I thought I had fallen in love with a place already, but that was before I met you. After visiting you for a mere 36 hours, I fell head over heels. I had never experienced such crisp mornings and, what I now know are called, bluebird skies. There was just no way to deny your beauty with the wind blowing through your golden aspen leaves. And then the snow came and blanketed you with 350 inches of fluffy goodness in our first winter here. The locals told me we were getting spoiled, and I didn’t mind a single bit. I learned to ski under your never ending sunshine and maybe even take a risk or two on a jump if the powder was deep enough. The winter held on deep into April, but finally gave way to spring. My mornings were spent sitting outside with you while sipping a cappuccino. I thought I loved winter most, until you introduced me to your most spectacular season of all. Summer was your time to showcase the tippy tops of your mountains that are often unreachable by foot. I spent countless hours trudging over your sharp rocks and stood my ground against your relentless wind with tears streaming down my face. My reward at the peak, untouched by man, was seeing the sun rise from atop of the world. The purity of your air above the clouds is reserved for those willing to work for it. It isn’t all about racing to the top though. Along the way my encouragement came in the form of a mountain goat walking beside me or the wildflowers tickling my knees. And sleeping under your stars and waking to your frosty grass is a memory I’ll cherish until my final days.

The people you lure here are something worth noting as well. Their kind eyes and sun kissed skin immediately give away their deep love for you. Many of those people were originally just passing through, only to find themselves still here 25 years later. You’ve got a hold on people, do you know that? Even the visitors that flock here; skiers and climbers and hikers and bikers from all over the world come just to spend a few precious moments in your presence. How lucky I am to have called you home.

Vail, you found and brought to life a mountain mama I never knew resided inside of me. And although our time here, for now, is coming to an end. I hope you never forget about me, because I will never forget about you.

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