I’m in Keystone, Colorado, for TBEX‘s new media travel writers (bloggers) conference.
The conference starts off with a fancy function on the mountaintop – a destination that can only be reached via not one, but TWO separate trips in gondola ski lifts.
Our gondola’s windows are pretty scratched up and dirty, so it’s hard to get a good view of the scenery, making me very envious of the mountain bikers heading up on the chair lifts.
Our initial ascent takes us to Summit House, where we are hoping to enjoy a quiet glass of wine while admiring gorgeous scenery before heading up to the evening’s main event.
That isn’t what we get. There is a loud, not-to-our taste band and lots of kids running around screaming as they jump off the benches (ok, the kids’ flying leaps are actually pretty entertaining). The whole place seems as if it has seen better days and the top floor (with the great views) isn’t open. There really isn’t a comfortable place inside (and it’s pretty cold outside) to sit and have a drink and enjoy the great view. Still, the scenery is nice and the bar staff is friendly, so it’s good enough for the time being.
Besides, we are expecting that there will be a great party waiting for us when we reach the Outpost at the end of the next gondola ride.
This time we are not disappointed. There is tons of wonderful food, amazing desserts, wine, and the sun setting behind the mountains.
There is nothing peaceful about it, but it is good fun and very, very delicious.
Mountain sunsets are filled with surprises. We board the gondola after the sun has set, but as we glide down the mountainside we are treated to a second sunset.
What a way to end the day!
Next post: Ambling Along the Mountainside in Keystone