I would just comment on the "only an hour drive". I know there are all kinds of reasons for that--stiff legs, boredom, etc. But one of the things I have found constantly interesting (this is me, mind you) about driving in the Colorado mountains. It seems like you have been driving "forever" but it turns out to be not long at all. The drive from Vail to DIA seems SO long, but it is 2 hours. And as many times as I've seen the scenery, it's always refreshing to me--except in the couple of "blizzards" we have left in!!