Summer Trip: Vail 2018

Oh, Vail - you lured us in again only to hurt us once more.  It was one of the first trips we took with the boys back in 2010:

This was the trip where Barbara fell in the elevator and had to be flown back to Dallas on a private medical transport plane for surgery.  The same trip, Bruce had a mountain bike accident that required 15 stitches.  And yet, we managed to return several more times.

This year, we came with The Morgans, a great family that we've become close with in Seattle.  I showed up in Colorado a few days early for some work meetings and the rest of the Milam Men and the Morgans showed up on Saturday.  The goal was for them to show up and just relax - groceries procured by me and enjoy a glass of wine before dinner.

What actually happened?  Before we're even able to tell the kids to not ride in the elevator without adults, they lock the door, push the button, and within seconds, all four kids are screaming that the elevator is stuck.  There's nothing quite like your children acting as mirror to you as a person.  Case in point - Noel steps up as the voice of reason (Bruce), while Ethan is squatting in the corner screeching, "We're all gonna die in here!!!!!!!!!" (Also Bruce.....amiright?).  We finally open the elevator door and get the kids out after about 5 minutes and think "Whew - now that's out of the way, we can enjoy a perfect vacation..........."

Which it was, for six of the seven days.  We went whitewater rafting (video to come), we explored mountaintop activities and were amazed at how adventurous the boys are.  They were up for almost anything, even the roller coaster they were initially apprehensive about.  What began as "ride the brakes" quickly became "No brakes, please!"  See below for us on the "No Brakes" ride:

Ethan really became a speed demon as a result of this ride

I'm terrified and Noel is all, "Smile!!!!"

And here's a video of them hurtling down the Tubing Slide - it looked great from down below - but I had 50/50 odds that they might back out once they were at the top.  They proved me wrong and rode it 5 more times!

Noel Tubing

Ethan Tubing

On the last day, we were deciding between a hike and a pleasant bike ride down Vail Pass.  It's a 12-mile downhill bike ride on a paved path.  A little technical at times, but overall a pleasant ride.  Here's  the beginning photo, not a care in the world:

Here's us at the end of the bike ride:

Yes - there's no photo available - about 4 miles into our 12-mile bike ride, sweet Noel took quite a tumble.   After some technical turns, we hit a nice easy stretch of road and we were enjoying the view.  Noel veered off the path, which is about 4" thick and he instinctively tried to get back on the path and hit the edge of the path and literally went head over heels.  He got up and he knew immediately something wasn't right - his shoulder felt like it was on fire and he couldn't lift his arm.  

We were in the middle of nowhere and Bruce was surprisingly the voice of reason and strength here (FINALLY!!!!!!).  He got Noel back on the bike and he was able to ride to the next town where the Morgans picked them up and drove them to the Vail Hospital Milam Urgent Care Wing where they welcomed us as the old friends we were.

Ethan and I had to go get the car first, which put us 45 minutes behind them.  We show up and see this: 

Noel sees Ethan and reaches his hand out to him - it was such a sweet moment of Noel needing Ethan and the comfort they bring each other.  I broke into immediate tears upon seeing Noel in the hospital bed and I'm an emotional mess.....

Here's a look at the damage - a nice, clean break that requires two weeks in a sling and two additional weeks of low impact activity:  

Noel was a champ throughout this entire process - his resilience through this entire day was super impressive.

All-in-all, though, we had a fantastic trip - some great memories and some great personal growth for us all......though we are likely not returning to Vail after this trip......