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Kristi Pittman
Mountain Living ExaminerKristi Pittman is a former city girl who has traded her uptown digs for the casual lifestyle
of hiking, biking, skiing and all Colorado mountains have to offer. Visit her page
often to find out about the deals, new businesses, and year round activities
from a insider perspective.
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Showing entries for Category: colorado
What is peace of mind and a majestic view worth?
2 comments
by Kristi Pittman, Mountain Living Examiner
My husband’s business moved us to Vail Valley two years ago, and it has changed our lives forever. Once residents of the fast-paced city, we have traded our city digs for the lifestyle of hiking, biking, skiing and other adrenaline rushing sports that mountain living has to offer. Every day we pinch ourselves, relishing the fact that we are blessed to live and raise our family in such a majestic place. God was truly at his best when he created the Rocky Mountains.
Yes, mountain living is some of the most expensive real estate in the U.S., our gas is priced among the highest, but our air is clean, our towns peaceful, and our environment is pristine. When I walk outside my front door, I usually encounter a neighbor or two, parents are pushing their children in strollers, walking their dogs, children are walking to school and people are bicycling. Our parks are full of families playing together. This time of year, every river and creek has fly fishermen casting their lines, hoping to catch that prize winning trout. In the evenings, the wildlife is visible. Deer and elk can still be seen in open fields. We get them within blocks of our house. Once dark, you see more stars than you’ve ever seen in your life. At night, you can hear a pin drop.
My husband and I have three children: our 3 ½ year old daughter and two labs. There is never a dull moment in our household! Our families are hundreds of miles away, but we are at peace for the first time in our lives. Life’s luxuries are the furtherest from our minds. In fact, I’m struggling to convince my husband that a log cabin is not my idea of a mountain dream home and I’m not at all interested in purchasing the latest model vehicle. I am however, interested in making a difference in our community. We actively participate in virtually every charitable organization here. This fall I will begin offering free piano lessons to underprivileged children. I will also have time to walk in my first Walk for the Cure, honoring my sister-in-law and mother-in-law that we lost to cancer four years ago.Because I don’t want to waste the time I have here, I’m partaking in every benefit the valley has to offer. This winter, I worked part-time at Beaver Creek Resort in the children’s ski school. I had so much fun that next year, I plan on instructing. This summer I will be working part-time at one of our premier golf courses. Sounds like a rough life, huh? This type of schedule allows me to spend quality time with my family, while improving my personal skills. Last year I would barely ski a black run, this year I skied blacks. Hopefully my golf game will improve to where I won’t be the highest handicap on the team in tournaments.
What I hope to share with each of you, is not only the benefits of mountain living, and the challenges we face, but perhaps an uplifting memoir of how people come into their own. As a family, we have given up nothing and gained everything. We hope our stories lift you up.
Topics: mountain , leisure , travel , vacation , colorado , vail
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