Ignored the DOT and drove up to Estes Park last night. Found a cabin on the river. Roads snowy, but not the hard pack and ice the weather reports carried. Spent the night by the fire, drinking wine. Later, went outside to listen to the coyotes yammering on the mountainside.
Up early. Finished a good draft of the Christmas story I’ve been working on—tentatively titled “Visions of Sugarplums”—then drove up to the park to do some snowshoeing. Park was closed, so headed back into town to do a little sightseeing. Had lunch at the Stanley Hotel, (Burgers, fries, and a nice tall Guinness.) then spent the afternoon kicking around town, window shopping.
Cold day. Nine degrees, and a haze of snow over the peaks. Sky white since 10:00 this morning.
Looking forward to more time in front of the fire tonight, and a safe drive home tomorrow. Came across a herd of mountain goats browsing near the road on the way back to the cabin. No elk, yet. A small rabbit’s been parked under a pine bough near the river the whole day. Seems to like it there.