Firestone Hot Springs Sad Little Snowmen

I hope you don't mind a (future, it seems) packmate!

In the throes of winter, Aesop was finding it tough to keep warm. His bulk helped, of course, as did moving around as much as he did. He had much to do, much to see, now that he had a safe, (relatively) warm place to return to in the night. This valley was large and well populated, and while he wasn't subject to wanderlust in excess, it was only wise to know the general layout.

That day, Aesop was wandering as he had been, farther and farther south and to the east. He skirted the wide bottom of a tall mountain, cursing the cold and praising the cover of the trees. He traveled through the forest, and was soon rewarded for his patience. The air turned humid, then warm, as he came upon a series of hot, steaming pools. Hot springs. "Hot springs!" he cried, thinking he was alone, tearing across the open space between him and the nearest pool. Overjoyed, he came to a stop and poked a paw in. It seemed safe enough, and so he launched himself into the steaming waters with another joyous shout.