I took this from my deck.  It is rare that the clouds come down into valley. Normally they soar overhead.  But this has not been a normal year!

Avalanches have been one of the big problems this year and you can see why!

Vail in the midst of one of its best snow winters ever. I mean the white stuff was everywhere…just take a look.

Ahh.. the other delight of snow.  It MUST be cleared off your deck, otherwise your deck collapses.  James and I worked on the decks over a period of days. We are now ready for the next dump!

See what I mean by commercial???  This is NOT how the Indians arranged things.  However, the water remains the same. It is HOT, MINERAL LADEN and very relaxing.  There are two huge pools, one hot one cold (or cool) I spend 15 minutes in each and a one hour total is about all I can handle.  I am a very limp, very relaxed camper by the end of every Glenwood Springs visit. James was as well. The drive back was slower than the drive down there.  It did not snow while we were there but I wish it had.  Laying in the hot water, with snow settling on the surrounding mountains and gently on your head, is one of those spiritual moments you get to enjoy every now and then. It would have been great if James could have experienced that…

One of the most spectacular drives in the USA is only 50 miles from Vail. It is the Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon.  It is an amazing feat of engineering that inserts a 6 lane highway into a narrow, river carved canyon and does nothing but add to the natural grandeur of the scene.  It is truly a drive worth taking!  We have our Australian cohort James visiting us so I took him down to Glenwood Springs to show the view.  I like Glenwood Springs because they have natural spa hot baths. The Indians used them for Centuries when I am sure they were beautiful little ponds.  Now they are much more commercial.

This is my driveway in Vail.  We are talking serious snow.  The slopes beckon.  The skis are greased, the knees have been exercised for this moment, lets go!

The snow looked so good last weekend (remember the Alien on the walkway) that I have decided to go back to Vail and hang out there.  It is quiet and peaceful up among the pines, with a roaring fire and nothing but panoramic white mountains to look at.  Good for the soul.