Vail

We ascended to a little over 8000 ft when we reached the town of Vail. It just so happened that there was a great farmer's market going on! We strolled along the main street and took in the art, crafts and of course, food!! The farmer's market runs from June until September and helps keep folks coming up to the mountains in the summer time. Vail is mostly known as a ski resort, but it's even more beautiful in the summer months (at least in my warm-weather loving opinion!).




I couldn't help but wish my mom were with us as we walked past all the plants and flowers along the street. These flowers dripping from this lamp post are just like the ones in my mom's flower bed along the side of their house. Vail is certainly a well-manicured town. Don't worry mom, I still like your yard better!

I think the farmer's market was half food/ half crafts vendors. Ironically, there were only 2 or 3 fresh produce stands, the rest were mostly prepared foods and wares. There was a selection of food to satisfy just about any taste- brats, pickles (even pickled okra!), cheeses (goat cheese, mmmmmm), wines, preserves, Alaskan salmon, Colorado meats, breads, oils, pesto and pasta. The pasta in this picture is an Italian Pesto Blend from the Pappardelle's pasta stand. It's a mixture of sun-dried tomato, garlic parsley, basil & cracked pepper pastas. Philip and I had some for dinner Monday night with just a little olive oil on it and it was pretty tasty! If I would've been prepared and had a cooler with some ice in it, I would've brought back some of the chocolate ravioli and goat cheeses!!


We made up for our inability to bring perishables back to the Springs with us by devouring a few sweet and savory crepes while we were there! This picture is of the one Robyn ate- brie cheese and strawberries! Philip had the Vermont which was a crepe folded into thirds and then maple syrup and whipped cream inserted into the middle with powdered sugar sprinkled all over! I went with something more hearty and on the savory side with the Country crepe. It had a HUGE slab of brie cheese, fresh spinach with sauteed onions and garlic. YUMMMMMMMY!



With our bellies full and having just caught the edge of a rain shower, we hopped in the car and headed back south towards the Springs. We opted for the less scenic interstate route for the return home thinking that it would be quicker. Not so much! We inched our way along the interstate for more than an hour before we could pick up speed and make progress home. We never could figure out where all the traffic was coming from or what the hold up was. We got home at a decent hour feeling pretty satisfied about our fun weekend of sightseeing together. Monday came and it was off to work. Philip has been a huge help to Robyn in the Performance Technology area this week. I can't believe Philip's vacation is almost over and he'll be heading back to Louisiana Friday.

On Saturday, I will be driving sag wagon for a couple of friends who will be doing the Triple Bypass; a bike ride over three mountain passes. I'll be sure to have fresh batteries this time as I follow the riders providing support. I love summer-time!!!!