How my Mama ALMOST became a casualty for the sake of adventure!
OK, so that title may be a slight exaggeration, but only slight. My precious mom lives in Florida, in a bustling, not-so-little community called “The Villages” . . . think 70-100-year-olds riding at top speed on golf carts, dancing into the wee hours of the night, with unlimited activities, food and events . . . it’s the dream of every retiree! Go look it up.
Bound for Colorado
She asked me to find a last-minute get-away to burn through her remaining RCI points. RCI is her time-share company. If she doesn’t use the points in her account by a certain time, she loses them (or has to pay to extend them). RCI’s sweet spot is on their month ahead bookings. The rates are drastically reduced on inventory that hasn’t moved. While the point rate is fantastic, sometimes the properties are less than fabulous (think plain ole yucky). This time however, I found a quaint little 3-bedroom place called The Christie Lodge, in Avon, Colorado – right in the very center of ski country!
My family has never been out west to ski, and it’s been a very long time since I have. In October, we knew that we would likely see snow, but also ran the risk that the slopes would not be open. That was fine with us, as this wasn’t intended to be a ski trip, but just a five-day getaway to spend some time with my mom and see what Colorado had to offer. Let’s just say, it DID NOT disappoint! There is so much to see in Colorado, even if you don’t ski.
The Southwest Companion Pass comes through again!
We were able to book our flights with our Southwest Companion Passes, bringing the total roundtrip cost of flights to $62.40 (for taxes) for all six of us. I transferred some of mom’s Chase Ultimate Reward points to Southwest Airlines, and she met us in Denver. Her total out of pocket cost was $10.40 (again, for taxes).
We used only 8,200 RCI points for a 5-night stay in a 3-bedroom unit at The Christie Lodge. This was at the base of Beaver Creek.
When we booked this trip, we decided that we would not have any agenda. This was completely foreign to our family, as we are meticulous planners. When we went for two weeks to Hawaii, it took us nine months to plan every little detail.
My only priority for this Colorado trip was to go on a hike, and to make sure that my daughter, who is a photographer, got to see the mountains. Everything else would just be a bonus.
Here is what we were able to see:
Four ski resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin (known to the locals as A-Basin).
We also saw the towns of Dillon, Vail, Silverthorne, Frisco, Avon and Eagle.
Now, about my mom, who is 83 years young. Three of my four children had caught a slight cold, with runny noses and croupy coughs. On the very first day of our trip, while heading to our next destination, I said, “No ailing,” trying to encourage them to enjoy the destination, despite the fact that they weren’t feeling top notch. Gigi, (that’s my mama’s grandma name) took that statement completely to heart. I found out, literally after four days in Colorado, that she was struggling to catch her breath. I asked her when this had started. Her response, “When we got here!” She had gone four days without being able to breathe because I said, “No ailing”! Worst daughter on the planet!!
You see, in Colorado, the elevation is so high that people often deal with what is called “altitude sickness”. People that live there acclimate to the higher elevation, but visitors often struggle with the mildest form, called AMS, or acute mountain sickness. As you rise in altitude, there is less oxygen. Oftentimes, people suffer from headaches, vomiting, tiredness, and dizziness. Everywhere we went, I noticed that Gigi would have to stop and catch her breath, but at 83, I thought she just needed a break. I can’t believe that she never said anything. I offered to immediately purchase canned oxygen (yes, it’s a thing), but we were on our way to the airport to head back home.
An Absolute Must See!
We can’t wait to go back to Colorado! Next time, however, we will be skiing and snowboarding, and if I have my way, snowmobiling (with lots of HotHands hand warmers of course, and a ski mask or two, or three!! You get the idea….
Beavercreek Village is at the tippy top of our list. Vail was pretty epic too! I’ll go into details of each resort in another post.
Just suffice to know that my mom is alive and well, and back in the warmth of sunny Florida.
And yes, we did get that hike in. And can I just say, it was unlike ANY other hike we’ve ever taken. We hiked through 8-10 inches of snow without any hats, gloves, or scarves. It was the most exhilarating experience and I can’t wait to do it again.
Let’s Get to the Point!
To take a peek at the cards that made this trip possible, feel free to click on these links.
The Southwest Premier Business Card
The CHASE Sapphire Preferred
The American Express Gold Card
And if you have ANY questions, feel free to reach out to me HERE!!
And whatever you do, make sure you add Denver and the incredible ski resorts of Colorado, to the top of your bucket list!!
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Aren’t moms fun..I think they know how to push our buttons…I did chuckle while I read this!
Holly, my mama is a real spitfire! So grateful for her and her amazing example of loving life and living everyday as an adventure!
Colorado is beautiful. Looks like a fabulous spontaneous trip.
Debbie, thank you. We don’t usually “DO” spontaneous, but this one was super fun!!
We’re heading to Colorado in August and I can’t wait! The mountains are so beautiful. I’m glad your mom is doing okay. She sounds like a real trooper!
Candy, August should be a perfect time for Colorado. Many people assume that there’s nothing to do there if it’s not ski/snowboarding season, but you’ll be amazed at all the opportunities for adventure!! Have SO MUCH FUN!!
Your mom is amazing!
Maria, I’ll agree with that sweet statement!! She’s a trooper too! 😉
What an adventure but glad your mom is ok. That elevation can really get you!
Angela, thank you. Mama’s great! And it was definitely a grand adventure!!
Great job keeping costs down – and Colorado looked lovely!
Thank you Tiffany! We never spend money on travel (or at least not very much). We spent two full weeks in Hawaii last year, all on points! It’s the greatest blessing for our family!
This sounds AMAZING! Yep, this goes on the list. I’m glad your mom turned out okay,
Kareena, you won’t regret adding this one to the bucket list! Bring a great camera, as you’ll take WAY too many photos!! And thank you, my mom is doing great!
I know the Villages ….Some may say living there with those drivers is an adventure! lol
Tricia, I completely agree! I’m more afraid to drive around in the golf carts than in the cars! 😉
It looks like everyone ended up having a great trip! We have discovered that no trip is without its challenges and health is always one of the biggest. We recently looked at an RCI timeshare but decided against it.
Cindy, probably a good idea! You can do MUCH better by charging your everyday expenses on a credit card and accumulating LOTS of points! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’m happy to help!! 😉 And yes, we had a fantastic time!!
This looks like a great trip. It is good to know that the sweet spot is a month before to book.
Lisa, it really is. If you are able to go on a whim, without a lot of planning, you can save TONS of points!! Blessings!
This is the second story I have heard in the last month about the altitude sickness. I am glad she is okay and you all had a great trip.
Thank you Heather! She’s much better now and actually had a terrific time. 🙂
CO has some wonderful places. Glad you were able to enjoy it a bit.
Thanks so much! Such a gorgeous state!!
I love using rewards points to take trips or buy gifts. What a great idea and I’ve always wanted to travel to Colorado to hike!
Charlotte!!! ME TOO! Points are the GREATEST! Just to let you know, the BEST value for your points is always travel (as opposed to buying gifts). I used to buy gift cards with all our points. Then I realized that my entire family could have been traveling all along. And we love hiking as well! Definitely plan a trip to Colorado – you won’t be disappointed!!
It looks like you had a great adventure. Glad your mama is ok.
Thank you Jennifer! All those years and you think I’d have a clue!! 😉
Definitely on my bucket list! I can’t imagine not planning things to do ahead of time though LOL!
Sydney, I know right? Usually we are meticulous planners – not this time!! We probably didn’t get to see nearly as much as we would have, but that’s OK – we’re going back FOR SURE!!!
looks like a good time was had and it looks stunning! What an amazing trip, thank you for sharing.
CJ, you’re so welcome!! We had a fabulous time!! Can’t wait to go back!!
What a fun family adventure. So glad your Mom survived 🙂
Suzan, me too!! 😉 She was a real trooper! Colorado is definitely a MUST SEE state!!
Colorado is so beautiful! I spent 2 weeks for a training in Colorado Springs and enjoyed it the whole time. Great photos.
Thank you Vanessa, for those sweet words!! We’re ready to go back. Can’t wait to hit the slopes with my crew!!
That looks like an amazing trip! You got quite the deal on it too. I’m glad your Mom ended up being okay.
Thank you Noelle! We had a fantastic time! Still trying to figure out how to ski (with a family of six) on the cheap!! That’s a tall order! And Mama’s doing great!
You have a beautiful family. You and your mom both look good for your age!
Thanks Brianna! 🙂
First off – glad to hear your mom is okay. Second – my in-laws are in The Villages!! Third – what a trip! You made me want to head out that way to make some memories, too!!
Footprintsinpixiedust, thanks so much!! The Villages is a crazy world, right? I love it! And definitely add Colorado to that bucket list – it’s extraordinarily beautiful!!
What a beautiful trip! I am glad your mom is ok.
Lisa, thanks so much! She’s doing fantastic!!
Lisa, thanks so much! It was an epic adventure for sure! Gigi’s doing very well (and happy to be in the warmth of sunny Florida)!
That sounds like a great trip. Colorado is on my bucket list and I’ll remember you warning me about the altitude. Glad Gigi is feeling better 🙂 and thanks for sharing.
Susan, it’s a MUST SEE state!! We were so very blessed to have that opportunity! Definitely make Colorado a priority on your bucket list! And Gigi’s doing GREAT!
I’m so glad that she is feeling better! The altitude is no joke! It looks like a wonderful trip otherwise.
Thank you Michele! And you’re right! That altitude is NO joke – I was extremely careful with my kiddos, but I thought my mama would at least SAY something!! I’m thrilled that she’s OK now though.