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
#givingback
Maybe it’s just our early season SNOW but I caught the bug – HOLIDAY season is HERE!
Humbug Christmas, this year I’m Thanksgifting. No timing stress, no expectations, even REGIFTING is OK – there are no rules. Give ‘cause you wanna gift now. Gift early, gift unexpectedly. Not just one monster day of toys. Spread the love – a full season of giving 🦃 🎁
4 FEET of chocolate & cheeses to my Connecticut family. Regifted snowshoes to Ash & Tom (bought myself new Dions). Picked up the tab/restaurant last week with friends. Give, give, give. Be selfish – give because it makes you feel good. Thanksgifting, it’s super fun.
And…get out outside.
Don’t let ‘the holidays’ trap you indoors with ‘tradition’.
It’ll all get done, lil’ bit every day 😊
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- Connecticut gifting
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- Arkansas gifting
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- Colorado gifting
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- ‘Giving Tuesday’ pitch
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- wobble Gobble 🦃
From: Ashton
To: allboulder <allboulder@psaudio.com>
Subject: Pet Food Drive
Thank you for listening to my little pitch earlier 🙂 Here are some more details of the pet food drive AND the virtual pet food drive PawsCo is collecting donations for via Facebook (if that’s easier/preferred for anyone). I will take all physical donations to the food bank on the first week of December. THANK YOU!
PawsCo Annual Pet Food Drive
I invite you to participate in our annual pet food drive by donating pet food in the physical donation bin in the kitchen, or money through our virtual food drive. All monetary donations will go towards the direct purchase of pet food (which PawsCo can purchase at a discounted price to help further). All pet food will be delivered to the Food Bank of the Rockies and distributed across Colorado. Our Pet Food Drive is a way to make sure the pets in our community stay fed and in their homes despite a family’s temporary struggles. Food Bank of the Rockies estimates it needs 10,000 pounds of pet food every month to meet the needs of struggling families in our community.
We heard the following from one of our families last year and it warmed our hearts:
“Thank you again for caring for my canine, Evie. She is the center of my world without kids or a hubby. Your organization has afforded me the ability to provide for her.”
We thank you all so much for your donation and for being committed to keeping families and pets together!
A sudden and unexpected snowstorm hit Boulder on Tuesday, dumping nearly a foot of snow on the city, mucking up traffic and prompting school closures across the county.
The city of Boulder officially recorded 11.3 inches of snow for the duration of the storm…and brings the total snowfall in Boulder during December this year to 14 inches.
Running season over, marathon count holiday-stalled at 49: 2013 (2), 2014 (15), 2015 (32). Long year, lotta travel.
Plans for my first weekend off? Snowshoe hike, nothing like a snow day 🙂 BIG SNOW four days prior – good reason for my first trailhead adventure with the Jeep. Whole lotta sunshine, gonna be a great day for a December shoe-hike.
Loaded up Ro & headed west thru Boulder Canyon to Nederland, center-town right, 5 minutes+ past Eldora Ski Resort – kicked into 4WD & plowed UP County Road 130 to Hessie Trailhead. No stopping ‘til we reached the ranger road closure 2 miles down.
Today’s hike destination: Lost Lake, a 3.6-mile out & back trail.
Super easy summer hike, ridiculously crowded camping. Add a couple feet of snow? Just ‘bout perfect. My shoes are older…probably due for a new pair – but Ro doesn’t care. Off leash & snow, combo my dog lives for.
Surrounded by pine & heavy snow – slight elevation climb 9,000 to 9,800ft – reached Lost Lake in just over an hour. Highlight: listening to the popping, cracking ice – water moving under the lake surface, heating/shifting in the high altitude sun. Twice Ro spooked, barked, charged his invisible predator. LAKE MONSTER!! LOL>
Tick, tick, tick…only 6 days ’til Christmas. Nothing like a snow hike to get ya in the mood 🙂
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- first shoe-hike of the season
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- off leash & snow – LOVIN’ the start of winter!
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- pine & heavy snow…just ’bout perfect
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- 3.6-mile out & back trail
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- day highlight: listening to popping, cracking ice — water shifting under the surface
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- snowshoe hike, nothing like a snow day 🙂
