Steak is good food

I took my youngest son to a soccer game on Saturday that was just about two hours from our house. That's two hours, each way, in the mountains, over two passes. It was a long haul for a soccer game, but a beautiful drive in beautiful weather without traffic. Sometimes I like a little road trip to clear my head.

Oh yeah, but I had a chatty 12-year old with me, so there was no clearing of my head. There was lots and lots of chatter about school and soccer and loud Beatles sing-alongs. Yes, I sang too. Fortunately his band teacher taught him a new trumpet exercise that involves holding a pen between your lips. Silently. (Have I mentioned that I love this new band teacher? She just gets better and better!)

During the game I texted a few friends to get restaurant recommendations. I figured we drove all the way there for a soccer game, we should probably do something else while we were up there. There are so many great places to eat in Vail and Beaver Creek, we should go to one!! Yes!

I got several good recommendations, one of which was for a place called the Minturn Country Club. You get to choose your own steak and they instruct you how to cook it on their indoor grills. Cool! A steak dinner and cooking lesson all in one! I was so excited I couldn't stand it!

And...This is where it gets ridiculous.

After the game I bought popsicles for both of us from the ice cream truck (he earned one, he scored a goal!) and told my son the plan.

"Mom, I hate steak. You know this." he said with all seriousness. I tried not to show my extreme disappointment. I figured that he just played over an hour of competitive soccer and should have a vote too. Sometimes I hate being fair! I told him about the side dishes. I told him about the desserts. I did everything but stand on my head. He very slowly and somberly shook his head. Not interested. No dice, no sale.

So we booted up the GPS and he started searching for a place. His whole face LIT UP and he said "There's a Denny's just 2.7 miles from here! I love Denny's!"

It's true, my kids love Denny's. I think I heard a little voice inside my head say "No steak for you!" I figured what the hell, and we went there. He did score a goal, ya know.

Post script: I was so relieved to discover later that night (looking online) that the Country Club didn't open till 5, and we were long gone by then. I'll have to learn to grill a flawless steak some other time...sans kids!!