Vail, CO :

and pedicures are available too.

The experience begins with herbal tea served to you in your robe and slippers in Aria's sanctuary room. It's an impressive space with a beautiful oversized stone fireplace and comfortable furnishings. I'd recommend the $85, 50-minute gentleman's facial. It's a deep-cleansing treatment tailored for men who may have sensitive skin and razor-burn. Try the aromatherapy steam-room, too. You'll feel relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated. Summer hours: Monday through Sunday: 9am to 7pm. For Vail Cascade Aria Spa reservations, call 970-479-5942 or 888-824-5772.

CHAP'S GRILL & CHOPHOUSE
After the spa experience, it was off to dinner at the Chap's Grill & Chophouse. It's located directly across from the Fireside Bar and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overlooking Gore Creek, the patio is the perfect place to do some al fresco dining and enjoy the bucolic mountain air and scenery. The menu features regional game, seafood and steak. It was difficult to make an entree choice since everything looked so good. In the end, I opted for the buffalo rib-eye and it was out of this world. If you visit this AAA Four Diamond restaurant, you must try it! The dress code is casual and the average meal, appetizer included, will cost about $50.

WHITE WATER RAFTING
The next morning, I was off to experience white water rafting on the Arkansas River. It runs south along the eastern side of the Continental Divide and flows into the Mississippi. It's a 45-minute ride to reach the launch site from Vail. The short trip is spectacular, with expansive vistas of some of the tallest mountain peaks in Colorado, which locals call "Fourteeners". It's a team effort to launch the raft and navigate the river. After donning life jackets, our guide Dana of Lakota Guides, gives us some instruction on safety and paddling techniques. She's heading back to Denver for an MBA this year, but it's clear that she's hooked. She's a mountain girl.

 By the time we reach the Canyon Doors, we're a synchronized team. A family was aboard and they were bonding and having more fun with every twist and turn of the river. We enter Brown's Canyon, which is a Class III section of the river. It's plenty challenging. You'll get bounced around and wet, but most of all you'll laugh and have fun. With landmarks such as Toilet Bowl, Zoo Beach, Rainbow Rock and Smoking Indian, you feel like you're on a Disney ride. A pleasant midway stop for lunch gives everyone a chance to get to know each other and take some family snapshots. The Lakota Guides switch hats and prepare a picnic lunch along the bank of the river. The minimum age for this trip varies with the water levels. The full-day lunch trip for adults is $99.50; $89.50 for kids. Lakota River Guides, P.O. Box 4175, Vail, Colorado, 81658, Tel: 970-845-RAFT.

FLY FISHING
We got back from white water rafting a little late. Andres Ramirez from Gorsuch Outfitters (click here to contact him) was waiting for us in the lobby. He had top-of-the-line fly rods, reels and waders at the ready. It took a little convincing to head out in the rain so late in the day but Andres is laidback and easygoing. When he said, "Some of the best fly fishing happens right behind this resort," it wasn't hard to convince us to join him. We changed into our gear and were fishing in 20 minutes. Gore Creek is beautiful. The fish are wise and it takes some patience, luck and skill to catch them. The water is crystal clear and you can sight cast to fish, which is fun, especially for kids.

An old beaver dam is known for holding large trout. If you want to catch fish, wade to the opposite side of the river and sight cast into the swirling eddies of the current. We spotted a nice size native brown trout from this position. Cast after perfect cast was landed all around this fish. Not one bite. Not even a look. It was unbelievable! I was now late for dinner, with time left for one, only one more cast. The fly landed perfectly. It caught the eddy just right and swirled over the fish. Nothing. Suddenly a 22-inch rainbow trout came out from under the beaver dam and hit the fly. Fish on! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. One-person half-day trips are $300 and a full day is $400. It's a good idea to call at least two days in advance to be worked into their busy schedule. Gorsuch Outfitters, 97 Main Street Unit E102, Edwards, CO ....