Our initial day in the mountains, after the neighbor’s smoldering arroyo [see “a living, if barely cognizant, testimonial”, previous post] was fortunately extinguished by the Gardner VFD before the predicted 40 mph winds could get hold of it, was surprisingly warm as we

finally met Mary Ann’s long-awaited puppy and

spent the remainder mostly interior, settling in.

L. began…

The next morning the temperature dropped seventy degrees and, despite the chill, it snowed.

Although unexpected this little precip was certainly welcome; we remained inside

and nothing much changed

…until Sunday, which saw sun, warmth inside

and a lunch cut short for fear The Cornice would catch us.

Monday we went early to Pueblo

via Gardner

to run errands crazily until lunch at Jorge’s in the Obama Booth

the very day the Orange Beast was officially decreed Putin’s Man in the White House.

Sad but, life going on, the pork and avocado burritos with hot green did not disappoint.

Later we met with Luz [having survived four days crossing the winter country with his pitbull in an overloaded Jetta] and Christine [having just weathered a foodless JFK-DIA flight with Izel that morning] in King Sooper’s parking lot to take on enough of their overload so they could fit a week’s groceries before setting off south down I-25,

all swell until just into Huerfano County where massive winds blowing snow hard across ice forming on the Interstate and, even worse, the ice on Highway 69, made us worry for that slick-tired vehicle following an hour behind us.  And ourselves, even.

Once in the Valley the winds calmed, but climbing to Libre the snow grew deeper and

although with persistence and luck Luz&Co. managed to make it to the gate a bit after dark, snow and Fowler’s obstacle course stopped them there.  Cold.  L. went up in her truck to ferry their load to the domes, returned quite fried but after dinner, calm by the fire in the knowledge

that finally, after days on the roads of storms, everyone was safe at home, relaxed at last.

For now, and for the holidays…for yours, too, we dearly hope.

M