All -Added a few more people so start at the bottom for those who are just joining.
Been drinking since 2PM so I'll try to keep this short. Right now this is reminding me of a Pete Townshend lyric ("I lived hippy jokes getting stoned insane 'till the rain looked just like snow"). Except it is actually snowing.
Staying at the Strater Hotel in Durango. I was going to save money by staying at yet another Best Western but walked in the door here and got sold. It's awesome. Shoulda brought a girl but I think I packed her in my other bag.
So started my day at Mesa Verde. The high, according to my car, was 19. Once again had the place to myself. One thing I think I have convinced myself over these last five years is to avoid small talk with people at all cost but I have found on this trip that the small talk unlocks a lot of things.
I did not realize that the heart of Mesa Verde is 20 miles from the actual turn off. I asked the ranger at the gate about hiking in the park and he thought I was insane. So I hiked by car, The drive was as scary as the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the dark of night at the dead of winter. No guard rails. Ice on the roads. But it was worth it. The cliff dwellings are amazing. It was me, two japanese tourist, and eight cameras the whole way.
As I headed out of Mesa Verde the snow started to fall. It continued to snow as I pulled into Durango (two hours later). My first stop was the El Rancho - a local hangout. It was dumping when I pulled in so I wanted to get the local take on skiing (I am no longer sight seeing), Heard great things about Wolf Creek. And heard good things about Purgatory. Given the fact I am ten beers and four Jack Daniels into the evening. I think it is Purgatory tomorrow. Seriously.
I became a 'made' man in Durango somewhere around 3PM (Kyle will know what I mean). Don't think I wanna leave. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
They expect 6-12 inches of snow just in Durango tomorrow. Supposedly this hotel I am staying at has ghosts. I see dead people.
Hank
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