Since Ray and I were born we have gone to Colorado almost every year. We'd travel there for "ski trips" when our parents and the parents our closest family friends would take turns watching us in the ski lodge between runs.
Soon after we were skiing in harnesses, then being shepherded away to ski school with balloons taped to our shoulders indicating the ski level we'd accomplished.
We hadn't been to Colorado as a family since 2011, when Lindsay, our life-long friend, married Nate, the coolest guy in Colorado.
The brothers give their congratulations to the Bride and Groom, September 2011.
And, famously from the dance floor of the wedding, because I can't resist--
For better or worse, the best moment of my life.
Finally, in 2014, we made it back to Colorado.
Ray, having only just gotten back from Argentina, quickly threw his warm weather clothes aside, stuffed a suitcase full of ski apparel and headed out the door with the rest of us.
People asked us why we'd go to such a cold place for early Spring vacation.
Ray and I love Colorado. It is both of our favorite state-- the place other than New York we've been the most and where both of us went to school in 2005 and 2007 respectively at the High Mountain Institute. For us, returning with the family was a true blessing.
The trip couldn't have come at a better time. Each of us felt like he/she had been working like a dog...
A day at the office for the McGaugheys
At times we had unseasonably bad weather
But fortunately we hadn't planned a beach vacation
Because bad snow meant good skiing
And we love skiing.
In all the years we've been going to Colorado we've never been to Aspen. We're traditionally a Copper Mountain family. Aspen has always seemed inaccessible to us-- too expensive, exclusive and far away. This time, however, we got an offer we couldn't refuse. Our dear friend Pat offered up her family's place, an unbelievable cabin five miles outside of town.
The three story cabin may have been the most luxurious place we've stayed on vacation, complete with private rooms for each of us, a sauna and a creek in the backyard.
For anyone who hasn't been to Aspen, "town" looks like this--
If only a city block in Brooklyn ended with a ski mountain...
The best part about our trip to Aspen-- even better than the 20" of fresh powder that fell while we were there-- was getting to spend so much time together as a family.
Ray takes a "selfie"
Dave drinks mate
Family Unite!
All smiles as we return to the grind in NYC. Colorado was an amazing trip, from seeing our wonderful friends to spending quality time together as a family and, most importantly, to the McGaughey brothers shredding the "gnar"!
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