Weekend Catchup: Spoiled Pruny

Every have a weekend you didn't want to end any time soon?

It was like that.

Totally relaxing, completely perfect end to end, and exactly the recharge I've been needing.

I took very few photos, mostly because I was busy soaking my head most of the time, but I did get a few for ya.

First there was the hot dog stand - it was on my list of things I'd like to do some day, and TR very patiently turned around and went back. He's so indulgent.

Not pictured: TR being really tolerant of my ridiculous touristy self

He got an awesome smash burger, and I got me a hoddawg. With celery salt. Scoff if you will (you won't if you're from Chicago), but that is what's known as "the shit".

The drive to Pagosa takes about 5 1/2 hours give or take, more if you're with someone with a camera. But the aspens were turning, there were storms everywhere and beautiful clouds from end to end, and though my mind wanders a lot while I look at that kind of thing (who's been been on the land there before and why, where they've gotten themselves to since, what it would be like to fly over the tallest peaks and what I'd find there, etc etc), so does TRs and we swapped stories and listened to funny things on his iPod and were there in no time.

Click me! You won't be sorry.

Wolf Creek Pass is still scary, even if you're not driving. FYI.

Also, have I mentioned how much I love the internet? I mean seriously.

So we get to Pagosa, and did TR get a little crap motel room with a clean bed, a dirty floor, and a heart of gold?

No he did not.

Seriously... this was our view.

One side


T'other side - isn't it a cute town?


Downstairs...*THE* Pagosa Spring, from whence all the pools come. Nobody knows how deep it is, which in equal parts fascinates and terrifies me.

Unbelievable, and so appreciated.

The pools at Pagosa Springs were heavenly - we only went down at night and with cloud cover, so it was always nice and cool out while we were steamin' ourselves silly - occasionally really f'in cold actually, but it was totally fine once you were good and cooked. (TR has that Celtic skin that lobsterfies easily, plus who wants to sit in 105 degree water in the sunshine? Not me.)

There are something like 25 different little pools to visit, one of which involves traversing a walkway that sits *in* the water, where there are koi swimming hither and yon.

Not my photo, but that would be the spot!

Plus, there was a massage at the spa. Of course I didn't take a picture, this is a family show! Suffice it to say that TR got his leg (a bit battered at Le Flambe) tended to nicely, and I got my shoulders melted.

We had a lovely brunch...

Also not my photo, I was too busy eating to wield a camera!

...and excellent barbecue for dinner, at a place I'd been before when visiting Durango and Pagosa Springs a couple of years ago. I remembered them fondly, but of course memories can be faulty and everyone's barbecue tastes are different, and I don't know about you but when I suggest somewhere and it tanks I feel awful.

They didn't disappoint.

ALSO not my photo - it was dark, so I didn't bother trying for a decent picture.

The Kid was at her grandfather's all weekend, hanging with extended family and generally having a nice time, although "Too much college football," she said... "At least if it was the bigger teams I'd have something for my fantasy football league!" Yes, my kid joined a fantasy football team. She is so awesome I can't even stand it.

Last but not least, here's a picture of what I made for TR's birthday... it's Drinky Crow, from the Maakies comic strip. There's a cartoon as well, and it's...

Um.

Well, suffice it to say it's on Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network, VERY late at night.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

He loved it! I love when a present scores. It's so selfishly satisfying.