: free bus, free daily newspaper and a free gondola that takes people up a mountain. Ski season is big business in Breckenridge. Ski lodges are numerous. Chair lifts and ski runs are all over the mountains. The city is so activity-minded. You can parasail, kayak, fish, visit a mine, play golf, swim, ride a horse, go to an amusement park, hear a concert, visit a museum or art gallery, ride in a carriage, ice skate, skateboard, take a scenic drive, walk on a trail, visit a spa, shop, eat, drink and be merry.

Breckenridge sits at an elevation of 9.600 feet. Mountains around it reach nearly 13,000 feet. It was warm while we were there in mid-July. Temperatures reached into the upper eighties. The nights were sometimes in the forties, cool enough to wear more than just shorts and a t-shirt. The town was founded 152 years ago and has a Victorian flavor. The beautiful little town in the Rocky Mountains, with a population of less than 5,000, caters to those who love fresh air, sunshine, breath-taking scenery, playing hard and breaking a sweat. I have a feeling we’ll go back to Breckenridge.