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Mountains

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Pitting the white sugar sand beaches of Florida's Gulf Coast against the verdant green valleys of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a daunting task. But, since I have been lucky enough to spend days, weeks and months in both locations I find myself casting my vote for the cool and mysterious, magical, majestic Rockies for the best summer vacation.

In Denver the highways are crowded every weekend with Colorado Natives heading up to the high country for fun, relaxation and adventure. I would advise tourists to plan their arrival during the week to avoid the local's weekend rush. But arriving in the shadows of the Rockies and heading up is exciting on any day of the week.

Entering the foothills on the outskirts of Denver in an air-conditioned vehicle, your senses soon cry for you to open the windows letting the sun stroked aroma of the pine trees covering the hillside enter the car. Twisting through the mountain canyons, passing inviting creek sites and valleys the journey to your destination seems too long.

But then, as you cruse over a high mountain crest and head down into yet another valley whether you arrive at a five star hotel or a simple National Park campsite your vacation has begun in earnest.

A mountain vacation destination assures you of cool mornings, warm afternoons and cooler evenings so bring clothing to layer according to the time of day.

The flavor and aroma of coffee or tea become magically enhanced when served on the verandah of a large resort, a private deck off a comfortable cabin or sitting on boulders around a campfire or stove. It must be the magic of the scent of pine trees! In fact all food tastes better than you remember when eaten in the high country.

Trout pulled by a fisherman from a cold mountain stream, cleaned and fried over an open fire and served on tin plates from a picnic basket taste like the food of gods. The fresh trout served in a local caf or five star dinning room also fuels your imagination as well as feeding your hunger.

But don't worry about the extra calories because the mountains afford some of the best hiking experiences in the world. There are easy trails for beginners and challenging ones for the more adventurous spirits. Horseback riding, fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, world class shopping for clothing or art work in village shops are just a few of the activities to enjoy in a summer trip to the mountains.

And don't forget that sleeping in the mountains is a marvelous experience. Whether your camping under a star filled night or falling to sleep in a cabin or resort, you are lulled by the soothing sound of the cool mountain breezes rustling through those tall pines trees; a sound often likened to the sea breaking on a faraway shore.

Learn more about this author, Cindy Kessler.
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