Mountain Vacations

Mountains are facts of geology, created by tectonic forces and pushed up long before there were humans to take note. So it's a testament to human ingenuity and playfulness that we've created so many activities that take advantage of peaks and crags. Mountains offer skiing in winter, hiking and climbing in summer and elation-inducing views year-round. And, of course, they're cool when lower altitudes are burning.

For ages, rugged mountain areas have been the preferred hiding place of rebels and outlaws. From freedom fighters, to escaped slaves, to outlaws camped out in the Appalachians and Rockies, mountains offered a refuge of clear air and privacy for those fleeing the confines of town (or the long arm of the law). But you don't have to be a renegade or a criminal to enjoy the peacefulness and privacy, the adventure or relaxation, of a mountain vacation.