Created: 08/10/2009 10:36 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email By: Art Barron

BARRON: Who says a weekend getaway is just for sitting around?

Your mouth is dry, you're tired and thirsty, then you realize you're at a high elevation!

Up in the Colorado mountains, you can't just sit by the pool sipping the suds, well you can, but I can do that in my backyard on any weekend.

I marvel at biking and hiking... so it was three days of doing just that and the backdrop was gorgeous. Tall trees, lakes and mountains that put you at around 9 to 10 thousand feet.

Tracy and I stayed in Keystone, a great ski resort but perfect for a quick summer getaway. There was a slight breeze with a great pine scent in the air. It was if the trees were whispering as the wind blew through the countless needles.

We biked about 25 miles, up a mountain trail and then headed to nearby Dillon. It was a perfect day, being with someone special, and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

The next day brought us to Breckenridge, which by the way, was celebrating its 150 anniversary. It is a charming place. Outdoor bands played in the plaza, with it's outside cafes and restaurants.

The final day, Sunday was spent in Boulder. Again another stellar place. We hiked a trail to the top of one of the mountains. No place for whiners, it was a great workout as the air got thinner, but the views became more spectacular.

Talk about a perfect weekend getaway, it doesn't get any better than that.