Summer is heating up

By Amy Cramer Phillips

I am so happy that summer is finally heating up.

I hope everyone had as great of weekend as I did. I am looking forward to even more fun this weekend. It was not all that long ago that I began to live for the weekends like so many “regular” people have for years. I was in the Hospitality Industry until 2003. It took until late in 2007 before I really got the hang of planning my weekends. I finally have it down when in 2009 Bill had to go back to the kitchen, and consequently his weekends are only “Sunday”, so the planning has been adjusted.

I am getting ready for the weekend as I type, it is Thursday, but my fun will begin tonight. The Beaver Creek Rodeo kicks it up at 5. I may not make it until after 7 as I am attending an oh so secret AEI opening session today. One of my good “Republican” friends is happy to escort me, as this type of pie-holing is not Bill’s cup of tea, or more accurately, brew of beer.

I didn’t make it to FAC at the Wolcott Yacht Club (www.wolcottyachtclub.com) last week, but perhaps I will tomorrow. We had a great lunch there last Friday. The patio is as nice as ever and the additions to the menu are really exciting. There is a great new option with the Turtle Tubing Party Bus providing safe transportation from Vail & Avon (www.turtletubing.com).

The established FAC’s will have a bit more competition this Friday than last year with the Avondale Friday Market (www.restaurantavondale.com) kicking off this week. Avondale will feature clothing, jewelry, food & fresh flower vendors at the market with lively entertainment from 4:45 – 8:45. Certainly worth checking out especially since it is walking distance home.

Saturday is jam packed with options. I have committed to building at the Habitat for Humanity site in Edwards on Saturday morning, but my afternoon is open. The “South of the Border” event in Lionshead from 11 – 4 sounds like a great option for lunch and some culture after working in the morning. Easy enough for a stop before I head over to Ford Park for the Summer Solstice event.

The “Summer Solstice” event is in Ford Park from 1-4. This family friendly event is spear headed by the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in cooperation with Vail Art in Public Places, Bravo Colorado & the Vail Nature Center. This event features activities for kids of all ages including the Bravo petting zoo, butterfly launch, games, art exhibit unveiling and much much more. There will be a Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org) Member reception from 5:00 – 7:00, if your not yet a member, please consider joining.

The Fishing Derby at Avon’s Harry A. Nottingham Park might be a nice pre-brunch warm-up from 10 – 12; this is a great Fathers Day event. The Vail Farmers Market from 10:00 – 3:30 is my choice for lunch and a leisurely stroll. This is the largest Farmers Market in Colorado, and well worth the trip. It is on Meadow Drive in Vail Village (www.vailfarmersmarket.com) and features a wide variety of food, art, craft & jewelry vendors, live entertainment and several kids’ rides.

It looks like a few more summer events including the Minturn Farmers markets and several FAC’s will kick off next week, I will get their details posted early in the week.

Until then, I wish good food, fabulous fun and great wine for all.