Christmas 2021 - Looking for Snow

Snow. We and our dogs like playing in it and looking at it in the mountains. But Albuquerque snowstorms are unpredictable. We usually head north to southern Colorado to find snow at Christmas.

Along US 65 in Colorado

With 2020's COVID, we didn't travel. Fully vaccinated now with businesses and lodging open, we planned an RV trip north. Overall forecast was for snow falling the day before Christmas, tapering off Christmas Day. We'd driven up there in snow before, so we thought, "No problem!"

Sunset from Theresa's in Cuba

We headed for Cuba (had to say hi to Fidel’s tombstone 😜) New Mexico on December 23. We discovered Theresa's RV and Beauty Salon on a previous trip, so we stayed there again overnight. (It’s not fancy, just basic 30 amp service and water hookups with no WiFi. If you’re looking for fenced dog runs, concrete pads / paved sites, and recently-installed power pedastals, keep going to Bloomfield. We honestly didn’t care about any of that stuff for a one-night stop in winter.)

Then we left in a heavy snowstorm early on the 24th (9am for us) for Pagosa Springs, Colorado. (Pat likes the adventure of driving in snow.) About halfway up US 64, Theresa called us to ask if we'd been the ones to leave a Christmas gift on her doorstep. Unfortunately we hadn't, but Theresa's cheeriness made us wish we had.

US 65 to Pagosa Springs

A drink at the Neon Mallard in Pagosa Springs

The new bar at the Alley House Grille

Chicken and asparagus in mild green chili cream sauce at the Alley House Grille

In Pagosa we tried to find a drift-free parking spot. Then we dodged 6” deep puddles, snowdrifts and slush to have drinks at the Neon Mallard and dinner at the new bar in the Alley House Grille. We stayed in the worst Econolodge ever Christmas Eve. We used to RV-camp at the Pagosa Riverside Campground, but they're no longer open in winter due to staff shortages from COVID. Instead we got barking dogs next door and surly staff at the Econolodge. Take a tip from us - never stay there in Pagosa!

On the way to Durango, Colorado

Another magic view on the way to Durango

Chimney Rock was the site of an 11th century Anasazi pueblo

Then we drove through magical snowy mountain views on US 160 to Durango, one of the main reasons we go up there in winter. On the way we passed cloud-shrouded Chimney Rock, site of an 11th century Anasazi pueblo. It’s thought that the pueblo was there to observe the moon rising between the rock ‘chimneys’ every 18.6 years. It’s the farthest-north Pueblo associated with the Chacoan Anasazi, a cultural system with its heart in Chaco Canyon. Chimney Rock had line of sight views with a likely signaling station at Huerfano Mesa, many miles south. In turn, Huerfano could signal the tower structure at the Pierre’s Ruin outlier pueblo, which had line of sight to Pueblo Alto at Chaco Canyon.

It’s gotta be cold out there - on the way to Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio

Another winter view on the way to Sky Ute Casino

We stayed at Durango's La Quinta Inn due to overnight lows in the 20s. We had an RV site reservation at the Alpen Rose, but canceled it when we discovered how cold it was going to be. We drove through more outstanding snowy plateau views to Ignacio, Colorado for Christmas dinner at the Sky Ute Casino’s Seven Rivers restaurant. The excellent lamb, seafood and beef entrees make it very worthwhile, but Pat rates the drinks so-so.

Pat and our dogs outside the Sky Ute Casino

Decorated for Christmas - inside the Sky Ute Casino, entering the Seven Rivers Restaurant

Heading home out of Durango

Fortunately there was a snow-free window between storms on the 26th to get out of Durango, so that's what we did.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. See you on the road in 2022.

Shot Notes

Because of my physical problems with osteoarthritis and sciatica, I brought my lightest equipment - Leica M10-R, Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 Biogon T* ZM ultra wide, Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH wide (my lightest recent lens), and a 1959-era Leitz 50mm f/2 DR Summicron for closeups. I used all three about equally. The 35mm and 50mm worked well for outdoor landscapes, while the relative closeup capabilities of the 25mm and 50mm made them great for interior shots. I brought my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AE and EOS R5 for night sky shots, but the weather wasn’t cooperating. They stayed in the camera bag.

I hope to receive an epidural steriodal injection in January to help my lower back and allow me relatively pain-free mobility in 2022.

More Information

Theresa’s RV Park and Beauty Salon (nd), RV Park and Beauty Shop in Cuba. Retrieved from https://theresasrvcuba.business.site/

The Nightingale Motel (nd), The Neon Mallard. Retrieved from https://thenightingalemotel.com/the-neon-mallard

Alley House Grille (nd). Retrieved from https://www.alleyhousegrille.com/

Active Light Photography (May 26, 2016), Stone Tower Mystery - Chimney Rock. Retrieved from https://www.activelightphotography.com/stone-tower-mystery-chimney-rock

Sky Ute Casino Resort (nd), Seven Rivers Steaks Seafood Spirits. Retrieved from https://www.skyutecasino.com/dining/seven-rivers/