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ELEVATE YOUR GATHERING 16 GREEN CHILE STEW FOR FALL 38 GRAVEL TOWN, USA 43 BIRDING HOTSPOTS 52 FALL 2021 / ISSUE 17
exceptional education
F
ounded in 1925, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves nearly 11,000 students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose and its community college division, Western Colorado Community College. CMU serves as the intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national and international importance. At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that brings students together coloradomesa.edu with expert scholars and community professionals. Our focus is on providing quality academic and technical programs that support regional employment needs, as well as preparing students for 21st century careers.
Empowering young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities.
thecycleeffect.org FOUNDED TO CLOSE THE “ADVENTURE GAP” AND EMPOWER HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED & LOW-INCOME YOUNG WOMEN, THE CYCLE EFFECT IS MAKING WAVES IN OUR COLOR ADO COMMUNITIES.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH BIKING “Our program strives to show that any young woman can
thrive on and off the bike given the right opportunities. The skills our athletes develop in our program empower them far beyond the bike.” — Brett Donelson, Executive Director of The Cycle Effect.
THE CYCLE EFFECT: GOALS • Provide an outlet and support system for high school and middle school aged young women to keep them engaged and interested in school. • Teach life skills including goal setting, overcoming obstacles, healthy decision-making, the importance of physical fitness and nutrition, and community involvement. • Instill a higher level of self-confidence and sense of belonging. • Provide avenues for success that may not have been available. • Play a role in ensuring that our girls successfully complete high school and pursue goals after graduation.
Join Our Mission
THE LESSONS you learn on a bike are often the same lessons you can put to use in life. The Cycle Effect’s mission, to empower young women through mountain biking to create brighter futures and build stronger communities, exemplifies this. For eight years, this non-profit has been giving 5th12th grade girls in rural Colorado communities the opportunity to ride and race mountain bikes. In 2021, The Cycle Effect has a goal to serve 285 young women across Eagle, Summit, and Mesa Counties with the majority of participants identifying as Latina and low-income. The Cycle Effect focuses on three primary goal areas: physical wellness, community impact & mentorship, and building brighter futures. By providing an opportunity for underserved young women to be engaged in regular, healthy programs that help build their self-esteem and promote overall wellness, girls are more likely to be healthier, stay engaged in school, and set goals that will support their future.
We believe in building a community of people who share our vision. There are many ways you can
“I use the bike as my way to think about life in
support The Cycle Effect.
general. The mountain and the uphills were my issues
Learn more at cycleeffect.org.
and I was confronting them.” — Ana Maria, The Cycle Effect Athlete
CO N T what’s up in the west
lifestyle
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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Gather
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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Trail Sisters + Life Time
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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Colorado Mountain Winefest’s 30th Anniversary
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BLOSSOM Western Colorado Botanical Gardens Delight, Teach + Inspire
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HOME + GARDEN Elevate Your Gathering with a Proper Table Setting
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DRINK 3 High-Altitude Ciders for Fall
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GATHERINGS + GETAWAYS Special Advertising Section
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EAT 3 Spots to Stop + Fuel Up in Montrose
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BOOK + BEVERAGE The Aspen Cookbook The Orange Butterfly by Elizabeth Neckes, Woody Creek Distillers
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STYLE Western Colorado Through the Lens of Mike Davenport
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ART Strokes of the Season with Painter Mark Marino
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MAKER Gran Jun Beverage Co. Drink this Booch for a Much Better Gut
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S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS
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FOOD Saving the Harvest Through Pickling + Fermentation
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FOOD True Grit Connection: Green Chile Stew
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WELLNESS + FITNESS Get to Know 3 Colorado CBD Companies
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WELLNESS + FITNESS Man vs. Machine: The Quest for Peak Human Performance in the Age of Technology and Biometrics
E N TS adventure
features + events
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SPOKE Gear Profile: Dave & Matt Vans
TRIBAL RADIO Forging Cross-Cultural Connection Through Storytelling
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SPOKE Athlete Profile: Amity Rockwell
ON THE PROWL Gray Wolf Reintroduction on the West Slope
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SPOKE Gear for the Season
HEALING IN HARMONY Harmony Acres Equestrian Center
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GRAND OUTDOORS Birding Hotspots + Tips for Fall Migration
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS Grand Junction Regional Airport
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TAKE A HIKE Professor Creek + Mary Jane Canyon Trail
EVENTS Fall 2021
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COMMUNITY Aspen Center for Environmental Studies: Stewards of the Land at Rock Bottom Ranch
WHO WE ARE Q&A with John Marshall, President of Colorado Mesa University
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WHO WE ARE Nic Korte
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ADVENTURE Steamboat Springs is “Gravel Town, USA”
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STAY + PLAY Sustainable Stays on the Colorado Creative Corridor
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GETAWAY Mesmerized by Montana: Glacier National Park
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
GATHER Let’s get together. It’s amazing how the simple act of being around other people was something I took for granted. While I’m pretty content spending copious work and play time with my husband Bobby and our 17-year-old dog, Jack Muffin, the pandemic times of the past year and a half have really given new meaning to gathering with others. I think time shared with family and friends feels more significant than ever. What a great reminder — to not take quality time together for granted. To gather is to assemble, much like we do every season with the stories and images in the printed and digital pages of Spoke+Blossom. Every issue I am reminded to appreciate the opportunity to create this magazine alongside the contributions and talents of so many. Even amidst COVID-19’s hardest knocks, we’ve been committed to sharing great journalism with longtime S+B supporters and new ones from all around. Western Colorado loves food and art in every season, but we’ve seemed to lean into a more cultural tone in these pages that follow. It does seem like a great time to celebrate the good things in life, after all. Editorial intern Zoe Cramer gave Aspen a nod in this issue, highlighting tips on table arrangements from a Roaring Fork Valley event planner, along with a feature on The Aspen Cookbook in our Book + Beverage section. Montrose was audited for its best eats by writer Kaitlin Emig, and Kelly McGuire shares a green chili stew recipe from her cookbook that offers the flavor of Colorado fall in a bowl. MacKennea Broyles explores how our local seasons inspire a Plein Air painter, and photographer Mike Davenport highlights Western Colorado through his unique lens. We hope to share photo essays like this more consistently. Like gathering with others, sometimes it’s not about all the words exchanged but the experiences captured in that time, that place. While the days and months pass and years tick by, gather ‘round and don’t miss the moments. We’ll be here, collecting inspiration and assembling it for you.
Publisher + Co-Owner
Join the Spoke+Blossom Community Instagram @spokeandblossom
twitter.com/ spokeandblossom
Keep in touch with us between issues! Check out our website, spokeandblossom.com, for updates and events, and follow us on social media. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to be taken directly to our website.
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This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.
Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Lauren Farrauto Art Director Kitty Nicholason Advertising Bobby L’Heureux Interns Emme Fredericks Olivia Lyda Contributors MacKennea Broyles Bob Clarke Julia Clarke Chris Cohen Zoe Cramer Mike Davenport Christy Douglass Kaitlin Emig David Epperson Emme Fredericks Courtney Holden Jenna Kretschman Olivia Lyda Christopher Marona Kelly McGuire Laura Mills Scott Peterson Todd Winslow Pierce Lexi Reich Jay Rook LaBree Shide Sharon Sullivan Melanie Wiseman Cover Photograph Chris Cohen
Kim Fuller
facebook.com/ spokeandblossom
Founder Robin Brown
Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / 103A Vail, CO 81657 For advertising, contact ads@spokeandblossom.com 815.414.9642 Get in touch! We would love to hear from you. Please send your comments to letters@spokeandblossom.com Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Printed in Colorado.
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HARVEST. FAMILY. FRIENDS. As you gather together this season, we extend our gratitude for the trust and confidence you place in us when you choose a banking relationship with Alpine Bank.
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contributors
MIKE DAVENPORT An award-winning photographer for nearly 40 years, Mike has worked for clients such as Lockheed, Home Depot and Nike. His work has been seen in Time, Newsweek and National Geographic magazines. He has photographed CEOs, muscians and a Tennessee bootlegger. He now shoots mostly music: live concerts, artist portraits and album art.
EMME FREDERICKS
ZOE CRAMER
Emme, born and raised in Detroit, moved to Boulder to study advertising and business. She loves all things outdoors, anything creative and has a passion for health and wellness. She is interning at Jaunt Media Collective, the publishers of Spoke+Blossom and YOGA + Life magazines.
Zoe grew up in Aspen, Colorado after moving there at a young age where she came to love and be inspired by the outdoors. It’s not uncommon to find her outside, soaking up nature with a journal and pen in hand. If not writing, she’s often hiking with her dogs. She plans to earn a degree from Wesleyan University, majoring in The College of Letters.
JAY ROOK Jay is the owner of Ascent Athlete Wellness, an integrative and regenerative sports medicine practice. When he’s not helping his patients get back to lives and hobbies they enjoy, he’s either on a mountain bike going as fast as he can down something that could make him a patient or sprinting the length of a soccer pitch.
LAURA MILLS Laura, a member of the Spoke+Blossom relationships team, loves everything outdoors, especially with her border collie puppy, Fern. A change in career paths lead her to take a stab at creating content. If not in the woods, she can be found on the beaches of Maine.
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KELLY McGUIRE Kelly is a lifelong resident of Western Colorado. She has taught for 10 years and strives to make our part of the world a better place for all. Summers are for long hikes early in the morning, tending to the raised vegetable and herb gardens she and husband Ira created and planning fun trips.
voices of western colorado
GATHER We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic Compiled by Emme Fredericks ZACH MAHONE
LISA GANORA
JOEY EARLY
CONNIE MAZZA
Lisa is the author of “Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry.” She teaches in schools, conferences and online, and also founded the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism (CHCS). Now that she has retired from CHCS, her heart resides at Eldeberry’s Herbal Education and Retreat Center in Paonia, which she founded.
Joey Early is the marketing manager at RockyMounts in Grand Junction. Early is fairly new to the Western Slope and loves that he found a place where there is opportunity to make a difference.
Connie Leaf Mazza and her husband Anthony started Village Bagel out of their home in 2016. Two years later, Village Bagel turned into a brick and mortar eatery in Edwards.
“I believe the word ‘gather’ is
“The word ‘gather’ actually
synonymous both in cultural
embodies the reason I decided to
“Here is where we gather: not
concept and semantically
open the bagel shop and devote
only the wild and cultivated
with community; that is truly
my life’s work to the art of old-
bounty, but also we gather spirit
the core of what makes us all
fashioned bagel baking. I wanted
and connection with each other
human. Without community we
to create a cozy place where
and all our relations. We honor
cannot grow or create progress
people meet their friends and
and respect the life that flows
as a people. We struggle even
family and share a nourishing
through all beings, the living
for survival without banding
meal together — a place that is
waters, the vital air, the warming
together to create something
warm and welcoming to all. To
sun and the life-sustaining and
greater than the sum of its parts.
gather, in my mind, is to connect
healing gifts of the earth. We
Gather (or gathering) is the act or
with others on a fundamental
gather in community, sharing
habit of creating and maintaining
level (after all, what is more
our stories and skills, learning
that community. Without that
fundamental than eating a
together and reconnecting with
ability, we can find ourselves lost
meal together?). To gather is to
the flow of energy through this
in this world. To gather is one of
discover just how similar we
beautiful land and the plants that
the roots of what it means to be
all really are. Sharing a warm,
make it home. Every day we are
one people.”
handmade meal helps facilitate
reminded here that we humans
connection on a simple, primitive
are nature — the ‘environment’
scale, and just as importantly,
is us! — and we work not only
helps the individual slow down
to gather, but to heal, cultivate,
and connect with the present
regenerate and support this
moment.”
beautiful little farm.”
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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what's up in the west
TRAIL SISTERS + LIFE TIME AIM TO INCREASE FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN TRAIL RUNNING Words by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy of Life Time and Trail Sisters
I
t ’s t i m e t o g e t c o m f o r t a b l e i n t h e
in outdoor sports — but the narrative is finally
uncomfortable — we’re talking female
turning a page.
According to the Outdoor Foundation,
representation in the outdoor industry.
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TO THE START LINE
women make up almost half of all outdoor
Trail Sisters believes female voice and
recreation participants, but they’re widely
representation are essential in the future of the
underrepresented in leadership roles across the
outdoors. In alignment with their goal to foster
industry. Sustainable change starts at the base,
an inspirational community that supports just
and a new partnership between Trail Sisters and
that, Trail Sisters is hosting its first-ever run
Life Time is turning their efforts to trail running,
event — the Women’s Trail Half Marathon — in
where women make up only a third of trail
Buena Vista on September 11, 2021. Life Time
race competitors. The gender disparity can be
will serve as the presenting sponsor of the
traced back to historical biases towards women
already sold-out event.
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Trail Sisters
describes the race as “13.1 miles that twist and turn through sage brush and ponderosa pines, all while providing stunning views of the prestige Collegiate Peaks.” The event starts Saturday at 8 a.m. and a post-race social is scheduled at the Trail Sisters headquarters — the founder’s home!
“What I’ve learned over my five years
running Trail Sisters is that if someone is educated on a topic and really understands it, then they feel empowered and have the ability to help other people out,” says Gina Lucrezi, founder of Trail Sisters. “There’s a lot you can do if you’re an empowered person — it makes you feel confident and like you can take on anything. Giving people free access to help them grow their skill set and feel strong mentally, physically
prior experience. Recipients of the grant receive
and emotionally can really set someone on their
training throughout the year from Life Time run
path to do anything in life.”
coaches and a race entry into one of Life Time’s
fall running events.
Helping curve the gender imbalance in trail
While more progress is still to be made, it
running, the Women’s Trail Half Marathon aims
to open the door for women to feel confident and
begins with that first leap. :
empowered in the sport. In turn, it paves the way for equal leadership to rise in the industry.
“I know and see the impact that Trail Sisters
has made in building confidence and education for women in this space,” says Michelle Duffy, associate marketing director for Life Time’s OffRoad Events.
CROSSING THE FINISH Duffy explains the partnership is intended to enable Trail Sisters to continue their growth. The two organizations are working together to create educational content and resources on topics such as awareness, gear and conservation through digital experiences and at in-person events with local Trail Sisters run groups. Together, the organizations will tap into Trail Sisters’ 35,000plus network of women runners across the country to foster community, connection and empower women to feel comfortable hitting the trails.
The Trail Sisters Coaching Grant exemplifies
equitable progress that collaborations like these can create for women in outdoor sports. In partnership with Life Time, the grant encourages women to get into trail running, no matter their
Learn more at trailsisters.net.
what's up in the west
30TH ANNIVERSARY
COLORADO MOUNTAIN WINEFEST Words by Emme Fredericks | Photos courtesy of CAVE
A
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fter canceling the event last year due to
made that pivot and are breaking the event in
COVID-19, Winefest is ready to reopen its
half and pulling down our capacity, we will have
gates and raise a glass to 30 years.
2,300 attendees each day.”
Colorado Association for Viticulture and
Shull disclosed how excited she is for
Enology, or CAVE, is officially set to host the 30th
everyone to be back together celebrating and
anniversary of Colorado Mountain Winefest
how diligently the team has been working with
from September 18-19, 2021 in Palisade. CAVE is
the health department and board to ensure the
a member-based, trade non-profit organization
event will be as safe as possible — their number
that exists to support wine growers throughout
one priority. Shull shared that after a very trying
Colorado.
year, it will be almost emotional to see how far
the organization and festival has come.
“This year, we will have 35 wineries over
a two-day event, 15 or so vendors and eight
sponsors,” says Cassidee Shull, executive director
hugely loyal to Colorado wine and the brand of
of CAVE. “In a normal year, we had 63 wineries,
Colorado Winefest. I just know there is so much
about 35 vendors, and at our height, about 6,600
excitement to come together in the park this
attendees in the park. This year, since we have
coming September,” she says.
“We have an amazing group of folks who are
In addition to the wineries and vendors from
across the state, there will also be live music and many other activities throughout the park.
CAVE produces two Colorado wine events:
Colorado Mountain Winefest and VinCO, a fourday conference and trade show in January that partners with Western Colorado Horticultural Society. When things are slower for the wine industry in the winter, VinCO brings people together to discuss the previous growing season and get a jump start on what lies ahead. The funds raised from Winefest go directly back into the industry by paying for everything conference-related, which impacts the quality of wine in Colorado.
If you are unable to score tickets to this
year’s Winefest, or you want to kick off the event early, Colorado Wine Week, also hosted by CAVE,
to enjoy a weekend of events surrounded by others, be sure to check out this year’s Colorado Mountain Winefest. :
will be September 9-12 with activities ranging from food and wine pairings, to live music and
For more information about the event and
food trucks; no tickets are needed.
organization go to coloradowinefest.com
or winecolorado.org.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself
in the Colorado wine industry, or you just want
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blossom
TODD WINSLOW PIERCE/BFAG
WESTERN COLORADO
BOTANICAL GARDENS DELIGHT, TEACH + INSPIRE Words by Sharon Sullivan
S
trolling through Western Colorado’s
Durango Public Library into a demonstration
various botanical gardens is a lovely way
garden. Rose, crevice, wind and grass gardens
to experience nature and view both native and
now grow along the east and north sides of the
exotic plant species. Many botanical gardens
library, as well. A new “literary” garden will be
offer free admission, although donations are
added in coming months.
welcome to these largely volunteer-run labors
of love.
of nature and gardens and how they influenced
“The premise is to demonstrate the impact
writers,” explains Bill LeMaire, DBG president.
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DURANGO BOTANIC GARDENS
There will be signage with links to book lists and
The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) began in
authors.
2010 when a local master gardener transformed
a weed-infested patch of ground behind the
Botanic Gardens is open to visitors any time.
Located at 1900 E. Third Ave., the Durango
mornings when there are usually docents available to give tours. Group tours are also welcome and can be arranged by calling 970.880.4841 or email durangobotanic@gmail.com. durangobotanicgardens.org
MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS The Montrose Botanic Gardens is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These wellestablished gardens include cacti, xeriscape, ornamental and native grasses, lilac, rose and a sensory garden designed to stimulate the five senses.
In the “Happy Hollow” area there’s a
children’s garden where families celebrate September’s Pizza Harvest. During this event children pick, wash and cut vegies to make pizzas cooked on a barbecue grill in cast-iron skillets. The Scarecrow Festival in October is another popular event.
Small concerts, workshops and weddings
also take place at the gardens, located at 1800
LaBREE SHIDE/MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS
Volunteers maintain the gardens on Saturday
LABREE SHIDE, MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS
Pavilion Drive on the south side of the Pavilion
batches of chrysalises arrive every other week,
Events Center in Montrose.
which visitors can watch hatch if they’re lucky.
“We have a 10-million-dollar view of the
San Juan Mountains,” says Lorraine Shide,
a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Cost of admission
president of the Montrose Botanical Society, the
is $5 for adults; seniors / students / military /
group in charge of the gardens. “It’s absolutely
children 12 and older $4; children 3-11 $3, and
breathtaking.”
children under 3 are free. The WCBG participates
in a reciprocal admission program which allows
Montrose Botanic Gardens is free and open
daily from dawn to dusk. montrosegardens.org
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Current hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8
admission to more than 300 botanical gardens across the United States. wcbotanic.org
WESTERN COLORADO BOTANICAL GARDENS
YAMPA RIVER BOTANIC PARK
The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens (WCBG)
One of Steamboat Springs’ top summer
is located at 655 Struthers Ave. in Grand Junction
attractions is the Yampa River Botanic Park
just north of the Colorado Riverfront Trail.
(YRBP), highlighting native plants that grow at
Here you’ll find a spectacular cactus and
6,800-feet elevation. Most are labeled with both
succulent garden, a Japanese garden, a rose
their scientific and common names. You’ll also
garden and the Heritage Garden — a collection
find sculptures located throughout the park.
of antique artifacts from the Grand Valley’s
pioneer era.
board members and volunteers, where you can
The WCBG also includes a tropical
learn about the park’s history and the plants that
greenhouse and Butterfly House, where new
thrive there. Participants are limited to 10 per tour
Free guided walking tours are led by YRBP
and you must preregister. Walk-ups are welcome if space is available. Tours begin at 10 a.m.
Located at 1000 Pamela Lane in Steamboat,
the park is free and open to the public from early May through the end of October.
Check the website’s calendar for summer
music festivals, yoga classes and other events. The venue can also be rented for weddings. yampariverbotanicpark.org
BETTY FORD ALPINE GARDENS Colorado alpine plants, a large rock garden, Rocky Mountain native plants and a collection of garden alpine plants from around the world grow at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (BFAG) in Vail. Open from dawn to dusk, the gardens are located within the 20-acre Ford Park, 522 S. Frontage Road. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.
Guided snowshoe tours are available in the
park — as well as self-guided tours — during the winter.
The Education Center is open daily, year-
round from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with information about the alpine environment, as well as art exhibits.
A current climate change themed exhibit will
be up through October outdoors, and through November indoors. “We chose plants related to solutions for reversing climate change,” explains BFAG executive director Nicola Ritley. The upcoming Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists exhibit “From Platte to Peak” runs November 2021 through April 2022.
Ritley said the BFAG recently published a
“stunning” coffee table book about the various seasons, why the alpine environment is so important and the conservation work that is being done at the site to preserve the alpine environment. : bettyfordalpinegardens.org/visit
Because every day is a reason to celebrate! carlsonvineyards.com
home + garden
ELEVATE YOUR GATHERING WITH A PROPER TABLE SETTING Words by Zoe Cramer DEBBY HUDSON
T
here’s nothing that elevates a meal like
a well-arranged table. Sitting with loved
vibe. It creates meaning,” says Slossberg.
ones in the glow of candles and the warmth of
a freshly cooked, homemade dinner are some of
Slossberg gets organized and works backward
the most special moments. Having a beautifully
from there. She first considers the menu –– what
dressed table in the center of it all makes these
food will be served and how much room the food
moments all the more memorable.
and drinks will take up on the table. Only once
she has a good idea of the space she has to work
Setting a table is a craft; it involves
consideration and creativity. Elizabeth Slossberg,
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“It just creates the ambiance. It creates the Before even approaching a table to set it,
with for decor does she move forward.
owner and founder of EKS Events in Aspen,
offers a professional perspective on bringing
decor and for the layering,” Slossberg explains.
your gatherings to the next level with a well-
“And then, I go about the process. Do we have a
arranged table. Slossberg thinks outside of the
theme? Do we have a feel? Does the house have
box to make a table arrangement beautiful and
a theme or a feel? And that’s how I kind of back
personal to the event.
it in.”
“So, I first evaluate what room we have for
Slossberg recommends making the table
“I really use the same things I have over and
setting about the event and scene. For the fall, she
over again,” Cramer says. “You can use things
often uses food elements for centerpieces such as
that you have, like a martini glass. You can use
fruits, vegetables, charcuterie boards and local
a martini glass and put a candle in it, and then
Colorado honeycombs and jams. The table might
you can take ribbon and tie it around the stem of
be scattered with photos including the guests for
the martini glass and you have a martini glass,
personal events, such as wedding anniversaries
but it operates as a candle holder. So be creative
or birthdays. If you want to take a more simplified
with the items that you have and think about
decor route, Slossberg recommends using your
using them in a different way than what they’re
dinner as the centerpiece. For a recent family
intended in your place setting.”
event she planned, the table was lined with Lazy
Susans so guests could admire the dishes and dig
for parties of 10 or more guests. They take away
in family-style. If you want to get really into it,
the awkward moment when people are trying
Slossberg suggests hanging floral elements and
to figure out where to sit, and you can mix
lighting overhead and having candles on the
up unlikely pairs to stimulate conversation.
table to add dimension.
Placeholders also allow for another little touch
With each element incorporated, from
to enhance your table. Cramer suggests using
lighting to centerpieces, Slossberg carefully
pinecones or little turkeys for Thanksgiving
considers the scene and setup. For example,
dinner. You might also include photographs
she always reminds herself to avoid blocking
which can double as take-aways.
conversation –– don’t let flowers get in the way
of seeing each other’s faces.
table. Put your love and creativity to work, and
show your guests you care with a beautifully set
If you’re having a larger event and don’t
have everything you need, you might look to
Cramer is also a big advocate of placeholders
Every gathering deserves a well-arranged
table. :
a rental company. EKS Events uses companies such as Premier Party Rental in Carbondale for glassware, tables and bars and Eclectic Hive in Denver for furniture and specialty items.
Buckel Family Wine
buckelfamilywine.com
If you’re daunted by the idea of using a
rental company but still want to have a chic table for your guests, you might look to my mother Heather Cramer for inspiration. Growing up, I had the pleasure of witnessing my mom work her magic on a table just days away from any larger dinner party. She can’t paint or draw to save her life, but my mother sets one exquisite table.
She suggests investing in one thing each
dinner party that you know you can use again. If the items are neutral, they can be used for any occasion. For example, if you buy neutral candle holders, you can use them with different colored candles to suit any desired ambiance (like burnt orange in the fall). If you have neutral napkins, you can change their message with the way you fold them or the string you tie them with. Cramer uses her resources to make her same few items look entirely different with each table setting.
VISIT US: 1018 Highway 135 in Gunnison 201 W Colorado Ave in Telluride
drink
3 HIGH-ALTITUDE CIDERS FOR FALL Words by Olivia Lyda | Photos courtesy of the cideries
W
estern Colorado fall creates the most
This fall, support local businesses and indulge in
beautiful atmosphere: the changing color
these three novel high-altitude ciders.
of Aspen tree leaves, the crisp and cool mountain
18
air, the full bloom of apple season. Curling up
SNOW CAPPED CIDER
in front of the fire with a refreshing hard apple
A family business with over 109 years and
cider is the perfect way to celebrate the changing
five generations of apple growing and cider
of seasons.
experience, Snow Capped Cider’s apple orchards
Colorado is known all over the state for
reside at 6,130 feet elevation. With multiple
its incredible hard ciders and unique flavor
prestigious awards from the Great Lakes
profiles that come with them. Moving beyond
International Cider & Perry Competition, the
the taste of mass produced, ultra sweet ciders as
highest-level contest for ciders, Snow Capped
you may know them, apples grown in the high-
knows the importance and success that comes
altitude environment of Colorado yield ciders
from selecting the perfect apple, paired with
with globally recognized, unmatched flavors.
high altitude growing conditions.
“We grow heirloom apples or heritage
apples, which are older varietals that aren’t sold to grocery stores any longer,” explains Kari Williams, brand manager and owner of Snow Capped Cider.
“Heritage apples have more tannins, more
complexity and some have higher sugar content or acidity. Then, throw that into growing at an elevation of 6,130 feet where the exposure to UV rays causes the trees to be in distress and the trees pump acid throughout themselves, and our fruit comes in with an extremely high sugar content and low pH. That’s how we get the flavors of Snow Capped Cider.” Fall Recommendation “This fall in our specialty line, we are releasing a Bourbon Barrel Aged Spiced Peach Cider in a 375 milliliter bottle,” Williams shares. “It is made with the English cider apples, our own Colorado peaches and aged in bourbon barrels for nine months whole-spice.”
“Our Ashmead’s Kernel bottled cider is
Red Fox Ciders and Cellars in Palisade
another one of my favorites right now. Made from an English bitter sharp cider apple, it’s very rich and layered with flavors,” adds Williams. snowcappedcider.com
Based in Palisade, Red Fox Ciders and Cellars
Year-Round Farmers’ Market & Specialty Grocery Store
provides a tasting room experience for any
A GROCERY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
RED FOX CIDERS AND CELLARS cider drinker. Red Fox creates a comfortable environment with a rustic back patio, serving in-house cider and wine cocktails and chilled carbonated ciders on-tap.
“Our
philosophy
is
that
we
think
a
little higher alcohol percentage and higher carbonation makes for a better cider. We always age our ciders a minimum of six months, and we like to age them with a little bit of oak as well,” explains co-owner Scott Hamilton.
“Our hard ciders are different from most
in the state. A lot of people don’t realize there are two types of hard cider, being French, which are really sweet, or English, which are dryer or semi-sweet. We chose to go the English-style route, which seems to be the most popular style for the craft cider industry,” he adds.
BASALT 227 Midland Ave. / 11A Basalt, CO 81621 970-927-7650
FRUITA 119 E. Aspen Ave. Fruita, CO 81521 970-858-3597
Fall Recommendation
of 22 Brix or higher. This is a very high sugar
“Our Pear-lo has been super popular. We do a
content for any apple,” he adds.
lot of experimentation — one of our best-selling wines is a bourbon-barrel-aged merlot. Pear-lo is
Fall Recommendation
a perry or pear cider that is aged in one of those
“I like the Windfall. It’s our French-style
merlot bourbon barrels,” says Hamilton.
Bittersweet cider with a wonderful blend of fruit
redfoxcellars.com
from Atomic Orchards,” says Perry. “It is super high in tannin and has a robust mouthfeel that
FENCELINE CIDER & WINE
rivals red wine. It is aged in French oak for over
With cider flavors ranging from Elderberry
a year and is a big cider that can stand up to any
to Sweet Rose, Fenceline Cider & Wine’s
meal. Look for our whole skin Hermosa Cherry
Tasteroom in Mancos has a food truck and live
cider coming out as an exclusive release for our
music overlooking the Mancos River for the
fall cider club allocation.”
perfect cidery experience. Using wild apples
fenceline.co
from Southwest Colorado, Fenceline offers high-altitude flavors with a unique story to its
Colorado’s high-altitude cidery roots are deeply
production.
embedded in the Western Slope, with sweet
“Fenceline was originally created to find
and light or deep and robust flavors that are
a use for the hundreds of thousands of pounds
only achievable through the high-altitude
of Montezuma and La Plata County apples
apple orchards. This fall season, take time to
that used to go unused each fall. Southwestern
appreciate and indulge in the finer things that
Colorado used to produce more apples than the
Western Colorado has immediate access to.
whole of Washington State, and many of those
historic orchards are still alive today,” shares co-
now, but the consumer is becoming more aware
founder Sam Perry.
of what apples make the best cider,” suggests
“The Old Fort Lewis Orchard in Hesperus
Williams. “There are more people than ever
Colorado sits at an elevation of 7,612 feet, and we
discovering how cider really should be made.” :
have harvested apples with sugar concentrations
20
“There’s a lot of different ciders out there
gatherings + getaways
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LIMELIGHT HOTELS IN ASPEN, SNOWMASS AND KETCHUM All Limelight properties are set in the heart of mountain communities, catering to those with a hunger for adventure (and our signature wood-fired pizzas). The Limelight Aspen, recently renovated and reopening for 2021, is steps from the steeps of Aspen mountain for big hikes and bigger views of the Elk Mountains. The nearby Limelight Snowmass offers unrivaled fall colors, no matter which direction you look, and skiing out the back door. Limelight Ketchum provides an escape farther west for all Coloradoans up to idyllic Sawtooth range. Things move slowly in Ketchum, when you’re not screaming down 2,400 feet of vertical drop on skis or one of the acclaimed, out-there mountain bike trails. limelighthotels.com
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
21
eat
3 SPOTS TO STOP + FUEL UP IN MONTROSE Words + Photos by Kaitlin Emig
A
22
weekend tour of tasting and drinking can
Brewery. The outdoor patio hosts concerts over
be found with well-loved favorites and a
the summer and open mic nights year-round.
new addition in Montrose. On my tour I stopped
Specials and happy hours run throughout the
at a brewery, coffee and beer pub, and taco
week with Thursday being the best deal. The
restaurant to get a feel for the town.
bar runs “Drinking with Lincoln” all day — by
purchasing a burger you can get a pint or soda
Montrose is a great stop when visiting the
Black Canyon of the Gunnison or on your way
for a penny.
to southwestern Colorado. The town offers 29
developed parks, 118 acres of open space, over
of people. The man who sat next to me noticed the
30 miles of concrete trails, 15 miles of single-
sign above the outdoor taps saying “Free Beer”
track hiking and biking, and a world class water
and in small letters underneath, “Tomorrow.”
sports park. With plenty of things to see and
do, fueling up for your adventures starts with a
today, right?” he asked. The bartender laughed
town favorite at Horsefly Brewery.
and smiled in return.
Motorcycles are parked outside and
The deals and atmosphere bring in a variety
“Hey, I was in here yesterday, so beer is free
I tried a flight of beer brewed in house. The
children’s chalk drawings are inside the
Blonde is an easy refreshing beer to start off the
courtyard creating a local vibe at Horsefly
flight of craft beers, followed by the Jazzy Red
that has a similar taste but with a hint
of raspberries at the end. The Grapefruit
owners and run the coffee house side of the
Hefeweizen was sweet and hoppy. The Coconut
restaurant; their friends Kevin and Chelsea
Porter was dark and nutty.
McHugh run the craft brewery. Within a year of
The most popular item on the menu is
developing their idea based off brew and coffee
the wings, so I got six traditional with mango
pubs seen in Las Vegas, they found a property to
habanero sauce and a side of sweet potato
lease. By January 1, 2021, after an unexpectedly
fries. Horsefly Brewery uses local and fresh
short wait for their federal permits to serve
ingredients in their original recipes. Next time
alcohol, they opened with home brew-style beer.
I will try their signature burger, the 50/50, that
uses beef and bacon.
Sunday, but the demand to stay open increased,”
John and Davina Pope are two of the four
“The plan was to open Friday through
For coffee the next day, I checked out the
says John Pope. They built out more fermentation,
newly opened San Juan Brews, a coffee shop
a five-barrel system and began offering their
and brewery located on Main Street. I tried the
space Tuesday through Sunday for a variety of
Iced Carmel Macchiato with espresso infused
people. Their mission is to create a community
whipped cream, which is as refreshing and
gathering space where people can come together
sweet as it sounds.
to share a beverage. There are telecommuting
There is a variety of seating options from
workers, bible studies, mom and me groups,
couches to tables to bar seats and an outdoor
yoga on Tuesdays, and paint and pints offered
patio in this refurbished 1908 building.
with community partnerships.
Originally a slaughterhouse, the exposed brick
interior gives the space an industrial feel
Davina Pope adds. “There was a need for a
set amowngst beer brewing equipment and
friendly meeting space in town, and we offer
espresso machines.
different ways to sit and enjoy our space.”
“We encourage locals supporting locals,”
Food trucks regularly park outside, and
spinach and corn. There is also a vegan option
guests are encouraged to bring food inside to
called the Lett-uce Shoot.
create a brew pub atmosphere. On my visit, The
Buttered Biscuit GJ truck was parked outside
farmer’s market, offering local and fresh food
and smelled rather tasty. Paonia Paella and
from the Western Slope. The market runs year-
My weekend tour also coincided with the
round every Saturday morning. This tour was just a glimpse at the great food and beverage scene in Montrose. With food trucks, bars, distilleries, pizza, burgers and fine dining, there is something for everyone, so make a stop or try something new in Montrose. :
Double Barrel Taco Company also provide food for the brew pub guests.
For lunch, I walked across the street to
Double Barrel Taco Company. The restaurant was filled with afternoon light coming in from their storefront windows making the space feel bright and welcoming. They offer an exclusive taco menu, or arsenal as they call it, with creative names for some of the classic tacos. I tried a Jail Bird and Notorious P.I.G. along with an extremely sweet lemonade. Other favorites are the Double Barrel, a brisket-filled taco, and Down South Sawed Off which features shrimp,
24
book + beverage
Words by Zoe Cramer | Illustration by Julia Bridgforth/courtesy of The Aspen Cookbook
THE BOOK
THE ASPEN COOKBOOK
B
classy and timeless, but also a little funky and unique, which is I think just what Aspen is.”
Have your home kitchen smelling like fall
ehind the scenes of any meal in the kitchen
with Moroccan Vegetable Tagine from Mawa’s
is a loving and messy process of creativity,
Kitchen or Farro Rissotto from Pyramid Bistro.
and The Aspen Cookbook will hold your hand
If you’re having a gathering, don’t miss Party
through it all.
Pico de Gallo & Guacamole from Silverpeak Grill
The Aspen Cookbook came into this world
(formerly 520 Grill). For quick weeknight meals,
when meals with loved ones at local
Busch recommends the Carrot Coconut Ginger
restaurants were not an option. To
Soup from Castle Creek Café. The Aspen Cookbook
combat the lack of togetherness
truly has a recipe for every occasion and craving.
and the economic strife restaurants encountered
THE BEVERAGE
in the face of the
THE ORANGE BUTTERFLY
pandemic, the cookbook was born.
YPN Aspen, a
committee of young professionals under the Aspen Board of Realtors, came up with the idea for the cookbook when seeking ways to stimulate camaraderie. The committee established a restaurant-relief grant fund, which all of the proceeds from The Aspen Cookbook go towards. By purchasing The Aspen Cookbook, you’re not just supporting your stomach, you’re supporting the delectable restaurants that sustain Aspen.
With over 100 recipes and their backstories,
The Aspen Cookbook is well-balanced in cuisine and doesn’t fail to highlight beloved Aspen favorites. All of these recipes were gathered, tested and tweaked appropriately for home cooks by the editor, Amanda Rae Busch. Busch has been the food columnist for Aspen Times Weekly since 2013 and earned first place for The Aspen Cookbook in the Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers, General Nonfiction category in the National Federation of Press Women National Contest, among other accolades for the book.
Many of the foods are pictured through Julia
Bridgworth’s charming illustrations.
“I just love the way [Bridgworth] put the
whole thing together,” Busch says. “I think that she has such a great eye for something that was
B
e careful sipping your Orange Butterfly as you flip through the recipes of The Aspen
Cookbook –– Amanda Rae Busch’s drink pairing of choice for the book. The Orange Butterfly was concocted by Elizabeth Neckes, Woody Creek Distillers’ bartender, to accompany the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine. Busch selected this aperitif because of its locality; the Orange Butterfly is made special with Woody Creek Distillers’ vodka.
Woody Creek Distillers was founded in 2013.
Since then, they have earned numerous awards for their spirits. Their ingredients are either personally grown and harvested or sourced from other trusted Colorado farms. Their 100% potato vodka is produced from self-grown Rio Grande potatoes and local spring water, which makes the Orange Butterfly distinctly Colorado.
The citrusy beverage will be optimal in the
fall. Oranges are commonly misconstrued to best be enjoyed in the summer, but most orange seasons actually start in the fall and end before June, according to Hale Groves. Dig into the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine in between sips. With a cool glass of the Orange Butterfly, you won’t be the only thing sweating in the kitchen. : For more information visit aspencommunitycookbook.com and woodycreekdistillers.com.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
25
style
WESTERN COLORADO THROUGH THE LENS OF
MIKE DAVENPORT Words + Photos by Mike Davenport
PAUL Grand Junction native artist Paul Jensen. A 1979 graduate of Fruita Monument High School, Paul is a national recording artist, singer, songwriter, poet and traveler. He is currently in Vermont working on his fifth album. His music is quiet and introspective. A quiet place and a whisper of inspiration. 26
ROAD BIKER Keith Hawkins of Grand Junction, a local road bike enthusiast, poses with his bike in the studio. Bikers experience the world with speed, wind and sweat, contrast and color.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
27
28
OPPOSITE TOP
LIVE AT THE WAREHOUSE Jason Abbott performs to a sold-out crowd at Warehouse 2565. The past year has been difficult for all of us, but it has been particularly hard on small, local bands and musicians as venues shut down. With the easing of restrictions, local entertainers like Jason Abbott have found a public desperate for live music.
OPPOSITE LEFT
STAGE LIGHT Bass player Levi Brown of Montrose. Like many local musicians, Levi plays with several bands, including Jason Abbott and Clark Jensen. Music is about sound and emotion, photography is about light and emotion. When they come together, we create something special, together.
OPPOSITE RIGHT
MOUNTAIN MAN Grand Junction artist Steve McDowell poses for a portrait. Steve uses photographs as inspiration and reference for his paintings. The world is full of amazing and wondrous characters.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON Chris Rowland with his son Joey Rowland perform with Clark Jensen at Warehouse 2565. Both Grand Junction natives, the pair play together with several bands and can be seen at various venues around the Grand Valley. There is just something special about father and son sharing the stage.
art
“Autumn Cottonwood Study” North of Jackson, WY. Oil. 12x16.
“IT’S ALL LIGHT AND SHAPE AND COLOR AND TEXTURE.”
STROKES OF THE SEASON WITH PAINTER MARK MARINO Words by MacKennea Broyles
T
30
ucked away at the foot of the Grand Mesa,
For Marino, who grew up in Boulder and
the same Cedaredge apple orchard that
began drawing at the age of five, the outdoors
grows the main ingredient in Snow Capped
have been a long-time subject of his art. From his
Cider is also home to painter Mark Marino and
education at the University of Northern Colorado
his wife, JoAnne. From the itsy-bitsy buds of
to mentorships and apprenticeships with artists
spring to the bold blossoms of summer to the
in Idaho and Wyoming, the magnificence of the
abundant apples of fall and the barren branches
western landscape is threaded through Marino’s
of winter, the apple trees are always an indicator
body of work.
of change.
Although Marino’s painting has taken him to
“It’s beautiful,” Marino says, of the orchard.
many a breathtaking location, he admits that the
“It’s the perfect place.” More than an idyllic living
colors, shapes and values found in the Colorado
space, the property is also home to Marino’s
National Monument remain some of his favorite
studio, where his iconic plein air paintings that
to paint.
have found homes in everything from galleries
to calendars come to fruition.
much of Marino’s paintings aim to capture life
From wildlife to scenery to portraiture,
outdoors in the glory that it exudes by simply
existing. “I just paint what I see; I paint my life
too. Many galleries closed during COVID-19,
and my life experience,” explains Marino.
and there were no in-person art shows or
The landscape is shifting in the art world,
Plein air painting takes place chiefly in
competitions. “It hurt everybody, artists
situ, or at the locale that is being painted. This
included,” shares Marino. Art sales have also
painting style lends itself to the portrayal of
gradually shifted online, but, as Marino points
panoramic landscapes and is often at the whim
out, digital pictures and screens, despite their
of light patterns and the mercurial weather for
high-resolution features, are still unable to do
which Colorado is notorious. Representing these
something as intricate as an oil painting justice.
shifts in oil paint takes a keen eye and a quick
hand. Thankfully, Marino has both.
Western Slope continues to act as a welcoming
Thankfully, galleries are reopening, and the
“It’s all light and shape and color and
home for artists, with many local galleries and
texture,” Marino explains, describing his method.
one of just a few art foundries (studios for bronze
“It’s about how to capture those finer shapes and
sculpture casting) in Colorado.
values. There’s this process that goes on in the
background — thousands and thousands of little
the seasons, Marino is always looking forward
decisions.”
and plans to keep painting “probably forever.”
Like the onward march of time through
These thousands of decisions make for
Marino is continually growing his body of work
intricate details that ultimately form the richly
and even plans to expand into new media
detailed paintings that appear on Marino’s
forms, beginning with a commission for a
canvases.
bronze sculpture. Although no plans are set in
On a broader scale of change, the seasons
stone (or bronze), Marino is meeting the future
often shape not just a landscape, but Marino’s
with an open mind. “We’ll see where it goes,”
palette. “In the fall, you have a hazy yellow
he says. :
tinge; summer has these bright lights and deep, cool shadows, while spring has bright shades of green and light blues, and winter has yellows and blues and of course white,” Marino explains.
Marino begins to lean towards fall as his
painting season of choice, gravitating towards the warmth of both its weather and its colors, but ultimately recants. “All of the seasons. I love them all,” he laughs.
Despite painting for many years and
witnessing the same cycles and patterns, there
Reawaken your connection to the healing power of nature
are always elements of surprise that find their way into Marino’s paintings. “There are always ways in which elements can be portrayed,” Marino shares, “it can be an unexpected color combination or the way the paint tools allow for texture to be applied. Whatever it is that will
JOIN US FOR OUR 2021 FALL WORKSHOPS
give it a more convincing look.”
Although the painters he has studied
under and the works he is influenced by play a significant role in shaping his style of painting, Marino is ultimately beholden to the purity and integrity of capturing a subject, not the eye of the consumer. “I paint the way I paint,” he
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emphasizes.
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maker
SARAH “WOODY” WOOD OF GRAND JUN BEVERAGE CO.
DRINK THIS BOOCH FOR A MUCH BETTER GUT Words by Courtney Holden | Photos courtesy of Grand Jun Media
“D
32
on’t gut it out.” That’s Sarah “Woody”
Wood’s desire to help people overcome the
Wood’s message when it comes to
daily discomfort of gut issues became tangible
dealing with digestive issues like indigestion and
last May when she opened Grand Jun Beverage
bloating. “I’m continuing to try to help people
Co., a craft kombuchery based in Grand Junction.
understand the importance of their gut health,
The name’s word play goes beyond the clever
what it means and how they can improve it.”
reference to her business’s home base. Wood also
“I don’t want to make
focuses on brewing the “jun” style of kombucha,
Good Talk, a consultancy
which is made with green tea and honey instead
that helps businesses
something just to
of black tea and sugar. She’s the only brewer in
discover, plan, execute
the Grand Valley to do so.
and
make money. I want to
evaluate
their
make something that
Wood’s passion for helping other people
mission. And yet, while
with intestinal issues and poor gut health stems
her high-intensity career
really affects people
from her own frustrating history. She grew up in
was flourishing, her
Indiana eating a diet centered around standard
intestinal flora was not.
and changes them
Midwestern fare like meat, corn and potatoes
— not exactly the recipe for healthy intestinal
discomfort, fatigue and
flora. She also had a series of childhood illnesses
not understanding why
bit more for the fresh,
that required antibiotic treatments, a necessary
I was having these
process, but one that killed the good bacteria
symptoms,” she adds.
local, organic apricot
in her intestines as well as the bad. “All of that
combined in my system to the point where I just
concussions
struggled with my gut,” Wood explains.
winter of 2017-18 forced
Not that she let that get in the way of her
her to pause her many work endeavors, she
professional dreams. By age 27, Wood had been
realized it was time to reevaluate the pace and
a marketing manager in the music industry and
purpose of her life. She also decided it was finally
owned a creative service business. Since then,
time to address the abdominal discomfort she’d
she’s held leadership positions in the outdoor
been living with for so long.
“It
was a lot
of
When a series of in
the
for the better. If that means I spend a little
to do that, then that’s an easy choice.”
industry and been the executive director of an
annual film festival. In 2020, she founded The
and found they’re typically either an imbalance
She began looking into what gut issues are
of digestive enzymes and acids or a reaction to
Missouri. She’s found that the oak enhances the
certain foods. She researched what causes them
smoothness and adds a hint of vanilla.
and learned poor diet, antibiotic treatments
and specific food sensitivities/allergies are
of months, but it’s already been met with a
among the leading culprits. And of course, she
warm reception. They regularly sell out at
pursued strategies to fix them — diversifying gut
farmers’ markets and have earned a place on
bacteria, often by consuming probiotics, is one
tap at multiple Western Slope coffee shops
great option.
and markets. Wood continues to iterate her
Kombucha, she learned, is a great source of
kombucha flavors, incorporating seasonal
probiotics — and it tastes delicious, too. So, Wood
fruits and herbs to bring variety to her line-up.
began brewing the non-alcoholic, fermented tea
Soon, she plans to branch beyond kombucha
at home. Laughing that her “engineering mind”
into vinegars and kefir, both of which will offer
appreciated the chemistry behind the interplay
similar probiotic benefits. She’s also excited to
between bacteria and yeast, Wood began adding
offer a custom-batch kombucha program, where
blueberries, apricots and cucumbers, as well
she’ll work with clients to craft a recipe that
as medicinal herbs and mushrooms, to her
addresses their specific gut issues.
concoctions.
If things continue to go well, Wood is open
Wo o d ’s e x p e r i e n c e w i t h b u s i n e s s
to expanding Grand Jun beyond the Grand
development and her desire to help others with
Valley, but she’ll never sacrifice her kombucha’s
their intestinal health drove her to pursue brewing
quality or her commitment to sourcing from
on a larger scale, upping production from 1-gallon
local producers. And right now, she’s happy
containers to 30-gallon containers to six 30-gallon
to focus on bringing better gut health to the
containers. She also began sourcing ingredients
Western Slope.
from farmers and beekeepers on the Western
Slope, an approach that benefits other small
tied into the environment we live in, rooted here
businesses while also making for a better-tasting,
with the producers, and that’s what I’m focused
nutrient-rich and overall superior kombucha. She
on: perfecting that,” she says. :
knew her margins would be smaller, but it was worth it.
“I don’t want to make something
just to make money. I want to make something that really affects people and changes them for the better. If that means I spend a little bit more for the fresh, local, organic apricot to do that, then that’s an easy choice,” she shares.
Another key element
to the great taste of Grand Jun kombucha: oak barrels. Most brewers ferment their kombucha in stainless steel, glass or plastic containers, but Wood uses American oak barrels manufactured by hand at a small cooperage in Higbee,
34
Grand Jun’s only been around for a handful
“This is a really high-quality, niche product
grandjun.com
S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS Compiled by Emme Fredericks
@rockymountainsportswomen
Are you a woman from the Colorado Rockies passionate about the outdoors and conservation? Rocky Mountain Sportswomen is a nonprofit organization aiming to connect women through hunting and fishing. Join this organization, or follow along on their Instagram to empower others through their adventures.
Feel Good Social
It’s no secret social media has its ups and downs. Kimsey from Feel Good Social focuses on helping down-to-earth entrepreneurs navigate the social media world. Listen to receive tips on how to market your business, hear from successful entrepreneurs and chat about all things social.
@backbonemedia
@k.robinsonphoto
There’s nothing like a good social media post to get you outside or involved in an active lifestyle. Check out some of the Backbone Media brands with their favorite products and motivational stories from adventure seekers and small businesses.
Meet Kaylan Robinson, a photographer based in Western Colorado sharing the beauty of travel, interiors and lifestyle. Check out Kaylan’s page to inspire your new home decor or to discover some of the glorious wonders life has to offer.
Best Served Podcast
Colorado Outdoors — The Podcast for Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Jensen Cummings celebrates the unsung hospitality heroes by highlighting the worth and work of those who feed their communities. Tune in to help acknowledge these individuals that make the world go ‘round.
This podcast is dedicated to telling the stories and happenings of Colorado’s great outdoors. Whether it’s conservation or outdoor recreation and wildlife, this podcast will surely inform you about everything the state has to offer.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
35
food
SAVING THE HARVEST THROUGH PICKLING + FERMENTATION Words by Kaitlin Emig SHELLEY PAULS
M
y first efforts with preserving food started
and aromatic spices to capture the freshness
with fermentation and a pile of Napa
of vegetables or meats. This method allows
cabbage. I experimented with making kimchi by
communities from around the world to travel
utilizing locally grown cabbage, radishes, carrots,
with their native food, survive a frosty winter
onions and spicy peppers. With a bit of mentoring
and persevere through a dry season. Pickling can
from a friend and patient roommates who
be done in a quick refrigerator style for those
allowed my salty concoction to ferment in the
wanting an easier method or by canning brined
kitchen sink, I made my first batch of a traditional
vegetables or meats.
Korean side dish.
Then, it was on to hot pepper jelly to use up
Kitchen + Pantry in Eagle, makes his own pickles
a successful crop of spicy red and green peppers
for his gourmet deli sandwiches. He uses the
that I canned in small jars for Christmas gifts,
quick pickling process for his spicy dill pickle
followed by a sunny summer when I picked
and pickled onions. He describes the process of
raspberries and strawberries for jam. With each
making a brine (salt, vinegar, pickling spice),
gardening season, I learned a new recipe for
adding garnish, flavor enhancers (bread and
saving the harvest.
butter or dill) and color (jalapeno) to make a spicy
dill pickle.
My successes and — sometimes moldy — fails
come from lessons learned in a book called Wild
Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz. Fermented
make using red wine vinegar and aromatic herbs
foods have healthy probiotics and bacteria to
like cassia bark, cloves or star anise,” he says.
aid digestion and are made through a process
Then he adds sugar and salt and simmers the
converting carbohydrates into alcohol or acid.
brine. Lastly, he adds the shaved onions. “They
Household staples like cheese, milk, sauerkraut
are sweet and tart tasting,” he comments.
and sourdough bread are all fermented foods.
Cultures around the world have a rich history of
believes. For him, pickling is more about what’s
fermented foods, such as miso and pickles coming
fresh in season, to keep it as crisp and flavorful as
from Japan, or wine and cheese from France.
possible, from taste to texture.
Katz’s book is a great place to start if you are
interested in learning more about fermentation
high-end take on what a deli can be on this side of
and trying recipes from around the world.
the valley. “We source high quality products from
all over the world and the best in show that’s
Another way of preserving foods is through
pickling, which uses salt, vinegar, sugars, oils
36
Micheal Joersz, chef and owner of Pickled
“The pickled onions are easy and quick to
“Whatever is seasonal you can pickle,” Joersz
He describes his sandwiches as more of a
local,” he shares.
To get pickled, he suggests ordering
sandwiches and beverages from the liquor store next door and heading out to your next adventure.
PICKLED SWEET CORN SUGGESTS PAIRING: BLACKENED SHRIMP AND A FRESH SALAD
4 ears sweet summer corn (preferably Olathe corn) 1 small shallot julienne-cut 1 medium fresno chili julienne-cut 1-2 Tbsp sherry vinegar 1-2 Tbsp champagne vinegar 1-2 Tbsp Colorado honey Cracked black pepper Squeeze of lime Pinch of kosher salt Optional: cilantro cut chiffonade
FRESH Cut the kernels from the corn cob by sliding a knife down the corn about 2/3 the depth of the kernel. Mix all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and let stand for 20 minutes. Strain off any extra liquid. Serve fresh or refrigerate. If quick processing, use within a week.
CANNED Put prepared food in cleaned and sanitized mason jars to the bottom of the rim, packed tightly. Then, put the lids on the jars and seal them with rings, but not snugly, just tight. Rest jars on spare jar rings or a metal jar rest in a large pot. Fill pot with enough water to cover the jars completely. Bring water to a boil and begin timing once water is boiling. Boiling of the jars depends on each recipe and altitude. For pickled sweet corn, boiling time can be between 15-25 minutes. Remove carefully with a jar grabber and place on a towel on the kitchen counter out of the way. Release some pressure from the rings or remove them completely to avoid moisture being trapped in ring. Listen for a “pop” sound to indicate lid is sealed. Wait 24 hours until jar has cooled. To test if the lid is sealed, press finger on center of lid. If it goes up and down, then it isn’t sealed and can be placed in refrigerator to be used within a week. All sealed jars are tightened with lid ring then labeled with the date. : Recipe by Michael Joersz Chef + Owner of Pickled Kitchen + Pantry Eagle, Colorado
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food
GREEN CHILE STEW
TRUE GRIT CONNECTION Recipe by Kelly McGuire | Photos by Kitty Nicholason
W
38
hen I was told that the theme for
As I looked through the recipe book that
the magazine this fall was “gather,”
Barbara sent me, I noticed that there was a
I immediately thought of the many family
recipe for Green Chile Stew from the True Grit
gatherings that I had as a child. My uncle Stretch
cafe. I asked my mom, “Hey, didn’t Stretch work
(Dan McGirr) frequently cooked at family
at the True Grit for a long time?” The answer
gatherings. On more than one occasion, he
was yes, for many years he was the cook. I was
cooked up a big pot of green chile stew.
so excited to try this recipe and see if it was the
green chile stew from my childhood. It was!
It’s a funny story really, how I ended up
with this recipe. You see, my Aunt Barbara (my
stepfather’s sister) sent me this cookbook with
pared down so that we don’t make enough for a
recipes from Ridgway about five years ago.
restaurant, was what I remembered — and it’s
Around the same time, I inherited — from my
perfect for a quick, but delicious, family gathering.
uncle Stretch — a bunch of cookbooks, a big
metal bowl and a well-used chef’s knife missing
another hour to cook. Have a margarita while
the very tip.
everyone is waiting. :
This recipe, taken from that cookbook and
It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and
GREEN CHILE STEW SERVES 6-8
3 cups diced potatoes 2 large onions, diced 2 medium carrots, diced 2.5 pounds roasted green chilies, diced (about 5 cups) 2.5 pounds canned tomatoes (about 5 cups) 1 ¼ pounds diced pork 4 cups water plus 1 tsp chicken base, or 4 cups chicken stock 2 minced garlic cloves 1 bay leaf 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp red chili flakes ½ tsp black ground pepper ½ tsp salt (or more to taste)
Place onion, garlic, carrots and pork in a Dutch oven or soup pot with a little oil and sear the meat over medium-high heat. When meat is seared and onions are sweating, add the rest of the ingredients. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and simmer one hour. Make sure the potatoes and carrots are tender. MARGARITAS SERVES 4, OR DOUBLE FOR 8
8 oz tequila blanco 8 oz lime juice 4 oz Cointreau 4 oz agave nectar
Stir together in a pitcher, and serve in saltrimmed glasses with lots of ice.
wellness + fitness
GET TO KNOW 3 COLORADO CBD COMPANIES Words by Zoe Cramer
Colorado is a friend of cannabidiol (CBD). There are so many CBD companies to discover that might just bring you your next go-to remedy, and here are a few of them.
THE HAPPY CAMPER
40
If you lead an outdoor, active lifestyle and are
to last longer. Both might be used to try and aid relaxation, sleep or internal inflammation. The
seeking CBD accompaniment or want to try
transdermal cream is to apply and re-apply
CBD but you’re not sure where to start, look to
externally on areas of soreness.
The Happy Camper. The Happy Camper exudes
Colorado in the ways it promotes an outdoor
all of a sudden you go out and you hike five
lifestyle (like its name and logo of a hiker) and
miles or three miles and you’re achy,” explains
the very form of its products’ production. The
Colleen Scanlon-Maynard, The Happy Camper
boutique company takes its time producing
senior VP of marketing. “You’re probably going
small-batch concentrates of CBD, all in-house,
to want to do the transdermal cream for the
to ensure consistency. The Happy Camper has
external to hit it from the outside, but you’re
two locations in Colorado. Their original facility
also going to want to drop a tincture or a soft
opened March of 2015, with a dispensary and a
gel to hit it from the inside.”
manufacturing plant in Bailey, and their newest
location opened June 15, 2019 in Palisade as a
CBD, is to educate. With their website and
dispensary only.
accessibility for questions, The Happy Camper
“Let’s say you hadn’t hiked in a year, and
The Happy Camper mission, in terms of
Their three current CBD products include
provides a plethora of options to educate oneself
a tincture, soft gels and transdermal cream.
about CBD. Scanlon-Maynard advises people to
The tincture is a non-flavored, full-spectrum
take thorough research steps before picking and
oil that you drop under your tongue, and it
using any company’s CBD products to figure out
quickly dissolves into your bloodstream. The
if it’s right for you. She emphasizes the need to
full-spectrum soft gel caps are similar to the
confirm backup material such as third-party
tincture but are more potent and therefore tend
testing for any CBD product you purchase.
ANTEDOTUM
have demonstrated the positive effects CBG,
If you’re looking for a natural remedy to help
in particular, has had on their kids, finding
your skin glow, turn to Antedotum. Antedotum
that they are much more interactive in classes.
is a luxury CBD skincare brand based in Aspen
Similarly, customers praise the positive effects of
Snowmass. Their products are for any ages and
CBG on their family members with Alzheimer’s
skin types that want an all-natural product that
and dementia –– that they seem to have more
promotes skin health. Antedotum is backed by a
cognitive ability after taking CBG. As for CBD,
dermatologist, Dr. Shawn Demehri.
customers have found it tends to be beneficial
Founder Karina Perez-Marconi saw the
for people with ADHD. Much of these discussions
potential in CBD for skincare because of its anti-
take place on FlowerChild’s private Facebook
inflammatory and balancing capabilities.
group, which offers a safe space to connect or
ask questions.
“CBD triggers your body to do whatever it
needs to do to bring everything back to balance
and provide optimal health,” Perez-Marconi
blend that McLoughlin recommends for a good
explains.
night’s rest without the risk of feeling groggy
FlowerChild has a 50/50 CBD/CBG tincture
Antedotum’s primary multi-functional and
the next day, as you might find with taking too
multi-correctional products include an Elixer
much CBD. In addition to various tinctures,
Firming Serum and Vital Face Oil. They can be
FlowerChild offers salves and sexual lube.
used as a pair with the Elixer Firming Serum for
step one, but they can also be used individually.
help themselves by educating them not only on
The Elixer Firming Serum is intended to tighten
CBD and cannabis but also on the importance
your skin, increase collagen and help with
of a healthy, nutritious lifestyle and healthy,
uneven skin tone. It’s packed with Vitamin C,
positive mindset,” McLoughlin adds. :
some shea butter and liquid crystals extracted from olive fruit. The Vital Face Oil helps hydrate your skin and makes it look healthy and glowing. It is made up of vegan squalene, essential fatty acids and oils, such as coconut oil and argon oil. The brand will also be launching a body bomb in August to help relieve discomfort.
The products are potent in CBD with 500
milligrams per ounce. Antedotum sources its organic, pure CBD from local farmers.
FLOWERCHILD FlowerChild is a small, family-owned and operated company based in Grand Junction. They offer both CBD and Cannabigerol (CBG) products to help customers and their pets. Their CBD tinctures and salves are full-spectrum. Owner Kelly McLoughlin says that CBG, like CBD, is non-intoxicating, but it’s more invigorating and less sedating than CBD. CBD might be used for sleep, while CBG might be used for concentration and energy during the day.
FlowerChild’s customer base is made up
of many parents seeking remedies for their children with autism. Customer testimonials
“Our mission at FlowerChild is to help people
wellness + fitness
THE QUEST FOR PEAK HUMAN PERFORMANCE IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND BIOMETRICS
MAN VS. MACHINE Words by Jay Rook
E
42
ver wonder why some athletes are more
of the autonomic nervous system: your run from
prone to getting hurt or hit a wall more
danger system (Sympathetic); and, your rest and
frequently than others? Or, why some competitors
digest system (Parasympathetic). Being a little
never seem to tire out or miss a match because
more tilted toward the parasympathetic system is
of illness, fatigue or injury? What about the rise
a sign your body is more physiologically primed
in age-defying professional athletes maintaining
for training and competition.
their high level of competitiveness against a
growing number of elite young challengers? Did
reported in numerical form and also in a red/
you know there is a Japanese professional soccer
yellow/green color format. Depending on what
player who is over 50 and still plays in the top
device you are using, you may also receive trend
division in that country? Awesome, right!?
data on sleep and stress. The value of using this
Science and technology have never been
information is that it can help an athlete gauge
so woven into the pursuit of optimal human
how various behaviors and habits influence their
performance as they are today (excluding, say,
physiology (stress/recovery balance) and also
Ivan Drago from 1985’s Rocky IV). Biometrics —
provide objective data to help them decide if today
data compiled in various forms for immediate
is a good day to train/compete or to rest/recover.
consumption, analysis and application to help you
Trend data can also indicate whether or not an
the athlete become the best version of whatever it
individual is becoming ill, increasing their risk
is you are attempting to become/train for/compete
for injury and possibly developing over training
at — is a hot topic now in sports performance and
syndrome. Small studies comparing athletes
medicine. Within the myriad of apps, wearables
using HRV to those who did not have found the
and devices, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a
former have better performance outcomes and
newer kid on the block and, possibly, the most
fewer injuries.
interesting biometric technology available for
pros and weekend warriors alike to gain the
the cost of a chest strap or finger probe) to
ultimate advantage in peak performance.
several hundred dollars for daily wearable
HRV devices provide the user daily scores
Prices range from free apps (not including
HRV has been around for decades in medical
products. Some individuals find it helpful to have
science, but more recently companies like Whoop,
a knowledgeable person in their corner helping
Oura, iThlete, Elite HRV and HRV4Training have
them interpret and apply their HRV data.
packaged it into a consumer usable format to
guide training, recovery and competition. Some
more interlaced into human experience, HRV
are 24-hour wearable devices (Whoop and Oura),
may be a tool that is more sensitive than our own
while others utilize an app on your mobile device
perception about performance level, wellbeing
paired with a chest strap (e.g., Polar), finger probe
and readiness to compete. If you are looking for
or your phone camera to allow you to take a spot
that thing to unlock your untapped potential
measurement (ideally first thing in the morning).
for a meaningful, sustained improvement in
The short and sweet is that HRV is a physiologic
performance and wellbeing, HRV could be your
indicator of the balance between the two arms
huckleberry. :
In a world where technology is becoming
adventure
DAVID EPPERSON / COURTESY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS CHAMBER
ROUTT COUNTY’S DIRT ROADS ARE GETTING WORLD-CLASS ATTENTION
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS IS “GRAVEL TOWN, USA” Words by Kim Fuller
T
here may not be an official trademark
based bike manufacturer Moots Cycles has
attached to the moniker, but hundreds of
put effort into creating equipment and events
miles of dirt roads and gravel bike events are
for gravel riding, which has certainly helped
giving Steamboat Springs its new name to cyclists:
spread the word, and Soard says gravel riding
Gravel Town, USA.
is a welcomed alternative for road cyclists and
Steamboat is home to more than 600 miles
mountain bikers looking for something new.
of dirt and hard-packed gravel roads. Seemingly
endless route options paired with the love of
riders frequent more rural roads with far less
wide-open spaces draw more and more dirt-
high-speed traffic than road cyclists often endure.
pedalers to Steamboat and the surrounding area
Around Routt County, riders may encounter cattle
of Routt County.
drives and slow-moving tractors more often than
“Our ranching heritage is the reason we have
Not to mention the safety element. Gravel
the hazards of riding on the side of a paved road.
so many of these roads in the first place,” shares
Laura Soard, marketing director for Steamboat
so you have more opportunities to look around
Spring Chamber.
you,” Soard shares. “You have to pick your lines
“The pace is a little slower than road riding,
Soard says the sport has been gaining
but it’s not as intense as single-track mountain
popularity in the area for a while now. Steamboat-
biking. It’s a good thing to do with kids because
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
43
it’s just a different pace. And, you don’t see many
pro road cycling race was the Colorado Classic
cars — but what you lack in vehicles you make up
in 2019, yet at that time she says she was already
for in animal sightings.”
enjoying gravel racing more than road racing.
SBT GRVL is a gravel race attracting top
“It’s pretty exciting to see that this alternative
to racing is becoming so popular,” shares Charity.
just completed year three, the excitement around
“I think gravel appeals to the adventure side of
this event continues to keep its cadence. In 2020,
people. It’s something different and interesting
SBT GRVL was held virtually during the pandemic,
and lets you check out an area in a new way.”
but the race didn’t lose momentum as the 2021
race sold out 3,000 spots in just 10 minutes.
riding events and racing throughout the year.
Steamboat has started to host many gravel
SBT GRVL co-founder and race director
While cycling events in Colorado will take a
Amy Charity says the solid infrastructure of
seasonal pause as winter rolls in, riders will be
accommodations, restaurants and transportation
rearing to go come spring. Check out Steamboat
that already exists in Steamboat as a resort
Gravel Fest in 2022, held May 16-22. This week-long
destination, paired with all the connected gravel
festival showcases the vast network of remote dirt
roads of Routt County, has made it the ideal
and gravel roads crisscrossing Routt and Moffat
location for a world-class gravel race.
Counties, featuring a free, daily group ride, social
opportunities and route recommendations for
The lightning-fast registration proves athletes
have their eyes on this race, and Charity says big
“on your own” gravel experiences.
prize money has attracted the best of the best. A
$22,000 purse is spread evenly between the top
in and around Steamboat include Gravel Camp
five overall racers.
with Veloscapes, a small tour operator founded
Charity is a former professional road cyclist
by pro bike racer J.R. Thompson and specializing
and has lived in Steamboat since 2008. Her last
in custom road and gravel cycling experiences. :
COURTESY OF SBT GRVL
44
cycling talent to Steamboat every August. Having
More options to experience the gravel grind
3 Gravel Riding Routes Around Steamboat Springs Here are some options for hitting the dirt — one moderate, one intermediate and one advanced. Find a comprehensive list of rides in and around Steamboat Springs on The Dirty Roads website thedirtyroads.com, created and curated by Steamboat Springs locals. n Emerald Circuit (partially paved) Length: 27.6 miles. Difficulty: easy/moderate. Ride-able: April to October. Minimum tire size: 28mm. This “classic Steamboat ride” is perfect for those who haven’t done much gravel/road riding. n The Darkside of Fly Gulch Length: 31.3 miles. Difficulty: moderate/intermediate. Ride-able: May to September. Minimum tire size: 34mm. Climb into North Routt’s Elk River valley, ride along Deep Creek and enjoy the rollers on the ride back. n Strada Sporche Length: 106.2 miles. Difficulty: hard. Ride-able: May to September (CR 45 — Cow Creek — may be impassable when wet; stay on CR 33 to bypass). Minimum tire size: 35mm. The Strada Sporche (Italian for “dirty road”) is one of The Dirty Roads first published rides.
spoke
GEAR PROFILE
DAVE & MATT VANS GYPSUM, COLORADO Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Dave & Matt Vans
I
ncreasing interest in “van life” has only
because your life defines how they’re used, rather
accelerated in the time of COVID-19. The
than the other way around.”
pandemic resulted in a surge of career shifts and
remote workers, offering the freedom to move
Ramsay, began the company together out of the
from a stationary home to a mobile one and hit
personal passion they shared for van life. Now
the road.
while helping others access this passion, Ramsay
Dave & Matt Vans is a lifestyle vehicle
and Felser are bringing awareness to a lifestyle
company that builds and rents vans out of
that can be for either a weekend traveler or for a
Gypsum, Colorado. The company exclusively
full-time van lifer.
Felser’s friend and now co-founder, Dave
builds out RAM ProMaster vans, with a focus on
keeping each project as cost-efficient as possible
renters and buyers right now, so the company has
for every client.
messaged how a lifestyle van can be an alternative
“No matter the activity, environment or
housing option for full-time living. For those who
condition, Dave & Matt Vans are purposefully
are saving money for a down payment on their
designed and built to offer folks the freedom to
first home, financing for the vans is available
pursue their personal passions,” shares Matt
as low as $629 per month — substantially more
Felser, co-founder and CEO. “We actually call our
affordable than renting a home or even just a
vans ‘lifestyle vehicles’ for this exact reason —
bedroom.
The tight housing market can be hard for
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
45
Matt Felser and Dave Ramsay
46
The base build-outs of Dave & Matt Vans
feature “everything you need, and nothing you don’t,” as stated in the company mission. Their vans are built with the key necessities most people are accustomed to at home and feature creative
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The intentionally open layout displays
a minimalist approach that still checks all the boxes.
“Most vans we encounter are over-built
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and make an already small space feel even smaller,” says Felser. “By leaving the space open underneath our platform bed system, we provide ample storage for whatever accessories your lifestyle would want to bring on the road.”
Extra features are always an option. Beyond
the living space, kitchen and electrical built
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into every van, custom upgrades include more storage, a compostable toilet, shower system, power boosts, a cabin heater and more.
The team at Dave & Matt Vans works in
close collaboration with each prospective owner through every step of the process. From their
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initial “van builder” application to assess their intended usage and unique needs to their personal “New van day!” pickup date, the team walks each customer carefully through all customization options to ensure they’re getting the vehicle best suited to their lifestyle.
“Our foremost goal is to create a positive
experience for each and every customer,” explains Fesler, “to help provide them with the life-changing opportunities our own team has had through van life.”
Their Eagle River Valley location provides
some challenges with supply chain and manufacturing, says Fesler, but it’s all worth it to have home and work in such an amazing place.
“We love being based in the Rockies,
particularly in Western Colorado,” Felser shares. “Inspiration is everywhere here, and the access to the outdoors is second-to-none, which fits handin-hand with our mission of making van life accessible to everyone.”
Dave & Matt Vans start at $64,982 with
various sizes and upgrades available. Learn more at dmvans.com. :
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ATHLETE PROFILE
AMITY ROCKWELL GRINDING GRAVEL + SUPPORTING COMMUNITY Words by Kim Fuller | Photo courtesy of Backbone Media
G
ravel, says Amity Rockwell, is the “great
equalizer.”
certainly
As
a
professional
cyclist
Her increasing success as a cyclist can be
attributed to
her
impressive
currently dominating the national gravel biking
endurance engine and a family history of
scene, Rockwell appreciates how, as a woman,
very strong athleticism, yet it’s apparent that
she can roll up to the start line alongside all pro
Rockwell’s determination and focus is what
riders — not just other females — and all go out
keeps her climbing toward greatness.
to race the same course and the same distance.
only a road bike. The hashtag and ideology of
“We are basically just treated as another
When Rockwell started riding, she owned
human being,” Rockwell explains. “It’s not a
#roadbikesoffroad
short course, toned down, women’s-only race
where she was in Northern California.
at an inconvenient time. You’re in the race and
you’re another cyclist. Unfortunately, nothing
rode a lot of dirt,” she recalls. “We would just do
else in cycling can really offer that right now, but
it. You flatted a bunch, you messed up your bike
hopefully someday.”
and you would come home kind of wrecked, but
we loved it.”
Rockwell’s momentum in gravel racing
was
gaining
momentum
“We all had road bikes, but looking back we
has seemed to propel at the same rapid rate as
48
the sport itself. Now 27, Rockwell was a cross-
COLORADO GRAVEL
country runner growing up and into her early
Rockwell is currently based out of the San
college years. She also pursued an interest and
Francisco Bay Area, yet she comes to Colorado
talent in the ultra-running scene, but nagging
often for riding and racing.
injuries and burnout led Rockwell to riding, then
racing, at age 20.
if you want to ride just a little bit farther,” shares
“Colorado is a place that never stops asking
Rockwell. “It’s seems like I barely scratch the
woman be like ‘Here’s something I want to work
surface every time I go ride there. It’s impossible
towards’ when it doesn’t exist?”
not to ask what’s around the next corner, and the
next, and the next, and every time, what you find
only support she gets as a U.S. ambassador for
is worth the effort.”
Pinarello. The Italian bicycle manufacturer
Rockwell’s soft green gravel steed isn’t the
When Rockwell leaves the Colorado border
and global brand has set out to support each
and heads west into Utah, she mentions one area
of their ambassador’s personal goals, projects
that creates a “ride experience like no other.”
and organizations to benefit their local cycling
“White Rim is relentless,” she explains,
communities.
“both in how difficult it is and in how content
the draw-dropping views are.”
started Fast Friends, an online discussion forum
To give back to the sport she loves, Rockwell
Rockwell’s Pinarello GREVIL gravel bike gets
about all things biking that engages and includes
her around, that’s for certain. I had the joy of
women and non-binary individuals. Rockwell
riding with her up and down the steep Boulder
says to message her Instagram @amityvil to
foothills. She mentioned how she could just ride
receive a link to join Fast Friends.
the winding canyon roads all day — up and
down, then up and up and up.
knowledge, advice and gear, and just generally
“We talk to each other and share resources,
This past summer, Rockwell finished an
communicate about cycling,” says Rockwell.
impressive 2nd place at Unbound 200 in Kansas
“It’s not gravel specific and it’s not competition
(formally Dirty Kanza), quite arguably the
specific — it’s literally like ‘Do you ride in any
largest North American gravel race and the race
capacity and how can we help stay unified as a
of which she was defending champion.
community?’” :
COMMUNITY SUPPORT Rockwell says support for women in the sport has increased in the years she has been riding, yet she always feels like it could, and should, be happening faster. Whether it’s getting women into cycling or keeping them in it, Rockwell says it’s important to focus on continuing to break down financial and social barriers that exist.
“It is encouraging and it’s nice to feel like I
am a small part of advocating for it, as one of the rare and lucky women who has been able to take it professional in such a short amount of time,” says Rockwell.
Making used gear accessible for new riders
can help get them into the sport, and for women, more visibility on a global level could serve to balance the male-dominated culture.
“When cycling first piqued my interest, I
got really into watching world tour races, and I found them really interesting,” shares Rockwell, “but there was not a way to watch a women’s world tour race. And, there just weren’t that many happening to begin with.
“So, tuning in to watch a men’s Tour de
France and knowing there is no equivalent for women,” she adds, “how then do you as a young
Jay Rook, DO MPH Integrative, Osteopathic & Regenerative Sports Medicine
970.248.9833
ASCENTMEDGJ.COM
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wader utility. The drop top feature allows for easy conversion from chest to pant wader, and a convenient, waterproof tech pouch keeps accessories away from the water. $550
Fuel2O from Gnarly
lacrosse
Sports Nutrition
footwear.com
A full summer of training has your body ready for Deuter FLYT 12 Mountain Bike Backpack This pack has everything you need for your ride and nothing you don’t. You’ll use the clips to attach
CAMP by Shwood Eyewear
your half-shell helmet or the side
Choose from four styles of these outdoor-
compression straps to attach a
inspired sunglasses from Shwood to bring
full-face helmet, along with two
on your next excursion. The plant-based
stowable straps for attaching
bioplastic frames feature genuine wood
protective gear to the outside of
inlays, with polarized lenses that boast
the pack. It’s hydration bladder
100% UVA/UVB protection. The retro
compatible and complete with a
sleeping bag travel pouch is an added
removable back protector. $190
bonus that’s included. $79
deuter.com
shwoodshop.com 50
long endurance days in the fall. This fuel drink mix can be used midactivity as a source of calories, electrolytes and to kickstart muscle recovery. Unlike heavy sitting gels and blocks, Fuel2O adds to water for easy consumption with a great, mild taste (we’ve been enjoying Limeade). Sold as individual servings or in a bag. $28.95 – $34.95 gognarly.com
Big Weekend North Cove Wool Sun Hat Keep shade on your face this fall with this packable and machine washable hat, designed to be worn during the cooler months in sunny Colorado. It’s made from a wool blend that keeps heat in when you need it and moisture at bay when the temps rise. A vegan leather band brings a stylish accent to the hat’s classic felt appearance. $64.95 shopbigweekend.com
Solo Stove Fire Pit
HOKA Clifton 8
Cooking System
Pick the right shoes and road
Sit outside and around the
running won’t have as much
fire with friends and family
impact your joints. HOKA is
to grill food together with
known for their pillow-like
this modular cast iron grill
cushioning, and the eighth
system for Solo Stove fire
generation of the Clifton is here to impress with one of the lightest and most energetic foams they
pits. Now your Solo Stove isn’t just for warmth and smoke-free ambiance,
have ever used in the midsole. Runners who already love HOKA or are looking for some more support can lace up the Clifton 8 for training miles or race day. $130 hokaoneone.com
and if you don’t have one yet you can get it with the cooking system as a bundle. $215-$400 solostove.com
Jack Wolfskin 365 Thunderclap Overhead
Klean Kanteen Insulated TK Canisters
When the wind picks up, this
Food storage solutions are here with
lightweight piece is ideal during
the TK Canisters, offered in three sizes
your fall hiking, running and biking
to keep snacks and meals hot or cold
adventures. The anorak-style pullover
for hours. The internal thread design
features a stylish color blocking design
on the canisters’ closures ensures
and is made with a 100% recycled
increased thermal performance and
windproof and stretchy fabric that
a quarter-turn locking system, all
is proprietary to Jack Wolfskin and
connected to a convenient easy-carry
known as StormLock Ecosphere.
swivel loop. $24.95-$34.95
$129.95
kleankanteen.com
us.jackwolfskin.com
Darn Tough Merino Wool Run Socks These soft and temperatureregulating socks have truly
UCO Beta
been redesigned from the
Headlamp
bottom up to create a better
Real wood makes this LED headlamp light
fitting, more comfortable
and stylish for your sunset adventures this
and durable sock. We’ve
season. A unique feature of UCO headlamps
tested them for running, hiking
is the infinity dial system which lets you
and sporting around town, and can
dim your headlamp by turning the bezel.
confirm these will stay a top-drawer
It’s 1.8 ounces and runs on three AAA
choice with Spoke+Blossom staff. $16-$33
batteries. $24.99
darntough.com
ucogear.com SPOKE+BLOSSOM
51
grand outdoors
BIRDING HOTSPOTS + TIPS FOR FALL MIGRATION Words by Jenna Kretschman | Photos by Bob Clarke
Trumpeter Swan
A
52
s summer turns to fall, a biological trigger
SEPTEMBER
is felt by billions of birds across the globe;
Make a trip to Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife
fall migration is upon us. Birds on the North
Area in Fruita, where a variety of migratory
American Central Flyway migration route cross
songbirds flit through the trees and shrubs,
mountains, rivers and plains southward from
including the Townsend’s, MacGillivray’s,
their breeding grounds to their winter homes,
orange-crowned, Wilson’s and yellow-rumped
many passing through Western Colorado during
warblers. Keep an eye out for small glimpses of
their journey.
yellow in the trees, as all of these species boast
As we bid farewell to our local summer birds
various amounts of yellow. The warblers can be
for the season, Colorado becomes a revolving
differentiated by small variations in song. Some
door to a plethora of migrant avifauna. Grab
of them migrate from as far north as Alaska to as
your binoculars and head outdoors for a peek at
far south as Panama. The wildlife area is a hub
the seasonal spectacle.
for many other species as well, including vireos,
wrens and shorebirds.
“Birds migrate along the rivers, so riparian
areas along rivers are the best place to bird,” says
Also be sure to stop by the north pond at
Mike Henwood, an active Grand Junction birder.
Blue Heron Lake Park in Grand Junction to
“There’s migration through all of fall, but you’ll
spot the first shorebirds to arrive. Avocets and
see different types of birds depending on the
various species of sandpiper, including the least
month.”
sandpiper, the smallest sandpiper in the world,
Birding Tips for Beginners n
Join a birding group and learn from local experts. Groups such as the Grand Valley Audubon Society, Black Canyon Audubon Society, Roaring Fork Audubon and New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute host regular bird walks where you can learn from experienced birders.
n
Visit your local public library to borrow a free Colorado State Parks pass through the Check Out State Parks program, complete with a backpack of wildlife field guides and a pair of binoculars.
n
Download the Merlin Bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to your smartphone and carry the most powerful bird book in your pocket. Spot a bird but aren’t quite sure what species it is? Answer three simple questions or snap and upload a photo, and Merlin will offer a list of possible matches. Found a bird that you can hear but can’t see? The app also has a sound identification feature that shows real-time suggestions for who the singer could be.
n
J oin eBird.org, a website by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology designed to track each bird you spot, along with the date and location. Your observations become part of an international database used by ornithologists and conservationists to protect bird populations. You can also browse recent bird sightings reported by other users.
Red-breasted Merganser
can be found along the shoreline of the Colorado River and in the park’s shallow pond. Avocets are peculiar-looking birds with blueish legs, an orange head and a long, up-curved bill.
OCTOBER In October, many areas with lakes will begin to see early migratory waterfowl. Take a walk at places like Confluence Park in Delta or the Pear Park section of the James M. Robb State Park in Grand Junction to see waterfowl like the ruddy duck, northern pintail, northern shoveler, bufflehead and hooded merganser. Many of these ducks sport unique features, like the prominent bill of the northern shoveler or the impressive, fan-shaped head crest of the hooded merganser.
NOVEMBER With November comes a migratory water bird extravaganza. Highline Lake State Park in Loma hosts the greatest year-round avian diversity on the Western Slope and is a hotspot for a vast variety of bird species. Here, you can spot common loons, snow geese, swans, canvasback ducks, common goldeneyes, redbreasted mergansers, eared grebes and more on the water. Due to the size of the lake, it’s best to bring a telescope with you to see distant birds if you aren’t up for making a trek around the entire park. You can also find a variety of gulls, shorebirds and raptors at the park. :
take a hike
PROFESSOR CREEK + MARY JANE CANYON TRAIL Words + Photo by Melanie Wiseman
I
54
f you’re looking for a new favorite hike, I’m
According to one mathematical hiker, there
happy to share mine — Mary Jane Canyon
are 122 creek crossings on the 8.7-mile round
Trail which follows Professor Creek, 20 miles
trip hike. One thing is guaranteed — your feet
east of Moab. The hike traverses up an active
WILL get wet, so best to select your footwear
stream bed into a canyon that grows deeper
accordingly. I wore older hiking boots I didn’t
(up to 100 feet) and narrower (down to 20
mind getting wet, where others swear by Chacos,
feet), before the hike’s turnaround point, a
Tevas and the like (I recommend wearing socks
picturesque double-tonged waterfall over a
with them, however, to avoid toe injuries or
30-foot high chockstone.
annoying pebbles underfoot).
In the fall, the stream is laced with golden
The trail is gentle on elevation gain, leading
cottonwood and cattails, and in the spring
you to believe it is super easy, but the rock
blooming cactus and desert wildflowers dot the
and creek jumping may be a little challenging
scenic landscape. The green vegetation along the
for some. The stream originates in the LaSal
creek edges make for a beautiful contrast to the
Mountains to the south and joins the Colorado
ghoulish canyon made of unique textures and
River near the turn off to the trailhead.
red toned colors. Between the vast landscape and
narrower canyons, there is always something
are warned to not hike during or right after a
interesting to look at.
rainstorm due to the possibility of a flash flood.
Like with any other slot canyon, hikers
This area is a quiet spot rich in history.
Sy lv e s w te r a n d M a r y J a n e R i c h a r dso n homesteaded at the mouth of the creek in 1886, which was named for Sylvester’s former
RIDE.
profession as a professor. They opened a store, school and post office at the site. When Grand County was formed in 1890, Sylvester became the first county commissioner. Their legacy lives on in not only in the name of the creek, but in the two trailheads which take off from the same
EAT.
parking area: Sylvester Trail and Mary Jane Canyon Trail.
Sylvester Trail is marked on the right side
of the parking area. Many people take this trail in error, finding themselves without shade or water. For no known reason, the Mary Jane Canyon Trailhead is not marked.
DRINK.
417 Monument Road Grand Junction The perfect pit stop on your way to and from the Lunch Loop trails.
handlebargj.com
Mary Jane Canyon Trail takes off on the
left side of the parking area just behind a “No Camping” sign. The trail drops down into a little gully and up and over the other side where a dirt path follows the creek southeast. If at any time you find yourself off the path near the
REPEAT.
beginning of the trail, just head toward the creek and you’ll be back on track. Your adventure will lead you in and out of the creek throughout the entire hike. Enjoy!
GETTING THERE From Grand Junction, take I-70 west to exit 204 (Cisco) and enjoy the spectacular drive along the Colorado River on Highway 128.
After crossing Dewey Bridge, drive 11 miles
(1.8 miles past Onion Creek Road) to a dirt road on the left, which is 0.6 miles after crossing the Professor Creek Bridge. The road’s name is
Food for the Sol
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Professor Valley Road, but it is not marked, nor is there a sign directing you to either trailhead (thus the diamond-in-the-rough location).
The dirt road signals to you that it is a dead
end, which is in fact where the parking lot and two trailheads are located, about two miles out.
You’ll pass a working ranch, so please travel
slowly and be considerate. All vehicles can make it safely to the trailhead. :
420 Main, downtown Grand Junction cafesolgj.com 970.986.3474
community
ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
STEWARDS OF THE LAND AT ROCK BOTTOM RANCH Words by Melanie Wiseman | Photo by Chris Cohen Photography
C
56
uriosity got the better of me as I road my
schools to provide education programs in the
bike along a pristine section of the Rio
classroom and field. Their programs focus on
Grande Trail between Carbondale and Aspen.
ecological literacy, regenerative agriculture,
What exactly was this serene farm nestled along
forest and ecosystem health, land restoration
the roaring Fork River below the towering peak
and environmental leadership, reaching 140,000
of Mount Sopris, a place where children gathered
individuals each year.
around adult mentors and women with strollers
walked the meandering trails among a variety of
Paepcke, the ACES mission is “education for
Inspired by the words of founder, Elizabeth
plants and animals?
environmental responsibility.”
I quickly found myself immersed in learning
Rock Bottom Ranch director Jason Smith
more about Rock Bottom Ranch, a 113-acre
said ACES has always recognized that food and
hub for environmental education, wildlands
land stewardship needed to be a topic of any
preservation and sustainable agriculture.
environmental conversation — thus the birth of
The “mother ship” is the Aspen Center for
the farm.
Environmental
Studies
(ACES),
which
was
“We at the ranch have always considered
founded in 1968 by Elizabeth Paepcke, who is
ourselves land stewards first and farmers
originally from Chicago. She was motivated by
second,” explains Smith. “That mindset is behind
the Aspen culture of harmony between mind,
the reason and logic of our production methods.”
body and spirit and envisioned a place to serve
as a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as a bridge to
farming models are economically sustainable,
Overall, Smith emphasized that all of their
nature, for an increasingly urbanized society.
first and foremost.
Steady growth led the organization to
“I got into sustainable agriculture because of
develop ACES programming for both youth
the economics of it,” says Smith. “When I started,
and adults at four primary sites: Hallam Lake,
I had no clue how intertwined environment,
The Catto Center at Toklat, Spring Creek and
farming and food production were.”
of course, Rock Bottom Ranch. ACES provides
innovative and immersive programming for
three things that nature has: diversity, rotation
all ages and now partner with more than 60
and rest.
Guided by nature, Rock Bottom Ranch touts
Diversity: The ranch raises cows, sheep,
rabbits, laying hens, meat chickens and goats.
water of the farming experience to their extended apprentice program to a full-time
Rotation: Mobile fences keep the animals
crew for operations, management and public
moving, which in turn keeps the pasture in a
education. The ranch offers a stepping stone
vegetative state, producing more biomass. In
to a diverse number of career options, from
other words, “the animals eat everything on
farming to energy to property management and
their plate,” for a more productive land, verses
landscaping, just to name a few.
a large permanent pasture where they pick and
choose what they want to eat.
visits Rock Bottom Ranch to become a farmer,”
“We don’t expect everyone who works or
Rest: Moving the animals gives the land rest.
adds Smith. “But, the exposure has a ripple effect
Continually grazing a field puts extensive stress
that is felt out in the community. When we reach
on good plants, resulting in a weedy pasture.
children, it will show in their adult lives. We are
“Essentially we’re choreographers dancing
training the next generation of land stewards.”
across the fields,” says Smith. “Our basic formula
is a perennial poly culture, plus grass-eating
how being connected to food and agriculture
animals, plus poultry as the clean-up crew, for
have bridged gaps and helped him find common
lush native pastures.”
ground with anyone he comes in contact with.
The farming model’s goal is to create
Smith has repeatedly witnessed first-hand
“Farming
has
the
ability
to
bring
scaleable, replicable systems of agriculture,
communities together, connecting them like
whether it be your backyard, thousands of acres
nothing I’ve ever seen,” Smith believes. “Nothing
of farmland, desert or rain forest.
else has that power.” :
Rock Bottom Ranch focuses on educational
systems in farmer training, from Summer Stewards (interns) who dip their toe in the
ACES and Rock Bottom Ranch program information, directions and hours of operation can be found at aspennature.org.
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stay + play
SUSTAINABLE STAYS ON THE COLORADO CREATIVE CORRIDOR Words by Kim Fuller | Photo courtesy of Scott Peterson for Salida Creative District
T
Tucked in the North Fork Valley surrounded
been accelerating, and many small towns
by the natural beauty of the West Elks Wilderness,
are feeling an infrastructure strain. Visitors
PAONIA has a thriving arts community and the
can help by shopping local to support small
largest number of natural and organic farms per
businesses and choosing to tread a little more
capita in Colorado.
lightly with low-impact activities.
The five towns that connect the Colorado
orchards — providers are finding a bigger interest
Creative Corridor — a 331-mile itinerary guide
in farming practices as people are asking more
featuring Carbondale, Paonia, Crested Butte,
questions and seeking advice for food security
Agritourism — wineries, farms, dairies,
Ridgway and Salida — all provide interesting
and production.
opportunities for sustainable tourism in
Colorado. Each destination also provides electric
education and are doing that through tours and
charging stations, making it easier to reduce the
events where you can visit the farms,” says Kelli
environmental impact of your road trip.
Hepler, a spokesperson for Paonia and Delta
58
ourism throughout Western Colorado has
CARBONDALE sits on the confluence of
“We are seeing the need to provide more
County tourism.
the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers at the foot
of Mount Sopris. Rich agricultural history and a
and wine tasting at Azura Cellars and Gallery,
little hippy flair combine to form a community
live music at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts
focused on health and wellness, local food
and dining at a true farm-to-table experience —
Creative highlights include the art gallery
production and four-season recreation.
Root & Vine Market or Qutori Winery.
“Carbondale locals are very welcoming
“Spending dollars in the Paonia shops and
and always ready to roll out the western-
eateries that you enjoy is a great way to ensure
style hospitality,” shares Sarah-Jane Johnson,
their sustainability,” says Hepler.
Carbondale resident and marketing consultant for
the Colorado Creative Corridor. “We encourage
towns, CRESTED BUTTE features a National
visitors to take advantage of supporting local and
Historic District with vibrant Victorian
small businesses when they visit.”
storefronts and expressive local characters.
As one of Colorado’s most coveted mountain
Carbondale has a broad range of crafts and
With more than two million acres of public land
arts available at their weekly farmers’ market
surrounding town, visitors can get off the grid to
and throughout many stores and boutiques.
enjoy unparalleled mountain biking, hiking and
One of Johnson’s hot tips for buying gifts to take
fly-fishing in the fall.
home is the Artique at The Launchpad, which
showcases local artists and designers.
historic walking tour of town, an art class at The
Design Collective and food pairings with high-
Low-impact travel highlights in Carbondale
Crested Butte’s creative highlights include a
include a ranch tour and alpaca felting workshop
mountain rum at Montanya Distillers.
at Cedar Ridge Ranch, a walking or bike tour
along Carbondale’s Rio Grande Artway and a
Valley and surrounded by the majestic
visit to Marble Distilling Co. to learn about their
snowcapped peaks of the Cimarrons and San
zero-waste distilling process.
Juans, the RIDGWAY experience satisfies art
Nestled in the picturesque Uncompahgre
Downtown Salida
lovers, foodies, history buffs and outdoor
Arts workshop, or enjoying live performances
enthusiasts.
outdoors at the Courtyard at 610.
“We encourage visitors to explore the
And don’t miss SALIDA, a true haven for
town and surrounding area outside of the busy
culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts that is
summer season,” shares Hilary Lewkowitz,
nestled on the banks of the Arkansas River near
marketing director for the Ridgway Area
the towering Collegiate Peaks. Walk the charming
Chamber of Commerce. “We have a wide variety
downtown
for
of events and adventures from October to May.
highlights,
including
Visiting outside of the summer season affords
live performances at The SteamPlant Theater,
solitude and unique experiences that allow
boutiques like Eye Candy and hands-on jewelry-
travelers to get off the beaten path.”
making at the Riveting Experience. Salida’s
access
to
artist
unique,
creative
workshops
and
Low impact activities include biking the
commitment to its sustainability goals continue
Ridgway Area Trails network, walking the town,
with the installation of electric vehicle charging
then relaxing with a soak at Orvis Hot Springs or
stations placed within walking distance to the
the thermal pools of Chipeta Solar Springs Resort.
city’s center. :
Add some creative flare to your visit by noting
public art and creative surprises in the town alleys, checking out handmade art at downtown galleries, signing up for a Weehawken Creative
Visit coloradocreativecorridor.com to plan your trip. The website also provides recommendations for responsible travel, using tips from the Care for Colorado-Leave No Trace Principles.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
59
getaway
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
MESMERIZED BY MONTANA Words + Photos by Laura Mills
A
60
few months back I received a text from a
staying for the next few nights. Taking our time
good friend I hadn’t seen much since the
on the drive allowed us to stop and appreciate
start of the pandemic. She had reservations
the sights we would have otherwise overlooked
booked for Glacier National Park, but no one to
— vast fields with yellow flowers and massive
go with because her previous travel partner had
mountains in the background. As you approach
to cancel. She knew I would take any chance to
the junction of Route 93 and 35, you come over
travel, especially if it meant access to some of
a hill to see the enormous Flathead Lake. If you
the country’s best landscapes. Glacier National
would have told me it was the ocean, I would
Park proved to be everything I didn’t know I
have believed you. Cherry orchards lined both
needed. This trip rejuvenated the adventurer
sides of the road; we stopped to indulge.
inside of me and inspired me to spend more time
immersing myself in nature.
portion of a trip like this, but the drive was truly
I wouldn’t usually expand on the road trip
We flew into Missoula, Montana, and after a
one of my favorite parts. As we got onto Route
day of recharging, started the five-hour drive to
2 to make it up to the Many Glacier entrance, it
the Many Glacier entrance where we would be
was as if Mother Nature was saying, “You thought
ABOVE Pullout 3 | OPPOSITE Flathead Lake
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
61
that was the best? Let me show you more.” The
are part of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn) and a
soft blues of Flathead Lake faded behind us and
campground. The cabins and campground are
the mountains seemed to grow as we kept going.
separated by a large parking lot that leads to
This two-and-a-half-hour leg of our drive quickly
the Swiftcurrent Trailhead. There is a clearly
turned into three and a half, due to frequent
marked board with information about every hike
stops for dipping our toes in the freezing river
accessible from the lot — the difficulty, distance,
and marveling at what was around us. Lots of
elevation gain, estimated time of completion and
cherries were consumed.
even complimentary guided hikes.
We finally arrived at The Swiftcurrent
The Swiftcurrent Restaurant serves simple
Motor Inn, our home for the next few nights.
to-go food. I suggest perhaps bringing some
These collections of cabins are simple without
of your own snacks due to the high cost of
being primitive. Think tiny home with less need
importing food into the park commercially.
for storage. The cabins were one large room with
a bed, sink, table and a small bathroom attached,
members of the Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai
all painted a fresh white and very clean. There is
and Pend d’Oreille tribes speak to guests about
no WiFi available at the individual cabins, but
their culture and its relationship with Glacier
you can access it at the lobby.
National Park. Glacier National Park’s Native
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, local
If you are looking to spend your time hiking,
American Speaks program is the longest-running
immersed in nature, I highly recommend the
of all national parks, starting back in 1982. We
Many Glacier area. There are cabins (which
had the pleasure of listening to Blackfoot tribe
Grinnel Hike
62
member Robert Hall share stories of his people
Josephine, formed by glacial run-off but a bit
and their relationship with the land thousands
warmer than Grinnell. After almost 8 miles and
of years ago. This was one of the highlights of
80-degree heat, it was exactly what we needed.
the trip. I really felt like the audience gained a
lot of perspective from his words, delivered with
Park was spent driving Going-To-The-Sun Road
perfectly timed dry humor.
and crossing even more things off the bucket
The next day we set off from our cabin,
list. A fellow Spoke+Blossom colleague had a
conveniently located a half mile from the
connection at Glacier Raft Company (located
Grinnell Trail Head, to embark on our 8.5-mile
at the West Glacier Entrance) and was able to
round-trip hike to Grinnell Lake. Not only does
set me up with Skylar, a hilarious and spunky
this hike offer incredible mountain views with
raft guide. Skylar led our group of nine through
wildflowers lining the trail, but the whole way
one- to four-grade rapids, cracking jokes the
you hike alongside Swiftcurrent and Josephine
whole way. In the end, almost all of us took the
Lake, crossing rivers with orange, red, blue
opportunity to jump off the side of the raft into
and purple pebbles. As you walk along wood
the freezing cold water. You can reach out to
and rope bridges, you’ll finally reach one of the
Glacier Raft Company for individual or group
most breathtaking views in the park — Grinnell
guided tours and whitewater trips. Ask for
Lake. With only 351 feet in elevation gain, this
Skylar if you get the chance to go!
was a perfect hike for us as we were still getting
used to the increase in elevation. We found a
consider adding Glacier National Park to the list.
secluded corner on the shore to enjoy lunch,
There are accessible trails for every skill level
took hilarious self-timer photos and dipped our
with awe-inspiring views and adventure around
feet in the freezing glacial water. On our trek
every bend. :
back, we took the opportunity to swim in Lake
The rest of our time in Glacier National
In your plans for summer 2022, definitely
feature
FORGING CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION THROUGH STORYTELLING
TRIBAL RADIO Words by Julia Clarke | Photos courtesy of KSUT
O
n the road from Pagosa Springs to Mancos,
tradition of enchanting legends whispered late
you can scan through the usual variety of
at night around the campfire, but for KSUT
easy listening, sports and talk radio to keep you
executive director Tami Graham, the real focus is
entertained, but one station that emerges from
on giving a voice to the contemporary, everyday
the static will draw you in and wrap you in a
stories of the people who are the original
story woven to capture your imagination. Tribal
residents of Southwest Colorado.
Radio on public radio’s KSUT tells the ordinary
stories of extraordinary Native American people
understanding across cultures here, especially
in Southwest Colorado.
a deeper understanding from non-native
On any given day, you might be transported
community members of Native American reality
to 1994 and recall the lively sights and sounds of
and culture, and not just in a romanticized way,”
your last high school football game while Adam
she says.
Red of the Southern Ute Tribal Council recounts
his 47-yard field goal kick that helped Ignacio
understanding comes not just from exploring
High School win against local rivals, Bayfield.
long-vacated cliff dwellings or admiring ancient
Another day, you’ll shed tears of heartbreak and
rock art, but learning about how native people
joy alongside
live among us today, knowing the challenges
f o r m e r
they face and acknowledging the valuable
Southern
“There’s an opportunity for deeper understanding across cultures here, especially a deeper understanding from non-native community members of native American reality and culture and not just in a romanticized way.”
Graham
explains
that
this
deeper
Ute
contributions they make to our society in spite
judge
of those challenges. This, she says, is what can
Pearl Casias as
help forge better cross-cultural understanding in
she tells her
the Four Corners region.
granddaughter
about
need for awareness and acknowledgement of
tribal
the
l on e l i n e s s
“More pressing than ever right now is the
of
the history of systemic racism. There’s so much
growing up in
that needs to be unpacked and stories that need
Denver
after
to be told, and having an authentic voice that can
teenage
share those stories is really important,” explains
her
brother
64
“There’s an opportunity for deeper
was
Graham. And arguably, no medium is better
murdered, and then she laughingly laments how
poised than radio to uphold the oral tradition
he always made her be the cowboy in a game of
that largely defines native culture.
Cowboys and Indians.
Sitting on the Southern Ute Indian
Storytelling is not just a way to pass the
Reservation in Ignacio, the station signed on
time — it’s how we pass down lessons that shape
back in 1976 as one of only eight tribal stations
our society and it’s essential for the survival of
in the country at the time. In those days, it was
any culture. When it comes to Native American
housed in an antiquated former Indian Services
culture, which is famously rich with lore, the
medical center building, had a 10-watt signal
word “storytelling” might conjure a timeless
and functioned as a communications service for
Eddie Box, Jr. in the old KSUT studios.
tribal members with programming mostly in the
popular musical acts like Lake Street Dive and
Ute language. With support from the public and
Jason Isbell. Nudge the dial a little to the right
the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, it has flourished
and you’ll find the second signal, Tribal Radio,
over the years to cover five counties and has
which is rich with tales of everyday native life
recently upgraded to a brand-new, custom-
in locally-produced shows like Native Braids
built facility required to keep up with their
and Native Lens, as well as tribal culture, news
exponential growth.
and many delighting hours of rhythmic tribal
The call letters, which stand for Southern
music, which Graham maintains is a top reason
Ute Tribe, actually comprise two signals. On
for anyone to tune in: “There’s something about
Four Corners Radio, where NPR programming
listening to traditional powwow music that just
is blended with diverse musical playlists,
stirs your soul, it’s like listening to the drumming
you’ll hear contemporary native musicians
of the land.”
like Mohican Indian flute player Bill Miller
spotlighted between the latest music from
looking enterprise, the height of the pandemic
Though KSUT has always been a forward-
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
65
CHRISTOPHER MARONA
Presentation of $1 million check from Southern Ute Tribal Council to KSUT staff for capital campaign matching gift.
Groundbreaking and blessing with contractors and members of KSUT board and Southern Ute Tribal Council.
66
found them reprising their original role as an
of the region’s tribes through language
important means of communication for tribal
preservation projects.
members.
Though it’s had 45 years on the air, it
“We’re in an area with limited broadband,
seems like KSUT is just now hitting its stride.
especially out in tribal lands where there’s no
They’ve recently completed a state-of-the-art,
internet access, so people were really relying
5,000-square-foot broadcast facility with the
on KSUT for information about the pandemic. It
help of public funds matched by the Southern
was back to the core of what radio was intended
Ute Tribe, and staff are reveling in their two
for in the very first place. It helped us in a way to
new on-air studios, three production rooms
connect even deeper in realizing how important
and a performance studio where they can host
radio truly is in rural communities. It was a
live performances by touring musicians from
lifeline,” recalls Graham.
all over the globe as life returns to normal. Up
But more than simply being a monument to
next, KSUT is taking over the Pagosa Folk and
the past, KSUT stands out as a beacon signaling
Bluegrass festival and the Four Corners Folk
a bright future for Native American people.
Festival to bring people of all backgrounds and
The station is in the process of partnering with
cultures together to celebrate our diversity
Fort Lewis College — where there are now
through live music and community.
170 different tribes represented in the student
body — to create journalistic training and
worked
opportunities for Native American students.
foundation of having this beautiful new facility
Also in the works is the hiring of a tribal media
and now we just get to serve our community in
center director to further the development of
all the ways that we’ve envisioned for years,”
tribal content programming specific to Native
concludes Graham. :
“I feel like the world is our oyster. We’ve really
American storytelling and cultural preservation
When blazing new trails, TRUST A LOCAL TO LEAD THE WAY.
Nicole Bernal Ruiz 970.250.5387 nicole@robinsonandcorealty.com
hard
to
build
this
literal
feature
GRAY WOLF REINTRODUCTION ON THE WEST SLOPE
ON THE PROWL Words by Lexi Reich
T
he wolves are coming home.
marking it as the first state in the nation to
Canines with thick, grayish brown coats
reintroduce an animal species by the ballot. Now
and long bushy tails have become one of the
almost a year later, locals are wondering how
most heated conservation issues of the West.
the proposition, set to launch by the end of 2023,
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, gray
will unfold when opposing interests are at stake.
wolves have been an extirpated species since
68
the 1940s. Last November, Coloradans narrowly
VOICES FROM THE WEST
approved a measure to reintroduce the largest
“Wolves being reintroduced only on the Western
living wild canine species onto the West Slope,
Slope is very concerning to our agricultural
economy, tourism economy and to our outdoor
recreation economy as well,” says Representative
school view where wildlife and the land are
Matthew Soper, who opposed Proposition 114.
there for human use,” Malone explains. “There
“Humans and wolves definitely are competing
is another cultural shift in Colorado and in a few
for the same game.”
other places where we look at a mutualistic view
“This domination view of wildlife is an old-
While the entire state voted on the initiative,
— where we live together with wildlife. Wildlife
Soper says West Slope residents are the ones
is essential for us and for our success. We need
who will be bearing the cost. The highest
wildlife for more than just eating it and killing
concentration of supporting votes came from
it. We have a mutually beneficial relationship
populous Front Range counties that many believe
… Our fate as a human culture, in this view, is
are distant from realities out in the country.
intimately hooked with the fate of wildlife.”
Ranchers and farmers fear gray wolves will
In fact, she says the long-term effects of
decimate their livestock; hunters fear wolves
reintroduction would actually help big game
will shift elk and deer populations; some simply
hunters. As shared by the Rocky Mountain
fear for their safety against the apex predator.
Wolf Project, there is a documented rise in
While Proposition 114 promises to compensate
elk populations across Montana, Idaho and
farmers for any livestock lost due to wolves,
Wyoming where wolves were reintroduced over
many have declared it’s not enough.
a quarter century ago. Additionally, ecologists
Soper introduced a bill of his own to help
report wolves commonly prey on old and weak
mitigate the divide on the issue. He hoped
animals that might have otherwise died from
to have counties that voted majority yes on
starvation or disease.
reintroduction to welcome the wolves first. While
animals don’t recognize county boundaries, the
the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence at
thought was to give the wolves a better fighting
Colorado State University (CSU) concluded that
chance early on rather than placing them in
the available data suggests mortality caused by
counties that will work against them. Soper’s
wolves is a small economic cost to the livestock
bill was struck down, but he said the goal was to
industry as a whole.
start a conversation.
Further, while risks should not be ignored,
“In places like Montana and Idaho, livestock
losses are pretty small,” says Joel Berger, wildlife
WILDLIFE STEWARDSHIP
ecologist at CSU. “But that’s easy for me to say. If
Colorado has over 24 million acres of public land.
I were the rancher, it’d be a significant loss to me
According to a 2017 study published in Biological
and it would have impacts on me, my family and
Conservation, Western Colorado is prime habitat
more directly on the local community that cares
for wolf restoration.
about me.”
“From an ecological perspective, from
Wolves in the Northern Rockies are already
my perspective working on the ground as an
experiencing resistance with legislation in
ecologist for the past 30 years on Colorado’s
Montana and Idaho legalizing the hunting of
West Slope, Colorado needs wolves. Wolves need
wolves, undermining existing conservation
Colorado,” says Delia Malone, wildlife committee
efforts. Representative Soper says Colorado
chair at the Sierra Club’s Colorado chapter. “All
could also run the risk of individuals trapping
the things we as humans depend on for our very
or shooting wolves and hampering with
life, wolves help restore.”
reintroduction efforts, even if it’s prohibited to
do so.
Malone believes if wolves are given the
chance, they will begin to restore natural
biological diversity and improve ecosystem
or the Great Lakes or any other region that
health in the environments in which they’re
has reintroduced wolves — it has the unique
reintroduced. She says predation is one of the
opportunity to coexist with the hounds in
most powerful and important natural processes.
harmony if it chooses to.
But, Western Colorado is not Yellowstone
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
69
“In the many cases where we’ve lost species,
The
Center
for
Human-Carnivore
I believe we have an obligation to restoration to
Coexistence recommends prioritizing empathy
the extent possible, and that would be concordant
and building trust between groups of various
with my views on wolves,” Berger says.
perspectives. Doing so would develop more
collaborative solutions that can be more widely
With gray wolf reintroduction on the
horizon, utilizing coexistence strategies —
accepted by the public.
like guard dogs or range riders — are key to a
successful transition on both sides, he shares.
They too are social beings that thrive in packs.
Wolves are more similar to us than we think.
They even often mate for life. While a lone wolf
FUNDAMENTAL VALUES
or two has been spotted in northern Colorado
The topic of wolves is controversial and
over the years, it’s not enough to sustain
creates conflict among ranchers, hunters,
an endangered population. The power is in
environmentalists and other groups. But,
numbers. It’s no secret the power humans hold
the debate goes beyond the ballot. It’s a long-
over their environments, but true collaboration
standing discussion over how public lands
and healing is possible only through united
should be managed with different cultural and
teamwork, together as a pack. :
social values at stake.
70
feature
HARMONY ACRES EQUESTRIAN CENTER
HEALING IN HARMONY Words by Jenna Kretschman
W
hen Stacy Mendell’s clients meet her
recreational programs for children and military
for therapy sessions at Harmony Acres
veterans.
Equestrian Center, they’re welcomed by a crowd
of hooved therapeutic assistants. Mendell is an
use one tool — an animal — to encourage social,
animal-assisted therapist who uses horses and
emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and
other animals at Harmony Acres to heal clients
psychological changes in their clients through
through the power of human-animal bonds.
relationships and interactions with the animal.
“Our mission is to create a place where
Animal-assisted therapy allows therapists to
“We work with a lot of people whose needs
people and animals come together for the
maybe aren’t being met through traditional
purpose of healing, so our vision has really
therapy
been to create an animal-assisted therapy center
example, we work with both military veterans
that serves the entire community,” says Christy
and children who have experienced a great
Douglass, licensed therapist and executive
deal of trauma, and talk therapy isn’t always
director of Harmony Acres. In addition to
the best method to work with people who have
animal-assisted therapy, the organization also
experienced trauma. The horses really know
provides services such as therapeutic riding and
right where to start. They aren’t going to go
services,”
Douglass
explains.
“For
CHRISTY DOUGLASS
somewhere that people aren’t ready for. They just deal with what’s on the surface and help people make positive gains from that point. It just creates a much more comfortable entry point for therapy, and it seems to be more impactful.”
“Animals take the edge off in a healthy
way. They might do something funny, or out of character, or they may reach out in a certain way,” Mendell adds. “I had a person setting up cones to do an obstacle course and she would give the cone to the horse and the horse would set it down, and she didn’t know he was going to do that. He was helping her build it, and it felt like they were working through it as a team.” The
sessions
begin
with
building
a
relationship between the client and the animal. The therapist’s job is to guide the interaction while allowing the animal to provide a challenge for the client or show them a skill they didn’t know they had.
“Once you bring an animal into the
experience, you’ve got this human-animal bond A Harmony Acres client spends quality time with Doc.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
71
JENNA KRETSCHMAN
This is Fawn.
72
that’s operating as part of the therapy, so people
seven years ago and has personally witnessed
are more trusting,” Mendell explains. “When
the
you go to traditional therapy, part of having
Harmony Acres. Price recommended a friend
a successful experience is what we call the
with multiple sclerosis to begin working with the
therapeutic alliance. It’s building rapport and
horses, and it changed her life.
feeling connected and safe. Animals reduce the
time it takes to build that rapport dramatically.”
feel present, and it made her feel like a person
impact
of
animal-assisted
therapy
at
“It made a huge difference. It made her
Using animals in therapy also encourages
again. It was the highlight of her life,” Price
clients to attend sessions more frequently,
says. “Because of the way it helped my friend,
because they’ve created a trusting connection
I know how much the animals can help people.
and friendship with the animal.
Animals make you feel confident and kind,
Harmony Acres also provides services
because the animals themselves are confident
to individuals with physical and cognitive
and kind. It contributes to a lot of healing. As a
disabilities.
volunteer, I’m being helped just as much as the
actual clients are.”
“Putting them on the back of a horse is
extremely empowering for people who can’t
walk, because then the horse becomes their legs
about 20% of whom are military veterans who
and they’re able to experience things from that
have
position of empowerment,” Douglass says.
programs they’ve attended at the facility and
Long-time volunteer Barbara Price has
decided to get involved. Volunteers assist with
worked with the organization since its inception
everything from therapeutic riding sessions
Harmony Acres has more than 75 volunteers, discovered
the
organization
through
JENNA KRETSCHMAN
Volunteer Calvin Cage, a military veteran, with Boots, a 40-year-old mule.
to fundraising to animal care and facility
an actual therapy session to make a therapeutic
maintenance.
impact and for people to have that instant sense
of comfort when they walk on the grounds.”
“The atmosphere we have out here is really
significant. It just creates a community where
people feel supported and important, and they
Acres is home to a variety of animals, including
can start to learn new things about themselves,”
horses, ponies, goats, donkeys, rabbits, sheep,
Douglass says. “Not only what the volunteers
llamas, alpacas and cats.
give, but what the volunteers receive, is just
extremely impactful for them.”
long, and we’ve evolved together as partners
In addition to Boots the mule, Harmony
“Animals have been with humans for so
One of Harmony Acres’ newest and most
and companions. When we lose touch with that,
adored residents is Boots, a 40-year-old mule
we lose touch with ourselves,” Mendell says. “It
whose family couldn’t keep her amidst a divorce.
feels like magic when you do the work, but it’s
The family faced pressure to euthanize Boots
not magic — it’s that human-animal bond.”
due to her age, despite her good health and
happiness. Instead, the family reached out to
three-year-long capital campaign that involved
Harmony Acres for help.
purchasing their current 24-acre property in
“As soon as we met Boots, we knew she was
Loma, Colorado and building an indoor arena,
meant to be part of our facility,” Douglass says.
interior office space, accessible restrooms, client
“She has the biggest heart and a very loving
waiting space and new animal pens. :
presence. The second people show up, they’re just drawn to her. She creates that sense of peace and calm. Boots doesn’t even need to be part of
In July, Harmony Acres wrapped up a
To learn more or get involved with Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, visit harmonyacresec.org.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
73
feature
GRAND JUNCTION REGIONAL AIRPORT
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS Words by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy of Grand Junction Regional Airport
G
rand Junction is an emerging hub of the West.
this is just a testament to the dedication and the
Home to Colorado National Monument and
hard work that the staff at the airport and the
Mesa County’s bountiful vineyards and outdoor
airport board have put in over the years to really
recreation, it’s the largest city on the West Slope
take the airport into the future.”
and is growing more in tech, real estate and
overall population each year.
is presented annually to recognize Colorado
Grand Junction also serves as a travel point
public-use airports that exhibit outstanding
to destinations further west, from Salt Lake City
contributions to the Colorado Air & Space System.
and Las Vegas to Phoenix and beyond. With
Qualifications
pandemic travel restrictions lifted, more and
and proactive leadership, in addition to robust
more West Slope locals are turning to aviation as
community support and benefit.
the preferred form of travel to hit states finally
opening their doors to visitors again.
Study of Colorado Airports, GJT is responsible for
Conveniently
located
just
three
include
effective,
consistent
According to the 2020 Economic Impact
miles
supporting 3,399 jobs and producing over $189.72
northeast of Grand Junction sits Grand Junction
million in annual payroll, while generating
Regional Airport (GJT), the largest airport on the
$710.96 million in overall business revenue.
West Slope — and they say they’re ready to serve
this season.
of our most important assets,” says Robin Brown,
Under airport director Angela Padalecki,
executive director of Grand Junction Economic
the airport has undertaken major improvement
Partnership. “Time and again, we hear from
projects. In fact, last June it was awarded “2021
people that it was a deciding factor in choosing
Colorado Airport of the Year” by the Colorado
to relocate to the Grand Valley. That is why it is so
Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division
exciting to see how it has grown and continues to
of Aeronautics.
grow and outperform its peers.”
“It’s a huge honor,” Padalecki says. “There
are 76 public airports in Colorado, and I think 74
The Colorado Airport of the Year award
“The Grand Junction Regional Airport is one
Padalecki says the summer 2021 season was
their busiest summer to date with more services
than ever before and fares at an all-time low out of the airport.
Avelo Airlines, which has since suspended
service, offered one-way fares as low as $19 to Hollywood Burbank Airport last summer. Avelo told Spoke+Blossom they will reevaluate returning to Grand Junction for the summer of 2022.
This fall season, five airlines currently offer
airline service to seven destinations to and from GJT.
The goal of the airport is to mirror the warm
western hospitality that prevails across Grand Junction.
“When people step off the plane, we tell them
where they are,” Padalecki shares. “One of the first things we did is put up a huge photograph of Independence Monument. We worked with a local photographer and had him shoot this photo specifically because at an airport, like so many places, people are often looking down at their phones. One of the few places you can expect
Airlines Serving GJT for Fall 2021 Allegiant Air Santa Ana, California Las Vegas, Nevada Mesa, Arizona American Airlines Dallas, Texas Phoenix, Arizona
Delta Airlines Salt Lake City, Utah Frontier Denver, Colorado United Denver, Colorado
them to look up is while they’re going down an
2828 Walker Field Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81506
escalator — at least we hope that! And so, they
gjairport.com | 970.244.9100
look up and see this beautiful photo.”
She explains this vision has come to life in
person a countless number of times. As passengers make their way to baggage claim, the photograph is still in sight, but just outside the exit doors is a view of Independence Monument in all its glory, instantly orienting visitors with where they’re at.
Apart from the improved ambiance, major
construction projects included a new aircraft runup area and the rehabilitation of the airport’s east air carrier aircraft apron. All efforts were fully supported with federal funding.
“Grand Junction is a hub for the region and
that’s true from the aviation perspective as well,” Padalecki adds. “I’m proud of the broader team that works at the airport constantly rallying around our mission to help people travel safely and efficiently without complaining or barely even flinching when guidance was shifting from one thing to the next … I’m so impressed with their resiliency. If you pull back the curtain at the airport, I think the community would be exceptionally proud of the level of dedication that you see.” :
YO U R A D V E N T U R E B E G I N S H E R E Gourmet eats, fresh brews, lodging, shopping, year-round festivals, concerts, and a vibrant Certified Creative District art scene.
events
FALL 2021 Compiled by Emme Fredericks | Photo by Kitty Nicholason
Winefest 2018
SEPTEMBER
Colorfest
Telluride Film Festival
Pagosa Springs, CO September 17-19, 2021
Telluride, CO September 2-6, 2021 Spend a weekend in the beautiful mountains surrounded by film enthusiasts at the 48th annual Telluride Film Festival. Celebrate those who propelled the medium forward, enjoy new film debuts and appreciate all that the cinematic weekend has to offer. telluridefilmfestival.org
Chili and Beer Festival Crested Butte, CO September 11, 2021 Kick off the fall season with the 23rd annual Chili and Beer Festival. With locally made chili, craft beer and live music, it’s a festival that cannot be missed. tickets.beerfests.com
76
Colorfest weekend showcases many Pagosa events and activities made for the whole family. Enjoy live music with wine and local cuisine, try out new brews and food vendors or watch the beautiful mass balloon ascension. pagosachamber.com/colorfest
Telluride Blues and Brews Festival Telluride, CO September 17-19, 2021 Enjoy three days and nights at one of the most scenic and intimate music festivals in the country. With a plethora of musical artists, some of the best craft breweries in the country and plenty of activities, this festival is the perfect way to begin the fall season. tellurideblues.com
Downtown Grand Junction Car Show Grand Junction, CO September 18, 2021 Join in as Main Street rumbles with the sound of motors and participants for the 20th annual Downtown Car Show. Hundreds of antique cars, motorcycles and electric cars are on display from across the country as spectators and owners participate in friendly competition for great prizes. downtowngj.org
Mesa County Libraries Comic Con Grand Junction, CO September 18, 2021 Come together with other fans and creators, young and old, in celebrating the importance of fandoms that connect us and enrich our lives. Attend panels and meetups, visit an expo hall with creators and discuss your favorite characters with others. mesacountylibraries.org/comiccon
Colorado Mountain Winefest Palisade, CO September 18-19, 2021 Voted Best Wine Festival in the nation by USA Today, the 30th annual Colorado Mountain Winefest is back. Indulge in wine and food pairings, educational seminars and a variety of wine related activities from over 60 Colorado wineries. coloradowinefest.com
Mountain Harvest Festival Paonia, CO September 23-26, 2021 In the charming town of Paonia, Mountain Harvest Festival is an annual celebration of local music, art, farms, food and spirits. Participate in cookoffs, tours, arts and crafts and so much more. mountainharvestfestival.org
Telluride Festival of Cars and Colors Telluride, CO September 23-26, 2021 Immerse yourself in autumnal foliage and the celebration of automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft. From high-end restorations and exotic vehicles to live music and a vibrant art scene, this event will be filled with family friendly attractions for everyone. tellurideautumnclassic.com
Fruita Fall Festival Fruita, CO September 24-26, 2021 This three-day event features over 125 vendors selling their arts and
food. The weekend is filled with events such as a talent show, golf tournament, cooking contest and live music. fruitachamber.org
Tour of the Moon
shops and restaurants. Closing the weekend, the Grand Junction Film Festival will highlight a range of filmmakers ranging from students to professionals. downtowngj.org
Grand Valley Yoga Fest
Grand Junction, CO September 25, 2021 Tour of the Moon is one of the most well-known road cycling races in the western United States. With spectacular scenery of Colorado National Monument and the Harvest Moon Celebration — featuring an expo, lunch and live entertainment — this race will be one to remember. tourofthemoon.com
Palisade, CO October 1-3, 2021 Attend three days of yoga, meditation, philosophy, live music and more. Grand Valley Yoga Fest aims to unite as a community to connect, recharge, reset and have fun through yoga, while giving back to suicide awareness programs in the Grand Valley. grandvalleyyogafest.com
OCTOBER
Vail-Beaver Creek Restaurant Week
Cedaredge Applefest
Vail, CO October 1-10, 2021
Cedaredge, CO October 1-3, 2021 Join local business owners, apple orchards, artists, musicians and more than 200 vendors in Cedaredge to celebrate the fall season and agricultural heritage of the area. Festivities include live music, art, food vendors, a 5K race and more. deltacountycolorado.com
Downtown Art Festival Grand Junction, CO October 1-3, 2021 Celebrate the Downtown Grand Junction Creative District with the 6th annual Downtown Art Festival. Kick off the weekend by browsing various galleries,
Experience the culinary offerings available throughout Vail and Beaver Creek while enjoying spectacular views. The event will feature a variety of specials from participating restaurants starting at $20.21. diningataltitude.com
Grand Valley Bank Brews & Cruise Palisade, CO October 9, 2021 Indulge in over 30 of your favorite, or soon to be favorite, craft breweries at the Grand Tasting. Enjoy unlimited sampling and a complimentary mug with general admission, or dive into catered
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food, exclusive samplings, vendors and live music as a VIP guest. palisadechamber.chambermaster. com
Don’t forget to wear your best costume! This event will be from 3 to 5 p.m. visitgrandjunction.com
Animas Valley Balloon Rally
Truck-N-Treat
Durango, CO October 15-17, 2021
Fruita, CO October 23, 2021
Spend a weekend in Durango under the sky filled with hot air balloons. Events include morning mass ascensions and evening balloon glows. Learn the science behind hot air balloons and meet the crews for an educational and entertaining time with the whole family. animasvalleyballoonrally.com
Truck-N-Treat is a safe alternative for your kids to collect candy and celebrate Halloween. Bring the family to Downtown Fruita in your favorite costumes to explore fun vehicles and load up on candy. This event will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. fruita.org/parksrec/page/truck-ntreat
Telluride Horror Show Festival
NOVEMBER
Telluride, CO October 15-17, 2021
Moab Celtic Festival
Participate in Colorado’s first and largest horror film festival. For three days, experience a mix of horror, suspense and sci-fi at Telluride’s unique theaters to get into the Halloween spirit. telluridehorrorshow.com
Aspen Valley Marathon Aspen, CO October 16, 2021 Join runners from around the nation as they compete in the Aspen Valley Marathon. The scenic run along the Rio Grande Trail has been voted one of the most challenging and talked about races in Colorado. A virtual option is available for this event, so runners can complete the course anytime in October 2021. aspenvalleymarathon.com
Spooktacular Grand Junction, CO October 23, 2021 Bring your kiddos to Downtown Grand Junction on Main Street for an afternoon of Halloween activities, performances and more.
78
appetizers in the Victorian themed railcars. Experience the magical lights and a visit from Santa with the whole family. georgetownlooprr.com
Moab Folk Festival Moab, UT November 6-7, 2021 Spend the weekend in beautiful Moab listening to a wide range of 12 folk artists at various locations throughout the town. Don’t miss out on free workshops, jam sessions and vendors around the red rock filled venue. moabfolkfestival.com
Kessel Run Ultra Fruita, CO November 13, 2021
Embrace the heritage and history of Scottish and Celtic cultures at the Moab Celtic Festival. Immerse yourself in Celtic food, crafts, dancing and music along with a silent auction and door prizes. scotsontherocksmoab.org
If you’re looking for amazing views of the Western Slope with a mix of smooth and technical singletrack, this event is perfect for you. Choose between a 50-mile, 60K, 20-mile or 10-mile course to challenge yourself. Once you cross that finish line, enjoy snacks and drinks along with some race giveaways. madmooseevents.com/kessel-run-ultra
Rim Rock Run
Downtown Tree Lighting
Moab, UT November 5-7, 2021
Grand Junction, CO November 6, 2021 The Rim Rock Run boasts scenery unlike any other marathon. The course features views of monoliths, plateaus and canyon panoramas. Choose from a marathon or halfmarathon and receive prizes and swag. After crossing the finish line, enjoy live entertainment, local food and a beer garden. rimrockrun.grandjunctionsports. org
Santa’s North Pole Adventure Georgetown Loop, CO November 6, 2021 Kick off the holiday season with a train ride to the North Pole. Enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies or alcoholic beverages and holiday
Grand Junction, CO November 20, 2021 Enjoy the spirit of the holidays in Downtown Grand Junction with the annual tree lighting. Visit with Santa Claus himself and take in the magical Main Street lights with the whole family. downtowngj.org
Turkey Day 5K Frisco, CO November 25 Come out to Summit County Recreation Path to run with your family before celebrating Thanksgiving. Racers are invited to make a non-perishable food donation at the event to benefit the Family & Intercultural Resource Center of Summit County for the holiday. townoffrisco.com :
who we are
Q&A WITH JOHN MARSHALL PRESIDENT OF COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
J
ohn Marshall is the 11th president of Colorado
relationship between these organizations, and
Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction. He
that relationship’s role in the success of our
also serves as an instructor in CMU’s early start
community. Partnerships are central to this so-
programs and as a lecturer of political science.
called “Grand Junction Way” and are essential
Marshall came to Grand Junction and CMU
for our joint success. Our role in economic
in the late 1990s as a college student. It was here
development is making sure CMU maintains
he met his wife, Linde, and the two of them have
robust
settled here to build their life and raise a family.
workforce needs locally, regionally and beyond.
Spoke+Blossom was happy to connect with
The students who experience and graduate from
him about living in Western Colorado and CMU’s
our programs are so incredibly talented, and I am
presence in the community.
excited to work with the Grand Junction Economic
programs
and
curricula
that
meet
Partnership, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of S+B: What are some things you love about
Commerce and all our economic development
living and working in Western Colorado?
partners in providing students with meaningful
JM: I love that the valley is named after the union of two rivers. The Colorado and the Gunnison are different in nature, but where they mix,
job opportunities once they finish at CMU. S+B: Can you please share your
something unique and special is created. I see it
vision for CMU moving forward?
as a great metaphor for our community. We have
JM: CMU is a cultural and intellectual hub in
a blend of natives, newcomers and everything
Western Colorado. We committed many years
in between. At our best we’re connected and
ago to fulfill our mission as a teaching institution
in community with one another. As we watch
where faculty members engage in small classes
disunity and strife surround us nationally, I
and come to know their students. In my mind,
believe our community and region can be a place
CMU is a scale model of the type of nation we all
where we take a different approach — and often do!
want to live in. This human-scale university is a
place where we know each other’s names, where
S+B: What would you say is the role of
we listen and learn and challenge one another
Colorado Mesa University in boosting
with big ideas that have potential to make the
economic development in our community
world better. With two-thirds of CMU students
and region?
being students of color — and/or the first in their
JM: Communities on the Front Range might observe that Western Colorado approaches opportunities in a different manner. I hear my Front Range friends sometimes speak of a unique approach called the “Grand Junction Way.” Leaders at the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, St. Mary’s Hospital, Community Hospital, economic development partners and numerous
family to attend college — the work we do on our campus has power to change the trajectory of families for generations to come. My vision for CMU is to build on past successes and continue challenging our students to think critically as Mavericks even after they walk across the stage at graduation and become our next community leaders. :
other organizations recognize the symbiotic SPOKE+BLOSSOM
79
who we are
NIC KORTE Words by Jenna Kretschman | Photo courtesy of Nic Korte
N
ic Korte gives a hoot about owls.
hearing about the project, and the box program
Korte, a retired geochemist, is the
just kept growing,” Korte shares.
conservation chair for the Grand Valley Audubon
Society and leads the Audubon’s Western Screech
Audubon Society’s yearly Christmas Bird Count, a
Owl project. The decades-long initiative aims
nationwide annual bird census where volunteers
to monitor and provide habitats for the valley’s
record the species and number of as many birds
population of Western Screech Owls, a petite
as they can find. While the Western Slope’s
native owl that thrives in Western Colorado’s
screech owl numbers are record-setting, they are
climate. For 10 of the past 11 years, Mesa County
declining due to human activity.
has counted the highest population of Western
Screech Owls in the world, thanks to Korte’s
boxes, he estimated about 500 Western Screech
efforts.
Owls in the valley. Now we’re estimating about
“When Rich did the initial surveys without
The project involves conserving and creating
half that, just because of the loss of habitat,” Korte
habitats for the owls by placing nesting boxes
says. “The biggest thing the community can do is
in areas where new habitat is needed. The ideal
consider that we need to keep as much natural
home to a Western Screech Owl is a cavity in a
area as we can. A lot of the old cottonwoods are
tree, particularly in old cottonwoods.
not just for owls, but they are also a tremendous
“We wouldn’t have as many owls without the
resource for other birds. Do the best you can to
boxes,” Korte says. “We’ve created a lot of habitat.
protect these places with the resources you have.”
If there’s a dead tree with a hole in it that owls
need, people will cut it down, so we put a box on
a birder in his book Ten Jungle Days, available on
a live tree and create a habitat.”
Amazon. :
Western Colorado is an ideal area for the
owls due to its temperature and elevation. The Western Screech Owl doesn’t migrate, so it relies on food being available year-round in the valley.
“We just seem to be a sweet spot. If you get up
a little higher in elevation, the vegetation changes and the owls that are present will change,” Korte explains. “This time of year, the screech owls eat insects and will catch an occasional bird. They eat a lot of rodents. Some of the old alleys in Grand Junction are good for that or places where there are fields.”
The project began in the 1980s when a birder
named Rich Levad took an interest in the owls, and Korte got involved in 1991. When Levad passed away in 2004, Korte took over the project.
“I just started finding out where the owls
were. I’d knock on doors and see if people wanted an owl box, and a lot of them did. People started
80
The populations are recorded during the
Read more about Korte and his adventures as