New Dions, fresh snow. This year I’m thankful for Steamboat!
Quick Friday turnaround, still bloated from prior day’s feast. Up early, I-70 West to Silverthorne (same exit as Ash & Tom’s 2017 wedding venue) then another hour-half north on Hwys 9 & 40. Only option to Steamboat, Trail Ridge Road closed for the season. I-70 would shut-down at 11am today, Silver Plume exit (11 miles before the Tunnel). White-out conditions. PERFECT day to scuttle early & only hear ’bout highway closures (while comfortably snacking on the other side of the Divide).
Elevation climb. Snow DUMP thru Rabbit Ears Pass, then an easy roll into Steamboat.
Cabin with Pup privileges. VRBO-booked while flight connecting in Philly last September. Turned a flight delay frown/upside down. Lemons into Lemonade. Sometimes I really dig technology. Reward for banging out another crazy long run season, no more than two-a-month in 2019.
Mountain crib did not disappoint. VRBO is kinda pricey (ton of add-on charges) but just like my Hawaii digs in Kona – FAAANNNNTASTIC! Fenced-in yard & a day bed for Ro. One better? Dog friends next door. Waited outside ‘til I let Ro play. SNOW. Chicken soup for the mountain soul ❤️
Saturday: 16 inches of white. Snowshoe HOLIDAY. Nixed the pre-planned hike in Walden. Steamboat’s Howelsen Park would do just fine. Kept Pup leashed 20 minutes, then realized it was just US & blowing snow. No people traffic. Think I could explain that logic with a ranger.
Mexican eats, hot shower, lazy fireplace comforts – dog show for Ro, Christmas flic for dad.
It really is a Wonderful Life 😊
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- early season SNOW
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- postcard accommodations
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- Howelsen Park
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- 16 inches of white
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- off-leash MAGIC
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- Mexican eats & omelettes
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- can Ro come out & play?
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- It’s a Wonderful Life ❤️
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- Winter Wonderland
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- weekend SKI traffic
Steamboat Springs 2018
Chapter close, new door opened. Finished 8 consecutive weeks of marathoning yesterday in Mississippi. Today at 10,300ft, ANTARCTICA training begins. YES! #luckyinlife
Post-midnite arrival in a rare Colorado ice storm. Sleeping in; can’t pick up Ro before 10am from his Fall kennel home. Surprise awaits when Papa shows – HIKE day! ‘though Denver suffered a quarter-inch ice, heavy SNOW high-elevation & SUNSHINE forecast’d Sunday. FAAANNNNTASTIC!
Sunday pup pick-up, day destination: Brainard Lake.
Local altitude, short 45 minute drive. Boulder Canyon to Nederland, chose Peak-to-Peak highway. Better to avoid Ward in winter season. Only one road climbs thru town – UP.
No drama arrival. Road plowed, parking secured. Lot FULL with shoers & Nordic lovers. Lodgepole pine. Precip base thigh-deep. Thin air. Welcome home soldier, marathon season over.
5 miles roundtrip today. Ever see a dog SMILE? Off-leash heaven. Heavy snow kept Pup trail-contained. Sunk to his neck early on chipmunk patrol, stayed close day remainder. LOL>
Backpack light, training day ONE. Need to manage 75lbs comfortably by mid-January. Paced slower than goal too – but my head, out there/up there SOULFUL.
LOVE LOVE my Colorado life. Heart SOAR ❤️
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- shoers & Nordic skis
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- off-leash HEAVEN
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- heart SOAR
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- wind whipping COLD
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- ANTARCTICA training
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- FROZEN ❄️
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- Sno Ro
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- 10,000ft SMILE
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- happy PUP
Brainard Lake 2018
It’s the mooooost wonderful time of the year ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♯
…first SNOW of the season!
Felt teased all week. 30% chance of MAGIC starting at midnite. 20% chance of morning snow showers. Middle of nite, jumped to my window – has it happened? Is it snowing? Nope, foiled yet again. Weather forecast trickery. ARGH.
Patience. Bit by bit, little by little. Morning flurries, afternoon squall, weekend MAGIC. Winter wonderland ❄️
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- hunkering down – BUM!
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- October MAGIC ❄️
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- bro SLEEPOVER
