VAIL — As golden sunshine beamed through the flickering aspen leaves framing the  I-70 corridor on the way to Vail, I couldn’t help but get excited for a new season. There’s something about taking a drive deep into the Rocky Mountains during this time of year that just feels so right. 

To my surprise, we met virtually no traffic on our way down the very popular Colorado highway, despite the fact that leaves were just about to peak out there. We got to Vail in just about two hours from Nederland. 

Our agenda? Two nights of The String Cheese Incident at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

We booked our stay at a place called The Evergreen Lodge, which was very close to the venue. I highly recommend staying at this spot if you are visiting Vail in general, but especially if you are visiting for a show at The Amp. It took us about 10 minutes to catch the free shuttle from right outside the hotel straight to the venue. 

The lodge had a rustic, cabin-like feel to it, making it a cozy place to stay as the fall temperatures mosey on in. My favorite amenity was the outdoor heated pool and huge indoor hot tub, both with mountain views. In addition to all that, the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating. Bonus points for being pet-friendly.

Close by was one of Vail’s ski villages, Lionshead, filled with shops and restaurants. The German-style architecture and cobblestone walkways make you feel as if you are somewhere far away. So many beautiful flowers and ski slope views, with the creek running through. The perfect way to spend an afternoon. 

A quick shuttle ride got us to the venue in the evening and we arrived to  find a very short and easy line to get inside for both the shows. Again, the staff was extremely kind and pleasant to interact with. 

On the first night, we had pavilion seats about five rows back from the stage. We were so close to the band, it made for a truly intimate experience.

On the second night, we had lawn seats, and quite honestly, I think I enjoyed the view there even more than being close to the stage. Beyond the pavilion, a mountain covered in old, tall aspens looked like a watercolor painting, with the yellow/green color gradient of early fall. The colors changed with the sun and we got one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen at a concert. 

Even from the very top of the lawn, we could see the stage and musicians as well as the light show. I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house. Whether you are experiencing the immersive sound and visuals of being under the pavilion or getting the full view from the back of the lawn with space to dance, it was a great experience. 

Post-show, the shuttle was still available, making it once again super easy to get back to where we were staying, or even go out to an after party show or late night bar. We went straight back to the lodge as we’d danced till it hurt to walk. 

The next day, we loaded up the car and had an amazing lunch at a local Mexican restaurant called Vaqueros. I mean, truly, some of the best Mexican food I have had in the state. It was the perfect send off. 

We made our way back down I-70 towards Nederland and could already notice a difference in the leaves since our journey there two days earlier. 

If you’re wondering when to look for changing leaves, it’s now! So whether that means you want to get out and see them, or avoid the crowds, now is the time. Despite the dry summer we had, there are still vibrant shades of yellow making an appearance. Enjoy them while they last.