Madelyn, Ready to Go

When Jacquelyn asked us if we could watch Madelyn for a week between the end of her summer camp and the start of school, we shuddered. What could we do to entertain our precocious 9 year old granddaughter for a whole week? Household chores and gardening (my favorite pastimes) were probably not going to cut it. Plus, I had to work. One night after a couple of wines, Patti came up with the perfect plan - take Madelyn to our place in Deer Valley for a few days. The weather is beautiful, there are plenty of things to do and, because of the time difference, I could work in the mornings and still spend some time with the girls in the afternoon. Also, The St. Regis Hotel seems to fit the burgeoning Diva nature of our brilliant granddaughter.

To keep with the Diva theme, Patti implored me to use points to upgrade her and Madelyn to First Class. I, on principal, booked a seat in the main cabin (secretly hoping to get upgraded). Not to give the ending away but my plan did not work out so well.

A Future Delta Diamond

As you can see from the picture above, Madelyn took to first class like a duck to water. She and Patti enjoyed movies, drinks, snacks and the other accoutrements of first class. \240I on the other hand did not. I had decided to book a coach seat figuring that I would be upgraded. I was wrong. Below is a picture I snapped of the guys next to me.

Madelyn was having the time of her life. I was dealing with a fat guy who decided to bring an entire Italian meal (complete with garlic toast) on board.

Madelyn Clowning

Patti was even able to pre-order Madelyn’s favorite meal, Chicken Tenders.

Nice Meal

We finally arrived in Salt Lake City after 6 hours of travel. Patti and Madelyn were refreshed and ready to go. Me - we’ll the picture below tells it all.

The Salt Lake Airport was packed as we headed to the rental car location. We had rented a midsized SUV from Hertz and the attendant instructed us to go to the President’s Circle where you pick your own car. That would have been fine but the only SUVs were a small RAV4 (that smelled inside) or a monster sized Tahoe. The Tahoe won out and off we went. We had reviewed the weather that morning in Park City and it was supposed to be mid-eighties and beautiful. Well, you wouldn’t have guessed that when we left Salt Lake City. Take a look at the temperature on our dashboard thermometer.

It was amazing to see the temperature drop as we headed to the mountains. By the time we got to Park City, the temperature was a pleasant 82 degrees.

Madelyn at the St. Regis

We arrived at the St. Regis. Since we are “owners” we get treated like royalty with everyone saying “Welcome Home”. Everyone loved Madelyn and by the time we headed to our unit, she already had several friends among the staff.

In the lobby

We had just enough time to go to unpack and head to the bar to see a nightly ritual - the sabering of a bottle of Champagne. The story is that when Napoleon was conquering France, his soldiers would open Champagne with their sabers to impress the ladies.

Sabering Champagne

We ordered room service for dinner and our plan was to retire for the evening. However, Madelyn got her second wind and we headed down to play giant chess and roast S’mores.

Playing Chess

Finally, it was time for bed.

But not before our butler delivered a tasty snack - blueberry scones with lemon butter.

Ready to go for a walk

While the girls walked, I worked. While that wouldn’t have been my first choice of activities, I sat at our kitchen counter with the sliding door opened and the breeze whisking over my computer. If you have to work, that is definitely the way to do it.

Madelyn Finds a Snake on her Walk

The girls walked down the mountain and enjoyed the great views.

The Hiker

My Cuties

Now, as I said earlier, the girls hiked down the mountain and I admire them for that. However, what would have more been far more impressive is if they had climbed back up. But, they didn’t. They took the hotel’s funicular (basically a cable car on tracks) to ascend back to the upper level of the hotel. Madelyn loved the ride.

Waiting for the Funicular

The View from the Funicular

After their hike, Patti and Madelyn headed down to the Deercrest Club, a private club at the hotel. Patti was looking for some breakfast but Madelyn had something else in mind. You see, the Deercrest Club has a special amenity - a whole wall of candy! Madelyn was in her glory! So much for a healthy breakfast - you should have heard Madelyn trying to argue that “Smarties” and “Tootsie Rolls” are good for you. Oh well, she did hike.

After “breakfast” the girls took care of some chores - posting on Facebook, playing some Internet games, FaceTiming. Oh me, yes I was working.

Next up - some serious pool time. The hotel has a fantastic pool and the girls took full adavantage.

Madelyn enjoying the pool

Madelyn found a patriotic float

There are attendants at the pool from whom you can order food and drinks. \240Madelyn took full adavantage of this amenity and ordered a cheeseburger at 11:00 AM. I guess that “candy breakfast” just doesn’t stick with you that long.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Drink by the pool

By the time I got to the pool at 2:00, the girls were in nap mode. I must admit, I ordered a hot dog and a beer and may have caught 40 winks by the pool as well.

That night we had dinner at Tupelo.

Outside Tupelo

We had a great table and great service (helps to be a part owner of the restaurant). Madelyn was very impressed that all the staff stopped by to say “Hi”. The chef made Madelyn her favorite pasta and then came out to make sure it was to her liking.

We started with our favorite, Tupelo’s Buttermilk Biscuits with honey infused butter and then tried a new appetizer, Tomato Toast - toasted Italian bread topped with house made burrata mozzarella, aged balsamic, heirloom tomatoes, micro greens and fresh cut herbs - so good. I had Chicken Fried Rabbit over creamed corn. \240Patti tried the locally grown rack of lamb. I was so happy with the quality of the food. \240Park City is a very demanding foodie town and it is good to see that Tupelo is still one of the best.

Our favorite table by the window at Tupelo

By the time we made it back to the hotel, everyone was exhausted. \240The fresh air, the exercise, the obscene amounts of candy and a great dinner (with a glass or two of wine) had put us all in a stupor. \240Patti and Madelyn headed for the nice comfy bed and I to the couch (yep the coach) and we settled in for the night. \240Just as I closed my eyes, I heard rustling in the kitchen. No worries, just Madely “checking” on her candy stash.

After “breakfast” we headed to Deer Valley Mountain for some exploring. \240We took two chair lifts up to the top of the mountain which is at elevation of almost 10,000 feet. \240I bored the girls on the way up by pointing out all the ski slopes we ski during the winter. I did get Madelyn to agree to try skiing the next time she is out in the winter. As the pictures show, we enjoyed some great scenery.

On our way up the main chair lift at Deer Valley

What a daredevil, Madelyn wasn’t afraid at all but Patti was

Looking behind us down the mountain

Looking up at some of the ski slopes

Top of the mountain

Relaxing at 10,000 feet

The view from the top of Deer Valley back to the SRDV

We had lunch at a cute restaurant that is located at the midpoint of the mountain. Deer Valley is interesting in that the main lodge and village is actually half way up the mountain. During the summer, you can drive up to the village. But, in the winter, the roads are sometimes closed and the only way to get there is by chair lift or snowmobile.

Lunch on the mountain

Lookin good

We headed back to the hotel and ran into the newest employees at the SRDV - two beautiful dogs. \240SRDV is very dog friendly - maybe some day we can get Benny out for a visit.

After a nice lunch at the hotel, we decided to head out to Red Ledges, a country club that we have access to as members of the Deercrest Club. \240We heard that they had just opened a beautiful pool so we went to check it out. \240Madelyn had a blast. \240The pool has several slides and other attractions. \240We even got Patti to go down one of the slides!

Red Ledges Pool

Madelyn made a friend

We had dinner out on the terrace outside the bar and enjoyed the sunset. \240

Patti and I were exhausted from two fun packed days. \240We suggested a quiet evening and an early bedtime. \240Madelyn wasn’t on the same page. Her idea was: visit the dogs, check out the candy wall and take a dip. \240Guess who won:

Madelyn posing at the pool

We left for home the next day with plenty of great memories (and a great big bag of candy).