So, there we were, skinny dipping at the hot pools in the mountains above Steamboat... (Always start out a story with a catchy phrase!) It was a little hike to get into, and no light anywhere. Luckily we were able to scrounge up at least one flashlight amongst the five of us, so we didn't have to fumble around in the dark completely. Though the pools were pretty hot, none of us were looking forward to the frenzied frozen soaking wet dash back to where the truck was parked. It was a reluctant shuffle from the changing hut to the poolside in the dark. We'd all been made aware of the code of conduct by the 20-something hippie attendant at the top of the hill, in the hut filled with a somewhat hazy colored smoke - THREE times - NOT to shine the flashlight at the naked people. So the boys turned gentlemanly on us, and helped hand all us girls down into the steaming water, for which we were thankful. My luck, I'd slip and fall flat on my frozen fanny! The algae, after all, was quite slick. Once in the water, we were in HEAVEN! The pools were huge, three of them total, each a different temperature. We were never very far from the hottest end, of course. With the lights of the city left so far behind, every star in the sky was out shining bright. I don't know when I've seen a more beatiful night. Just an incredible evening, that luckily nothing could mar.
I just have one question to ask... What kind of a sick person steals a person's coat knowing they'd have to hike out of the woods soaking wet in zero degree temperatures??! Did I mention that nothing could mar the beauty of that plae that night? *Grins*
Just about the only thing I've paid FULL PRICE for (well almost) and someone decides on this chilly winter night that they need it more than I do... and leaves me to freeze off some of my more tender parts. Luckily the only things I had left in my pockets were my drivers license, my brand new cell phone that cost a whole penny, and the ring I had just purchased to pierce my navel with. All in all it could have been much worse!
I'm happy to say that I managed to make it back to the car without hypothermia... only my hair frozen. We had packed along every spare towel the condo had to offer. *Big Grin* (And of course, after much whining, Jim parted with his own coat to accomodate me. But we won't share that little bit of info.)
The police officer, on the way out of town Sunday, took down the report. None of us were doing it for any other reason than routine. He said that they'd probably find the half of the phone that could not be used in one of the ditch banks after the spring thaw, but that none of the rest would show up. No big surprise. I guess a regular Saturday night occurance at the hotsprings is for the last people out of the hot springs to get the last set of mismatched clothes of what no one else bothered with... most often clothes 10 sizes too big or too small. Ha!
I have a friend who excells in poetic story-telling... and he just sent this too me:
As I sat there in the hot pool with ALL the stars a shining bright.
I remember thinking to my self, Nothing can mar this night.
After several hours of soaking in the heat,
We decided that we would need to make a fast retreat.
For the weather outside was freezing,
If we weren't careful we'd all be sneezing.
So the rush was on to get dried off and then be on our way.
But that's when I discovered that my jacket had gone astray.
No one in our small group could say without a doubt,
For although we were thoroughly enjoying the evenings event.
We didn't try to keep track of everyone that came and went.
We managed to avoid freezing by using lots of towels.
When I find out who perloined my coat, I'll kick um in the bowels.
"MULE"