This was one of the most fun U.S. vacations I've ever had. Four guys, four and a half days, and about every kind of adventure you can imagine.

Day one: Rush to the airport because our late flight is canceled. Leave later than our original flight was scheduled for because of delays. Lose our discount on the rental car because Justin forgets his license. Stop and get free food at "Reggie's Will o' The Wisp" on the way to Buena Vista. "Free" in the sense that it was designated for the firefighters working the forest fires in the area, and the guys working the grill were generous.

Day two: Wake up after about four hours of sleep, and raft the icy cold Arkansas River. Experience the Colorado version of Tex-Mex and margaritas, and camp at the KOA.

Day three: Realize it's really tough to scramble eggs when you have no skillet. Do our best with a flat rock. Drive up to Frisco, hike far too long, and camp out. Learn you don't have to buy Texas-sized amounts of beer at mountain altitudes.

Day four: Up to Breckinridge for mountain biking. Discover that we are not cut out for the advanced trails. Dine and draft at the Breckenridge brewery.

Day five: Fly back to Austin. Give our left-over beer (we only bought 24, for crying out loud) to a decidedly underage employee at the gas station. Watch said employee go ask for the rest of the afternoon off.