Marla and I were long overdo for a visit to Vail, Colorado, a true favorite of ours in the summer months. We had tickets for two evenings of dance performances during the Vail Dance Festival. We love staying at Manor Vail Lodge, within easy walking distance of Vail Village, Golden Peak Ski Area, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and Gerald Ford Amphitheater.

We rented a condo for 3 nights with beautiful views of the mountains.

Vail has the most sensational flowers in summer. This was our view as we walked to our included breakfast each morning.

Gore Creek runs through Vail and is a favorite for tubing.

We dined at Vintage Restaurant and it was delish!

This guy appears to be enjoying himself as well!

Vail has a fabulous free bus transportation system and we were dropped off across the street from the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. A diverse lineup of perfomers have played here such as Santana, Phish, and Willie Nelson. When Bob Dylan played here, as rain came down upon the still-enthusiastic crowd, he sang “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” as well as “Rainy Day Woman.” In the past few years artists like Robert Plant (2018), Dispatch (2018), Steve Martin & Martin Short (2019), Trey Anastasio (2019), Steve Miller Band (2019), Gary Clark (2019), Bob Weir & Wolf Bros (2021), Sebastian Maniscalco (2021), Death Cab for Cutie (2021) and more have performed.

M and D arrive at the theater.

We were able to get great covered seats for both nights. Outdoor lawn seating is fun with families, but many summer evenings have brief thunder showers.

A great photo of the Ford Amphitheater.

On the first evening during the dance festival we enjoyed San Francisco’s Alonzo King LINES Ballet. On our last night we loved the Balanchine tribute with dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and Colorado Ballet. Marla was happy to see them performing together,

A superb video to give you an idea of the Vail Dance Festival.

I brought my bike up for a ride. I’m not used to riding at 9500-10,000′ this year, so it was a little tough….but sooo much fun!

Lunch at Blu Cow in Vail.

We took the Lionshead Gondola up the mountain.

Gorgeous Marla on a gorgeous day!

There was a staff person assisting people borrowing hiking poles. Marla had not been at that altitude for 5 years, so decided it might be useful.

We chose the Fireweed Trailhead.

What a fabulous view along the trail.

Marla loves hiking, and I was really proud of her doing it at 10,300′ elevation!

Love hiking in the Vail area!

Yours truly!

Dinner at Sweet Basil, a long time favorite of ours.

Call me a fashion victim, but shouldn’t one wear the same color as their libation? In my case…an Aperol Spritz.

The “Sunday Vail Farmer’s Market

The Twins loved the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and playground where they played many summers.

The gardens at Manor Vail.

We both really loved our Vail trip and the dance performances. We want to return again next summer for both the Dance Festival and the Bravo Vail Music Festival.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission. Ford Amphitheater photo: Chris Kendig