Racks and tracks

This week, the Telegraph delves into some of the deeper mysteries perplexing local inquiring minds. No – not who writes The Sneer (and while we’re flattered by all the compliments, it’s not us. Swear.)

Instead, we’re talking important, earth-shattering stuff, like what really is going in the mall next to T.J. Maxx. Although the rumor mill’s been swirling, the Telegraph has it on straight intel (we actually called the mall and spoke to a real person) what is going on behind all the drywall.

And no, it’s not Target. Or a bowling alley. Sorry. Maxx, meet your new neighbor, Ross.
That’s right, just as Starbuck’s likes to put two stores on opposite corners to up competition, the two discount giants are about to be roomies. Or at least that’s what we’re guessing, because why else would you put a McDonald’s next to a Burger King?

Alas, our mall source did not have an estimated opening date. She also plead the fifth when it came to whether she was camp Maxxinista or Dress for Less.

Moving out of the mall and into the great out-doors, curious drivers headed up to the mountain may have excitedly spied a freshly groomed Nordic track at James Ranch. But don’t bust out the kick wax and wool knickers and start knocking on the James’ door just yet.

The track is not open to the public but rather being used as a training ground for Durango Nordic, according to Dan (“The Cheese Guy”) James.

Dan’s nephew, Gunther Ott, is a coach for Durango Nordic. He occasionally uses the track to “keep things interesting” with a change in venue and save his athletes the drive up the hill to Purgatory or out to Vallecito.

“We’re not ready to open to the public,” Dan confessed, politely adding that “not ready” really means “probably never.”

So we can all just go back to admiring the James’ bucolic landscape from afar, knowing that the cows, for one, are very relieved.