I really lucked out. I'm in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and traveling for relaxation (sometimes one travels for business, this time I'm traveling for relaxation). While planning this trip, I did a lot of research on hotels. I debated staying at the Hotel Colorado, the Hotel Denver, or the Hot Springs Lodge. All are right downtown and historic. After looking at pictures and prices, however, I decided to go with the new Glenwood Suites. What a great decision! Everything here is brand new. My room not only has a balcony with the view you see in the pictures but also has additional amenities that I'm enjoying such as a free hot breakfast, free cocktail hour, a fridge, a microwave, a flat panel TV, a nice big couch for napping, granite shower and counter tops, and perhaps best of all in this climate, underground parking. I'm not sure I'm ever leaving this hotel. The hotel also has it's own coffee shop. I may check it out later and see if they have any hot cider drinks. 
Shortly after checking in yesterday, I was also able to locate the local Target and the local Mexican restaurant, Tequila's. I think I'm now set for life.
As for getting here yesterday, that was an exercise in stress management. Due to two days/12 inches of snow, my flight was delayed an hour and I was snowed in at my sister's for a day. That wasn't bad. I got to spend time with the niece and nephew and relax a little bit. I decided to try to brave the road conditions yesterday and left Brighton, CO for Glenwood Springs. According to Google Maps, this should take 2 hours 48 minutes. It instead took around 5 hours. From Brighton to Vail, the roads were pretty bad. The drive is normally somewhat difficult for me initially anyway because the road is continually turning, going up, or going down and the speed limit is 75 mph. It can feel like playing a racing video game. Throw a bunch of snow on the road and it becomes pretty stressful. While on the drive, I came out of the Eisenhower tunnel, it was snowing, the road was awful, and we started an 8 mile 7% downhill grade (there was also a sign warning that this was an avalanche area). Everyone rode the breaks the entire 8 miles and we averaged 20-30 mph. As soon as that was over, I knew I needed to stop for lunch . . . a sit down lunch where I could relax. So, I had some salad at Ruby Tuesday's in Silverthorne and followed it up with a Carmel Apple Spice at Starbucks. Once I hit Vail, the roads were great and I only had to contend with the wild turns and changes in altitude.
When I got close to Glenwood, I set out on my first hike at Hanging Lake. This hike was described by my guidebook with words like "vigorous," "strenuous," and "most difficult." It was definitely those things on the hike up but that only took an hour so it wasn't too bad. The lake at the top was worth it. Actually, the entire hike was pretty awesome because you were hiking next to a stream that had many many waterfalls and, because of the 20 degree temperature, they were all iced over with icicles everywhere. Going down was a little tricky in spots because of all the snow but I attempted to be light on my feet. Ya know, the funny thing about hiking is when you start out, you think, "Surely this trail doesn't go all the way up there." It almost always does. The picture you seeing of Hanging Lake is not one I took but rather one I found on the internet.
After hiking, I checked into my hotel room, headed to Target for some supplies, and Tequila's for some fuel. I then swam a little at the Hot Springs Pool. I could only swim laps for 20 minutes because the sulfur in the spring water (and thus in my mouth and nose) was making me a little sick. It was also making me feel nauseous swimming laps in water that was 93 degrees. That's ironic since I always think the pool at school is too cold. There's no pleasing me, I guess. I did also spend some time in the therapy pool which is 104 degrees. It was pretty amazing swimming outdoors at night with snow on the trees and ice on the pool deck. Very invigorating. I am posting several pictures that I got off the internet that show the Hot Springs Pool. The first two are intended to demonstrate the size of the pool. The large pool you see is around 93 degrees. The second pool (see the top of the first picture) is 104 degrees. I did not take any pictures last night at the pool-all you could see was steam. 
Today's agenda includes more hiking and more relaxing. I need to decide on a trail soon. I was thinking about hiking Storm King Mountain which I've hiked before but am concerned about the snow on the trail. Hanging Lake trail is mostly large rocks and is like going up stairs for an hour. Storm King Mountain, if I remember correctly, is much more loose dirt so I have some concerns about the trail being slick and my ankles remaining fully functional. I've looked up some other area trails such as Grizzly Creek and No Name Trail which are 12 and 8 miles, respectively. I think that's a little too long at this point and in these weather conditions. I would like to try them next time I'm in town though.Time to get going!
