Doug booked us for two nights at the Hotel Sebastian in
Vail, a swank place in the heart of Vail’s pedestrian zone that must be
astronomically expensive in ski season but he managed for around $100/night in
very off-season September . Valet parking was $20, which Doug thought nothing of
paying the first night – “Dude, take good care of it. Make sure there are no
scratches when you bring it back!” That’s, of course, my beat up 15 year old
Jeep with lots of body damage from an accident. I decided that regardless of
how tired I was from Mount Massive I’d park for free in the municipal parking
deck and save $20 when it came to be my turn to pay for the night.

We met Doug’s friend Bobby May for a few beers in the
evening and made plans for a hike with him on Thursday. Vail is a great place
for hiking as well as skiing with numerous trails going off up side valleys
towards the north and east of town. We decided on the hike to Booth Falls, one
I had done on a cloudy day a few years ago with my friend David. The
temperature and sunshine were perfect for a hike, the aspens were turning
golden, Doug and Bobby had a lot of catching up to do on the trail, and Bobby’s
dog Scooby added to the fun. Now that I’ve been as far as Booth Falls twice I’m
wondering what lies beyond it if I were to continue on the trail, one which
continues on for many miles and goes much higher. I’ve spent a lot of time skiing
in Vail over the years but have often wondered what lies further north of I-70,
one of those pockets of terra incognita in my Colorado travels. Someday I’ll
make it up the dirt road from Vail to Piney Lake in that area.