Rocky Mountain High

It's been awhile since I last wrote, so I'm making up for lost time. Hold on to your butts...

We had a Small Mammal Bus reunion in the Colorado Rockies a couple of weeks ago. Two other former co-workers and I, all of us biologists, gathered with our families to catch up and frolic in the late winter snow. During that week, I discovered the Top 5 Things To Do in the Rockies in winter:

1. Stroll through the picturesque cowboy town of Grand Lake, where friendly greetings met us at every turn and store hours were, "10 to 5, sometimes earlier, sometimes later,...if we're closed, that means we're away."
2. Rent snowshoes for $15/day from the nice folks at Never Summer Mountain Store in Grand Lake and trek up to Adams Falls and the meadows beyond. Be careful of the tree wells!
3. Soak in hot sulphur springs. Start in the 100 degree pool, then take a deep breath and sprint in 20 degree temps to warmer ones up a snow-covered hill, finally settling in a 116 degree pool at the top and staring at the stars.
4. Cruise through Rocky Mountain National Park with eyes peeled for moose and elk. Spot an impressively large mother moose and her calf, chomping on pine leaves and settling down for the night.
5. Ski in fresh powder at Sol Vista in Granby. And it's okay if it takes you 15 minutes to zigzag down the bunny slope!

Thanks, SMB et al., for a fun week in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Next time: the Yukon?