Durango, Day 3

I woke up late, to a breakfast of sausage, eggs, sweet rolls, and coffee. What a great start!  As per usual when I'm on vacation, I lazed around for a couple of hours -- worked, blogged, wrapped presents -- before getting ready to head off on a hike.  The poor dogs have been cooped up in the house for two days, and they needed to burn some energy.

So off we went to Dalla Mountain Park, and along our route, I found some rocks to climb, hiking boots and all!  (Lots of bouldering right along the trail, in case anyone is looking for some.)

The dogs were covered with mud from the belly down by the end of our four or five miles, so we had to hose them off when we got home, and that was a pathetic sight if ever you've seen one.  Once they dried off, they found a cozy rug on which to have a snooze.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon prepping for the big Christmas Eve party.  This was essentially the family party of T (of tandem ski fame), and he has quite a family.  He is one of five kids, four of whom were in attendance, along with spouses and kids, where appropriate.  And the parents of the whole brood.  Dad and D ordered a bunch of tamales from Zia's, D made pasole, and T's clan brought some additions of their own.  Booze flowed freely and generally it was a good party.  And then I slept.  And slept.  And slept.