Our guest post comes from Danni Scully, who has lived near the Four Corners area of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona for the last forty years. She enjoys writing, painting and spending time camping with family and friends. Her website is www.outofthedarkness.net
Winding through town, campers and ATVs have given way to snow mobiles and parkas. The crisp mountain air tickles my nose. Bare limbs and an occasional patch of snow are telltale signs of coming winter. The majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains in December beckons us to this small town nestled at the foot of Wolf Creek Pass. While the pass has already received its first blankets of snow, the steam continues to rise from the hot springs.
Meandering through town I am reminded of many mining towns throughout the Rocky Mountains and the smell of the hot springs draws me closer. Parking the car next to The Malt Shoppe, we walk over to survey the water rushing below. The frigid waters once held the screams of laughter from inflatable rafts, and are now quiet as they meander south towards New Mexico.
“Order for Steve” breaks through my thoughts and I retrieve our lunch. Melted cheese slides down the side of the burgers, and with it a cascade of green chili. Cool milkshake puts out the fire of the chili. I smile at Steve as he hands me the basket of crunchy potatoes.
The smells of The Malt Shoppe now behind us, as we close the screen door and head back to the truck where Duchess, our somewhat impatient dog, awaits her portion of cheeseburgers and milk shake.
Parking the truck, we put Duchess on her leash and begin the walk down the path to the river. Being careful of slippery spots this time of year, we stay on the path and proceed to the foot bridge, that spans the San Juan River. We walk across amidst the steam from the hot springs below.
Lodging prices range from $50.00 a night for the smaller motels to triple digits for the better hotels. Whether you are vacationing on a budget or want some comfort with the finer things of life. Pagosa Springs offers a wide variety of things to do, places to go and wonderful food in the winter-time as well.
It was originally thought that Pagosa meant warm or hot water, but it was soon learned that the Indians called it “Pah Osah”, meaning healing waters. Surrounded by the largest wilderness area in the United States as well as the San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs gets over 300 days of sunshine each year.