Covered Bridge Magazine | Summer + Fall 2024 | Issue #6

SUMMER

+

FALL 2024

On The

WATER

Family

L E AV I N G A L E G AC Y

VAN LIFE

Wildflower

SPLENDOR

VAI L + M INTURN + EAGLE-VAI L + AVO N + E DWARD S + EAGLE + G YPSU M

H E A LT H IS

ABOUT

VITALITY NOT JUST

YOUR VITALS

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hello from our publisher

Splendor

Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Creative Director Chelsea Connolly Creative Consultant Kitty Nicholason Partnerships Bobby L’Heureux

Emmanuelle Soni-Dessaigne

SUMMER AND FALL radiate through the Vail Valley in a way that’s truly indescribable. “Magnificent” and “grandeur” come to mind, but to grasp that special feeling that’s here I think the best word is “splendor.”

It’s the bluebird Colorado sky leading the way on an alpine ascent; the splashes and giggles coming from the Children’s Fountain in Vail Village; live music and dance filling perfect evenings at The Amp and the Vilar; shimmering yellow aspen leaves on Allie’s Way in Beaver Creek, waving toward the season’s farewell.

So very special, yes, and just as fleeting. And while you can’t hold on to it forever, capture as much as you can. This is what we set out to do here at Covered Bridge: to discover, share and celebrate stories that reflect the brilliant spirit of our community.

For all the pieces of inspiration that shine through this issue, there are just as many humbling points explored by our talented contributors. Topics on water, conservation, waste and creating more awareness around all of it flow throughout the articles that follow. The splendor

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here will only survive if we take care of the land and its resources with more sustainable practices.

The community’s entrepreneurial heart also has a strong pulse in these pages.

Stories on new businesses and legacy establishments offer a grateful nod to the strong mountain souls that carry on local industry through all its highs and lows.

Even amidst the long feature articles and more in-depth journalism here, it’s often the profile pieces that give me the most pause. Hearing from the individuals that make the Valley go round is such an important reminder that we can’t do any of this alone, and our community spirit, our splendor, will only sustain if we each share our light and support one another.

In Gratitude,

Assistant Print + Digital Editor Kristen Grace Community Engagement Coordinator Chloe Wasserstrom Contributors Adrienne Rubin, Amanda McCracken, Becca Saulsberry, Donovan Sornig, Cameron Martindell, Carly Finke, Charles Townsend Bessent, Chloe Wasserstrom, Chris Schmidt, Clare J. Hefferren, Courtney Holden, Forrest Woodward, Jennifer Weintraub, Katie Harmon, Kim Fuller, Kristen Grace, Laura Lieff, Laura Mills, Lexi Reich, Lina Simpson, Lisa Blake, Lucie Hanes, Maddie Rhodes, Marianne Kipp, Rick Spitzer, Robert Prechtl, Russel Reuben, Sandy Ferguson Fuller, Scotty Rogers, Shane Macomber, William Montecristo Cover Photographer Robert Prechtl Website + Social coveredbridgevail.com @coveredbridgemag Partnership Opportunities Email bobby@jauntmediacollective.com or call 815.414.9642 Proudly produced + printed in Colorado.

Thank you for supporting local media!

Jaunt Media Collective 2077 N. Frontage Road Suite D Vail, CO 81657 SCAN + SIGN UP To receive emails highlighting information + inspiration from Covered Bridge

Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux Jaunt Media Collective jauntmediacollective.com

® 2024 Covered Bridge Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumers no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Company cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine.

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

PHOTO BY SHANE MACOMBER

Give of your splendor to everyone.

Like the sun.

Leader of Community Engagement Laura Mills

table of contents SU M M ER + fall

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contents 20 24

38 RIDE VAIL TO ASPEN GEAR UP

CAPITOL PUBLIC HOUSE

68 BOB WILL

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Splendor

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CONTRIBUTORS

12 ABOUT THE COVER On the Water with Robert Prechtl

CHASING RABBITS

14 VOICES OF THE VALLEY Thoughts on “Splendor”

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15 VALLEY HAPPENINGS + Nicole Garnsey Makes Moves with Pure Barre in Edwards + “Live in the May Gallery” at the Vilar Performing Arts Center + New Name, Same Preservation for Eagle River Coalition + Makoto Vail Now Open at Grand Hyatt Vail + Capitol Public House Brings Comfort + Community to Eagle

features

22 VALLEY BUSINESS Move Matter / Architects 24 MOUNTAIN LIVING It’s Time to Watch Your Water Use

+ Restaurant Spotlight: Il Mago, Edwards

26 WELLNESS + FITNESS + Navigating the Spiritual World with Becky Hesseltine

+ Local Column: Eat With Your Hands

+ SPRI Golf Sports Medicine Program 30 ATHLETE PROFILE Robert Prechtl 32 GEAR FOR THE SEASON + Summer + Fall 2024 + Gear for Lil’ Rippers 38 ADVENTURE + Vail to Aspen on Horseback + On the Road with Family Van Life 42 GRAND OUTDOORS The Perseid Meteor Shower

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THE DANGERS OF OVERTRAINING How Much is Too Much?

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58 CHEERS Cocktail Feature with Chasing Rabbits

LEAVING A LEGACY 3 Local Businesses Have New Leaders

60 BOOK CLUB + Endurance by Kelly Ashford

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FLOWER SPLENDOR Have Fun Getting to Know Local Wildflowers

+ Nature Tonic by Jocelyn De Kwant 62 ART + MUSIC + The Splendor of Opera Returns to Bravo! Vail

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TRASH TALK Managing Waste in Eagle County

+ Vail Performing Arts Academy Celebrates 30 Years 65 STYLE FOR THE SEASON Modern Western Wear 68 MAKER Bob Will of Red Cliff

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70 ROAD TRIP 36 Hours in Telluride

100 EVENTS Summer + Fall 2024

48 NOURISH + Recipes from Wild Sage, chef Kevin Nelson

74 GETAWAY + Stay + Play for a Few Days in Healdsburg, California

102 DINING GUIDE Eat Local

+ Restaurant Spotlight: Deca + Bol, Eagle

+ Escape to Portland, Maine with Advice from a Local

44 FAMILY + COMMUNITY + Eagle County Animal Services Helps Find Forever Homes + 30 Years of SOS Outreach

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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL Sam Biszantz

104 PARTING SHOT Illustration by Sandy Ferguson Fuller

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SUMMER + FALL 2024 10

contributors 1

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1. Chloe Wasserstrom Writer + Community Engagement @chlowass 2. Jennifer Weintraub Writer + Photographer @the.outdoorista 3. Sandy Ferguson Fuller Writer, Editor, Illustrator + Photographer alparts.com

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4. Chelsea Connolly Creative Director @thechelseaconnolly 5. Kaitlin Emig Writer @sunflower_lion 6. Laura Mills Writer + Community Engagement @l.millsy

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7. Lucie Hanes Writer @luciehanes

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8. Marianne Kipp Writer @mariannekippwrites 9. Kristen Grace Writer + Editor @kristengraceyoga

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10. Laura Lieff Writer @lieff_ink 11. Courtney Holden Writer @courtneysoltys 12. Adrienne Rubin Writer @equescapes 13. Cameron Martindell Writer @offyonder 14. Maddie Rhodes Writer @maddiebucketzz 15. Lexi Reich Managing Editor + Writer lexireich.com 16. Lisa Blake Writer lisablakecreative.com 17. Clare J. Hefferren Writer @freckedclariosity

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about the cover

Read more about Prechtl’s adventures + time behind the camera on page 30.

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Q

+A

Robert Prechtl Where did you shoot this and how did you set up the shot?

This photo was taken on a sunny day at the Eagle whitewater park in Eagle, Colorado. This shoot involved a DSLR camera with underwater housing, a dry suit and PFD (personal floatation device — for safety). Standing offshore in waist-deep water with the camera partly submerged I was able to capture some of the wonders of water while Natalia Grey, a whitewater professional and kayak enthusiast, was on her way to put in at river’s edge. I wanted to focus on the water as the main subject because of its importance in our valley, environmentally, recreationally and for its general life-sustaining quality. Then from that point dial in a few settings, point and shoot.

Even though you spend a lot of time in water, what are some of the challenges you face with photographing it?

Some of the main challenges when working in or with moving water are staying focused on the shot while keeping equipment dry and maintaining some awareness of safety. The ebb and flow of the currents can be unsettling and often more powerful than many people realize. Even with protective gear and safety equipment, there is an added element of difficulty maintaining stability and framing a shot the way you intended. Expensive electronics and water typically do not mix.

How would you say you like to capture SPLENDOR with your camera when you’re out adventuring?

As a photographer and videographer, my focus is often on capturing the splendor of the things I enjoy most in life. Wilderness, sport and connecting to others and the natural world are drivers of my work and life. To convey the feelings I get from these through lines, I try to take a creative approach while finding new perspectives. To get a different shot, sometimes you risk loss of gear, exposure to the elements or injury to the body, but that is part of my process. I am a firm believer that there are no right answers and that we're all just trying to figure it out. +

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voices of the valley

What does

SPLENDOR mean to you?

Michelle Ann

Owner of Shine Intuitive Beauty in Edwards When I think of the word "splendor," I am reminded of the feeling I get when I experience something beautiful — a radiant sunset, my favorite walk by the river at dawn or exploring the vastness of our mountains, no matter the season.

Splendor truly is all around us living in the Vail Valley; all we have to do is step outside, take a deep breath and observe.

It’s what drew me here from Denver over a decade ago, and what has grounded me here, helping me nurture roots in this cherished home. We are so fortunate to live in such a place where natural wonders and beauty abound, where we can revel in winter’s playground or soak up every last minute of sunshine in summer’s warmth. For me, splendor lies in the beauty of life’s everyday moments and the joy we find by simply being.

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Armando Araiza

Celynn McClarrinon

In the heart of Vail, surrounded by majestic mountains and vibrant community, "splendor," for me, isn't just a word, it's a guiding light. It's the art of finding beauty in every experience, the good and the bad. From bluebird powder days to the occasional long lift lines.

It's learning to ski in powder, extracting lessons from each twist and turn, and emerging stronger, wiser and more appreciative of your stance, flow and the mountain. It's cherishing the fleeting joys, the quiet moments of connection, the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering beauty of our community, even when faced with adversity.

"Butterflies don't know their wings’ colors, but others see their splendor," is a quote written by Mohith Agadi. A butterfly’s patterns and colors help them navigate the world. They use their colors to communicate and interact with each other.

As I observe butterflies in my garden, I sense their magnificence. To me, splendor can take your breath away. Much like the butterflies, the mountain ranges in our valley have me holding my breath in the awe of their majesty. From the Two Elk Restaurant on Vail Mountain, I am at eye level with the Gore Range and it shares its beauty. As a social worker, I see splendor in working with my grief clients. After a few sessions of sharing their thoughts and feelings, a griever often expresses relief from their pain. I feel moved by their courage. Like a butterfly, a griever might not know what their colors are but others do see their splendor. It is an honor for me to listen to a griever’s heart. Many times, I am in awe of their beauty.

Founder of Elevated Engravings in Vail

Licensed Social Worker + Certified Grief Recovery Specialist in Avon

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valley happenings

Nicole Garnsey Makes Moves with Pure Barre in Edwards I found myself surrounded by a community of supportive women who changed my life.

Nicole Garnsey

PHOTOS BY KATIE HARMON, HAWKDIGITAL

By Laura Lieff

PIVOTING IS PART OF LIFE, and longtime Vail Valley local Nicole Garnsey recently made the most significant pivot of her career. After spending 11 years working for the Eagle County School District (ECSD) as a psychologist, Garnsey took a leap in December 2023 when she gained ownership of Pure Barre at Riverwalk in Edwards. “I loved my school psychologist job, but this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she says.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Garnsey earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College and her education specialist degree in school psychology from University of Colorado Denver. In 2011, she moved to Eagle County for an internship with ECSD and then was hired full-time as the district’s licensed school psychologist.

In 2015, Garnsey — who grew up dancing and playing soccer — became a regular member of Pure Barre. What started as taking a few classes turned into six a week which turned into becoming an instructor, which resulted in

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Pure Barre becoming a major part of her life — physically, emotionally and mentally. “In addition to the physical benefits, I found myself surrounded by a community of supportive women who changed my life,” Garnsey explains.

When asked how she went from taking classes to teaching them, she said that while learning the Pure Barre technique takes time, she quickly realized how much the classes, instructors and fellow participants supported her overall well-being.

“I developed connections with instructors and saw the connections they created with others,” she explains. “That was attractive to me because I was already helping kids in the district, and here, I could expand to an adult demographic which was an exciting challenge.”

A challenge it was — especially the public speaking aspect — which pushed Garnsey out of her comfort zone.

“Learning to speak in front of people has served me well personally and professionally,” Garnsey explains.

“The confidence I gained from becoming comfortable with public speaking has been a huge benefit.”

For those who don’t have a dance background, or are apprehensive about taking a class comprised of predominately women, Garnsey says that part of Pure Barre’s mission is “building each other up.” In fact, Pure Barre has meant so much to Garnsey over the last nine years that she felt she couldn’t ignore the chance to buy the business — a decision she did not make lightly.

As a wife and mother of two, she spent a lot of time weighing whether leaving ECSD was the right move for the family. Ultimately, Garnsey and her husband Mac came to the consensus that doing so was the best choice. “Leaving the school district was tough, and this new venture is overwhelming, but it’s also exciting,” she adds.

Now over six months in, Garnsey has found her groove and has established a presence in the Edwards community.

“Even though Pure Barre is a nationally recognized brand, each space is a locally-owned small business,” she says.

“The energy in the studio has exceeded anything I’d ever hoped for. As an owner, it’s so fulfilling to be an intimate part of people’s lives.” + Pure Barre 216 Main St. Unit C-103 Edwards, CO purebarre.com/location/vail-valley-co

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valley happenings

Live in the May Gallery Vilar Performing Arts Center Presents Intimate Jazz Performances

Bob Reynolds Group

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THIS SUMMER, the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC) is set to enrich its artistic offerings with the introduction of "Live in the May Gallery." This new initiative brings a series of live performances to the intimate and contemporary setting of the May Gallery, the VPAC's private lounge and art gallery.

The May Gallery will host an array of distinguished performers from around the world, featuring a rich tapestry of acoustic music that spans genres such as jazz, classical and folk. These performances are designed to be enjoyed in a salon or club-like atmosphere, providing a unique and close-up musical experience.

Owen Hutchinson, the VPAC artist director, shared his enthusiasm for the new series, noting, “There's nothing like going to the theater, especially when the venue offers the comfort, beauty and first-rate quality of artists that we enjoy here at the Vilar Performing Arts Center."

“I've handpicked artists like the Bob Reynolds Group and Okan,” Hutchinson adds, "who bring not only expertise in

their musical styles but also a warmth and fantastic musicianship that fill the room.”

Tickets are available either as general admission, offering theater-style seats close to the stage, or at reserved tables with comfortable seating and personal service along the back of the room. + vilarpac.org

LINEUP BOB REYNOLDS GROUP Tuesday, July 9, 2024 6 p.m. + 8:30 p.m.

OKAN Saturday, August 17, 2024 6 p.m. + 8:30 p.m.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

OKAN

FINDING YOUR WAY HOME

Eagle River Coalition

PHOTOS BY TWP / EAGLEVALLEYWILD.ORG

New Name, Same Preservation of Colorado's Lifelines COLORADO'S LANDSCAPES OWE much of their beauty to the intricate network of waterways that carve through their valleys. At the forefront of safeguarding these vital resources lies the Eagle River Coalition, formerly the Eagle River Watershed Council, a nonprofit organization comprised of devoted water experts, river enthusiasts and community leaders united in their commitment to preserving the essence of this region.

“Our community has known us for decades as Eagle River Watershed Council, but as we enter a new era of river challenges, expansion of our work and the need for our whole community to get on board, we felt that it was time to bring a fresh look to the organization and a name that fosters collaboration,” executive director James Dilzell says. “We're stoked to kick off this next chapter alongside our community, working to secure a vibrant future as Eagle River Coalition.”

From pioneering comprehensive water quality monitoring programs to spearheading impactful restoration projects and hosting educational workshops, the Eagle River Coalition confronts pressing water challenges head-on, ensuring a sustainable future for the rivers and streams we call home.

Dilzell underscores the monumental challenges facing rivers today, including climate change, population growth and diversions, which threaten river health and habitat. However, he affirms the coalition’s proactive approach, strategically leading restoration efforts, creating water efficiency programs and advocating for crucial waterway protections to mitigate these threats.

Locals are invited to support the mission by contributing to conservation education initiatives, participating in restoration projects and ensuring ongoing support through tax-deductible donations. Whether as donors, volunteers, sponsors or participants, the Eagle River Coalition emphasizes that every contribution makes a tangible difference in protecting local waterways. +

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Whether buying or selling, she will direct you to the right resources for whatever you need. Thanks Sam for all of your help, you’ve made it a breeze! – Jordan

Sam Gerstein Broker Associate SSF Top Producers Q1 2023 SamSellsVail.com 970.331.1519 sgerstein@slifer.net SamSellsVail

erwc.org

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valley happenings

By kim fuller

Chef Makoto Okuwa

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IT WAS WORTH the wait for this truly fresh take on Japanese cuisine in the Vail Valley. Just minutes west of Vail Village by bike, car or bus, Makoto Vail is a new dining landmark in Grand Hyatt Vail and the latest venture of the celebrated chef Makoto Okuwa. With over 25 years mastering the art of Edomae-style sushi, chef Okuwa brings a blend of traditional Japanese culinary skills and his unique creative flair to the table.

Chef Okuwa has been recognized through his successful establishments in Miami, Washington, D.C., Panama City, Mexico City and São Paulo. Makoto Vail is his inaugural foray into Colorado, offering a menu that’s a testament to the rich traditions of Japanese culinary arts that are fused with innovative twists. Guests can expect a gastronomic journey that

spans the delicate balance of flavors found in both raw and cooked dishes that are crafted with precision and artistry.

The drink program emphasizes cocktails featuring Japanese spirits and essences, complemented by a comprehensive selection of wine, sake, shochu and Japanese whisky. A fresh flower garnish on the Kodai No Hana cocktail sets a great tone for any evening, made with Doburoku sake, vodka, yuzu and agave.

Chef Okuwa’s menu is a creative spin on classic Japanese dishes and sushi, beginning with appetizers like shishito peppers with Szechuan sauce and bonito flakes, and a delicious tuna crispy rice enhanced by serrano chili. The menu continues with raw specialties including toro tartare sprinkled with cherry blossom salt and sesame miso, and umami kanpachi dressed in yuzu vinaigrette and garlic chips. The impressive selection of sushi, sashimi and maki presents an array of fresh fish directly sourced from Japan, alongside a daily assortment of rare specialty items.

For main courses, options range from Sakura pork tonkatsu accompanied by plum kombu and burnt lemon, to miso

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKOTO VAIL

Makoto Vail Now Open at Grand Hyatt Vail

wild Alaskan sable fish served with pickled turnip and ume miso, along with steak selections like charcoal-grilled Snake River Farms aged ribeye and koji-butter dry-aged New York wagyu strip, complemented with smoked shishito sauce and fresh wasabi. Or keep it simple with rice and noodles, as the wasabi fried rice with pickled ginger and mixed vegetables, and the chicken ramen with yuzu oil and scallions hit the spot as refined comfort food. For dessert, the fruit toban yaki blends passionfruit white chocolate, exotic seasonal fruits, almond cookie crumble and mango sorbet to provide a sweet finish.

An intimate space that feels dynamic and lively, the restaurant's design pays homage to the grace and minimalism of Japanese aesthetics, while embracing the breathtaking natural surroundings of the mountains. From the design expertise of HBA San Francisco, Makoto Vail brings to

life the wabi-sabi aesthetic, a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in natural imperfection, through the use of light woods, dark metals and smooth stones.

Guests are welcomed by a grand shoji screen at the entrance, which leads to a bar area highlighted by an innovative art piece made of paper and string by Colorado's own Jacob Hashimoto. A sushi bar, dining room and indoor-outdoor terrace offer seating options for any mood.

Makoto Vail feels like the modern and innovative restaurant Vail needs now, and we definitely recommend taking that extra jaunt due west of Vail’s core to make your way there. + The restaurant offers free shuttle transportation from Vail Village and Lionshead to Makoto Vail for off-property guests.

Call 970.476.1533 for shuttle information. makotovail.com

Dine

Bowl c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Sip

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valley happenings

By lexi reich

IN THE HEART of Eagle, a new community hotspot has emerged at Capitol Public House. For those seeking a taste of genuine Americana with a side of Rocky Mountain charm, Casey Glowacki, the visionary behind this culinary venture, opened his latest establishment with a mission to be the neighborhood staple.

Glowacki's culinary journey in the Vail Valley began five years ago with the acquisition of Eat! Drink! in Edwards, which underwent a metamorphosis into the beloved Drunken Goat, as well as Cut, which he still runs as a meat and seafood market. Drawing from his Colorado roots and culinary expertise honed elsewhere, Glowacki has crafted eateries that echo his ethos of inclusivity and authenticity.

At the helm of Capitol Public House, Glowacki seeks to cater to Eagle's discerning palate while honoring the town's laid-back spirit. "I really felt like Eagle needed a solid bar and grill," Glowacki explains, shedding light on the deci-

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sion-making process that preceded the restaurant's inception.

In the realm of gastronomy, Capitol Public House stands out for its unpretentious yet tasty offerings. From classic burgers to fish and chips, the familiar menu boasts subtle twists and turns that keep diners intrigued.

But it’s Glowacki's dedication to community feedback that sets Capitol Public House apart from its peers. The deliberate avoidance of oversaturated trends, as per local preferences, underscores the establishment's commitment to authenticity. "Our community spoke pretty loudly — please no more tacos," Glowacki says, emphasizing the restaurant's allegiance to its identity as a quintessential bar and grill.

While across the street at Wild Sage in Eagle (also in this restaurant family) leans towards vegetarian gourmet, managing partner and executive chef Kevin Nelson says visitors can expect heartier and timeless classics at Capitol Public House.

Beneath the surface of Capitol Public House lies a well-oiled machine, fueled by a team of passionate professionals. With industry veterans like Nelson, John Delaney and Aly Swansen, Glowacki’s restaurant portfolio exudes warmth and hospitality.

Looking to the future, Glowacki envisions Capitol Public House as more than just a dining destination. Plans to utilize the back area for music events and gatherings this summer hint at the restaurant's goal to serve as a go-to hangout spot.

So, whether you're a local in search of a familiar haunt or a visitor craving an authentic taste of Colorado hospitality, Capitol Public House beckons with open arms. + Capitol Public House 1099 Capitol St. Eagle, CO capitolpublichouse.com

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PHOTOS BY CARLY FINKE/FINKETANK

Capitol Public House Brings Comfort + Community to Eagle

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The BEST resale shop in Eagle County.

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valley business

Move Matter / Architects Designing Splendor in Your Space

By Jennifer Weintraub

B The team at Move Matter / Architects, from left: Kristie Volskis, Emily Arden Wells, Zac Stevens

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eauty knows no bounds.

Move Matter / Architects, an architecture and interior design firm based in Eagle, finds magnificence in the mundane and elevates the ordinary to new heights.

Founded by Emily Arden Wells and Zac Stevens, an edgy and innovative duo who believe in the transformative power of beauty.

For Stevens and Arden Wells, architecture is more than just buildings — it's about creating spaces that enhance the human experience and the client’s relationship with their home. Each project is infused with a sense of purpose and vision, from luxury remodels to multi-family housing to affordable developments.

Beauty and well-thought-out design elements can change a family’s life, Arden Wells explains. It’s why they analyze

where the light hits, how to frame the mountain views and where to position the building to capture the spirit of the space, finding the perfect balance between form and function. Every element and angle choice is made to harmonize with its surroundings, from the exterior footprint to the interior flow.

Stevens and Arden Wells’ cosmopolitan expertise shines through their design. Fabrics, fixtures and colors are carefully chosen to create luxurious modern mountain spaces. Rooms radiate richness while meeting the client's vision and budget. It’s a careful balancing act that Move Matter gracefully juggles.

A project always has restraints: space, budget or county building codes. But within those limitations lie the seeds of creativity. By focusing on the irreducible elements, the critical characteristics that

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOVE MATTER / ARCHITECTS

River Grand Residences in Glenwood Springs

embody the soul of a space, the architects unearth the essence of each project, infusing it with a distinct character that sets it apart.

For Move Matter, compromise is not a setback — it's an opportunity for innovation. Constraints become catalysts for creativity, driving the team to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of design. It's about embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the most unlikely places. “There will always be something unexpected, but another idea will evolve. It’s just part of the design process,” Stevens says. Budget and design are a constant push and pull, but the team looks for efficiencies to put a fresh spin on the space.

The Liftside Penthouse, located slopeside at Cascade Village in Vail, is a beautiful blend of imagination and innovation. The team reconfigured the interior, moving walls and stairs to relocate the primary bedroom with a luxurious en-suite to the main level. A grand, open living area is centered around a large stone fireplace, while the dining room is framed by a custom wet bar hidden behind sliding doors.

Kristie Volskis, lead architect for the project, describes the inspiration for the luxury interiors as a soft, snowy mountain aesthetic complemented with dark, graphic elements to create an urban abode. “One of the most gratifying things,” Volskis explains, “is finding the perfect connection between the materials to create a cohesive space.” From finding flooring that ties the colors of a room together to sourcing a stone with a sheen that catches the light, the talented team masterfully weaves a story of beauty and grace into every space.

But Move Matter's commitment to beauty extends beyond luxury homes. From multi-family townhomes to affordable housing projects, they are paving the way for a more accessible future. Budget can still be beautiful, as seen in their work for the Wapiti Commons, a Habitat for Humanity housing development in Rifle. “Even an affordable project should have an element of magic to it,” Arden Wells asserts.

Their inclusive approach to beautiful design is a fresh take from a young firm gaining traction in the Vail Valley. They may be new talent, but their move to the mountains after almost a decade of designing in New York City wasn’t just a professional decision — it was a homecoming.

Arden Wells' roots run deep in the Vail Valley. She grew up racing with the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and attended the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in Minturn. Stevens and Arden Wells connected in graduate school, where he blended his background in art with architectural design. Together, the duo saw an opportunity in the Vail Valley to carve out a niche for themselves and reconnect with Arden Wells’ skiing community.

As Move Matter continues to make its mark on the community, one thing is clear: their approach to design is as refreshing as it is transformative. In a county surrounded by stunning scenery, Move Matter / Architects continues moving the needle on beauty between four walls. + movematter.com

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the ultimate dining experience

970.845.8808 17 Chateau Lane Beaver Creek, CO Splendidorestaurant.com

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mountain living

It’s Time to Watch Your Water Use

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agle River Valley residents have their work cut out for them over the next two years.

By 2026, the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD) wants to see a reduction in regional water use by 400-acre feet. For context, that’s the equivalent of 400 acres of land covered in one foot of water. If that sounds like a lot, it is — and that’s the point. Half-hearted efforts are no longer enough to address the diminishing water supply in the Colorado River Basin. It’s time for us all to use water differently.

A recent study on the aridification of Colorado River Basin’s snowpack regions highlights, “a 10.3% reduction in Colorado Basin's present-day natural flow,” since 1880 as a result of climate change.

“Without this warming,” the study adds,

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“the Colorado Basin would have had significantly larger amounts of water available, equal to the size of Lake Mead, over the duration of the 2000-2021 megadrought.” 86% of those water losses stem from the aridification, or drying out, of snowpack regions within the Colorado River Basin.

Seeing that as over 40 million people rely on water sourced from the Colorado River Basin, this data speaks to not only a climate crisis, but also a humanitarian one. Both the land and its people stand to suffer even more of a shortage in supply over the coming years without significant action to reduce water use as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

One incentive to use less water may be cost. Water rates are going up across the United States due to aging infra-

structure and regulatory mandates, and the Eagle River Valley is no exception.

ERWSD recently fixed an inequity in their water use rate structure that had allowed larger properties to use more water before bumping into a higher price category. While this change may have little effect on those who use water efficiently, customers who don’t will see the difference. Water use for larger landscapes, especially with lawns that require a lot of water, will cost more from now on.

Whatever your motivator, whether it be protecting local rivers and streams, ensuring public health and safety, or being fiscally responsible, watching your water use will benefit all. ERWSD reports that 95% of water used indoors goes directly back to local waterways after

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EAGLE RIVER WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT

By Lucie Hanes

being treated in one of its wastewater treatment facilities. This is significant when compared to the only 25% that makes its way to local rivers and streams from outdoor water use. This data indicates that the biggest positive impact for water conservation is in reducing outdoor water use rather than indoor use.

When it comes to irrigation, consider how much water your plants and lawn really need. Speak to a gardening expert like Eagle resident Lindsay Graves of Fourth Street Farm to determine actual water requirements for your landscape.

Set your irrigation timers based on that information using a Smart Meter so you never go overboard, even accidentally.

Take it even further by replacing thirsty lawn with native vegetation that requires less water. “Replacing lawn with native, drought-tolerant landscaping will not only beautify your yard,” ERWSD explains, “but also provide pollinator habitat, create diversity, improve soil health, reduce your water use and save

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you money in the long term.”

And speaking of money, pay attention to your water bill. Use it as a metric to gauge how much you’re spending as well as how much you’re using. The lower your bill, the more you benefit yourself and water supply in your community. ERWSD even offers water efficiency rebates to sweeten the deal. Replacing lawn with native, drought-tolerant alternatives can earn you up to $2 per square foot, for example. Visit erwsd.org/conservation/ water-efficiency-rebates for all rebates available to ERWSD customers.

The amount of depressing data on the diminishing availability of natural resources that we so often take for granted is only becoming more common. But let’s remember that “common” does not equate to “normal” unless we let it. Nothing about a 10.3% reduction in flow and water losses the size of Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, is normal. +

Replacing lawn with native, drought-tolerant landscaping will not only beautify your yard, but also provide pollinator habitat, create diversity, improve soil health, reduce your water use and save you money in the long term.

ERWSD

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wellness + fitness

There is a world of connection and information that we have with one another.

We are naturally connected through the power of love.

Bridging Worlds

Navigating the Spiritual World with Becky Hesseltine

by Chloe Wasserstrom

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f you are reading this, then you are most likely living in modern day society — what most people deem as planet Earth. This sphere is known for its splendid, diverse physical beauty that we as its inhabitants are lucky enough to climb, capture, swim and descend throughout. But we share this space with another world the human eye cannot see: the spiritual world.

Eagle local Becky Hesseltine can feel this other world that is intertwined with ours. As a psychic medium and spiritual development teacher, Hesseltine relays information from spirits

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residing beyond the physical realm and conveys their messages to you. When you sit down to have a reading with Hesseltine, she connects to your loved one’s energy and transcribes their insights to provide you with comfort, clarity and guidance.

As Hesseltine says, we are spirits living the human experience. “Think of our spirits as our energy that brings our soul to life,” she explains. “Our soul is an expression of [our] greater spirit. We have this and we have a physical body.”

Hesseltine defines “psychic” as a soul-to-soul connection and defines

“mediumistic” as being able to connect to departed loved ones. She emphasizes that all the spirits, those living in the spirit world and those living the human experience, are the definite intelligence of love.

“The cool thing is we also have a part of us that is awareness, awareness within us,” Hesseltine adds. “It is something we cannot quite put a finger on.”

The awareness allows us to narrow our observations and realizations to specific entities within ourselves, like the spirit part. She uses a squirt bottle as an analogy. Just like a squirt bottle, there are settings to your awareness. You can switch on a mode where a fraction of the water in the bottle is dispersed in more directions than you can count. This can be overwhelming for your awareness.

However, a squirt bottle, and ourselves, also has the ability to stay in one lane.

This approach is much less overwhelming and allows you to manage your consumption more efficiently. This is how Hesseltine is able to connect to those on the other side.

“We can move our awareness in the spirit world,” Hesseltine says. “Each of

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BECKY HESSELTINE

Becky Hesseltine

our souls has an energetic signature. We can sense [what’s like scanning a QR code] and the information within.”

She believes all spirits living the human experience have the ability to do this. Hesseltine shares that she only has a gift because she has a calling to share this with others.

However, Hesseltine had to journey through the greater part of her life to get to this point. She recalls being a highly sensitive child. Looking back, now she understands she was feeling the spirit world and the people on the other side, but she suppressed these feelings because they were too overwhelming. She went on to study health science in college and receive a master’s degree in education. Her sensitivity never weakened.

Fast forward to 2016, the year of her father’s passing. After returning home to Eagle from San Diego, California, after taking care of her father’s post-death logistics, she felt all of her

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childhood troubles return to the surface: feelings of abandonment and low self-worth. Hesseltine candidly shared her moment where she wanted to end her life, but her awareness saved her.

“I had this flash of awareness that these feelings were not mine,” Hesseltine explains. “These were the same feelings my mom and dad had. That was a miracle because I have had moments where these thoughts led me to dark places.”

From this moment forward, Hesseltine said yes to her spiritual sensitivity.

“When we do not understand something, we color it with fear,” she shares.

“I decided to understand. What unfolded was my mediumship. I quit my corporate job and followed my soul’s expression.”

After a rigorous process of blind testing, Hesseltine is now the tested and certified medium we know today.

Everything Hesseltine has been feeling her whole life now made sense.

Her soul’s expression is to connect

people with their loved ones on the other side. And thus, this fear she had never existed — it was all love. This is her authentic self.

All of this led Hesseltine to work as a a spiritual development teacher and help individuals connect to their intuition. She guides online courses that nourish students' understanding of their spirit because she believes it is everyone’s birthright to understand their intuition.

Although the Vail Valley community is small, it holds a whole other world of possibilities inside. Becky Hesseltine is an exceptional guide to assist you on your exploration of the divine other side.

“There is a world of connection and information that we have with one another,” Hesseltine articulates. “We are naturally connected through the power of love.” + beckyhesseltine.com

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The Swing Doctor Is In Steadman’s Steve Atherton Meets You at the Intersection of Science + Golf

By Marianne Kipp

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ou might be surprised to learn that one of Colorado’s top golf teaching professionals is located on the first floor of Vail Health Hospital, where he leads the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) Golf Sports Medicine Program. Twice named Colorado PGA Teaching Professional of the Year and one of just a handful of PGA Master Professionals teaching in Colorado, Steve Atherton directs a cutting-edge golf program within SPRI’s state-of-the-art Biomotion Laboratory.

This isn’t your typical golf simulator set-up — walking into the lab, you’re immersed in one of the most advanced motion research labs in the United States.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Atherton says.

“We’re blending golf instruction and coaching with biomechanics technology and real, actionable data — this is a next-generation golf program.”

Designed to meet every golfer — and he means every golfer — at their current game, the unique program includes one-on-one coaching with access to

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biomotion analysis not available elsewhere in the Mountain West. From PGA Tour Professionals recovering from injury and looking to return safely to the Tour, to new learners and golf enthusiasts, Atherton welcomes them all in this oneof-a-kind program.

Tyler McCumber, a PGA Tour Player, worked with Atherton after undergoing surgery at The Steadman Clinic. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with Steve after my surgeries. His knowledge of the swing and body as well as his organized practice routines helped me hone in distance control before getting back out on the PGA Tour,” McCumber shares.

The Golf Sports Medicine Program offers lessons, club fitting, biomechanics analysis and for golfers who really want a bespoke golf experience, there is a half-day immersive program where participants complete a full biomechanics markup, golf lesson, club set analysis and collaborate with Titleist Performance Institute-Certified (TPI-C) Doctors of Physical Therapy at Howard Head Sports Medicine (HHSM), right across the hall.

New in the lab, a markerless motion capture system (available alongside a golf lesson or on its own) provides a comprehensive functional movement screen in under 20 minutes. Clients receive a robust report with a clear indication of how well they move, mobility issues that may need to be addressed and even a unique “Motion Age” calculation. The reports offer a prescriptive view into ways they can work with a physician, therapist or trainer to improve their functional movement — in sports, or in their daily lives.

“We want this program to be really custom to what each individual is looking for,” Atherton says. “Some of my clients are healthy, and they’re really focused on getting more distance

off the tee, or curing their tendency to slice. Other clients,” he continues, “are looking to prolong their golf game after joint replacement or treatment, and we focus on modifications that help them move safely and continue to enjoy the sport for as long as they can. We work with the doctors at Steadman and leverage our partnership with HHSM to ensure safe movement patterns and address post-surgical or injury concerns with the healthcare team.”

The blend of clientele in the program is another differentiator for SPRI. Biomotion Labs like SPRI’s are often found in university settings, and aren’t available for public use. Moreover, golf programs in those laboratories are often focused on healthy, elite golfers exclusively, so the data is not translatable to all players.

“At SPRI and The Steadman Clinic,” Atherton shares, “we truly are committed to keeping people active. That’s for everyone, not just the pros. Golf is a lifelong sport and we’re proving that with the work we do in this unique program.”

The simulator itself includes the Foresight GC Quad Launch Monitor, one of the best-rated monitors available, and popular with Tour players. The camera-based system provides precise club and ball flight data in real-time, which can then be complemented with the research-grade Qualisys cameras, motion capture and force plates to get a comprehensive analysis of the swing.

“I’ve been teaching golf for nearly 25 years,” Atherton says, “and I’ve worked with a lot of different kinds of technology.

There simply isn’t anything else like this, and I’m really proud of what we’ve built.

“But it’s not just about the tech,” he continues. “We’ve been able to help so many athletes, golf lovers and brand-new golfers. There’s nothing much better for me than a client coming to a lesson and showing me their scorecard, proving that the work we’ve done has paid off. Or when they tell me, ‘Steve, I was just hoping to get back to playing nine without pain and I played two rounds in the last week!’ That’s what it’s all about.” + For more information or to book time in the lab, contact golf@sprivail.org.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEADMAN PHILIPPON RESEARCH INSTITUTE

wellness + fitness

sponsored content

Discover the Peak of Health Coverage

TAD SMITH’S EXPERT INSURANCE SOLUTIONS FOR MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS

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ad Smith is a seasoned health insurance broker licensed in Colorado since 2001. With a rich professional background that spans the printing industry in the 90s and a subsequent career in telecommunications, Smith has dedicated over two decades to helping clients navigate the complexities of health insurance, especially difficult since the inception of the Affordable Care Act. His personal love for Colorado’s outdoors — from hiking and biking to skiing and rafting — uniquely positions him to understand and address the specific needs of mountain residents.

“The plans I offer provide comprehensive coverage for outdoor enthusiasts, ensuring access to emergency services, preventive

care and specialist visits, which are essential for those leading active lifestyles. I normally recommend including an accident rider as a part of my client’s coverage umbrella to keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum for any injury accident while skiing or mountain biking or horseback riding”, Smith says.

Smith’s love affair with the Colorado mountains began in 1984 during a hitchhiking adventure that saw him traverse the Rocky Mountains. A memorable night spent nearly frozen in Vail solidified his connection to the region, ultimately leading him to settle in Boulder in 1990. Colorado has since evolved, as has Smith, with both his hips now replaced thanks to the excellent orthopedic care available here.

Smith offers a variety of health insurance plans tailored to the unique challenges faced by mountain residents. His plans ensure access to quality healthcare providers, even in remote areas, and cater to the active lifestyles common in these regions. Vail residents are frequently surprised to learn that nationwide PPO plans are available to individuals, off-exchange.

“My clients know they can count on me because I’ve personally dealt with serious health issues in my family,” Smith says. “I understand the importance of ensuring access to the best physicians, clinics and hospitals as well as the complexities of organizing health insurance coverage. Most people are still not aware that families in mountain communities may qualify for federal subsidies with household incomes as high as $350,000 or lower-income families may qualify for virtually no-cost health insurance.”

Smith provides personalized support, helping clients — from ski resort employees to small business owners and early retirees — understand and select the best health insurance plans for their needs. His commitment to building trust and maintaining strong relationships is evident in the ongoing support he offers, ensuring that clients feel confident and secure in their health coverage.

Smith’s deep-rooted connection to Colorado and his passion for its outdoor lifestyle enable him to make significant positive impacts on his clients’ health insurance experiences. His work contributes to the health and well-being of mountain communities, ensuring that residents can continue to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer without worry.

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athlete PROFILE

Prechtl with his first love, skiing.

Robert Prechtl

A Multifaceted Journey of Adventure + Filmmaking

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n the realm of adventure sports and documentary filmmaking, there exists a figure who seamlessly intertwines both worlds while staying out of the spotlight. Meet Robert Prechtl, a waterman, athlete and storyteller whose rugged journey is as captivating as the tales he weaves behind the lens. Prechtl, also known as Bob or Robbie, embodies a multifaceted career that defies boundaries. With a background in track and field and an outdoor affinity, Prechtl's transition to adventure sports and filmmaking was an evolution of a self-taught outdoor junkie.

EXPLORING ADVENTURE’S DEPTH His athletic interests span a wide range, encompassing kayaking, rafting, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, trail running, pickleball, tennis, basketball and baseball. “I want to do it all. My happy place is a beginner’s mindset — being unskilled and ok with that. I normally start by myself — watch, buy gear, try it out. I go from 0 to 100,” shares Prechtl.

His humble filmmaking beginnings are

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a college camera and GoPro. Despite falling short of his ambition to become a professional athlete, he takes comfort in proficiency to emulate the pro domain.

Upon moving to Colorado in 2008 the perfect landscape canvas appeared.

Curious about water from a young age, the more he explored, the more he embraced its discomfort. With a network of talented team builders and accomplished watermen, invitations often came his way. Prechtl was asked to step into the raft of the men's U.S. Whitewater Raft Team — primarily for his stature, as he had never paddled whitewater. Quietly paddling, he absorbed knowledge.

Whether rowing for the team or pursuing Grand Canyon speed records, Prechtl prioritizes the bonds formed through shared experiences.

Backcountry endeavors foster swift ties, highlighting the reality and inherent risks of adventure sports amidst a tightknit community that shares significant consequences. Never enthralled with winning, he emphasizes collective success over personal triumph, preferring to

align himself with achieving others’ goals rather than pursuing his own aspirations.

Prechtl's dedication to supporting others underscores his humble nature. “I’m always questioning, what is my purpose on the planet?” he says.

Prechtl doesn’t care to be referred to as an athlete. He simply loves the feeling of doing the task. You might presume this requires training rigor. Prechtl shrugs. Today he nonchalantly jumps in. In 2023 alone, Team El Chupacabra (Robert Prechtl and Jeremiah Williams) came in second place in the Vail Whitewater Series and won the Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint at the GoPro Mountain Games.

Prechtl gives credit to local Satchele Burns for bringing him in front of the lens for Vail Resorts as talent. Prechtl giggles as he shares he found out he isn’t good at skiing in front of the camera, so he got behind it. Assisting on a Gnarly Bay video shoot in 2017 provided a window into what it takes to make an adventure film. Now whether he's kayaking raging rivers or scaling towering peaks, Prechtl's camera is always by his side.

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PHOTO BY CARLY FINKE/FINKETANK

by Clare J. Hefferren

PHOTOS BY FORREST WOODWARD AND SCOTTY ROGERS

DOCUMENTING EXTRAORDINARY STORIES Blending athletics with cinematography, Prechtl’s “run-and-gun” style provides a raw story. It allows fascinating people with deep and intimate stories to influence where the story goes.

Rob's unique approach stems from his innate desire to be both a participant and storyteller. The camera in his hand serves as a covert tool, allowing interaction with others without drawing attention — a reflection of his preferred approach to engaging with the world.

In the editing room, the aim is to engage in a fulfilling struggle, seeking to imbue the characters with a profound sense of justice.

Viewers are immersed in the heart-pounding thrills of cinematic bodies of work for which Prechtl is most recognized: +

THE TIME TRAVELERS Screened at Mountainfilm 2017, a Gnarly Bay production sponsored

by Chaco, chronicles the men’s U.S. Whitewater Raft Team bid to set a speed record in the Grand Canyon, covering 277 miles in 34 hours. Prechtl's close collaboration with the filmmakers captured the journey's essence, adding depth to the final cut.

+

(PEOPLE) OF WATER Presented at Mountainfilm 2019, a Gnarly Bay film, features Prechtl as he connects his passion for water with fellow rafters and the ocean.

+

DISABLE VIEWS Currently submitted to 2024-2025 film festivals, this documentary follows a hand cycling journey inspired by Prechtl’s friend Quinn Brett, a former pro climber now paralyzed. Pushing beyond limitations, they tackle the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim (-to-Rim) trail, challenging the notion of disability.

The film flips the script, portraying able-bodied individuals as having the disabled perspective.

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

A LEGACY OF INSPIRATION Meeting amazing people and talented individuals shapes Prechtl’s perspective on what matters. Many are unaware of people’s struggles or the risks they take, which is fascinating. Continuously pushing boundaries, whether environmental or social, offers abundant content.

“I have a camera and I happen to be athletic. Or I am an athlete and happen to have to a camera?” ponders Prechtl. +

Prechtl in his element.

Prechtl and team going for the Grand Canyon speed record.

Prechtl photographs athletes as they navigate the Rim-toRim-to-Rim trail.

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gear 2 1 3

Gear

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for the Season Summer + Fall 2024

Tested + Compiled by Covered Bridge Staff

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1. MYSTERY RANCH RADIX 47 PACK Minimalist mountaineers and fast packers will love the swiftness, adaptability and resilience of this backpack. The strategically placed off-center zipper makes full access a breeze, while the pocketed lid and removable waist belt with pockets ensure your essentials and snacks are always within reach. The pack is tailored with men’s and women’s specific harnessing for an ideal ergonomic fit. $249 mysteryranch.com

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2. SCARPA GENERATOR V CLIMBING SHOE Rock out with this supportive climbing shoe that’s ideal for both lengthy and single-pitch routes. The Generator V is SCARPA’s stiffest, most supportive low-cut climbing shoe, offering precise edging without toe discomfort, a slim toe for crack climbing, eco-friendly suede uppers and a breathable mesh tongue for comfort. $215 us.scarpa.com 3. BOTE INFLATABLE HANGOUT CHAIR Sit back and relax with an in-water Adirondack chair experience. Soak in the sun while being supported by a PVC sling, and the reclined seatback will keep you in an ideal lounging position. And so you don’t float away, D-rings allow you to link to a boat or friends in floaters nearby. $349 boteboard.com boteboard.com 4. BIOLITE CHARGE-80 PD Stay powered up wherever you go. This portable power bank gives a fast boost to a range of devices, including headlamps, phones, lanterns and laptops. It boasts a hefty 20,000 mAh battery, serving as a dependable power supply for all charging needs during a weekend escape off the grid. $79.95 bioliteenergy.com

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5. PERSONAL RECORD IPA FROM ATHLETIC BREWING This limited-edition non-alcoholic crew is in partnership with the IRONMAN Triathlon Series. The refreshing blend features tropical hops and mango, ideal to celebrate warm summer days and to toast after a swim, bike, run or other adventure! $14.99 per six-pack athleticbrewing.com 6. ALTRA TIMP 5 TRAIL SHOES Think of these trail runners/hikers as light, grippy and ready for adventure. They feature the familiar foot-shaped design Altra is known for, highlighting a plush yet responsive ride. The roomy toe box still offers a secure midfoot and keeps feet happy mile after mile. $155 altrarunning.com

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7. SEA TO SUMMIT DETOUR CAMP KITCHEN COLLECTION This kit includes the first collapsible camp kitchen gear that's compatible with both gas stoves and induction cooktops. Made from durable stainless steel, the collection offers a noise-free storage solution to guarantee a peaceful journey without compromising on the convenience and quality of home-cooked meals, no matter your mode of adventure.

Order by piece or set; $19.95 - $199.95 seatosummit.com 8. PATAGONIA STORM RACER WATERPROOF JACKET This ultralight and highly packable performance shell, made from fully recycled three-layer material, is waterproof and breathable. Designed for quick use during unpredictable high-mountain weather, it conveniently packs into its chest pocket. Plus, it's produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory. $299 patagonia.com 9. ICEBREAKER 125 ZONEKNIT MERINO BLEND SPEED 3" SHORTS These lightweight running shorts are engineered with smart, body-mapped ventilation to regulate temperature when movement heats up. The breathable fabric and flatlock seams offer comfort when mileage ticks on.

Carry essentials in the back phone pocket and internal key/card pocket. $95 icebreaker.com 10. ALPINE START MATCHA WITH BENEFITS IMMUNITY+FOCUS Just add hot water to this dairy-free instant matcha blend that infuses organic lion’s mane for enhanced mental clarity, organic reishi mushrooms and vitamins A and D for bolstered immune support, and MCTs from coconut for heightened focus. All of this with the magic of matcha is nice to have on-hand for a warm drink at home or while you’re camping. $15.99 for five single-serve packets alpinestartfoods.co 11. COROS PACE 3 GPS SPORT WATCH The COROS PACE 3 boasts a low profile and lightweight construction for all-day and night comfort. The impressive battery life lasts up to 17 days with daily use and 38 hours of continuous GPS use. Track your workouts, explore cross-training or follow a training program in the COROS app. $229 coros.com 12. FLAXTA ABOVE SUNGLASSES From town to trail, the Flaxta’s large cylindrical lens offers vast perspective with a flash of style. Equipped with non-slip rubber nose pads and temple tips, these sunglasses give solid comfort and resilience in any terrain.

Check out the playful frame and color options. $80 flaxta.com

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1. KONA ROVE Hit the dirt or cruise the road with this budget-friendly steel bike. It’s great for local routes or an evening pedal to the Village.

Equipped with 650x47c tires and crafted with a design focused on comfort, it's built to support you on from daily commutes to light adventures. $1,599 konaworld.com

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2. CAMELBAK THRIVE 16 OZ MUG Insulated stainless steel and a truly leakproof design make this an ideal mug for daily use, travel and adventure. Throw it in your tote full of coffee and it won’t leak — we put it to the test! $32 camelbak.com 3. NATHAN ZIPSTER MAX WAIST BELT This minimalist compression waist belt offers 2 liters of storage across four handy pockets.

It’s perfect for holding all your essentials during a walk or run, including your phone, sunglasses, snacks or even a 14-ounce soft flask. $40 nathansports.com 4. EAGLE CREEK CARGO HAULER WHEELED DUFFLE BAG Equipped with a handy grab handle and rugged wheels designed to glide over rough terrains like campsites and soccer fields, this wheeled duffle makes transporting heavy loads over short distances a breeze.

It features shoulder straps and hideaway backpack straps. For convenient storage, this duffel neatly tucks into the provided stuff sack, which also serves as a handy packing cube. Available in a range of capacities; 110-liter is $229 eaglecreek.com

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5. OUTDOOR RESEARCH ASTROMAN AIR SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT Get outside and play with the UPF 30-50+ protection of this featherlight tee. Its design includes movement-mirroring stretch for maximum mobility, along with exceptional ventilation and breathability, making it perfect for staying cool and comfortable in warm, sunny weather. $99 outdoorresearch.com 6. ORTOVOX BRENTA SHORTS Whether your alpine adventures look like mountaineering or mountain biking, these shorts pair durability and comfort. On top of ultra-abrasion resistance, these also repel water while staying extra breathable. Merino mesh inserts in the waistband add an extra layer of comfort, while technical features like a thigh map pocket and adjustable waistband enhance their functionality. $130 ortovox.com

7. PACKTOWL CHANGING PONCHO From smart travel and van life to beach days and river trips, this versatile essential serves as both a super-absorbent towel and a portable changing room. The roomy poncho design makes it easy to switch between swimwear or muddy gear into fresh clothes. It’s made from 85% recycled fabric, and features a convenient kangaroo pocket for warming hands or holding essentials. $59.95 packtowl.com 8. RUFFWEAR HI & LIGHT DOG HARNESS This lightweight, minimalist dog harness, available in sizes down to XXXS, offers a perfect fit with four adjustment points and dual leash attachments (back aluminum V-ring and chest loop) for security. Designed with a debris-resistant liner, ID tag pocket and reflective trim for visibility, it's ideal for active dogs as it ensures freedom of movement and comfort. $39.95 ruffwear.com 9. DANNER MOUNTAIN 600 EVO The long-celebrated Mountain 600 line from Danner just got an upgrade. This new model supports ambitious day hikes and heavier loads, offering stability and comfort on rugged terrain and in any weather. We also like wearing these around town! Waterproof and breathable, they are truly all-season boots. $250 danner.com 10. PAKA APU PARKA Summer and fall in the Rockies means always having that perfect cozy jacket for evening outings and epic adventures. This piece uses an extra warm and ethically traceable insulation known as PAKAFILL, paired with a stretchy and water-resistant outerlayer that makes for a jacket that gets worn in every Vail Valley season. $349 pakaapparel.com 11. KELTY CAMP GALLEY DELUXE This is the ultimate camp kitchen in a bag. It neatly packs and organizes all your essential cooking gear. The sturdy unit can be attached to your roof rack or any convenient spot, ensuring everything is within easy reach. It features three zippered compartments to sort your spices, tools and utensils, plus two additional sleeves for securely storing cutting boards and plates. A dual-purpose paper towel holder also serves as a handy mini clothesline. $74.95 kelty.com 12. PATAGONIA MAIPO ACTIVE DRESS This airy and adaptable dress is designed for comfort and versatility, featuring an integrated, gently supportive upper lining and liner shorts. The main material is a plush, functional blend of 80% recycled nylon and 20% spandex interlock knit. Perfect for cycling, trekking or even a leisurely day at the farmers market during the warm summer months. $129 patagonia.com

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Gear

For Lil’ Rippers Summer + Fall 2024

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Give your kids the right gear to keep them outside all the time.

Here are some tested favorites from a mountain-loving, adventure-focused family.

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Compiled by Cameron Martindell

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3. ENO SINGLENEST HAMMOCK Kids love hammocks! It’s almost guaranteed if you set up a hammock, the kids will want to be in it all of the time. One of our favorites is the SingleNest made with durable 70D Nylon. It’s 9.5 feet long and holds up to 400 points! That’s plenty of room for lots of kids. The hammock tucks into it’s own carry bag which doubles as a pocket while swimming. Straps highly recommended (sold separately or in a kit). $55 eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com 4. NEAR ZERO LITTLE DEAN This lightweight 20-liter pack is perfect for little explorers. It’s made of durable UHMW (ultra-high-molecular-weight) polyethylene waterproof fiber and features eight handy pockets — some mesh to see what’s in there — to keep everything organized. I always love packs with a whistle built into the sternum strap for safety. It also has some great external lashing points for larger items. $60 nearzero.co

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5. ASTRONAUT ICE CREAM SANDWICH Kids love ice cream, but it’s hard to take on some adventures. That makes this freezedried treat perfect! Available in a range of flavors including vanilla, neapolitan, mint chocolate chip and cookies and cream, and they all taste amazing, as expected. $5 astronautfoods.com

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1. NOCS STANDARD ISSUE BINOCULARS Nature becomes much more interesting when you can get up close and these small-sized binoculars are perfect for little hands. These rubberized waterproof field glasses have two variations: eight-times or 10-times magnification, both with 25mm objective lens. $95 nocsprovisions.com 2. PETZL TIKKID HEADLAMP This 20-lumen light is designed for 3-year-olds and older. It’s lightweight, durable and the front glows in the dark! It also has an auto-shutoff feature after an hour to avoid accidentally burning through the three AAA batteries or Petzl’s proprietary rechargeable battery. The headband is nice wide and comfortable and has a simple break-away feature to avoid snag problems. It’s also IPX4 water resistant so it can handle being out in the rain. $25 petzl.com

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6. TIFOSI SHUTOUT SUNGLASSES Keep those little peepers safe … if they can keep the glasses on! This is always our challenge, but I feel better as an adventurous parent by making eye protection available. The semi-frameless Shutout has shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses, offers UVA and UVB protection and comes with a cleaning bag for safe storage (when they make it back in the bag). $25 tifosioptics.com 7. XTRACYCLE SWOOP We have tested a lot of e-cargo bikes and the newly released second generation Swoop from Xtracycle has easily become our favorite.

And by ‘our’ I mean all of us: wife, kids and me. Since it’s a pedal-assist only (no throttle) and thanks to the geometry, it feels more like a bike than others (which feel a little like mopeds with pedals). Available in a class 1 (20mph max assist) or a class 3 (28mph max assist) the swooping frame makes it easy to mount and a wide range of rear cargo or seating options for kids means it will serve the family for many years. $4,500-$5,500 xtracycle.com

6-year-olds! They’ve also partnered with Rerouted for easy trade-in since kids grow so fast! $85-$200 morrisonoutdoors.com 9. URSA MAJOR FORCE FIELD SPF 30 SUNSCREEN Mountain sun is strong and despite the hassle of “gooping-up” as we say in our house, it’s vital. Especially for kids' skin, this mineral-based sunscreen (not chemical) is gentle and made of natural ingredients. It is reef safe (Hawaii 104 compliant) and it provides some gentle hydration for the skin — perfect in the dry mountain air. The pump-action tube is one less thing to worry about when applying to a squirmy tot. $58 ursamajorvt.com 10. DECATHLON QUECHUA 2 SECOND EASY FRESH & BLACK TENT Almost anything that makes setting up camp easier is a win — especially with little people. And this tent hits the mark. While the two-second setup timing is a stretch (it’s true after it’s been unrolled and not including staking it out) it is still very fast and easy.

Once up, both the two- and three-person can accommodate people up to 6’8” tall, have two doors and are very stable. The blackout fabric is great with kids so the long summer days needn’t impede an early bed time or late sleep-in. But it’s heavy at 10.4 and 18.1 pounds, respectively. $230-$350 decathlon.com 11. LOWA INNOX PRO GTX MID JUNIOR Solid footwear is key for long adventures outdoors — like summer camp and hiking trips.

The Innox Pro from Iowa Boots has a grippy outsole for sturdy traction, a proprietary Monowrap frame for lateral stability, and lightweight synthetic uppers. The Gore-Tex liner keeps feet dry even when stomping through puddles. $145 lowaboots.com 12. CHUCK RACK Get ready to solve hauling bikes or skis to your next adventure. The Chuck Rack converts from a simple hitch-mounted bucket to carry skis to a pair of bars to carry bikes — all without taking the main structure of the rack out of the hitch! With the bucket, my kids can get their own skis out when we get to the ski area (or when we get home). When the snow thaws, we’re loading bikes (kids still need help with the bikes). The bucket carries up to eight pairs of skis (four snowboards) and the bars carry up to six bikes. $500-$1,000 chuckrack.com

8. MORRISON OUTDOORS MO SLEEPING BAGS When they couldn’t find a good sleeping bag for their toddler, Morrison, the Denver-based Malcom family made their own. They started with the Little Mo for 6- to 24-month-olds available in a 20-degree (down) and 40-degree (synthetic). Then as Morrison grew up, they had to make the Big Mo for 2- to 4-year-olds.

And most recently the Mighty Mo for 4- to

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adventure

Vail to Aspen on Horseback

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here are so many ways to enjoy the mountains — the whisper of snow under your skis on a powder day, the crunch of golden aspen leaves underfoot on fall hikes, glimpses of distant peaks through the pines while flying downhill on a mountain bike — but the view from atop a horse will always be my favorite. There’s something incredibly peaceful about the slow and steady pace, the rhythm of hooves on the trail, the quiet immersion in nature. Not to mention access to areas that are otherwise not easily accessible — horses are the ultimate four-wheel-drive vehicles, perfect for trekking into the Vail Valley backcountry. The Vail to Aspen ride, a four-day guided hut-to-hut horseback trek through the remote Rocky Mountain wilderness, is a uniquely western way to experience the backcountry.

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PHOTOS BY ADRIENNE RUBIN

by Adrienne Rubin

The trail heads uphill from the start as our group guides the horses nimbly along the singletrack beneath dense aspens and scrub oak. The more we pay attention to our horses, the more all our other worries slip away. With no cell service along the trail (except at the summit of Mount Yeckel, dubbed the “phone booth,” on day three) the outside world might as well be standing still. The simple act of disconnecting allows us to connect with one another, our horses and the untamed wilderness surrounding us. The occasional break in the pine forest gives us glimpses of massive snow-capped peaks in the distance, making our line of horses and riders seem incredibly minute, our progress infinitesimal, but before we know it it’s lunchtime and we’re halfway there.

After a scrumptious homemade picnic, we remount and carry on, arriving at our first mountain hut just before dusk.

Despite its backcountry nature, this trip with Equescapes Equestrian Adventures offers far more comfortable accommodations than your typical tent-camping pack trip, and the gourmet cuisine is a far cry from campfire canned

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chili. The first and third nights of the trip are spent in backcountry huts, part of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, formed in honor of U.S. Army soldiers during World War II who trained at Camp Hale here in the Vail Valley in preparation for fighting in the rugged, snowy terrain of the European Alps. After the war, the hut association was founded, inspired by the interconnected hut system in the Alps. Today, the huts offer rustic refuge in the remote wilderness. The log cabins are generally equipped with solar lights and a wood-burning stove, with no running water and a drop toilet outside. The best feature is the commodious deck which looks out towards distant peaks, where appetizers await us as soon as we dismount. Riders enjoy the last rays of afternoon sun, casting a rosy alpenglow across the valley. The chef prepares meals featuring locally sourced ingredients like Palisade peaches, thimbleberries and local beef, tantalizing the senses and nourishing the body after a long day in the saddle.

The second day into the trip, after traversing high meadows full of blooming wildflowers and then a long descent, we arrive at a small guest ranch along the Fryingpan River. Though the cabins are only slightly less basic than the huts, they have hot showers and warm beds.

After two days in the saddle, it feels like The Ritz. Riders gather around the fire at dusk, sharing stories and telling jokes as we watch the stars emerge overhead.

By morning on the third day, we have a rhythm down, a harmony within the group and with our horses like a welloiled machine.

By the time we descend into Aspen, we’re tired, sore, dirty and as happy as we’ve ever been. We can see the ski runs in the nearing distance, green ribbons in the summer sun as we ride through meadows and groves of whispering aspens for which the town is named. We bid a fond farewell to our horses and drive back to Vail.

Exploring the Vail Valley on horseback is a tribute to the cowboys and ranchers who once rode these mountains, and by staying in the 10th Mountain Division huts we pay homage to the soldiers who once trained in this terrain. We began the ride as strangers but leave as friends, joined by the camaraderie of shared miles in the saddle, stories told on the trail, and the invigorating mix of horses, nature and beautiful landscapes. + NEED TO KNOW: This Vail to Aspen ride is a perfect trip for solo travelers, couples, friends or families, and lends a different dynamic to outdoor adventure in the mountains. Despite the slow speed, some riding experience is required in order to navigate the tricky terrain on horseback, but it’s a great trip for riders of mixed levels. Ride dates are released each year in October for the following summer. Learn more at equescapes.com/colorado/vail-to-aspen.

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adventure

On the Road, Together Vacationing with a Toddler in a Camper Van Strengthened our Family + Changed our Perspective on Travel

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Let’s play family!”

These three words became a frequent request from our (then) 2.5-year-old daughter soon after we’d taken a six-day van trip together.

For weeks building up to the trip, we wondered if we were mentally equipped for the “adventure.” And days upon returning from the 734-mile journey, feeling and looking more exhausted than when we’d left, we questioned if it were really a vacation.

We were sold on the romantic idea of the freedom to go and land wherever and whenever you desire illustrated by #vanlife images posted on social media by our child-free friends. However, we were in no financial place to buy a six-figure souped-up Mercedes Sprinter van.

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So, we jumped at the chance when our friends at Adventure Wagon invited us to take one of their versatile builtout Sprinter vans for a multi-day spin, complete with a refrigerator, comfortable mattress and power station offering five days of off-grid power. Adventure Wagon’s motto, “van life for real life,” made us seriously consider the potential we have to buy a low-mileage van for $35,000 and slowly build it out as it becomes financially feasible.

We aren’t the only ones interested in trying van life. According to a survey conducted by Lonely Planet and Fiverr, 70% of “anywhere workers” are parents traveling with their children. “How difficult could this be?” we thought. The pandemic hastened the demand for camper vans, and despite the pandemic

being over, van sales have continued to increase. There are also options to rent a van from owners on sites like Outdoorsy or Cascade Van Rentals rather than taking on the commitment of purchasing one.

We thought simpler would be better. We packed Eagle Creek packing cubes (color coded for each person) in Adventure Wagon’s soft overhead storage compartments to create a little organization. But in the end, we had to embrace the chaos that quickly ensued and learn to focus on the moments outside together.

We drove 27 hours from Boulder to Buena Vista to Crested Butte to

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMANDA MCCRACKEN

by Amanda McCracken

Gunnison to Ouray to Hotchkiss and back to Boulder. Our first night, we camped at a designated dispersed campsite overlooking the Arkansas Valley and the Collegiate Peaks. Outside Crested Butte, we parked at Musician’s Camp alongside a rushing creek, steps away from the iconic Maroon Bells. In Gunnison and Ouray, we “cheated” with a much-needed hotel room for a shower and space. In Hotchkiss, we stopped at Big B’s Orchards for dinner and drinks. There we parked for the night in the middle of a blooming apple orchard.

While my husband and I were interested in stopping for gushing waterfalls, our daughter had an eagle eye for playgrounds; we learned to forgo the waterfalls (the sound bothered her ears) and stop frequently for the playgrounds. We took the time to sit in the sand and play with her — even when it was in the middle of urban sprawl en route to somewhere (we thought) more beautiful.

My husband and I had dreams of hiking gorgeous remote trails together as a family. In reality, our daughter was interested in walking short distances and then stopping by streams to explore. We took turns getting our exercise in while the other played with her.

Even after the trip was over, we continue to learn about travel through our daughter. Now, she plays with a toy camper van at home — and she doesn’t mimic the arguments over who is peeing when or where the damn jackets were stored. She packs her tiny backpacks with random items for her next “trip” — a small stuffed dog, crayons, binoculars, a tiger mask — and doesn’t stress over having too much or too little or the wrong things.

While our van trip with a toddler revealed rifts in our team, it also magnified our strengths and helped us see Colorado differently. Authors of the new book Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and World Schooling share a similar perspective: “The sensory experiences of travel lay down foundations for all learning. Enjoy thinking about your journey through your toddler’s eyes. If you share their mindset of wonder, you’re all on the same team.”

Go. Take the opportunity of playing family in new ways. +

VAIL GOLF CLUB

WHERE THE EXPERIENCE E X C E E D S T H E E L E VAT I O N Exceptionally well-maintained, 18-hole course with a stunning mountainous backdrop.

Beautiful clubhouse with a restaurant, bar and patio.

Award-winning PGA professionals, 4:07 pace of play and golf bike rentals. Public welcome.

VA I LG O L F.C OM • 970 479 2260 G O L F @VA I L R E C .COM

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grand outdoors

The Perseid Meteor Shower

by Sandy Ferguson Fuller

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here are many rewards to experience in Colorado mountain summer nights. Cool breezes, lingering sunsets, soulful silences, star gazing and other spectacular celestial events. It’s always welcoming to spot Orion the Hunter hovering above, a familiar anchor in our ever-shifting world.

One of the most dramatic performances on nature’s playlist is the annual Perseid meteor shower. The Perseids are visible across the high country, mid-July through August. The event is a regular must-see for seasoned meteor experts and enthusiasts, but is it on your radar?

PLAN AHEAD Heads Up: 2024 should be an excellent year to observe the shower on its peak night. Lunar movement is like precise clockwork and, on August 12, 2024, the half-moon is scheduled to set about midnight, staging dark skies as the perfect backdrop to highlight the shower until dawn’s early light. Optimum time to look for meteors is in the pre-dawn hours on peak viewing dates.

Hike Up: The higher and darker, the better! Many Colorado locales host viewing events and astronomy programs including Rocky Mountain National Park (Trail Ridge Road or Beaver Meadows)

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and Mueller State Park in Colorado Springs. Seek out “dark spots” at Guanella Pass, Echo Lake/Mt. Evans, Steamboat, Leadville, Maroon Bells-Snowmass or Holy Cross Wilderness areas, Great Sand Dunes National Park, etc.

Look Up: Wherever you are, step outside and look up! If you can’t be at high altitude, the Perseid meteor shower is often visible at lower elevations, too.

Telescope not required … except for enhanced effects! To spot meteors in northern latitudes, view to the north.

Lucky sky watchers searching for the Perseids may also spot stray meteors generated by the southern delta Aquariid meteor shower, which peaks in late July.

Layer Up: High-altitude nights are chilly, so dress warmly.

Read Up: What creates the shower?

This phenomenon occurs when the Earth makes its yearly “dive” through debris clouds left behind in the solar system by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Given proper conditions, it is possible to spot about 100 light trails or fireballs per hour. The meteors appear to come directly from the Perseus constellation in the northeastern sky; in reality, they travel in our solar system.

When Comet Swift-Tuttle speeds close to our sun star, heat radiation causes solid ice to transform immediately into gas.

STAY TUNED Looking ahead, the late Finnish meteor astronomer Esko Lyytinen predicts that Perseids may put on an exceptionally strong performance in 2028. Again, in that year on August 12-13, as the Earth passes within 37,000 miles of a debris stream from Comet Swift-Tuttle, the effect may produce a meteor storm, with 1,000 meteors per hour or more.

Comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered in 1862, is the largest object known to repeatedly pass our planet Earth. On its most recent pass in 1992, it was too faint to be seen with the naked eye. Its next appearance, in 2126, should be more visible (good luck with that!).

Enjoy shower splendor 2024! +

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PHOTO BY RICK SPITZER

Fire in the Sky

This gas escapes the comet and scatters fragments of ice, dust and rock to be deposited around the sun. As Earth travels annually around the sun, each summer it passes through this stream of debris material. Heated ice and dust fragments enter our atmosphere at speeds up to 130,000 miles per hour.

Brush up to be camera-ready: to capture Perseids on film, be prepared and do your research. Meteor showers, albeit spectacular, prove challenging to photograph for both amateur and expert photographers. Any night photography requires special skills. Don’t expect to just point and shoot to get the perfect image. Pay attention to your camera’s capabilities, lens, settings, battery capacity, shooting technique and recommended accessories (tripod, shutter-release), etc.

Vail Valley professional photographer Rick Spitzer shares some basic tips: “You need a DSLR, 50mm lens or shorter, tripod and intervalometer. Place camera on tripod. Set camera to the bulb setting, generally pointed east/northeast. Set intervalometer for 30 seconds, continuous images, lowest f-stop. I recommend using f/4 and ISO 3200. Shoot from hour after sunset to hour before sunrise. Then select tracks in each image and convert background to black. Finally, those images and one image with stars and foreground are stacked in Photoshop; blend layers using ‘Lighten.’”

sponsored content

Chasing Rabbits

PHOTOS BY JONI SCHRANTZ + PHOTOS BY MICHAEL STAVARIDIS FOR ROCKWELL GROUP

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hasing Rabbits is the ultimate nightlife destination in the heart of Vail Village.

Created by Solaris Group and designed by Rockwell Group, the venue offers an approachable destination for the entire family or a trendy dinner and nightlife experience for those who are looking for a delightful distraction of bespoke dining, sipping and playing.

Each space within Chasing Rabbits evokes a different experience, guided by impeccable detail and individualized menus. The 13,000-square-foot venue was inspired by the whimsical nature of Alice in Wonderland; similar to how Alice may have experienced Wonderland, Chasing Rabbits guests enjoy the venue’s unexpected twists and turns.

Chasing Rabbits is comprised of four spaces — The Restaurant, The Library, Rabbit Hole and Moon Rabbit — offering a myriad of experiences within each room. From live music, DJs, bingo nights, live theater, karaoke, film festivals and more, the options are endless. Chasing Rabbits invites guests to choose their own adventure every time they visit. Plus, it can host events of any size — from celebrations and friends and family c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

gatherings to corporate events. The venue is also the perfect place for weddings, with the unique ability to host the ceremony outside on Solaris Plaza with a view of Vail Mountain and the reception inside the unique venue.

The Restaurant menu features Mediterranean influences utilizing light, bright and citrusy flavors, perfect for the active lifestyle of Vail. The cocktail program focuses on classic cocktails with a Mediterranean influence, using spirits from Greece, Sicily and Sardinia. This summer guests can enjoy Sunday Brunch on the outdoor patio, featuring menu items including eggs benedict and lemon ricotta and blueberry stuffed french toast.

Guests who are looking for a more intimate dining experience can make their way to The Library — an eclectic, quirky lounge with surprise halo lighting interwoven throughout. Nestled between towering walls of books, The Library offers pre-dinner cocktails, full-service dinner, late-night libations and everything in between.

A journey through a hallway of reflective red marquee lighting will lead guests to a richly textured immersive room draped in velvet called Moon Rabbit. The speakeasy

bar, inspired by the Chinese tale of the Moon Rabbit creating the elixir of life, offers worldclass service and a laid-back atmosphere.

The menu focuses on artistic cocktails in elaborate presentations.

As guests enter Rabbit Hole, they are welcomed by classic and modern-day arcade games such as Pacman, Skee-Ball and Mario Kart, as well as a full bar, two LED wall screens and a photo booth. Within the playful space guests can choose from a menu of elevated childhood favorites and ‘80s- and Tiki-influenced cocktails.

To experience Chasing Rabbits like a VIP, guests can become members. Membership perks include early access to reservations, discounts on food and beverage purchases, secret menu items, access to exclusive member only events, waived cover fees and more.

For guests who are looking to dance the night away, the weekend starts with Lucky Fridays in the Rabbit Hole which will feature a rotating list of DJs. Saturday nights guests get the full Rabbit Hole experience, playing arcade games while DJs curate the perfect soundtrack. Special Saturdays will even have unique theme nights like Taylor Swift and Y2K. Guests can also look forward to singing their hearts out with Karaoke Nights hosted by Sandman on Tuesdays in the Rabbit Hole. Every Wednesday, families can experience a funfilled night with great entertainment and amazing prizes at Chasing Rabbits’ BINGO Nights. This summer, the venue is premiering the Solaris Summer Series, an outdoor DJ party on Solaris Plaza every Saturday in July and August.

CHASING RABBITS 141 E Meadow Dr, Ste 104 Vail, CO 81657 Make a reservation at chasingrabbitsvail.com

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family + COMMUNITY

Forever Home Eagle County Animal Services Keeps Local Pets Safe + Healthy

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othing makes Eagle County Animal Shelter manager Rhiannon Rowe happier than seeing a surrendered or abandoned pet find a new family. When Eagle County Animal Services officials received a tip about a male pitbull being dumped in an area where there were no homes, they were quick to respond and rescue the scared pup.

Estimated to be around 4 years old, the dog had cuts all over his head and was skinny with a dull coat. Rowe and her team cleaned him up and got him started on antibiotics and pain meds and, after a few days, he was feeling better and shifted from having a sad, weary demeanor to seeing his new world through bright and happy eyes.

“The biggest success stories are the ones where animals come in and they’re skinny, hurt, sick and we get them to trust us so we can heal them,” Rowe says. “Seeing their personality come out and finding them their forever home — that’s what we’re here for.”

The rehabilitated pitbull was recently adopted by a local gentleman and is on a promising path to a good life.

Since the pet rescue adoption boom of 2020 and pandemic days when folks had lots of time at home, Rowe says, pet surrenders to the animal shelter — and sometimes pet abandons like the one they saw with the male pitbull — have increased substantially.

“I think there were so many animals that were adopted during the pandemic and now people are realizing they can’t handle it financially or landlords are changing rules and they can’t have a pet in their homes anymore,” she explains.

The mission at Eagle County Animal Services is to provide care and shelter to stray animals in need while maintaining a safe community. They promote responsible pet ownership through outreach,

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GET INVOLVED Keep an eye on the Eagle County Animal Services Facebook page at facebook.com/ECAnimalServices to see pets up for adoption each week.

Become a foster and house animals for a couple of days to a month until they’re adopted by their forever family.

Visit eaglecounty.us to become a volunteer and socialize with the cats, walk the dogs, bottle feed kittens and help out where needed.

In 2023, the Eagle County Animal Shelter had 550 animals adopted, a number edging close to record pandemic numbers.

education and enforcement and respond to calls of animals at large, aggressive animals or animal bites, excessive barking and other animal control issues.

The most pressing issues in the Vail Valley are affordable vet care and housing restrictions, Rowe says. And the biggest focus is keeping pets in their homes. When pet owners are struggling, the local government agency steps up to help out. They’re happy to provide a food pantry and pet supply closet stocked with generous donations from the community. They can help find a foster home and adoption home for pets that need to be surrendered.

“Depending on what the reason is for your hardship or why you need to get rid of a pet, give us a call and we can be a resource,” Rowe says. “If you can’t afford medical care or pet food or supplies, we have a great food pantry at the shelter here. Don’t just give up. We have so many resources and a great community that wants to help.”

The Eagle County Animal Shelter also works with shelters experiencing high volumes of pet surrenders. Houston, Texas is currently dealing with a huge pet overpopulation issue and Rowe receives requests for pet transfers for dogs that are days away from being euthanized due to overcrowded shelters. The Eagle shelter can house 25 dogs and 30 cats and keeps a few spaces available for emergency strays or surrenders. A core group of local foster families are ready to lend a hand and a home.

“We have a lot of animal rescue success stories every day,” Rowe says. “It’s a very emotional job. Those are the happy moments that keep us going in this line of work.” + Eagle County Animal Shelter 1400 Fairgrounds Rd. Eagle, CO

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PHOTO COURTESY OF EAGLE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES

by Lisa Blake

family + COMMUNITY

SOS Outreach 30 Years of Empowering Youth + Building Community

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or three decades, SOS Outreach has been a guiding light for thousands of young people across the United States.

Founded in 1993 by Arn Menconi, a snowboard instructor at Vail Mountain, and Ray Sforzo, founder of Vail’s snowboard school, SOS Outreach began as a mission to change lives through snowboarding while supporting local charities. Over the years, its impact has

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evolved into a comprehensive youth development program that transcends snow sports, reaching over 3,100 kids and teens annually in 15 communities across 10 states.

Initially known as Snowboard Outreach Society, the acronym SOS was aptly chosen to signal a call for help and support, reflecting its mission to provide opportunities for underserved youth. As SOS Outreach, the organization expanded its reach beyond snowboarding to include skiing and diversified its programs to encompass year-round outdoor activities.

In Eagle County, where the organization is headquartered, SOS Outreach plays a vital role in fostering a sense of community among young people.

Despite residing in a mountainous region renowned for its ski resorts, many local youth face barriers to participating in outdoor sports.

“These activities in many ways are the backbone of the community’s culture, and exclusion from these sports leads to a sense of exclusion from the

community,” says Seth Ehrlich, SOS Outreach executive director. “Providing access to the mountain for these young people gives them an opportunity to relate and connect with their peers and feel a sense of belonging to the community in which they live.”

Each year, over 500 Eagle County youth engage with adult mentors, forming lasting connections while developing leadership skills. Through a blend of on-hill experiences, off-hill workshops and service-learning activities, such as volunteering at the library or community market, participants not only learn outdoor skills but also explore community issues and collaborate on solutions.

Looking ahead to the upcoming seasons, SOS Outreach is excited to highlight its summer and fall programs, including backpacking, climbing and rafting adventures. A recent addition, the Career Development Program, offers participants age 15 and above paid apprenticeships in the outdoor industry. This initiative bridges passion with profession, providing hands-on experience and opening doors to future career opportunities.

Fernanda Landeros, a program graduate turned junior mentor, exemplifies the organization's influence; through SOS, Landeros says she not only developed essential skills for college and her career, but also found a sense of purpose in giving back to the community.

“It is so great to see how many alumni want to stay engaged in the organization in any way they can, and I know it’s inspiring for our current participants to connect with alumni,” Landeros shares. “It’s amazing to see these stories come full circle.”

With hometown roots in Eagle, Travis Tafoya credits his first introduction to snowboarding at Beaver Creek and

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOS OUTREACH

By Lexi Reich

Vail to SOS Outreach. Today, Tafoya is the senior manager of inclusive access for Vail Resorts and volunteers on the Board of Directors for SOS to further his goal of creating a more inclusive space on the mountain.

The longstanding partnership between Vail Resorts and SOS Outreach spans three decades, during which 11 of Vail’s resorts across North America have served over 2,200 youth participants with free lift tickets, lessons and gear rentals.

“Together, we have worked to create meaningful change within our local communities providing access to snowsports, connection to positive adult role models and connection to long term career opportunities for youth and alumni of the organization,” Tafoya emphasizes. + To get involved, visit sosoutreach.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and donation options.

nourish

Recipes for the Season

KEVIN NELSON Wild Sage

1143 Capitol St. #104A Eagle, CO wildsageeagle.com

Cucumber + Pineapple Gazpacho Serves 8 2 quarts fresh pineapple, diced 6 English cucumbers 2 jalapenos, seeds removed and diced 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1.

Puree all ingredients in blender until super smooth.

2.

Allow to chill for 30 to 60 minutes

3.

Season to taste and serve.

1 Tbsp salt 3 scallions, chopped PHOTOS BY CARLY FINKE/FINKETANK

Chef Kevin Nelson arrived in the Vail Valley from New York back in the early 90s. He soon found his culinary home at Vail’s beloved Terra Bistro where he quickly rose to executive chef and managing partner. Many years later in 2022, Nelson partnered up with the owner of Drunken Goat in Edwards and set out to launch two new restaurants in Eagle: Wild Sage and Capitol Public House. At Wild Sage, Nelson continues to indulge in lighter fare with a lean toward vegetarian gourmet, as he had for decades at Terra Bistro. Meanwhile, across the street from Wild Sage at the newer Capitol Public House, Nelson calls upon his roots to recreate heartier and timeless classics harkening back to his early career experiences at classic pubs and fish houses on Long Island.

2 cups packed cilantro leaves 3 large basil leaves 6 large mint leaves 2 tsp honey

Check Out Capitol Public House on page 20 in Valley Happenings

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Vegan “Lump Crab” Serves 8 3 pounds lions mane mushrooms, torn to resemble lump crab 1 gallon water ¼ cup salt 3 Tbsp lemon juice

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1.

Bring “sea stock” (water, salt and lemon juice) to a boil and add torn mushrooms for one to two minutes.

2.

Drain off stock and allow “crab” to cool.

Then refrigerate.

3.

Use as a crab substitute in any vegan recipe!

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nourish

Green Goddess Hummus Serves 12 3 quarts chickpeas, cooked

1.

Puree all ingredients well in food processor. Add additional oil and/ or water if needed. The finished product should be green and very smooth, not grainy in texture, and you should hardly see any flecks of fresh herbs.

2.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

¼ cup tahini 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup cold water 2 tsp salt 1 Tbsp garlic, chopped 2 tsp ground cumin 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped ¼ cup fresh tarragon, chopped ¼ cup fresh scallion, chopped

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Vail Bowling Meets Elevated Cuisine

Deca + Bol Rolls a Strike with Lofty Chef-Driven Menus + Posh Décor

By Lisa Blake

Restaurant spotlight

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DECA + BOL

S

ome guests come to Deca + Bol for a creative multicourse meal with family.

Others arrive for a sunny afternoon patio perch to people watch and sip tropical mocktails or mezcal margaritas. Some come to bowl on one of the venue’s 10 modern lanes. Those in the know reserve a table in the chic dining room and a lane to follow in the buzzy bowling alley.

Deca + Bol seamlessly combines classy urban vibes with mountain town après energy. The posh bowling space opened 15 years ago when Solaris launched its luxury Vail Village resort residences, rebranding as Deca + Bol with a food-forward focus in 2021. Today, it’s Deca in the front and Bol in the back with both spaces serving a worldly menu showcasing fresh mountain ingredients, a tantalizing cocktail list and a generous showing of Colorado brews.

“We’re centered around fun and variety,” says spokesperson Thea Knobel.

“Where else can you go to eat dinner and have a great indoor activity after?

Vail has so many places for outdoor fun, but we’re really the spot for indoor fun.”

The playful luxurious theme threads throughout Deca’s culinary offerings and executive chef Christopher Lauro keeps the contemporary menu interesting with seasonal inspirations and nibbles that are easy to nosh while picking up spares and strikes. Lauro, 33, hails from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. He landed in the valley in 2012 to snowboard for a winter and decided to stay.

Seizing opportunities to sprinkle in his passion for seafood, Lauro delights Deca diners with authentic New England lobster rolls, tuna poke and a popular summer ceviche built with fresh shrimp, mahi mahi, citrus, jalapeno, cilantro, red onion and avocado and served with tortilla chips.

Lauro’s halibut entree plated with orzo, blistered tomato and spinach, green bean amandine and crispy elephant garlic is a year-round dinner favorite, and the shareable elotes calls on fresh Colorado corn that’s grilled on cob, sliced off and served with a chipotle aioli, lime compound butter, paprika, cilantro and cotija cheese — a dish that’s easy to enjoy at your private Bol table between rolling balls.

Other menu must-trys include the braised short ribs with miso glazed heirloom carrot and acorn squash, truffled-parmesan mashed potatoes and wasabi creme fraiche and the chimichurri lamb lollipops in ancho chile marinade.

The kitchen works diligently to create eclectic plates for guests of all ages and backgrounds and makes sure even the youngest visitors are well fed and entertained. An easy-going kids menu — think steak frites, butter-parm noodles and chicken tenders — and enticing dessert

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offerings deliver surprising treats. Some guests return over and over just for the banana bread pudding with nutella gelato and chocolate sauce.

“We want guests to come in and think, oh wait, this is more than bowling alley food. It’s high end with really interesting tasting notes,” Lauro says.

Adventurous cocktail drinkers will appreciate the zippy gardeny Mad Beets gin and prosecco concoction made with roasted beets and lemon-rhubarb bitters.

The smoky-spicy Valhalla is a patio sipping partner made with Conejos mezcal, velvet falernum and lemon-jalapeno syrup — the perfect marriage of smoke, spice and citrus, Lauro says.

Bol’s nightclub-esque vibe rests steadily on sophisticated play with an elevated bowling experience that’s noted in custom bowling balls, sleek lanes, lounge decor with pops of orange and giant screens airing sports games.

Deca + Bol happily hosts large groups and private parties. For the best experience, Knobel recommends making reservations for dinner and for bowling, but says walk-ins are always welcome. + decabolvail.com

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Il Mago Restaurant spotlight

Edwards

C

hris Schmidt seems to have a magical touch with the restaurants he creates. First came Craftsman in 2017, serving up inspired sandwiches and elevated bar food in Edwards. When he moved this local staple to a larger space across the street, Schmidt had room to alchemize his longtime vision of a fun and approachable “neo-Neapolitan” neighborhood bistro.

“When we lived and worked in Atlanta, [my now-wife] Janelle and I

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ran a restaurant called Floataway Cafe,” shares Schmidt. “At the time of taking the position I had never done pizza or pasta, and as the years went by, I really fell in love with producing both as well as Italian cuisine and culture in general. Ever since we left Floataway, I have always wanted to start my own concept centered around artisan pizza and handrolled pasta.”

Italian for “The Magician,” Il Mago has sparked some splendor in the Vail Valley dining scene. The space is modern

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS SCHMIDT AND DONOVAN SORNIG

By Kim Fuller

but casual, accented with fresh lighting details and pops of art, daily menu highlights on chalkboard slabs, offering personal and communal seating options.

The long white bar for drinking and dining looks right into a subway tile-backed open kitchen. Il Mago’s menu is lively and the service super friendly, and anyone who knows Schmidt and his cheffing style knows that quality is priority.

“At Il Mago, simplicity reigns supreme,” says Schmidt. “We prioritize quality ingredients and seasonal offerings,

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constantly evolving our menu with new pizzas, introducing fresh pasta dishes and exploring exciting ingredients.”

Starting with a fully Italian wine list, savory small plates and dynamic salads, guests can keep it simple with some tastes at the bar, or dive in to the full experience of playful pizza renditions, seasonal pasta dishes, local cuts of meat, unique daily specials, tiramisu and more.

Schmidt emphasizes the collaborative effort of Il Mago’s menu creation and execution, with hats off to executive chef Todd Dalbello, pizza chef and head baker Zack Thompson, along with bar manager Logan Ross.

For the restaurant’s first full summer, patio season is in session. Depending on what’s growing local and when, ingredients like tomatoes, melons, chanterelles, Olathe corn and more will shine alongside dishes like goat cheese ravioli with tomato brodo, squid ink tonnorelli with chargrilled octopus and nduja sausage, squash blossom pizza with fresh-pulled mozzarella, cotija, basil, garlic and toast-

ed sesame salsa matcha.

“There’s all kinds of fun specials coming off our chargrill,” adds Schmidt.

“Awesome cuts of steak, skewers, fun vegetables and more.”

Big news this summer is Il Mago’s weekend brunch, offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., which will roll right into happy hour from 4-6 p.m. This will be a brunch like no other in the Valley, with menu items like eggs “benedict” of pan-fried mortadella, prosciutto, arugula, prosecco hollandaise on toasted muffins, sourdough French toast with cherry compote, almonds, dark chocolate, lemon honey gastrique and basil, carbonara pizza with pecorino cream, guanciale, egg yolk, parmesan and cracked pepper, fresh oysters, fun spritzers and plenty of rosé.

Pretty magical, right?

While we do think Schmidt is a wizard, he didn’t name Il Mago after himself. As a nod to his love of music, the restaurant’s namesake is from a track on Black Sabbath’s self-titled album.

“When the song ‘The Wizard’ came on, I thought about the translation and then saw it was ‘Il Mago,’ which I thought was super fun,” he shares. “You’ll see little hints of Black Sabbath around the restaurant — we like to sneak it in there.”

Whatever you say, Schmidty, just keep spreading your magic. + ilmagopizza.com

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By Russel Reuben + William Montecristo Issue six of Covered Bridge comes just in time to celebrate Russel Rueben’s very first Father's Day! And what would be a better way to honor Russel's newest adventure than some friendly dining advice for a new dad? Achieving the coveted “cool dad” status can’t happen alone. These days, it takes a village to raise a dad. To walk in the Croc shod footprints of greatness, a new dad needs the guidance of a dedicated team and their toolbox of tried-and-true tricks of the trade.

Sure, some guys give up, put the Flying V guitar in the closet forever and join the HOA. But you’re not making it onto the DILFs of Disneyland Instagram in cargo shorts packed with squeezy pouches. For all the father figures that finish their kid’s fries and preach the gospel “Always grab a tendy, but never grab tindy,” this one is for you. In the spirit of mixing business and pleasure, we consider the cornerstone of the modern childhood diet: the noble chicken tender. We’re here to showcase the innovators — to highlight those culinary creatives who see kid's menu staples as an art form, not an afterthought.

We’d originally hoped to make this issue our very first “bring your son to work” edition of your favorite feature in your favorite magazine. But as any savvy dad knows, if you want to make God laugh, make dinner plans that include bringing a newborn. Unfortunately for us, little Billy Rueben’s bilirubin levels have been a little high so he needs a few more nights under the prescription French fry warming light. Alas, the show must go on. So, in Russel’s stead, I brought my son Monty (The Chicken Prince of Vail) along on this tender bender. For Monty's critique, I'll offer snippets of our actual dinner conversation. The road was long, and while mostly delicious, there were several fowl that ran afoul. Not all tenders, or fathers, are created equal.

Gold

Loaded Joes

Avon William: Designed for adults, adored by kids. These herby bites bring a mature refinement to the competition with their signature breading. No dried-out chicken jerky here, just perfectly moist tender centers every time. A crispy crunchy crust protects the flavor that will keep fathers and sons coming back for happy hour and after-school snacks.

Solid refuel for after the pool or a play date by the lake. Honey mustard and BBQ come standard for your dipping pleasure and a pile of shoestring fries rounds out the plate.

Monty: These ones tasted like vegetables at first. But with ketchup, they’re super good. Like when you pump your arm out the window in momma’s car and a big rig blows its horn real loud. They’re kinda like that but made out of chicken.

What do you think the rarest mob in Minecraft is? Why does that lady have a cat in a stroller?

Tender Moments A Handbook for Hungry Fathers + Sons Disclaimer: These rankings are absolutely anecdotal samplings of some of the food we ate with our hands and is by no stretch of the imagination an all-inclusive or accurate encapsulation of the Valley’s cornucopia of offerings.

If you have a suggestion of where we should eat next please email us at eatwithyourhandsvail@gmail.com.

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ILLUSTRATIONS BY BECCA SAULSBERRY

Eat With Your Hands

M O V E M AT T E R Silver

Bronze

Minturn

Eagle

William: The sauce is the boss in Minturn. Perfect for a quick pit stop after a trip to the bike park. With nine unique dips, two dry rubs and four heat levels to choose from, The Crazy Chicken’s rooster booster flavor combos offer something for everyone. For the traditional tender enthusiast (picky eater) you can even order them "Plain Jane” like we had to after Junior swiped a sample bite of my House Buffalo + Loco Heat tastebud double dare. After several sodas, tears and bribes to not tell mom, peace and order were restored. I even convinced him to try my favorite finger, tossed in Sweet Honey Whiskey, which received the highest honor of all ... a clean plate.

William: Many a family night out has been ruined by kids seeing “Mac & Cheese" on the menu and expecting neon noodles from a box when they order. However, when the house-made fusilli with truffle bechamel shows up at the table a four-alarm meltdown is ignited that can make even the most resilient a little gun-shy. I was afraid the tenders at Wild Sage might be too “Cheffy” for young Monty’s inexperienced palate when we arrived and took in the beautiful mural and refined vibe. These remarkably crispy, hand-breaded tenders set me straight immediately! Served with chips and kid-friendly homemade honey mustard, these crispy treats are a worthy post-ride recovery meal.

The Crazy Chicken

Monty: Even if I had full Minecraft netherite armor with fire protection enchantment I would not eat that red finger from hell again. It tasted like a lava and TNT sandwich in survival mode. The regular tenders were good. The ketchup was good. I like the whiskey. Are kids allowed whiskey if it’s food? Can I tell mom that part?

Wild Sage

/A R C H I T E C T S A multi-disciplinary architecture & interior design firm serving mountain communities. Established in 2014, Move Matter has earned the reputation as a visionary practice whose work celebrates innate qualities of space & material that are both luxurious yet sensible, opinionated yet thoughtful responses to their client’s desires.

Monty: If there was a YouTube tutorial on how to make chicken fingers like these in Minecraft I would like and subscribe.

This looks like a place that would make its own ketchup, but they are smart and they don’t. They have the good ketchup.

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I NFO @MOV E M AT T E R .COM

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cheers

Chasing Rabbits

By Lexi Reich Chesire Szechuan

Cocktail feature

Cosmonaut 2 oz Haku Vodka ¾ oz persimmon liqueur ¾ oz yuzu juice ½ oz Tsuru Ume Orange Sake ½ oz shiso syrup

Three Sheets to the Wind

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2.

Garnish with berry vapor bubble.

SHISO SYRUP 1 cup water 15 shiso leaves 1.

Dissolve sugar in hot water and steep shiso leaves in low heat for 10 minutes.

2.

Then immediately remove from heat and strain out leaves.

Stir and strain ingredients over a pressed ice cube pressed onto a copper tray in the miso soup bowl.

3.

Label and store.

Express orange peel over bowl and smoke cocktail by putting the lid on the bowl to capture smoke.

Serves Two

2.5 oz Iwai 45 whisky ½ oz Szechuan peppercorn syrup 2 dashes umami bitters 1.

2.

3.

Garnish with trimmed orange peel.

SZECHUAN PEPPERCORN SYRUP 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water 20 g cracked Szechuan peppercorns

Three Sheets to the Wind 2 ½ oz Appleton Reserve Rum 1 ¼ oz Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum 1 ¼ oz Averna Amaro 1 ½ oz lime juice 1 ½ oz Orgeat 1.

Shake over ice and strain into ship decanter.

1.

Dissolve sugar in hot water.

2.

Add smoke to the decanter.

2.

Add peppercorns and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.

3.

Serve in two glasses with small ice cubes.

3.

Strain and label.

4.

Garnish with grated nutmeg and dehydrated lime wheels.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHASING RABBITS

Cheshire Szechuan

T

Shake ingredients together and double strain into a coupe glass.

1 cup white sugar

Cosmonaut

his Alice in Wonderland-inspired nightlife destination in Vail Village offers a labyrinth of distinct spaces, each inviting you to lose yourself in a unique cocktail experience. Guests can indulge in artfully crafted libations at Moon Rabbit's speakeasy-style bar, where skilled mixologists conjure up delightfully complex flavors. Or venture down the Rabbit Hole, where playful cocktails and live entertainment create an atmosphere of pure revelry. Whether you prefer the sophistication of The Library's cozy lounge or the vibrant energy of the restaurant's Mediterranean-influenced offerings, Chasing Rabbits promises a taste of the extraordinary. +

1.

HAND-ROLLED, BOILED & BAKED

SHMEARING HAPPINESS NOW UP & DOWN THE VAIL VALLEY Open Daily

7am - 2pm

Find us in Edwards 34500 HWY 6 unit B7 (970) 855-2940 Find us in Gypsum 150 Cooley Mesa Road Pick-Up Window Here!

Instagram

(970) 705-1682

@villagebagel

Advanced Orders Available Through our Website

VILLAGEBAGEL.CO

book club

Surviving Against the Odds

Kelly Ashford's Journey to Extreme Survival in the Rocky Mountains review By Lexi Reich

K I wanted to share my experience in the hope that it might help others avoid some of the cardinal mistakes that I made, even as an experienced hiker.

Kelly Ashford

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elly Ashford's story is one of resilience, survival and the indomitable human spirit. A 14th generation Colorado native, Ashford's love for the outdoors runs deep.

As an energy healer for the past 15 years, she understands the earth’s profound healing power and the importance of spiritual practices like meditation. However, her life took a dramatic turn when a simple excursion turned into a fight for survival in the unforgiving Rocky Mountain wilderness.

Despite facing dehydration, starvation and the threat of frostbite, Ashford says her unwavering faith and determination kept her alive. Now, with her new book Endurance, the Western Colorado local shares her journey of survival, shedding light on the importance of preparedness and the splendor of the human spirit.

“After many years of convalescence and recovery from trauma, I was finally able to put my story into words and share my ordeal and the near-death experience that I had,” Ashford says, who self-published her book this year

with the guidance of her editor, Dr. Judith Briles. “I found the writing process healing, bringing me a sense of closure.

A saying I like is, ‘when life hands you lemons, throw a book at it.’”

Ashford's ordeal began innocently enough, with plans for a few hours of meditation in Arapaho National Forest.

Little did she know a series of unfortunate events would lead to her car careening into a ditch, leaving her stranded and ill-prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

With no means of communication and dressed in nothing more than a light jacket, shorts and flip-flop sandals, she found herself facing the harsh realities of nature.

“According to a Hikers University post, an average of 120 to 150 hikers die in the U.S. wilderness each year,” Ashford explains. “The chances of becoming lost are about one in 2 million, so hiking is relatively safe. But there are safeguards to take.”

For 11 grueling days, Ashford battled the constant fear of losing her life to the elements. Stricken with Lupus and without her necessary medications, her situation grew increasingly dire with each passing hour. Yet, fueled by her energy healing practices and an unwavering will to see her family again, Ashford says she clung to life against all adversity.

Endurance serves as a beacon of hope for others facing their own trials and tribulations. Through her writing, Ashford shares not only the physical challenges she endured but also the profound spiritual awakening that emerged from her near-death experience.

“When I reflect on all that has happened, I am filled with gratitude for the search and rescue team that found me, and my family that didn’t give up searching for me,” she says. “I wanted to share my experience in the hope that it might help others avoid some of the cardinal mistakes that I made, even as an experienced hiker.”

As she continues her journey of healing, Ashford says she remains grateful for the second chance at life that her wilderness ordeal afforded her and hopes to inspire others to embrace each day with the same appreciation. + kellyashford.com

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Nature Tonic: A Year In My Mindful Life Review by Sandy Ferguson Fuller

W

ake up with nature!

The time of night or day doesn’t matter.

Your alarm may come from a brilliant, starry sky, a handful of sand, the rush of wings, a solitary snowflake, sweet lilacs, a rainbow arching out of thick mist, an acorn, a pasque flower poking through spring soil, a spider web, a frigid wind, a sunrise or sunset, full moon or soothing sun …

How often do you pause or set aside time to truly connect with nature? It’s a free, simple pleasure and an essential, therapeutic part of living well. Writer Jocelyn De Kwant and artist Clare Owen craft their inviting workbook/ journal with ample space for personal writing and drawing to lead us through 365 days of interacting with the natural world. Whether outdoors or indoors, in busy neighborhoods or quiet forests, on energizing hikes or during calm relaxation, this unique variety of activities and reflections will enhance your daily health, contentment and creativity.

The art of journaling involves writing, but it can also awaken the artist in you.

How often do you tell yourself, or hear others say, “But I can’t draw like I did as a kid.” Oh yes, you can! Nature Tonic prompts you to jot down thoughts and observations, but also to express ideas and visions with your original artwork and photos.

It’s easy to get lazy observing nature if we spend our most of our time working

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or playing in the same locale, especially amidst beautiful surroundings. This book elevates mindfulness. You will sharpen your senses as you record delightful details, ever present in the ordinary, but commonly ignored. The author encourages trying different perspectives, like napping in a hammock or walking barefoot in the rain or staring into a creature’s eyes — then sharing your experience.

Nature Tonic offers a casual and inviting format, loosely organized into thematic sections which include “Natural Rhythms,” “Nocturnal Nature,” “Urban Nature,” “In The Forest,” “Earth’s Colors, Growing,” “Life Aquatic,” “Look Up To The Sky,” “Down to Earth,” “Into The Fields,” “Traveling and Tramping” and “Just Breathe”.

Miss a day? That’s okay! No one is counting. It’s natural to skip around the pages. Choose the activity or idea that most appeals in the moment. Are you a morning or evening person? A night owl or afternoon activist? Pay attention to your personal seasons and daily rhythms, like nature. If you wake up energized, turn to the page to build a hut! If you’re feeling mellow, just dip your toes into a cool pool or waterfall. Be flexible, like nature. Mushrooms not in season? Then collect dry leaves for a collage. If you don’t have space for a backyard garden, join a community one. If you can’t spot the stars behind the clouds, focus on the night sounds and shadows. Many activities involve the outdoors but can be done indoors, too.

Weather not permitting? Stay inside, light a fire, smell the sap and hear the crackle of pine … then sketch a sailboat on the sea.

The word “tonic” suggests a feeling of vigor or well-being. Keep this inspiring workbook handy. Take time to explore its pages to feel more spontaneous, aware, connected and alive.

Awaken to nature. Miracles await.

You’ll see. +

The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.

Hans Christian Andersen

Written by Jocelyn De Kwant Illustrated by Clare Owen

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art + music

The Splendor of Opera Returns to Bravo! Vail

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La bohème with the Philadelphia Orchestra July 10 + 12, 2024

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he Bravo! Vail Music Festival is the place to seek cultural highlights in the Vail Valley.

A majority of the Bravo! Vail performances are held at the beautiful and unique Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, where audience members experience musical delights and innovative performances year after year. The 2024 summer season runs from June 20 through August 1. This year, Bravo! Vail has set out to captivate opera aficionados and newcomers alike, as they present Giacomo Puccini's timeless masterpiece, La bohème, backed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. With performances scheduled for Wednesday, July 10 and Friday, July 12, 2024, this

production signals the return of opera to Bravo! Vail after a hiatus since 2019.

Elli Monroe, director of artistic operations at Bravo! Vail, sheds light on the meticulous planning that has gone into crafting this production. "The response to our Tosca production in 2019 was really overwhelming. So many people said they had never heard an opera before and were already asking when we would do another one," Monroe shares. Operas are difficult to plan, and the COVID-19 pandemic made producing one in Vail even more difficult. After five years, Bravo! Vail is welcoming the production of La bohème, a love story between a poet and seamstress set in 19th-century Paris.

What distinguishes this production

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAVO! VAIL

by Maddie Rhodes

of La bohème from other Bravo! Vail productions is its immersive storytelling. Unlike the music organization’s orchestral concerts, with the opera performance audiences can expect a sensory feast, with special lighting, soloists adorned in period costumes and a theatrical setting that transports them to Paris. The vision of production designer Noele Stollmack is pivotal in achieving this immersive experience. Stollmack's sets not only complement the natural beauty of the amphitheater and the surrounding mountains, but also serve as portals to the bohemian world inhabited

by Puccini's characters.

Building these sets is no small feat, but it's a task undertaken with passion and precision. Stollmack's designs are bespoke for La bohème, crafted to evoke the romance and melancholy of the opera's setting. "The director and the designer are both very inspired to recreate the story of these bohemian artists in Paris right in our very own Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater," Monroe remarks.

After the Bravo Vail! concert Saturday night, July 6, 2024, a dedicated team of production personnel will descend upon the venue tirelessly constructing sets, installing lighting and video elements and preparing the stage for the upcoming week’s performances. Three days of rehearsals follow to integrate the orchestra,

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soloists and two full choruses. Behind the scenes, the costume shop will complete fittings before the dress rehearsal and first performance on Wednesday.

Anne-Marie McDermott, artistic director, reflects that Bravo! Vail’s previous opera, Tosca, was “magical and impactful.” She expects La bohème to produce a similar effect. “The music is sublime.

Puccini creates character and mood in the musical score, which will come vividly to life, especially when the orchestra and all of the singers are together on one stage, led by the remarkable Yannick Nezet Seguin,” she says. The emotional depth of La bohème promises to captivate and transport audiences, as it has for generations.

Bravo! Vail’s production of La bohème will stand as a testament to the enduring power of opera. With its fusion of exquisite music, immersive storytelling and unparalleled artistry, this production promises to be a special experience for all who attend. As the curtain rises on July 10 and 12, 2024 audiences will be transported to a world of passion, tragedy and timeless beauty — a world brought to life by the unparalleled talent and dedication of Bravo! Vail’s team. As McDermott says, “La bohème is a classic not to be missed.” +

With its fusion of exquisite music, immersive storytelling and unparalleled artistry, this production promises to be a special experience for all who attend.

bravovail.org

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art + music

Vail Performing Arts Academy Celebrates 30 Years Stories of Splendor On + Off Stage

F

or 30 years, Vail Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) has been dedicated to providing theatrical, educational and cultural experiences for children in the Vail Valley. Since 1994, VPAA has been inspiring excellence, fostering artistic expression and cultivating talent, and the zealous crew of producers, directors and teachers plan on telling stories for another 30 years.

As executive producer and founder Annah DeLuca-Scully puts it, VPAA emerged to fill a void in performing arts education for local students, and VPAA initially offered musical theater acting and improv classes.

“Over the years, the academy's vision expanded, evolving into the production of full-scale musicals and forming partnerships with renowned venues like the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Now celebrating 30 years of artistic excellence, VPAA offers year-round programs catering to aspiring performers ages 8 to 17,” DeLuca-Scully shares.

DeLuca-Scully and Colin Merig, VPAA artistic director and choreographer, let their passion lead them to the community, offering school enrichment programs including acting for the camera, music video production and public speaking.

Plus, they participate in directing and assisting with school musicals and participate in community events.

DeLuca-Scully and Merig bring invaluable experience to their students on and off the stage. DeLuca-Scully has taught secondary language in Boulder and Vail, and she’s produced corporate, private and public events in Colorado and California.

Her nurturing spirit and brio bring warmth to the theater and make VPAA a welcoming and exciting environment. Merig brings a wealth of performing arts experience to

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VPAA; his musical theatre, national tour, Broadway, cruise ship, film and television experiences have enabled him to transfer invaluable knowledge, teaching skills and mentoring to the youth of Vail.

VPAA has become a beacon in the Vail community, shining a light for students to find joy on the stage and — most importantly — grow their confidence. Everything VPAA does is thanks to devoted supporters and community members. “Through the generosity of donors and the selfless efforts of volunteers, VPAA is able to offer scholarships, maintain its high-quality productions, and expand its outreach programs.

Partnering with local schools and venues allows VPAA to enrich the cultural landscape of Vail and provide accessible arts experiences to a broader audience,” DeLuca-Scully explains. “Together, with the unwavering support of the community, VPAA continues to thrive as a vital hub for artistic expression and creativity in the Vail Valley.”

Vail is full of many long-standing pillars that contribute to the tight-knit commu-

nity that makes the Valley so special. But, without forward vision and eagerness to expand and evolve, that passion risks extinction. That’s why Merig says, “I believe the next 30 years for VPAA will be more exciting than ever as we embrace the evolving community that now surrounds us. Representation in theater is vital.

VPAA has the compassion and knowledge to showcase talent with youth who can shine a spotlight on the imbalance of gender, disability and ethnicity. We can tell another 30 years of stories with diversity.”

The productions are fun for everyone involved (including lucky audience members), but at the heart of everything is the students. Students get to be a part of beloved stories like Frozen, The Jungle Book and Rent, and VPAA believes that this is the most important stage in a child’s life. However, the lessons learned from these experiences stretch far beyond the theater. “The most rewarding aspect of teaching performing arts is watching student’s confidence soar!” Merig beams.

“VPAA has the power to inspire not only students but every audience member in a life changing way as we tell stories with 100% enthusiasm and commitment,” Merig shares. “Seeing the authentic performance gusto in our students creates a ripple effect of good will that is celebrated by all who experience our shows. I believe musicals are like magic carpets designed to transcend us beyond the mundane and into a world filled with wonder and splendor.”

VPAA will bring Mean Girls Jr. (a junior show adapted from the well-loved 2004 classic) to the stage summer 2024, a fall show at the Vilar Performing Arts Center, plus the academy is always offering a myriad of enrichments and experiences. + vpaa.org

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VAIL PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

By Kristen Grace

style for the season

Modern Western Wear

Infuse Cowboy Cool Into Your Everyday Style with These Pieces

by Jennifer Weintraub

Faherty Canyon Overshirt Swap out your classic plaid for a striped snap-up featuring nature-inspired design.

This laid-back, relaxed-fit overshirt with dark, earthy hues offers a nod to the Native communities. $178 Ptarmigan Sports

Montezuma Turquoise Trophy Buckle Crafted from sterling silver and set with a sizeable turquoise stone, this intricately hand-engraved belt buckle is more than just an accessory — it's a statement piece that captures the essence of the West. $1,025 Kemo Sabe

Olive Quilted Canvas Jacket A rugged quilted canvas jacket, lightly insulated for chilly mountain mornings, receives a western upgrade with brown suede yokes and trim adorning the pockets, cuffs and hem. Whether on the ranch or roaming around town, this durable jacket is the perfect layer for summer or fall. $325

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOCAL RETAILERS

Kemo Sabe

Grit Cigar Caiman Roper Boot Emblematic of western heritage, cowboy boots are cherished for their comfort and endurance. Slip into a set of handcrafted cowboy boots made from rich brown caiman leather, complete with a Vibram sole. Beautifully designed yet incredibly functional, these boots are meant to withstand the demands of the day. $1,595 Kemo Sabe

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style for the season

Willie Nelson Rose Frame Tee Crossroads Flare Jeans Embrace the spirit of the open range with a tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter Willie Nelson on a graphic tee.

Pair it with ultra-wide flare jeans, a trendy take on a classic cowboy staple. $89/$119 Alpine Kind

Grit Black Starburst Cowboy Boots Contemporary Cuts on Classic Wardrobe Staples Such as an oversized button-down white shirt and a light-wash rigid denim midi skirt, channel cowgirl cool when paired with a vintage silk scarf, a pencil-brimmed hat and cream cowboy boots. It's a fusion of modern sophistication and rugged cowboy charm that will turn heads wherever the trail takes you.

Kayla Button Down Shirt $198 Alice Midi Denim Skirt $168 Western Silk Scarf $72 Skinny Wrap Belt $98 Stella Boots $288 Maude Pencil Brim Hat $150 Dried Floral Silk Hat Wrap $55 Antlers & Rosé

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These boots were made for strutting — and stargazing. A beautifully inset starburst detail makes this black cowboy boots a real stunner. $1,395 Kemo Sabe

Natural Beaver Hat A wide-brimmed, high-crown cowboy hat is the ultimate symbol of western wear. Hats were originally made to be tough on the trail and provide protection from the sun, but today, the cowboy hat is a just as practical as it is stylish.

A beaver felt hat will retain its shape even in wet weather and the opinions to customize are endless, from the crown of the hat to the curl of the brim. Top off any outfit with a cowboy hat for an instantly elevated cowboy cool look. $895 Kemo Sabe c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Astrid Puff Sleeve Dress $448 Stella Boots $288 Seeing Eye Sundial Weekender Bag $398 Lane Brick Top Hat $168 Farrah Aviators $112 Druzy Gold Ring $148

Zoe Beige Leather Jacket Fringe was fashioned by early frontiersman to let the rain roll off the fabric of their coats and chaps. Today, the fluid style adds movement to your look and is reminiscent of grass gracefully blowing in a hay field. Incorporate fashionable fringe into your wardrobe with a modern moto leather jacket in a soft cream color. $298 Valleygirl Boutique

Featured Local Retailers

Saddle Up in Style With a beautiful full-tiered black dress featuring billowing sleeves, intricate cut-work, and delicate lace trim that echoes the grace of the countryside. Pair it with knee-high pointed-toe boots and a hat boasting a classic western brim and a bold brick-top crown for a cowboy couture ensemble. Don chunky gold rings adorned with natural stones and complete your outfit with an oversized, stylish bag featuring a unique pattern and a woven handle.

Alpine Kind 102 Main St. Minturn alpinekind.com

Kemo Sabe Vail 227 Bridge St. Vail kemosabe.com

Antlers & Rosé 139 Broadway St. Unit C Eagle antlersandrose.com

Ptarmigan Sports 137 Main St. #C-104 Edwards ptarmigansports.com Valleygirl Boutique 142 Beaver Creek Pl. #105 Avon rubyjane.com

Antlers & Rosé

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maker

then the draft kicked in. I knew about the hiking, the outdoors and all that stuff, but I didn’t know much about climbing and then I moved out here and got bit by the Colorado bug.”

Q+A with Artist Bob Will of Red Cliff By laura mills

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f you’re driving too fast across the Red Cliff bridge heading south towards Leadville, you might just miss the metal art next to the Red Cliff town sign. Turn right at the bus stop, drive under the bridge and down Water Street — one of the five streets in the town — and you will be greeted by a small purple building with yellow trim.

The front lawn of this quaint building is borderline overflowing with abstract metal art pieces, all extremely unique, all very different from each other but somehow following a theme. Multicolored wrenches, metal bells and the futuristic pieces that surround it are all creations from the depths of an artist’s mind; that artist is Bob Will.

When I moved to Red Cliff back in November, I knew I had to learn about this little building and the person who was responsible for it. After getting in touch with Will — who prefers you con-

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tact him on his landline rotary phone instead of his cell — a story began to brew; the story of a mountaineer who worked on Pikes Peak for 11 years and how he became an artist who settled in to his home of Colorado 50 years ago this winter.

Will, with his long blonde-gray hair, round glasses and kind features welcomed me into his little purple studio one unseasonably warm February afternoon. We chatted about his life, his art, what inspires him and why he does what he does. Keep reading for a look into the artistic expression of a funky local and what makes him tick.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN? “I was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1952 — back in the ‘Stone Age.’ We moved to California; you could call my father a wanderlust. We spent a dozen years in California, six years in Arizona,

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN ARTISTIC IN THIS WAY? ”I did some stuff when I was a teenager because it was fun, but like I said I was ‘distracted‘ by the military. But then I wound up in Colorado Springs and that’s when I found out about the mountains and all that stuff. Creativity can be in a lot of different ways — how ya solve a problem, how ya view something, like this job I did up at Pikes Peak for 11 years — that’s a different realm. Creativity is everywhere, it’s multifaceted. It’s like your ability to take all of this and put it into writing for people to enjoy. I never thought about making things to sell it until 20 years ago or so. I retired, I do

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PHOTOS BY CHARLES TOWNSEND PHOTOGRAPHY

Creativity is Everywhere

HOW DID YOU COME TO CREATE THE ART NEXT TO THE RED CLIFF SIGN? “Oh! I made the piece that’s out in front of the post office. I said ‘ya know, we need something at the entrance of town,’ so I talked to the mayor, and in most towns you have to go through a lot of hoops and brain damage and whatnot to get approval, but they said ‘just build it.’ It’s a little simpler than what I usually do but I put it up there for something different. That stuff [the piece next to the town sign] is more about history and talks about the old days here before we were around."

this now — I hate the word ‘full-time’ — but I do it all the time, because it’s good for my head. A lot of people don’t get that part but I think some people do.”

WHEN YOU CREATE ART, DO YOU HAVE A HOPE FOR HOW IT IMPACTS PEOPLE? “I create because I want to create, that’s first. I like it when it does have an impact, it makes ya think. Ya might look at it and go ‘well what the hell is that garbage’ but it might also do something for you. It’s more about me doing what I want to do … then I did eventually discover people like this stuff, and that’s pretty cool. Intent is a difficult term; I have some stuff that is intentional but it usually just comes out. Beyond that it’s just what it is. Some people are overwhelmed by it and take it home, put it in their house and they’re happy as a clam, and that’s pretty cool.”

DO YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF SURPRISED AT WHAT PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO? “Yes. Significantly! I had a guy walk in here several years back. I had a big piece in here that I’ve had for four or five years and I couldn’t sell it — I knew it was going to take the right person.

He walked in that door and said ‘that’s mine.’ And that was so cool, because it had been in some art shows, but it was right for him. That was really cool for me, having that feedback. It means a lot. You can’t make money doing art around here — you’re never going to be a millionaire doing it. There are few people that are truly making money in this business or whatever the hell you want to call it, so that’s not the reason why I do it. This is what I do now for sanity. I don’t know how to explain a lot of this to anybody.

What you see is what it is — if it appeals to you, that’s cool, and if it doesn’t, that’s cool, too!”

mistake in the past or, ya know, whatever. And for me that’s a lot of it. I just get away from things I don’t really want to think about. It’s a good positive place — sometimes I come out here for six hours and don’t even know it. It’s that kind of stuff, head stuff."

WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THIS KIND OF MODALITY — USING METALS, WOOD, PRIMARY COLORS, ETC.?

“My problem is I do not know how people who paint do what they do with color. I can do a little bit, but when I try to figure out how the color is made or the drawn texture is created, it’s foreign to me. I do more with shape and feel, if that makes sense. I can feel something with metal, wood, stone. But when it comes to creating these colors, I don’t get it. I think a lot of our heads work differently.”

are up at a gallery in Leadville. It’s pretty cool that people want to have my stuff around. I’ve had an awful lot of fun with it.”

WHAT DOES 'SPLENDOR' MEAN TO YOU? ”Well it obviously is in the creative realm, but it’s also riding up the chair lift and lookin’ at the Gore Range, it’s the Maroon Bells. You can’t really measure splendor. Someone will see something and go ‘woah!’ and that’s it. It can be art, it can be music, writing, the mountains, a beautiful woman or man depending what you’re into. That’s what it is for me, that’s what I call it.” +

HOW DO PEOPLE FIND YOU AND YOUR ART? ”Some of the finding is just driving by and seeing this stuff. We used to do an art show here [in Red Cliff] but there aren’t as many artists here as there used to be. I work with the Vail Valley Art Guild. I’ve got a few pieces in Beaver Creek and then there’s some stuff at Sunrise Minturn, also some pieces

WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU CREATE? “I get involved in what I’m doing, I get caught up in it. It’s flow, it’s a cool place in my head. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking too much — whether it be a

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road trip

36 Hours in Telluride

A Therapeutic Long Weekend to Awaken Summertime Healing

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT TELLURIDE

By Lisa Blake

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hen the snow melts, Colorado’s tuckedaway rugged-posh ski town turns into a magical summer oasis of festivals, wildflowers, waterfalls, hiking and peaceful meandering. This stunning corner of the Centennial State draws celebrities to multi-million-dollar homes, musicians and artists to an endless calendar of buzzing warm weather events and trail warriors to the sky-soaring San Juan Mountains.

The coveted hamlet’s steep-walled box canyon provides a secluded haven that beckons a particular blend of exploration and stillness. In all its peaceful unicorn-like glory lies an element of beautiful solitude and restoration.

From meditation nooks to salt caves, this loose flowing list has been carefully cultivated to help you turn a long weekend in Telluride into a mind-body-spirit wellness reboot.

STAY Settle into dog-friendly Hotel Telluride for European boutique chalet ambiance and white-glove hospitality. With a downtown address, you’ll be central to easy exploring, dining and wellness

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road trip where Texas smokehouse classics meet Japanese fare in ramen and rice bowls.

Try the mushroom fest bowl for crispy tofu and seared shrooms in a smoky miso broth.

offerings. The Peaks Resort and Spa provides a posh mountain village perch with luxe suites, a renowned spa and fitness center and out-the-door hiking and golf access. Five stars and mindful perks — think custom curated wellness experiences — await at the mountainside Madeline Hotel.

PLAY A sweeping, relaxing scenic ride up the Telluride Gondola is a must to get the lay of the land. For an even higher vantage point, book a sunrise hot air balloon ride with nearby San Juan

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Balloon Adventures and celebrate your flight over provided champagne and brunch. Stay loose and limber and up for anything with a joint-movement-focused class at Kaiut Yoga Telluride.

This renewed lens on yoga promotes freedom of movement to stimulate circulation and energy flow. Go on a quintessential waterfall hike and find five-mile out-and-back Bear Creek Falls just past the town library on Pine Street. Or take the two-mile trek to iconic Bridal Veil Falls and marvel at Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall.

Tranquil seclusion awaits at Trout Lake — worth the 20-minute drive from Telluride — where stand-up paddleboarding takes on a glassy state of zen.

HEAL Telluride’s self-care scene is a vibe all its own. Elevated treatments and hands-on holistic care thrive in this luxury-loving mountain town. Homegrown therapeutic CBD products by Tim’s Naturals grace shelves throughout town, easing fatigued muscles with soothing locally produced trauma balms. Fight inflammation and boost healing and detoxification with a visit to Pure Beauty’s oxygen lounge and salt cave. Beeline it to The Spa at Peaks Resort in Mountain Village for a calming acupuncture session or have Telluride Massage Company therapists come to you for in-home bodywork treatments. The full-body arnica massage will leave you in a blissed-out pool of happiness. +

EAT Rise with the morning sun and a savory ham and cheese on a small batch artisan croissant at clean-eating favorite Butcher and Baker Cafe.

Locally loved organic grab-n-go spot Lunch Money fuels outdoor adventures with apple-loaded chicken salad wraps, rainbow-hued veggie sammies and farm-plucked harvest bowls. For dinner, treat yourself to house-made pastas, heirloom tomato salads, oysters and grilled halloumi at The National or try something new at Wood Ear

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Be Part of the Local Success!

AUTHENTIC COLORADO MINING AND RAILROAD TOWN

Pete Seibert broker associate Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Lionshead, Vail cell 970.390.1864 | office 970.479.0245 PeteSeibertJr.com Helping you create your legacy in the valley!

101 Main Street Minturn, Co $2,260,000

getaway

California Dreamin’ on Two Wheels Stay + Play for a Few Days in Healdsburg

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEPHEN LAM AND MILL DISTRICT, H2 HOTEL, SINGLE THREAD, KIM CARROLL

by Courtney Holden

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arm temps, blue skies and winding back roads beckon one to explore on two wheels. When said bike exploration also involves savoring cuisine with global accolades and sampling award-winning local wines, then even better. That perfect blend of world-class biking and world-renowned food and beverage is precisely what a getaway to Healdsburg, California offers.

Denver International Airport offers non-stop flights to San Francisco International Airport — just 90 minutes (without traffic) from Healdsburg — on a near daily basis. My husband and I thought the 2-hour flight, well, flew by, and picking up a rental car proved painless. We actually enjoyed the drive north from SFO to our destination, which included crossing (and yes, snapping numerous selfies at) the Golden Gate Bridge and gave us time to remember what it’s like to chat without a 7-year-old in the backseat.

Once we exited the highway, it took mere minutes to hit Healdsburg’s city

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center. Officially incorporated in 1867, the town has become a must-visit destination for oenophiles and gastronomes. The reason: location, location, location. Healdsburg sits in the center of Sonoma County Wine Country near the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley wine appellations.

Nearly 150 wineries can be found in the area, most within 20 minutes of downtown. The rich soil that makes the area so perfect for growing grapes also yields other bounty. Produce farms dot the verdant landscape as well, and numerous local restaurants — including two with Michelin stars — take advantage.

Of course, plenty of other California towns also boast award-winning wines and notable culinary scenes. What sets Healdsburg apart is the way it welcomes visitors to take in the town’s surrounding scenery — vineyards, mountains, redwood trees or perhaps all three — while riding a bike. Thus, our first stop upon getting to town was Spoke Folk Cyclery, where the helpful staff set us up with a pair of Specialized Roubaix and plenty of ride recommendations.

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getaway

h2 Hotel

SingleThread

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Eager to see what earned Healdsburg a spot on Bicycling Magazine’s “7 Greatest Rides on Earth” in 2011, but even more excited to drop our luggage, the next stop was the hotel. With its leaf-covered exterior walls, signature rippling roofline and a bespoke water sculpture featuring 2,000 tinkling espresso spoons outside the front door, the h2 Hotel lives into its “eco-chic” descriptor even before guests step foot inside. The airy lobby — where more local art (like photographic glass installations of trees and floral sculptures), bohemian-inspired couches and a LEED Gold certificate await — provides further evidence. Upstairs in our room (one of just 36), we find bamboo floors, deliciously inviting Egyptian Cotton linens and a walk-out balcony perfect for stashing our bikes.

The next few days were the best kind of blur. Each morning began with freshly brewed coffee and the hotel’s complimentary breakfast (yogurt parfait with house-made granola and berries for me, pastries for my husband) before we set off on our bikes. More often than not, grapevines dotted the foreground while mountains rose in the distance. Occasionally, the massive arms of a redwood blocked the blue sky above. One ride, led by professional cycling couple Ted and Laura King, left from the new, upscale housing development Mill District. The

roads weren’t quite free from cars, but most drivers were courteous and we generally had a generous shoulder.

When not in the saddle, we embraced our role as tourists. We wandered through Healdsburg’s roughly 20 fine art and crafts galleries (the Paul Mahder Gallery was our favorite), appreciated the earrings and bracelets at Falling for Dainty and spent an afternoon awe-walking in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.

We also discovered Healdsburg is a town that must be explored with the taste buds as much as with the eyes.

We split turkey pesto on fresh-baked loaves from Troubadour Bread & Bistro for lunch one day and sipped lattes from Black Oak Coffee Roasters for a midday pick-me-up. We sampled wine from multiple tasting rooms in town, vowed to recreate the cucumber plate from Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen when we got back home and decided we’d more than earned dessert (California olive oil cake) from Spoonbar.

Our biggest splurge (both in terms of calories and dollars), however, was a 10-course dinner at SingleThread.

Ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, the four hours we spent at the three-Michelin-Star-holder supping on exquisite Japanese cuisine and produce harvested from the restaurant’s nearby farm wasn’t just a meal; it was an experience. The food came out in the traditional kaiseki style with multiple small dishes plated perfectly on gorgeous stoneware or wooden boards, often garnished with petite flowers or leafy sprigs.

The sommelier made sure we sipped the best vintage, perhaps something oaky or fruit-forward made just a few miles away, while we ate. No question, it was the best meal I’ve ever eaten — or will ever eat, for that matter.

The splendor of those bike rides, sumptuous food and delectable wines stays with me even now, living on whenever I close my eyes and go California dreamin’ — even on a Vail fall (or winter’s) day. +

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SAVOR ARTISANAL BREWS AND MODERN AMERICAN CUISINE IN THE PICTURESQUE VAIL VALLEY.

OPEN Tue-Sun | 11:30am-9pm (CLOSED MONDAYS)

105 Edwards Village Blvd (970) 855-2718 Best Burger in the Valley

ORDER ONLINE! craftsmanbrewco.com

Happy Hour Tue-Sun | 3:30-6pm

@craftsmanbrewco

PIZZA PASTA WINE

OPEN DAILY 4-9pm 56 Edwards Village Blvd Unit 112 (next to Sundae’s) (970) 855-2793

ORDER ONLINE! ilMagoPizza.com @ilmagopizza

getaway

Weekend Escape with Local Flair

by Kim Fuller + Laura Mills

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grew up visiting Maine’s Midcoast every summer, and the handful of times we stopped in Portland’s Old Port District before embarking on the rest of “Vacationland” was definitely memorable, and I always wanted to stay longer.

As an adult, the time finally aligned to enjoy a couple of days enjoying the city before heading home to Colorado.

Portland offers a captivating blend of historic charm and contemporary vitality.

This maritime gem invites travelers to

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wander through its cobblestone streets, explore the vibrant arts scene and indulge in the culinary delights that have garnered national acclaim.

From the iconic lighthouse standing guard at the harbor to the lush landscapes that change with the seasons, Portland presents a serene escape with a touch of adventure. Whether you're a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast or someone seeking solace in the beauty of the Atlantic, enjoy exploring Portland for a weekend (or longer).

LOCAL LOVE : 6 PORTLAND PICKS The Highroller Lobster Co. Take the best lobster roll you’ve ever had and place it in an 1960s-style red and white diner — that’s Highroller! Owned

by Baxter Key, Andy Gerry and Peter Bissell, this restaurant boasts some of the best microbrews, along with frozen margs and lobster rolls done just right.

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PHOTOS BY KIM FULLER + LAURA MILLS

Getaway to Portland, Maine

STAY : PORTLAND HARBOR HOTEL Located right in the heart of the Portland Old Port district, the Portland Harbor Hotel is just about a block away from the bustling waterfront. It welcomes guests with a tasteful nautical theme in navy, khaki and white, complemented by custom-crafted Thomas Moser furniture and polished hardwood floors, pristine as a schooner.

The hotel is adorned with original pieces from Maine artists. Jim Dugan's captivating monochromatic maritime photography lines the hallways and public spaces, offering guests a visual journey through the heritage that defines the region. Angela Adams, renowned for her exquisite rug designs, has contributed uniquely handcrafted nautical flags that hold the space above the hotel beds.

These flags, artfully arranged in frames, spell out "DREAM," adding a touch of inspiration to each room.

The Portland Harbor Hotel makes for an ideal home-away-from-home while you’re in the city. The central location and charming details offer a sweet refuge before and after daily excursions. portlandharborhotel.com Portland native Laura Mills knows the city like it was in her backyard for over two decades, as it actually was, and she was certainly a great tour guide during our visit. She explained how much the city has grown and evolved over the years, but her mainstay hangouts are tried-and-true. Check out Mills’ top picks for the best lobster roll, watering hole, sushi spot, waterside stroll, music venue and local shop.

- Kim Fuller

Imagine the most delicious brioche bun, lightly buttered and grilled, absolutely loaded with hand-picked lobster meat and then topped with your choice of mayo — jalapeño comes highly recommended. Throw a side of Old Bay seasoned fries on the plate and you’re set.

The retro-funky vibe makes this place an easy go-to. highrollerlobster.com Amigos Mexican Restaurant Cheap beer on the covered patio? Pool and darts inside? Jell-o shots? Sounds like the ideal picturesque dive bar — and that it is! Amigos is a favorite watering hole among the locals and just celebrated 50 years in business. Whether it’s your go-to for live music on weekends in the summer or a place to meet your restaurant industry friends for a postwork bevy, Amigos is, and likely always will, be there. amigosoldport.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF PORTLAND HARBOR HOTEL

Yosaku Family-owned, high-quality, and serving super-fresh sushi, Yosaku is located where Danforth meets Fore Street with their patio overlooking the water and all the happenings of the Old Port. This sushi spot has a killer lunchtime bento box special every day and elevates the vibe come nighttime. Their saké menu is lengthy and the service is top-notch.

If you want to experience Maine seafood with a little Japanese flair, this is the spot. yosakumaine.com The Eastern Promenade The Eastern Promenade, or as locals call it “The Prom,” is an expansive, grassy hill overlooking Portland’s harbor. At the base of the hill is a selection of the town’s best food trucks and just past that is a walking path, kayak rentals and a boat launch. If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend the day — grab a bottle of wine, your pup and head to this spot. Have yourself a merry little picnic overlooking some of Maine’s gorgeous coastline. visitportland.com

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The State Theatre The State Theatre, also known as “The State,” is a historic theatre located in the Arts District of Portland at 609 Congress Street. It features Art Deco architecture and hosts musical acts from every genre — pulling in some bigger names such as Lake Street Dive, Atmosphere, Griz and much more. This building has been in existence since 1929 and the history is quite apparent as soon as you walk up. Check out their upcoming shows if you’re in the area — you may be surprised who is playing! statetheatreportland.com

Maine coast sunset

Mexicali Blues Looking for some whimsical but practical earth-focused threads? Mexican Blues is a Maine-owned, ever-expanding small business that started as just one shop!

They have everything from your go-to festival threads to skirts you can wear to the office, jewelry that will last a lifetime and ethically sourced decor for your apartment. The staff is welcoming and the vibes are good — you won’t be leaving empty handed! mexicaliblues.com - Laura Mills The Highroller Lobster Co.

Portland Harbor Hotel

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how

much is too

m uch?

The Dangers of Overtraining

By Lucie Hanes

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I Our bodies don't know the difference between a run and a tough day at the office. Stress is stress.

When athletes learn to purposely design their training, adventures and event goals with this in mind they can begin getting out of injury cycles and sustain longterm improvement.

T.J. David, owner of Microcosm Coaching in Carbondale, Colorado

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In theory, training for peak athletic performance is simple: show up, work hard, recover, repeat on a consistent basis and watch the progress accumulate. But in practice, the process is much more nuanced — especially when it comes to steps one and two. There’s a fine line between working hard enough to impart productive stress on your body and working too hard for your body to actually get anything out of the effort.

“Stress is a good thing,” says Sarah Strong, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) therapist and United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy-certified running coach. “Stressing the body and allowing it to adapt to those stressors is the core of athletic development.” That’s why athletes push themselves past the point of comfort in training, so that their bodies can adapt to that level of challenge and turn it into a new baseline from which the next level of growth evolves. So goes the cycle of improvement.

“But too much stress is a problem,” Strong continues. “Imagine your capacity for stress as a bucket. Every stressor adds to the bucket and too many stressors will make it overflow.” When this happens, athletes lose their ability to recover from their training and adapt to the challenge. Stress only accumulates, never dissipates.

Without giving their bodies the chance to properly process stress, athletes get the exact opposite of the results they’re looking for. Research on the "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Treadmill Overtraining Implementation" links this imbalanced equation between stress in and stress out to a decline in athletic performance as well as a litany of negative health effects from musculoskeletal injuries and cardiac arrhythmias to depression and irritability.

The issue is, that’s an easy equation to mess up. There’s no one right answer for how every athlete should train in order to appropriately ride the fine line between too much stress to recover from and not enough to stimulate growth.

Everyone responds to stress differently.

Some can handle more without losing their ability to adapt while others have a

lower threshold.

Neither one is better than the other, though. This is where well-intentioned athletes often sabotage themselves.

Growth comes from finding your own sweet spot, not from continuously piling on more and more stress without regard for individuality. “The balance between load and recovery looks different for each athlete,” affirms Genevieve Harrison, professional runner for On and running coach based out of Eagle, Colorado. “The idea that more is better in ultra-running has created a craze for higher mileage, but this is detrimental to athletes in the long-term.”

T.J. David, owner of Microcosm Coaching in Carbondale, Colorado, agrees. “In my coaching practice,” he remarks, “I've always leaned on this training principle: the right amount of work is the least amount of work an individual can do while still growing, not the most. This is what an athlete can actually sustain long-term when taking into account the specific context of their lives. What athletes often overlook is the fact that their training doesn't happen in a vacuum. Our bodies don't know the difference between a run and a tough day at the office. Stress is stress.

When athletes learn to purposely design their training, adventures and event goals with this in mind they can begin getting out of injury cycles and sustain long-term improvement.”

For instance, a runner might set an arbitrary goal like logging 100-mile weeks out of a genuine desire to improve … but if that’s not the best number for their unique physiology or alongside all the other stressors present in their life, then such high mileage doesn’t serve them because they’ll be too injured or exhausted to put their best foot forward (literally). The optimal amount of training for any athlete is the training they’re actually capable of completing without getting derailed by an overload of stress.

Staying on the right side of stress requires listening to what your body has to say about the amount of training that you’re doing. It’s not easy to dial things back when it might seem like everyone around you is only ever piling on more,

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Without giving their bodies the chance to properly process stress, athletes get the exact opposite of the results they’re looking for.

PHOTO BY LINA SIMPSON

Before athletes can heed the warning signs of overtraining, they need to know what cues to look out for in the first place. but the decision to do so will set athletes up for more sustainable success. You’ll likely surpass those who charged ahead without heed for stress management in the end anyway.

Before athletes can heed the warning signs of overtraining, though, they need to know what cues to look out for in the first place. Just like the stress threshold, the specific signs may vary from person to person, but a few key symptoms apply to most people. Harrison has found that her body starts to talk back in the form of abnormal hormonal changes and low iron levels when she pushes past 10-15 hours of training per week or over about 90 minutes of higher intensity work within the week.

Kim Dobson, another Eagle runner who holds seven victories and the course record at the Pikes Peak Ascent, notices an elevated average heart rate over the course of a few days as her most prominent symptom of overtraining. “I also tend to get flare-ups of overuse injuries

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that stop me before I am ‘overtrained’ from a hormonal perspective,” says Dobson, which could be seen as a blessing in disguise in the sense that those flares are her body’s way of holding her back from causing herself further damage.

But not all the signs of overtraining are physical. Lina Simpson of Grand Junction, winner of the 2022 Ultrapalooza 50k, feels the effects of overtraining on an emotional level first. “I can really tell when I am overtraining when running starts to feel like a job,” she explains.

“When I am waking up and feeling like I don’t want to go run, but also having this feeling like I need to go run, that’s how I know I need to change my approach.”

Motivation ebbs and flows for everyone, but a consistent reduction in your desire to do something that usually brings you joy should raise a red flag. Low energy availability applies to mental energy too.

Show me an athlete who’s never gone overboard, though, and I’ll show you a liar. Mistakes happen, especially when

Lucie Hanes

someone is passionate about their sport.

There’s no better asset for peak athlete performance than true love for what you’re doing. Passion only becomes a problem when it morphs into obsession and drives athletes to ignore the needs of their bodies. Do your longevity as an athlete a favor by tuning into the ways your body tries to communicate with you about your training load and when the alarms tend to sound. Allow for a little trial and error in the process. With time, you’ll settle on a general threshold that can help guide your training habits.

But the real change comes down to mindset. Remember that quality almost always trumps quantity. Quality training can’t occur under excessively stressful circumstances. Hold your “why” close when self-restraint feels uncomfortable.

Rest with purpose so you can train that way, too. +

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leaving a How 3 Local Businesses Have Passed the Torch to a New Generation of Leaders

By Jennifer Weintraub

legacy

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Connie + Anthony Mazza

Taking over the reins of a long-standing business in the heart of the community requires courage, resilience and a deep respect for those who paved the path before them. These three entrepreneurs embraced the challenge of carrying forward legacy businesses while crafting their own road to success.

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THE MINTURN SALOON: A NOSTALGIC REVIVAL When Andy Kaufman and Steve Campbell decided to retire after operating the Minturn Saloon for over 35 years, they were eager to pass the baton to someone with youthful energy to improve the business and make the necessary updates while maintaining the nostalgia of the iconic establishment. They selected Connie and Anthony Mazza, local restauranteurs with years of love for the Saloon, confident that the husband-wife team would preserve the legacy of the local landmark.

Connie Mazza was initially hesitant about balancing the task of taking over the Minturn Saloon. At the time, she was focused on opening a second location for Village Bagel and growing her young family. Luckily, her husband Anthony

Mazza, a confident, type-A personality, was immediately ready to jump in feet first. “When you have a chance to take over a business like the Minturn Saloon, it’s an obvious yes — you have to jump at the opportunity,” she explains. But that’s why the husband-wife team are a successful entrepreneur duo.

After purchasing the Minturn Saloon in December of 2021, they ran the restaurant for a season before closing for renovations. The Saloon reopened in the fall of 2023 after a significant renovation to its 120-year-old building. Although they complied with updated building codes and imported modern business practices, they focused on preserving the nostalgic feel of the Saloon. Maintaining the history was important not just for them but for the community as well.

Despite overhauling the physical

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The Minturn Saloon

space, the heart and soul of the Saloon remained the same. “It lives on in the walls, the historical artwork, our retained staff and the back bar itself, which holds so much history,” Connie Mazza expressed. There’s a fresh take on running the business and the menu, casual Tex-Mex, but the Mazzas successfully found the delicate balance that Kaufman advised: “Keep it the same, but make it better.”

Alvaro Carillo

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VALLEYWIDE BUILDERS: BUILDING DREAMS Alvaro Carillo’s career is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship.

At 17, he ran a framing business in the Vail Valley. That business folded in the 2008 recession, but that is when Jim Guida, a respected builder and former owner of Guida Construction, took Carillo under his wing. Under Guida’s guidance for 12 years, Carillo learned every aspect of building and remodeling luxury custom homes — literally from the ground up. When it came time for Guida to retire after 30-plus years in business, he needed to find someone he could trust to maintain and grow the relationships he had spent a lifetime building.

The answer was obvious.

When Guida approached Carillo about handing over the business to him, Carillo was both excited and nervous about the opportunity. He was only 28, but possessed a lifetime of knowledge.

Carillo knew from years of hands-on experience how to build a custom home and manage a team. “I knew everything about working in the field and had a chance to hone my skills over the years working with Guida. But I didn’t understand the business side of construction.

So I knew if Guida would mentor me, there would be little doubt that I would succeed,” Carillo states.

And he did. Carillo has continued to build a company, rebranded as Valleywide Builders in 2019, that performs custom building and high-end remodels for clients who value a trustworthy team, a personalized approach and quality craftsmanship. While the name and leadership have changed, the dedication to excellence and an attentive field staff remain. “We were schooled

by Guida,” Carillo lightheartedly laughs.

It shows in his work ethic — he will always go the extra mile to produce the highest quality work, resulting in long-lasting and satisfied clients.

Guida remains a close mentor to and advocate for Carillo. “I’ve learned a lot from Guida,” Carillo emphasizes, “but of all the advice he’s given me, what stands out the most is to keep moving forward and follow your heart.”

ALPINE QUEST SPORTS: WHERE ADVENTURE AWAITS Jon Rehnborg stumbled upon a newspaper ad that Alpine Quest Sports in Edwards was for sale and became one of several bidders for the business owned and operated by Sean and Cory Glackin for the past 20 years. Although the Glackins were selling the business they built, they wished to see their life’s work and legacy in the community. Their goal was to find a local who would retain the vibe of the community’s staple backcountry shop: a place that is accessible and approachable for locals and visitors and a business that provided a healthy work environment.

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John Rehnborg

Alpine Quest Sports

Rohnborg ended up purchasing the shop because of his commitment to retaining the staff and maintaining the spirit of the store. Customers have noticed that he’s lived up to his promises. He retained the core team and the store carries the same wide selection of technical backcountry gear.

Once Rehnborg started digging into the inventory, he was surprised at how many products the shop carries for rock climbing, paddling and backcountry skiing. With over 40 brands represented, much of his time is spent communicating with vendors, inventorying current supplies, ordering gear and bookkeeping. “I bought this business thinking I would ski, paddle and climb more, but really, it’s about being in the shop, taking care of customers and ensuring they’re outfitted with the right gear for their adventures,” Rehnborg says.

Running a retail shop is more than testing and talking about outdoor gear.

“The key to managing a successful business,” Rehnborg explains, is that “you need to be involved in the flow of money

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and understand where the business is heading.” It’s not as glamorous as his adventures scaling mountain peaks or paddling through whitewater, but his passion for outdoor exploration permeates every aspect of his business.

WORDS OF WISDOM The entrepreneur journey is not for the faint of heart. But it can be a rewarding journey if you follow your heart.

Pair your passion with savvy business skills, a dash of resilience and a dose of problem-solving. Yes, venturing into the unknown can be risky, but every big step forward in life starts with a leap of faith.

It also helps to have a mentor and a guiding spirit of those who sold a business to care about what would come after them.

Connie Mazza advises, “Just say yes to opportunities that come your way.

It’s important to keep growing and believing in yourself — don’t hold back based on fear or stepping outside your comfort bubble. If you are passionate about and truly believe in the project, just go for it.” +

Just say yes to opportunities that come your way.

It’s important to keep growing and believing in yourself.

Connie Mazza

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Flower

Splendor Have Fun Getting to Know Local Wildflowers Words + original Illustrations

by Sandy Ferguson Fuller

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Each summer and fall in the Colorado Rockies, our wildflower neighbors appear and shower us with delight. Many special varieties also offer other clues about their surroundings — the altitude on a hiking trail, the right timing for eager trout to take a dry fly, when to expect young falcons to fledge or great horned owl eggs to hatch, when coyote pups begin to play outside their dens, where to watch for grazing wildlife or when winter

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will finally relax its grip. As we become familiar with wildflowers, we discover other secrets of mountain life.

Many wildflowers and plants in the area share a name (and often a physical resemblance!) with animals, humans, fantastical beings or magical objects. Learning about this makes observing flower splendor all the more fun. Consider paintbrush, bull thistle, king’s crown, steershead, fairy slipper

… even the prolific dandelion! Identifying particular flowers by names isn’t necessary to appreciate their beauty and it’s not always easy; many species appear similar upon first glance. But here is an artistic (not scientific or botanical) introduction to a variety of Rocky Mountain flowers with unique names, including basic descriptions and colorful sketches to help you recognize and remember them.

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OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

INDIAN PAINTBRUSH

HAREBELL

FOXTAIL

(Figwort family)

(Bluebell family)

(Grass family)

(Composite family)

The “bracts” on this plant are usually mistaken for brilliant flowers, resembling brushes dipped in red, yellow, fuchsia, coral, white or other paint hues. But the “flowers” are actually dense green spikes atop the stems, occasionally tinged with color. Paintbrush rely on roots of neighboring plants to survive.

Violet-blue, delicate bellshaped flowers dangle from slender stems. It’s easy to imagine the bells tingling sweet melodies into thin mountain air, as high as 10,000 feet, from June to September. The same flower adorns the Scottish Highlands and is known there as “Scotch bluebell.”

A type of barley, also “ticklegrass,” this variety waves tawny golden “awns” in the breeze and its flower head mimics a fox’s tail. Attractive and benign at first glance, but beware of this sly, cunning fox plant … the awns mature into brittle barbs and can penetrate eyes, ears, gums, noses and paws of roaming sheep, deer, elk and dogs, causing infection, blindness or even death.

ELEPHANT’S TRUNK

BEARGRASS

COMMON CATTAIL

(Figwort family)

(Lily family)

(Cattail family)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEEPLANT

Tiny pink or reddish-purple elephant heads with trunks distinguish this flowering spiked “fern,” fun to spot from about 5,000 feet to above timberline. Nothing like it! Also called “elephantella" or “elephant head.” Elk nibble on it from late June to early August, usually near moist locales like beaver ponds or open spaces.

Tiny white flowers form large, soft conical clusters on slender grassy stems, 2-3 feet tall. Usually grows in patches. When beargrass flowers, young mountain bluebirds are fledging. Plants alternate blooming every five to seven years. Mountain goats thrive on these stalks during winter months.

A brown sausage-shape cluster with flat, strap-like leaves which can be used for decoration and weaving. This is a favorite lunch to munch in marsh areas for muskrats, geese and elk.

A multi-branched, leafy plant with numerous pink flowers which develop seed pods while blooming. Also known as “stinkweed” with some yellow varieties.

Also “alpine sunflower.”

Sturdy, large (2-3 inch) yellow heads and matching (not darker) centers; narrow leaves; gray and “woolly” stems, not smooth. Flourish above timberline on dry, exposed ridges. Unlike sunflower cousins, never turn to follow the sunlight. Always face east, offering a steadfast compass.

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(Caper family)

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And remember, it’s a good idea to carry along a more detailed field guide to provide you with information and photos as you explore local wildflowers.

SKUNK CABBAGE

FAIRY SLIPPER

STEERSHEAD

(Arum family)

(Orchid family)

(Bleeding Heart family)

Yellow, partially rolled flower buds which appear in marshes at first sign of spring. Cabbage blooms as the bald eagle begins nesting. It offers a favorite picnic treat for bears.

Displaying shades of pink to magenta with a single broad leaf, this rare, delicate, early-blooming Colorado orchid appears late May through June. Also named “calypso.”

Found in wet coniferous forests or near decayed logs.

Tiny, tiny white or pink flowers, growing in bunches, closely resemble a steer with horns, often pointed upside-down. In sagebrush areas or plateaus. Ironically contains poisonous alkaloids harmful to cattle, but herds avoid its bitter flavoring.

WAKEROBIN

MONKSHOOD

MULE'S-EARS

KING’S CROWN

(Lily family)

(Buttercup family)

(Composite family)

(Stonecrop family)

Distinguished by three broad leaves cupping a single flower with three white petals which gradually turn pink. Just like robins, these hardy plants are harbingers of spring. Found in damp woods and valleys, in partial shade up to 7,000 feet.

A hoodlike cap or helmet is formed by the indigo sepals, reminiscent of medieval monks. Reaching 2-5 feet on slender stalks with leaves largest at stem base.

Appears late June to early August in wet meadows and along streams.

A flowering orange-yellow head similar to sunflowers, with numerous long, smooth, shiny (vs. hairy) leaves. Heads often touch together. Heralds the hatching of sage-grouse chicks or young ravens leaving their nest.

A high-altitude jewel of rich, regal red, found clustered near rocky outcroppings in open meadows or some moist areas. As many as 50 small flowers may form a colony, with thick, succulent leaves trimmed in red. Rules summer-long.

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QUEEN ANNE’S LACE

DOGTOOTH VIOLET

MINER’S CANDLE

GOATWEED

(Umbellifer family)

(Lily family)

(Borage family)

(St. Johnswort family)

Hardy, vigorous and sometimes considered an invasive species, but also nurturing to some animals and beneficial insects, like adult bees.

Butterflies also adorn the Queen’s garment. The “living lace” is spun with thousands of tiny white flowers grouped in flat umbrella clusters. Also called “wild carrot.”

A small yellow lily, cupped with one pair of shiny leaves.

Also called “glacier lily.” A few nodding flowers may grow on the same naked stem.

This one climbs the mountain in tune with the changing seasons! At 7,000 feet, it appears as mule deer begin to fawn. Later in July, at 9,000 feet, it pops out when ptarmigan are nesting.

Stretching to 3 feet or more (!), the coned stem hosts small, petal flowers (look like white forget-menots) and long protruding leaves which give it an ominous “spiky” look. Flourishes June to August in mountain meadows, mostly in drier, sunny areas.

Yellow 3/4-inch flowers with protruding stamens supported by stiff, erect woody rootstock 1-5 feet tall.

Alternating single leaves with colorless or black spots. A Colorado native species.

BULL THISTLE

DANDELION

(Composite family)

(Composite family)

Aptly named, feisty and stubborn like a bull, this persistent thistle variety has large heads of purple flowers, sharp spines covered with stiff hairs, leaves up to 8 inches long, and deep roots. A biennial, 2-5 feet tall.

Hiding beneath the flower are silky seedlings which spread quickly. Don’t let it invade and consume your home lawn or garden! But this “thistledown” provides excellent tinder for starting campfires in the wild.

Three native species roam the high Colorado mountains, but many variations homestead here, too. Bright, yellow ray-flower heads atop hollow, milky stems turn our outdoors to gold every spring. Often regarded as nature’s pests, but also benefactors, dandelions provide roots for delicious salads, healing tonics, flowers for wine and succulent foraging for Canada geese, grouse, elk, deer, bear and porcupine.

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So, enjoy your sojourns among the wildflowers this summer and try to get to know as many as possible. Remember not to pick or tread upon these flowers … they wilt quickly and their fragile beauty soon fades and dies. Hopefully you will be lucky to view the splendor of a field of Colorado columbine, the state flower, and to greet a patch of tiny bright blue forget-me-nots at your feet.

The memories will be yours for keeps.

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PHOTO BY ERIC DUNN OF VAIL RESORTS

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By laura mills

Managing Waste in Eagle County c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

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County is it’s close to 10 pounds every single day per person. A reason behind that could be tourism.

“In 2022, we saw a 31.4% diversion rate for Eagle County, meaning of all the waste we produced, 31.4% of it was diverted from the landfill — recycled or composted, or brought to the hazardous waste facility,” adds Kovacs. “The state average is 16% and the national average is around 31%. We are clearly above the state average, but there is always room [to improve].”

So, let’s rewind … even though the average Eagle County resident produces double the waste of the average Coloradan and we double our food waste per month in the busiest seasons, we still have nearly double the state average in waste diversion rates? Yes, you read that right! The dedication of our sustainability leaders is what can be credited with this feat — and a feat it is.

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It’s no secret that tourism propels the economy here in the Vail Valley.

World-renowned skiing, access to breathtaking mountaintop views, hiking, mountain biking, a lively community — who could blame ‘em? Not only does our economy, the traffic on I-70 and the parking lot of City Market experience the ebb and flow in the number of people coming and going, our waste management system does too.

When researching this topic, Amelia Kovacs came as a highly recommended wealth of information. Kovacs started with Walking Mountains Science Center as an intern and now fills the role of sustainability programs manager at the environmental learning center based in Avon. Kovacs’ role is fully dedicated to waste diversion and sustainability. “[In this position] I think that there’s a lot of opportunity to connect people who are passionate about waste diver-

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sion in Colorado, Eagle County and the mountains,” Kovacs says.

When it comes to specialized waste management, Vail Honeywagon is a main source for most of it in the Valley, including compost processing. Honeywagon certainly sees the impacts of increased traffic when it comes to the amount of compost produced season to season.

For January, February and March of 2023, Vail Honeywagon reported that they averaged around 430 yards of food waste per month. For April, May and June the average was 194 yards per month.

That means food waste more than doubles in our busiest months of the year, and that’s not the only part of our waste stream that is doubled in comparison.

“The average amount of waste produced per Colorado resident each day is four and a half pounds,” Kovacs explains. “What they found in Eagle

ADVENTURE SOURCE + EDUCATION SOURCE = ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR ALL Jake Lehew is the Eagle County sustainability manager for Vail Resorts and has a big hand in the game when it comes to the economic responsibility of the resorts here.

“Our waste criteria and waste streams are so different county to county, let alone state to state,” Lehew says. “What we’re able to compost or recycle here in Eagle County may be different here than Summit County or Denver, or let alone Nebraska, Utah or any of the surrounding states. That’s been an interesting thing to work around — how do we manage that knowing our guests are coming from all over the country and the world?

“We’ve had a lot success at our restaurants at the employee-centered waste sorting stations,” he adds. "It’s where we have a lot of control and maintain a really clean stream. This gives Honeywagon a really good compost product because there’s not as much contamination.”

When you finish your summer lunch at Spruce Saddle restaurant and you see a Beaver Creek employee at the disposal station ready to take your tray — that is an example of employee-centered waste

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Vail Mountain Clean Up Day

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sorting. By training Vail Resorts staff in proper waste management practices, it takes the responsibility into their hands, ensuring that it is done correctly.

While being a hub for adventure and experience for people all over the country and the world, Eagle County is also in the position to be an education source, Kovacs reminds us.

“We offer quarterly community recycling tours with up to 20 participants. We had 15 tours last year so you can definitely request a private tour if a business or group is interested. We reached around 200 participants in 2023,” shares Kovacs.

“We actually have a lot of those who are visiting go on our recycling tours, so we are able to educate people on why we accept different things in Eagle County opposed to other states,” adds Kovacs. “Most people are pretty excited about it and are like ‘we wish we had this back home!’”

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF WASTE RESPONSIBILITY Businesses are making a difference in our community, but there is also an integral element of individual responsibility that comes in to play. In 2018, Walking Mountains created the Waste Wizard app, a helpful tool when it

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comes to residential waste diversion.

The Waste Wizard app allows you to input the item you have in question and directs you to the proper waste stream whether that be recycling, compost, trash or hazardous waste.

“The purpose of the app is to provide education to individuals so that they can make informed decisions about recycling. The app aims to eliminate 'wishful recycling,’ which refers to the practice of placing items in the recycling bin that are not actually recyclable, but one hopes or believes they are,” Kovacs explains. “It’s supposed to connect the user with the resource to make an educated decision.”

Since the app was created in 2018, there have been over 74,000 material views and 44,000 user sessions with top material searches including television, mattress, Christmas trees and refrigerators, Kovacs reports.

As the app and the program began to grow, Walking Mountains realized that they were lacking on one element — access to and use by the Spanish population. Walking Mountains went to work with their developers to create a fully Spanish version of the app.

“We started the English-to-Spanish marketing campaign last year to increase our Spanish-speaking users. With that we were able to have over 500 down-

loads of the Waste Wizard in Spanish. As the goal was to increase Waste Wizard downloads, this certainly achieved our goal,” Kovacs says.

In addition to encouraging individual responsibility, Walking Mountains continually engages and aims to educate the community with their involvement with events such as GoPro Mountain Games, Birds of Prey World Cup and many others.

“We’ve increased our zero-waste events a lot! I think we were only at 70 days of events in 2019 and now we do about 120 days of events,” shares Kovacs.

If you’re heading to GoPro Mountain Games this June, make sure to swing by the waste management and sorting stations throughout the festival to see the team in action! They are eager to have conversations about proper waste diversion practices and field questions from the community.

When you take out your trash and recycling this week, or see a piece of garbage on the ground, think about the systems in place in our community and the continual development required to keep our growing and fluctuating community healthy. +

DOWNLOAD the Waste Wizard app using this QR code

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This place is home.

Help us protect it.

The Eagle River Coalition is made up of water experts, community leaders and river lovers who are local river advocates. Through restoration, monitoring, education and advocacy, we are working to secure a vibrant future for our community and our rivers.

Join us today to make a direct and lasting impact to protect your local watersheds.

501(C)(3) EIN# 20-4448864 • 970-827-5406 • EagleRiverCo.org

WE'

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GOT

YOUR

BAC

K

EVEN WHEN IT'S YOUR KNEES

Don’t ignore the aches and pains that prevent you from getting after it. The experts at Howard Head Sports Medicine provide individualized treatment plans to reduce pain, restore function, strengthen and get you back on top.

HOWARDHEAD.ORG/COVEREDBRIDGE

Photo by Zach Mahone

live like a local

Sam Biszantz

By Clare J. Hefferren

"Where do I go from here?" And the big commitment to start a business began!

In owning and operating Root & Flower and Two Arrows with partners in Vail Village, Biszantz showcases her dedication to championing Vail’s local craftsmanship, infusing the town's identity with quality and authenticity.

Visitors may not know that her restaurant bars don’t stock all the “normal" mainstay ingredients or the most-known spirit brands. What is readily available is quality house-made and specialty products — amazing and fresh options you may not have (yet) heard of, but they are there for a reason.

S

amantha Biszantz, known affectionately as Sam, is the embodiment of Vail’s spirit.

Her journey from California to Colorado, and employee to employer, community staple to town council member, reflects her unwavering commitment to enhancing the fabric of Vail.

“I wake up every day thinking, how can we make Vail better?” says Biszantz FROM HOSPITALITY TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP Biszantz's Vail story traces back to the wee ones as she vacationed on the slopes with family. In 2009, she settled in as a concierge at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch. Recognizing the privilege of residing in Vail, she began to cultivate the values of drive and pride. After the usual suspect roles, she returned to San Francisco for a bit, came back to Vail, then tried San Diego, before beginning her 2015 third (and forever) stay as an adult. Already a general manager of Kelly Liken Restaurant, she asked herself,

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FOSTERING COMMUNITY + RESILIENCE Biszantz's impact extends far beyond business. At age 22, a seat on the Vail Valley Partnership Economic Development Advisory Council began a thread of civic duty including roles on the Town of Vail Commission of Special Events beginning in 2016, and was elected to Vail Town Council in November 2023.

Inspired by mentors Beth Slifer for her polish and fortitude, and Pollyanna Forster for her serial entrepreneurial style and commitment to the restaurant industry’s well-being, Biszantz advocates for policy changes and creative housing solutions in a much different climate than on her arrival.

NAVIGATING THE PATH FORWARD A journey means having the awareness that the start is just as important as the end. If you know how to navigate the community and resources and take advantage of that, it makes anything possible. Like hitting the sweet spot on your carved ski arch that propels you forward, it comes from being involved.

With a rare breed of people in Vail, it’s

Sam Biszantz skiing in Vail in 1992.

If you know how to navigate the community and resources and take advantage of that, it makes anything possible. Like hitting the sweet spot on your carved ski arch that propels you forward.

full of “I got a guy” folks that will shorten your journey tenfold.

How to start? Interested in dance?

Volunteer at the Vail Dance Festival.

Cooking? Tap into All The Good Stuff’s year-round local boxes. Finance? Go to lunch with your banker who knows a million people. Community food hall, you ask? Oh, your banker knows a woman you should meet! That’s the ease of living in the vibrant community of Vail.

Often overshadowed by a culture of negativity, Biszantz's message “Complaining gets you nowhere. With a positive mentality, a world of possibilities opens up,” resounds with hope and optimism. She stands as a testament to passion, purpose and positivity. Her ethos embodies the true spirit of living like a local — a spirit that leaves an indelible mark on the landscape she proudly calls home. +

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAM BISZANTZ

Elevating Community as a Local Luminary

Voted Vail’s Best Coffee 7 Years Running Vail Village *Solaris Eagle *on Broadway

Edwards *across from USPS West Vail *Fall 2024

events SUMMER + FALL 2024 JUNE Pride in the Park

Avon • June 1 Experience a lively day of festivities, celebrating visibility, equity and inclusion! Dive into diverse activities featuring local businesses and the dazzling drag show and parade around Nottingham Lake. avon.org

GoPro Mountain Games

Vail • June 6-9 Join the ultimate gathering tailored for adventurous souls who thrive amidst mountain landscapes. Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of music and art while engaging in exhilarating activities. From biking and hiking to kayaking, yoga, fishing and beyond, there's something for everyone. Secure your spot by registering online. mountaingames.com

Vail Craft Beer Classic

Vail • June 14-15 Indulge in the best brews Colorado has to offer with live music, food trucks and inclusive tastings. Sample and cast your vote for the top pick. The annual festival promises an unforgettable experience full of beer seltzers and spirits. vailcraftbeerclassic.com

BRAVO! Vail

Vail • June 20-August 1 Four of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras showcase the beauty of music in our stunning backyard. This is a celebration of classical music, featuring dozens of performances across Eagle County, community events and educational incentives. bravovail.org

Dynafit Summer Solstice Trail Run

Beaver Creek • June 22 Marking the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice Trail Run is a highlight of the Vail Trail Running Series. Starting and finishing at Beaver Creek Chophouse in the heart of Colorado's Beaver Creek, runners traverse the scenic resort community. vailrec.com

Minturn Market Opening

Minturn • June 22 Expect fresh produce, baked goods, art, pottery, jewelry, clothing, pet products, food trucks and an abundant of local products at this artisan market. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine, join the warm and welcoming hub for commerce, social engagement and entertainment for all ages. Runs through Sept. 2. minturn.org

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Summer Solstice Celebration

Vail Dance Festival

Eagle Flight Days

AUGUST

Eagle • June 22 Embark on a day of wellness with yoga, meditation and rejuvenating sound healing.

Pamper yourself with mini treatments from Vail Valley Wellness, visit vendors and try ecstatic dancing under the stars. thevitalitycollective.com Eagle • June 28-29 Get ready for family fun galore! Celebrate Eagle’s history with a kid zone, interactive games, a splash of color fun run, silent disco, crafts and a themed parade. Feast on festival favorites like delicious fresh popcorn, plus other food vendors and refreshing beverages. eagleoutside.com

JULY Vail America Days

Vail • July 4 This annual tradition awaits — enjoy a festive morning parade and a patriotic night firework display. discovervail.com

Lakeside Cinema

Vail • July 26-August 5 Immerse yourself in the magic of dance at this pinnacle of artistic brilliance and innovation.

Celebrate the vibrant spirit and legacy of dance with 13 mesmerizing performances and enlightening educational programs. discovervail.com

R4R Women’s Fly Fishing Event

Minturn • August 1 The 5th annual fundraiser creates space for women to enjoy the outdoors while supporting Risers for Rett Association. The events are centered doing what you love to help someone else. risers4rett.org

Beaver Creek Art Festival

Beaver Creek • August 2-4 Explore the Beaver Creek Art Festival, blending modern town vibes with alpine charm across three days. Enjoy scenic views while browsing artwork from talented artists and crafters. artsfestival.com

Avon • July 5-August 30 As the sunsets over Nottingham Park, the big screen lights up. Lay in the lush grass, unwind and bask in the joy of outdoor cinema. Enjoy the summer movie lineup including The Goonies, Back to the Future, School of Rock and more. avon.org

Downvalley Get Down

Never Summer Adventure Race

Vail Wine Classic

Kids Yoga Summer Camp

Vail Valley Brew’Au

Eagle • July 13 Summit the Rockies with a map and compass trekking, mountain biking and kayaking. Grab some teammates for either the six-hour moderate race or the 24-hour advanced race. raceentry.com Eagle • July 15-19 Give the youth you know the gift to experience yoga and meditation. This space is designed to give children space to move, decompress, learn how to slow down and be more mindful of their feelings. The tools they will be learning will benefit themselves off their mats throughout their lives. thevitalitycollective.com

Eagle County Fair & Rodeo

Eagle • July 22-27 Step into the Wild West and enjoy thrilling themes such as “Lil’ Buckaroo Night,” “Western Heritage,” “Green Night Mental Health Awareness” and more. Secure your tickets online. eaglecountyfairandrodeo.com

Gypsum • August 7 Get ready for an unforgettable summer in Gypsum! Head to Lundgren Amphitheater for live music, food trucks and nonalcoholic beverages. Bring your crew, dinner and drinks or a combination a for a perfect summer picnic. townofgypsum.com Vail • August 8-11 Sip and savor wines from France to the West Coast. There will be over 100 wineries featured at the Grand Tasting. Elevate your adventure and knowledge with wine hikes, lifestyle events and more. vailwineclassic.com Avon • August 10 Indulge in craft brews at this lively festival!

Sample unlimited tastes in a cozy atmosphere, chat with brewery reps and discover special releases. Enjoy live music, delicious food trucks and exciting vendor booths! brewfestevents.com

Community Recycling Tour

Edwards • August 13 Embrace sustainability and environmental stewardship by taking a tour of Eagle County’s recycling, landfill and household hazardous waste facilities. walkingmountains.org

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Dynafit Arrowhead Half Marathon + 5k

Arrowhead Village • August 17 The 2024 Dynafit Vail Trail Running Series continues with the Arrowhead Half Marathon & 5K. The half marathon course is challenging (over 3,000' of elevation gain) and stunningly beautiful, showcasing the incredible network of trails on Beaver Creek Mountain. vailrec.com

Vail’s Art on the Rockies Festival

Vail • August 16-18 The premier destination arts festival has expanded to Lionshead Village. This festival showcases 90 fine artists from around the country. Enjoy, purchase and peruse the art with a view. zapplication.org

Vail Grind

Vail • August 28 This mountain bike race offers a kids loop, beginner loop, sport loop and expert loop.

Begin and end your race at Gondola One. Stay for the after party at Gravity Haus where the top finishers will be announced. vailrec.com

SEPTEMBER Gourmet on Gore

Vail • August 30-September 1 Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a distinctive culinary festival featuring open-air tastings of world-class wine, beer and spirits paired with delicious creations from Vail’s top culinary experts. discovervail.com

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Can’t Let Go Tour

Vail • September 1 Go to Gerald R. Ford to experience the magic of the legendary duo as they reunite after fourteen years with their latest album, Raise the Roof. With three Grammy nominations and a dynamic blend of genres, their performance promises to captivate audiences across North America. grfavail.com

Jim Gaffigan Barely Alive Tour

Vail • September 12 The seven-time Grammy nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer and Emmy-winning performer will be setting the records straight at Gerald R Ford Amphitheater. Experience an unforgettable night filled with laughter, wit and unmatched talent as Gaffigan takes the stage to share his unique perspective on life. grfavail.com

Vail Automotive Classic

Vail • September 13-15 For the 15th annual year, this show is set to steer you to an epic excursion. Enjoy cars, camaraderieffee and cocktails on your drive from Vail to Steamboat, a car contest and more. vailautomotiveclassic.com c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Dynafit Meadowgold 5k & 10k

Avon Spooktacular Polar Plunge

Vail Oktoberfest

Minturn Halloween

Minturn • September 14 Embark on an exhilarating trail running journey on Meadow Mountain. The 10k route offers technical singletrack, stream crossings and wildflowers, while the 5K boasts a scenic ascent and swift descent. vailrec.com Vail • September 13-15 Prost to this joyous tradition — a time of revelry that whisks you away to the heart of traditional Bavarian culture! Enjoy the folklore, festivities and cheers without leaving the valley. oktoberfestvail.com

Fiestas Americas: A Latin American Cultural Celebration

Gypsum • September 15 Celebrate Latin American culture at this vibrant festival. Enjoy live music, performances, activities for all ages, food trucks, as over 35 local organizations come together for the important opportunity to unite our mountain communities. mountainrec.org

OCTOBER Handmade in Colorado Expo

Vail • October 4-5 Discover Colorado's talented artisans and their finest handmade creations. Seek treasures made from array of mediums from both emerging and experienced creators. Free admission, live music and festivities await! coloradoevents.org

Vail Valley Soccer Tournament

Avon • October 5 Gear up for an action-packed youth soccer showdown! Teams from across Colorado and neighboring states battle for championship glory amid the stunning backdrop of Vail Valley. avon.org

Community Meditation

Eagle • October 6 Come together as the community fosters heartfelt connections and healing. Meditation redirects focus to inner peace, enhancing wellbeing. Cultivate mindfulness at Yoga Off Broadway, and join the first Sunday of every month throughout the year. beckyhesseltine.com

Pumpkin Fun Run

Avon • October 19 A spirited Halloween 2k adventure awaits.

Afterwards, partake in the costume contest, pumpkin carving and overall family fun. The race follows the bike path around Nottingham Park and Lake. avon.org

Avon • October 26 Dive into Nottingham Lake to make a splash for a meaningful mission. Gather with the community to raise funds and awareness, creating a wave of support that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need. specialolympics.org Minturn • October 30 Don your costumes, gather the little ones and join the infamous, spooktacular trick-ortreating evening. It is a Halloween bash the whole family will love! minturn.org

Minturn Monster Dash 3M and Tombstone 10M Run

Minturn • October 30 Get in the Halloween spirit with themed runs! Choose from 3M, 10M or both, and enjoy staying active. Whether you're running for fun or competition, join for a festive celebration in your best costume! raceeentry.com

NOVEMBER Eagle Winter Market & Holiday Fair

Eagle • November 9 Discover everything you need for the holidays in one place! From handmade crafts to festive essentials, explore a wide range of gifts, beauty products, delicious food and more. eagleholidaymarket.com

Vail/Beaver Creek Restaurant Week

Vail + Beaver Creek • November 11-23 Embark on a cross-valley culinary expedition as our Valley’s top restaurants offer an array of tantalizing specials. Indulge in diverse flavors paired with breathtaking mountain vistas for an unforgettable dining experience. discovervail.com

Christmas Fun Run and Walk

Eagle-Vail • November 26 Choose between a 5k race or a one-mile run.

Your race proceeds support students' medical service trip. Register online for $10 a person or $15 on race day. There will be prizes for top three participants in each category. raceentry.com

EagleVail Turkey Trot

Eagle-Vail • November 28 Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a festive 5K run and walk through Eagle-Vail!

Embrace the holiday spirit with themed costumes and enjoy a fun-filled family event before indulging in turkey. youthpower365.org

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dining guide VAIL Après Cafe

A casual dining and drink spot in East Vail that’s great for groups, game day, après-adventure and dinner.

4695 Racquet Club Drive, Vail 970.688.5437 aprescafevail.com

Rocky Mountain Raclette

A fully catered, unique, social dining experience. Grilling meats, seafood, vegetables and melted Swiss Raclette cheese at your dining table with friends.

970.401.3144 rockymountainraclette.com

Root & Flower Chasing Rabbits

An experiential dining and entertainment space created to delight and intrigue a new generation of Vail’s guests and residents.

141 East Meadow Drive, #104, Vail chasingrabbitsvail.com

DECA+BOL

Unique restaurant featuring a menu of elevated global dishes, plus a bowling alley.

141 East Meadow Drive, #113, Vail decabolvail.com

El Segundo Vail

Hip restaurant whipping up casual Mexican, Asian and American dishes, plus an extensive tequila list.

223 Gore Creek Drive, Vail 970.763.5470 elsegundovail.com

First Chair

A welcoming bar serving affordable grab-andgo burritos plus craft cocktails and free chocolate chip cookies in the afternoons.

278 Hanson Ranch Rd., Unit 105, Vail 970.763.5222 firstchairvail.com

Graze & Torreys

An elevated and completely customizable private chef and catering company based in the Vail Valley, focusing on locally-sourced, seasonal and organic food with bold flavors. From small gatherings to large wedding parties, chef Alyssa will make it unique, memorable and delicious.

614.570.2836 grazeandtorreys.com

Modern bar offering craft cocktails and a curated selection of wines by the glass, plus a changing menu of New American bites.

288 Bridge St., Vail 970.470.4189 rootandflowervail.com

Two Arrows Coffee | Bar

Craft coffee and cocktails with fresh local provisions in the heart of Vail Village.

225 Wall St., Vail 970.763.5101 twoarrowscoffee.com

Yeti’s Grind

Awarded the "Best Coffee in Vail" seven years running. Yeti’s serves premium craft coffee poured with love. Breakfast and lunch options, matcha, tea and custom sodas. All available quick serve style in a cozy and connected space.

141 East Meadow Drive, #108, Vail + coming to West Vail late summer 2024

yetisgrind.com

EAGLE-VAIL + AVON Foods of Vail

Small food store and catering outfit offering gourmet prepared foods, plus olive oils and cheeses.

82 E. Beaver Creek Blvd., #100, Avon 970.949.0282 foodsofvail.com

Hygge Life Shop & Café

Home décor shop with a cozy craft coffee bar and a collection of Scandinavian home goods, accessories and gifts.

41149 US-6, Avon 970.331.5745 hyggelife.com

Montauk Seafood Grill

Warm, intimate restaurant and bar offering refined surf 'n' turf and an extensive wine list.

549 E. Lionshead Circle, Vail 970.476.2601 montaukvail.com

Pazzo’s Pizzeria

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Local pizzeria chain serving pies, pasta and sandwiches, plus beer and wine, in a casual atmosphere.

122 E. Meadow Drive, Vail 970.476.9026 pazzospizza.com

Pazzo’s Pizzeria

Local pizzeria chain serving pies, pasta and sandwiches, plus beer and wine, in a casual atmosphere.

82 E. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon 970.949.9900 pazzospizza.com

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Vin48

Stylish spot for wine by the glass or bottle and creative American fare in a cozy setting with patio.

48 E. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon 970.748.9463 vin48.com

BEAVER CREEK Splendido at the Chateau

Michelin recognized fine dining restaurant nestled in Beaver Creek. Offering wonderful Rocky Mountain dining exquisite service and inspired cuisine.

17 Chateau Lane, Beaver Creek splendidorestaurant.com

MINTURN Minturn Saloon

Recently renovated, this historic restaurant and bar focuses on friendly service and fresh ingredients. Stop in for ice-cold beer, delicious house margaritas and a menu of inspired Mexican cuisine.

146 Main St., Minturn minturnsaloon.com

Village Bagel

Fresh, hand-rolled bagels made the old fashioned way. Schmears, savory bagel sandwiches and homemade pizza available.

34500 US-6 B7, Edwards 970.855.2940 villagebagel.co

Yeti’s Grind

Awarded the "Best Coffee in Vail" seven years running. Yeti’s serves premium craft coffee poured with love. Breakfast and lunch options, matcha, tea and custom sodas. All available quick serve style in a cozy and connected space.

105 Edwards Village Blvd., Ste, E101, Edwards yetisgrind.com

EAGLE El Segundo Eagle

Hip restaurant whipping up casual Mexican, Asian and American dishes, plus an extensive tequila list.

1020 Capitol St., Eagle 970.328.6220 elsegundoeagle.com

Sunrise Minturn

Mountain café with local ingredients, coffee, breakfast and lunch.

132 Main St., Minturn 970.827.5353 sunriseminturn.com

EDWARDS

Pazzo’s Pizzeria

Local pizzeria chain serving pies, pasta and sandwiches, plus beer and wine, in a casual atmosphere.

50 Chambers Ave., Unit C, Eagle 970.337.9900 pazzospizza.com

Craftsman Brew Co.

Modern, chef-driven sandwich and beer bar.

0105 Edwards Village Blvd., Edwards 970.855.2718 craftsmanbrewco.com

Drunken Goat

A cheese shop, wine bar and gathering place for delicious charcuterie, bruschetta, paninis, salads and soups, along with gourmet market offerings and an amazing patio.

56 Edwards Village Blvd., #104, Edwards 970.926.1393 drunkengoatco.com

Il Mago

Artisan pizza and hand-rolled pastas, along with light bites like charcuterie, burrata and oysters. A specially curated wine list features mostly Italian options along with a range of unique varietals.

56 Edwards Village Blvd. #112, Edwards @ilmagopizza

Lauren’s Kitchen

Catering services offering fresh-made comfort food with dietary-restrictive options available.

275 Main St., C106, Edwards laurenskitchenedwards.com

c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m

Wild Sage

A healthy approach to casual dining, vegetarian and vegan friendly menu with craft cocktails, local draft beer and an amazing wine list in the heart of Eagle Ranch.

1143 Capitol St., #104A, Eagle 970.705.1689 wildsageeagle.com

Yeti’s Grind

Awarded the "Best Coffee in Vail" seven years running. Yeti’s serves premium craft coffee poured with love. Breakfast and lunch options, matcha, tea and custom sodas. All available quick serve style in a cozy and connected space.

330 Broadway Street, # C, Eagle yetisgrind.com

GYPSUM Village Bagel

Fresh, hand-rolled bagels made the old fashioned way. Schmears, savory bagel sandwiches and homemade pizza available.

150 Cooley Mesa Rd., Gypsum 970.855.2940 villagebagel.co

103

parting shot

ILLUSTRATION BY SANDY FERGUSON FULLER

"My day in the hills has come to an end, I know.

A star has come out to tell me it’s time to go.

But deep in the dark green shadows Are voices that urge me to stay, So I pause and I wait and I listen For one more sound, for one more lovely thing That the hills might say …

The hills are alive with the sound of music With songs they have sung for a thousand years …

My heart will be blessed with the sound of music And I’ll sing once more."

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II "The Sound of Music"

104

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coveredbridgevail.com | spokeandblossom.com | yogalifelive.com | wellmagco.com

“… the most high-profile — and high altitude — mountain music festival in America.”

- THE TIMES UK

SINFÓNICA DE MINERÍA

JUNE 20 - 23

SUPPORTED BY

DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUNE 26 - JULY 1

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

JULY 4 - 12

BRAVOVAIL.ORG

877.812.5700

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