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ALL ABOUT ASPENS 12 BLUECORN BEESWAX 32 BACKCOUNTRY SEARCH + RESCUE IN CO 60 DURANGO’S RICH CYCLING CULTURE 72
FALL 2022 / ISSUE 21
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We look forward to working with you to design and build your new home in Emerald Ridge! For more information, contact New Horizons Development, Inc.
JANET ELLIOTT
GRI, CRS, ABR
Broker/Owner
REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI 970-250-0765 N1323D@msn.com
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CO N T what’s up in the west
lifestyle
22
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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Roots
9
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Colorado National Monument: Monumental Art Show
28 26
BOOK + BEVERAGE Tears for Crocodilia by Zach Fitzner Beetlejuice Matcha by Copeka Coffee
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S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS
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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Sauvage Spectrum Opens Tasting Room in Ouray
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STYLE Bookish Purses: One-Of-A-Kind Handbags
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WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST HopeWest CEO Retires, Welcomes Successor
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ART Grand Valley Creative Alliance: Nurturing Creativity
12
BLOSSOM All About Aspens
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MAKER Bluecorn Beeswax: Candle-Making at New Retail Café
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HOME + GARDEN Black Monarch Hotel
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MUSIC crêpe girl
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DRINK Carrot-Ginger Cocktail
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EAT Fall Recipes
FOOD Winddrift Farms: Conscious Farming Practices Yield Better Pork
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WELLNESS + FITNESS Rooted in Vitality: Cryomedspa + Restore Hyper Wellness
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GATHERINGS + GETAWAYS GUIDE Special Advertising Section
E N TS adventure
features + events
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80
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ADVENTURE Joe’s Valley Festival: Climbers + Coalminers Find Common Ground
72
LOOKING BACK, RACING AHEAD 50 Years of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and Durango Cycling Culture
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SPOKE Gear Profile: Erem Walking the Talk of Performance + Sustainability
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THRIFTING CULTURE IN WESTERN COLORADO A Local’s Take
56
SPOKE Gear for the Season
80
FIRE + WATER The Dance of a Balanced Ecosystem
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SPOKE Athlete Profile: Cameron Smith
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EVENTS Fall 2022
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GRAND OUTDOORS Backcountry Search and Rescue in Colorado: How Does it Work?
88
WHO WE ARE Isabel Ehrich of Jabulani Creations
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TAKE A HIKE West Bench Trail
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COMMUNITY Durango’s Speakeasy: Bookcase & Barber
68
STAY + PLAY Ridgway: Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa
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STAY + PLAY Moab: Radcliffe Moab
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
ROOTS Roots are a foundation, and they are an evolution. Not only do roots provide support, they also convey nourishment to a growing organism; like the strong ties that connect the communities of Western Colorado, roots are essential for a vital existence. Nothing says fall in Colorado quite like the stunning gold aspen trees, and along with this issue’s cover photo captured by Grand Junction Field Office manager Kamie Long, writer Laura Mills took a deep dive into the ways of these magnificent trees in her article on page 12, “All About Aspens.” Mills interviewed Long for the piece, which highlights how the aspen’s connected root system is what sustains the species in such a unique way. Mills’ article states: “As most trees are are focused on extending upward, the aspen’s chance of survival depends on the strength and breadth of its roots.” Aspens quickly colonize recently burned or bare areas, helping to establish a balanced ecosystem. This display of Earth’s essential “dance” is what writer Kristen Grace outlines in her feature on page 80, “Fire + Water.” What you see as a group of aspens may seem like many trees, but each is a part of one core organism. In the same way, each community within Western Colorado is growing in a distinct way, yet we’re all connected at our roots. Through the changes of every season, let the aspens remind us how essential it is to stand tall and to thrive together.
Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux
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 Judy Shay Interns Sweta Karki Molly Lento Gabriela Reitz Contributors Natalie Binder Honor Blevins Peng Cheng Lauren Farrauto Kim Fuller Kristen Grace Jayme Henderson Gus Jarvis Molly Lento Kamie Long Olivia Lyda Cat Mayer Maureen McGuire Laura Mills Kitty Nicholason Kimberly Nicoletti Greg Osteen Lexi Reich Gabriela Reitz Daniel Roman Harry Sandler Sharon Sullivan Maurizio Torry Melanie Wiseman Cover Photograph Aspens glowing in the afternoon sun along a creek in northern Utah in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Photo by Kamie Long and is the winner of the fall 2022 S+B photo contest.
Publishers of Spoke+Blossom Founders of Jaunt Media Collective
facebook.com/ spokeandblossom
Founder Robin Brown
Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / 103D 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 © 2022 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.
Memories that last a lifetime.
EMPOWERED WOMEN EMPOWER WOMEN. Get involved thecycleeffect.org YEAR-ROUND FLIGHTS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS Wildwestballooning.com | 970.879.9191
@thecycleeffect
Western Slope, Colorado
contributors
JAYME HENDERSON Jayme is a writer, photographer and co-owner and winemaker for The Storm Cellar, a vineyard and winery in Hotchkiss, Colorado. When she’s not creating garden-inspired cocktails, you can find her tending grapevines, searching for the perfect bottle of wine for dinner or spending time outside with her husband, Steve, and her two cats.
GUS JARVIS GABRIELA REITZ
Gus is a Montrose-based writer who spends his summers in search of live music, big brown trout and desolate river canyons. A former fishing guide on the Gunnison Gorge, he now works to hone his skills of writing short stories. He lives with his wife, Torie.
Gabi is a Colorado native and adventure enthusiast. When not fulfilling her S+B intern duties, Gabi is most likely hiking, floating the river, hanging out with her cat or reading romance books. Gabi is currently studying communications at Stanford University and hopes to continue her career in journalism.
SHARON SULLIVAN Sharon is a Grand Junction-based freelance writer and editor. She enjoys finding and telling stories about interesting people and events. When she’s not working, you might find her hiking Western Colorado’s public lands or perhaps backpacking in Grand Canyon — the place that brought her out West.
LAURA MILLS Laura is the Community Engagement Manager for Jaunt Media Collective and finds immense joy contributing to our print publication. Whether she’s on the beaches of Maine or adventuring in the mountains, Fern can be found by her side.
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KRISTEN GRACE Kristen is a writer, editor and yogi who ardently loves storytelling. She enjoys writing about all aspects of mental, physical and collective well-being. She finds bliss in nature, especially on picnics, as she is also a foodie and amateur baker. Kristen holds a degree in communication and is passionate about listening and learning.
MESA TRAILS
14' MULTIPURPOSE EASEMENT
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14' MULTIPURPOSE EASEMENT RECEPTION No. 2636366
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13.1 Acres
UNDER CONTRAC T
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30' RIGHT OF WAY RECEPTION No. 2636366
15' IRRIGATION EASEMENT
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COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
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voices of western colorado
ROOTS We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic Compiled by Lexi Reich
DANIEL ROMAN
KITTY NICHOLASON
NATALIE BINDER
Owner of Western Slope SUP
Art Director, Spoke+Blossom
Founder of CampV
“Roots are the parts of us we
“Growing up on a beach, I
“When I embarked on creating
cannot deny. They demand truth.
thought I would always live near
CampV, I had no idea how
They connect us to the things
one. Somehow, I ended up 1000
important roots would be.
in life we cannot live without.
miles away. I was determined to
Although I was raised in
We carry them with us. We look
make the best of my choice. So
Wyoming, my family has deep
for a place to put them down.
I’d go to events, but not know
roots in Southwestern Colorado,
The quest to ‘put down roots’
a single person. The first time I
and this project provided a
dominated the last decade of my
ran into somebody I knew, I was
window to reconnect to these
life, spanning three continents,
thrilled. I guess I’d put down
deep roots in ways I had not
multiple partners and many jobs.
some roots. But then upon return
imagined. The explorers who
Making a home in the North
from every trip to the coast, I
settled these mining towns had
Fork Valley and founding a river
didn’t always feel like Grand
grit and a deep sense of rooting
outfitting company here was
Junction was my real home. And
down in search of prosperity
the natural culmination of this
now, somehow, it’s been 32 years.
and community. These roots
journey. Never forced, always
To this day, whenever anyone
have paved the way for the next
guided by roots. I am rooted in
asks me — including myself —
generations to create their own
Western Colorado, and that is a
why I’m not living on a beach I
prosperity. We are building a new
beautiful thing.”
don’t have a ready answer. Then
story that is rooted in this history,
I think of my lovely home, the
art and a firm foundation in the
Colorado adventures I’ve had, the
same soil of those who came
close lifelong friends I’ve made
before us.” :
and the wonderful work I get to do. So I might not be standing on a beach, but I have definitely put down roots.”
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what's up in the west
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT
MONUMENTAL ART SHOW Words by Gabriela Reitz | Photo courtesy of Colorado National Monument Association
T
he Colorado National Monument is one
While artists have only a week to complete
of many hidden gems Western Colorado
their paintings, the public has until November
has to offer. An array of burnt reds and sage
5 to head to the Carlson Vinyards Downtown
greens cover the breadth of stone, which is
Tasting Room to check out the works. Want to
home to a vast ecosystem of desert flora and
watch the magic happen live and in-person?
fauna. This October, you can both appreciate the
Attend one of the week’s group paint-outs to
Monument’s beauty and support its conservation
witness artists cast their strokes. These paint-
by attending the Monuments and Canyons
outs will occur Wednesday, October 5 at the
Painting Event, hosted by the Colorado National
Saddlehorn picnic area and Thursday, October
Monument Association (CNMA).
6 at the McInnis Canyons National Conservation
From October 2 to 9, 20-plus juried artists,
Area, both from 8 to 10 a.m. Whether you attend
both local and from across the nation, will create
a paint-out or purchase a piece, the Monuments
art inspired by the Monument while standing
and Canyons Painting Event is a great way to
in its canyons and along its cliffs. At the end of
appreciate and support the people and places
the week, there will be an exhibition displaying
that make up our home.
the incredible art the monument inspires. All
CNMA is a nonprofit organization created
proceeds from the exhibition are split between
with the sole intent of supporting the Colorado
the artists and CNMA. All money CNMA receives
National Monument. All proceeds from events
goes towards maintaining the Monument and its
such as the Monuments and Canyons Painting
various services.
Event support the Monument’s “educational,
“My absolute favorite part of this event is
interpretive and scientific programs, helping
just seeing how much creative and beautiful
visitors better understand and connect to this
stuff these artists come up with by the end of the
premier geologic and recreational gem,” as
week,” founder John Lintott explains. Typically,
described on CNMA’s website, coloradonma.org. :
there are about 200 new works of art by the end of this event and about $20,000 in sales are made.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
9
what's up in the west
SAUVAGE SPECTRUM OPENS TASTING ROOM IN OURAY Words by Gus Jarvis | Photo courtesy of Sauvage Spectrum
I
n their ever-evolving effort to bring Colorado
wines up to a new demographic of traveler from
wines to the people, Sauvage Spectrum Estate
the Four Corners region, and at the same time,
Winery and Vineyard opened the doors to its
add to the already-spectacular charm of Ouray.
new tasting room in the historic mountain
“We are psyched to be in Ouray,” Matysiewski
town of Ouray last August. Based in Palisade,
shares. “Our vision is to connect with the local
Sauvage Spectrum produces unique varietals of
community and offer a unique experience.”
100% estate-grown, produced and bottled wines
At the estate in Palisade, Sauvage Spectrum
that are unique to the high desert landscape of
has been growing and selling grapes for over 21
Western Colorado. The new tasting room, located
years and has been making wine over 10 years.
at 480 Main St. in Ouray next to the historic
With the unique varieties of grapes accustomed
Wright Opera House, is their second location.
to the Grand Valley, Matysiewski and co-founder/
For
co-founder
and
winemaker
Patric
grapegrower Kaibab Sauvage asked themselves
Matysiewski, the new location will open their
why nobody makes an affordable sparkling wine. Sparklet, an affordable sparkling wine, was their first release and a product they are proud to produce. “It’s Colorado’s fun, fruit-forward wine that’s affordable,” Matysiewski says. “It’s a sparkling wine that’s attainable. We really hang our hat on that.” As they have done in Palisade with various entities, Matysiewski plans to work with as many of the tour operators in Ouray to pair their tour experience with Sauvage Spectrum wines. “You can enjoy a day on the mountain or in a Jeep and then come and taste some wines after the tour,” he says. “We are starting to figure that out. There is going to be so much opportunity for partnership here.” Along with the Sparklet, Sauvage Spectrum produces a variety of reds and whites. Expect to have some fun with their wines at their Ouray tasting room, as light snacks are available to pair with wine tastings. For those hot afternoons, frosé wine selections are options, as well as mimosa bombs that contain a frozen cube of fruit puree that melt into a glass of sparkling wine.
For hours and information about Sauvage Spectrum, visit sauvagespectrum.com. 10
“This is such a good fit for the recreational capital of Colorado,” he adds. “We want to bring Colorado wine to the people — to the locals and to the visitors.” :
what's up in the west
Christy Whitney
Cassie Mitchell
HOPEWEST CEO RETIRES, WELCOMES SUCCESSOR Words by S+B Staff | Photos courtesy of HopeWest
C
assie Mitchell publicly accepted the reins
“Cassie is people- and community-centered,
from Christy Whitney to serve as HopeWest’s
finding joy and fulfillment in service to others,”
second president and CEO at the Black Tie &
shares Whitney. “She deeply understands
Boots Gala this past June.
HopeWest exists to serve our community, enrich
H o p e We s t p r o v i d e s c o m p r e h e n s i v e ,
lives and profoundly change the experience of
expert and collaborative care for those facing
aging, illness and grief. I am thrilled that such an
aging, serious illness and grief. The nonprofit
experienced, servant leader is at the helm.”
organization serves Western Colorado in Mesa,
Mitchell says she is committed to continuing
Delta, Montrose, Ouray and Rio Blanco counties.
the mission-driven work of HopeWest, which
A native of Kentucky, Mitchell is a highly
exists to enrich the lives of those it serves.
regarded and experienced healthcare leader
“It’s a new chapter in the beautiful book of
who is well known nationally. She has worked
ongoing challenges HopeWest has met and will
in health care for 27 years as a trained, certified
continue to meet with a steadfast commitment
nursing assistant and registered nurse. For
to service,” Mitchell continues. “We will do what
20 of her 27 years in health care, she has
our founders did and what this community-based
compassionately served thousands of patients
non-profit has been doing for nearly 30 years; we
and their families in some of their greatest times
will serve our community. We will continue to
of need through hospice care.
invest in and grow the services we provide today
“I am humbled to be joining a community-
and watch the horizon for new, sustainable
rooted, legacy-rich, mission-driven organization
opportunities. We will remain committed to our
serving the seriously ill and their families here
mission of profoundly changing how people
in Western Colorado,” says Mitchell.
experience death, grief and illness — one person
Whitney had the privilege to work with Mitchell for a year leading up to the transition to
at a time.” : hopewestco.org
ensure stability and continuity of care.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
11
blossom
ALL ABOUT ASPENS Words by Laura Mills | Photos by Kamie Long
W
12
e can all be traced back somewhere,
most people aren’t aware of are the unique
to a parent, family … some may say
characteristics of their reproduction cycle.
roots. Though we have somewhat of a genetic
Aspen’s could be called the goldilocks tree, not
predisposed path in one form or another, the
only for their stereotypical color but for the fact
factors of our environment are truly what our
that they need the most perfect melting pot of
growth depends on. Most people think of a
conditions to survive — ideally between 7,000
family tree as what happens above ground, but
and 9,000 feet in elevation, slightly moist and
it actually occurs out of sight, below the surface.
cool, with plenty of sun. Sound familiar?
Aspens are commonly known for their
Colorado’s mountain ranges truly encompass
warm-toned leaves and white trunk. What
everything that is the sweet spot for an aspen
grove. Kamie Long, Grand Junction Field Office
are focused on extending upward, the aspen’s
manager, sat down with us to talk all about
chance of survival depends on the strength and
aspens. Long has had her career selected since
breadth of its roots, Long explained. Once the
eighth grade; with her father being a forester
“original stem” makes home in its environmental
himself, she knew that was the path she was
sweet spot, the process continues, and a “sucker”
destined to follow. Graduating from Northern
takes form. The stem begins the repeated cloning
Arizona University with a degree in forestry,
process, while the sucker harnesses the energy
just like her father, she wasn’t letting anything
of the environment around it, creating the
stand in the way of her extending her branches
breathtaking warm-toned groves we all identify
and growing strong in her field. Long’s day-to-
as a change in season.
day is filled with a wide variety of forestry tasks
“Aspens are the first colonizers after a
and management — no two days are the same.
forest event, such as a wildfire, harvest or insect
Sometimes, you can find her inventorying the
outbreak. This is mainly because aspens thrive
condition of trees in local towns and advising
in the sun, and their root system requires heat
proper care; other days she is waging the war
to produce. For aspens to be successful, they
against a variety of bark beetles that impact the
have to be in the right place at the right time.”
forests we all recreate within.
explains Long.
Most would think the life of aspens
Whether on the perimeter of a forest event
commence when the fuzzy, cylindrical seeds
or having roots present deep below the surface
meet the Earth, which is true, but it is more
unable to gain strength due to the shade of
common that the idiosyncratic root system and
their pre-existing neighbors, aspens are the
its ability to clone itself are the proponents of
first trees to come back after cumulative death.
a strong grove following suit. As most trees
Once the aspen trees grow and produce their
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West Bench Trail, Grand Mesa
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shaded groves, they are able to present their
manner, that chemical can spread to the young
magnificence once again; one could say they are
aspens as they fight for their spot in the forest,
the phoenix of the forest.
making their chance of survival that much less
As the aspen groves continue to flourish,
likely. We must protect saplings at all costs. Not
conifers begin their life cycle and emerge
only are they fragile, but they are known as a
underneath their shade. With conifers growing
delicious snack by elk and deer.
at a much faster rate and having a longer
As a distinct member of our landscape, Long
lifespan than aspens, they will end up shading
reminds us, aspens play an important role in our
the slender white tree, leading to their demise.
ecosystem. Not only are they gorgeous, but they
That is until a wildfire, beetle or harvest takes
are the first tree to produce post-wildfire. Though
place, allowing aspens to have their sweet spot
the Colorado landscape offers an abundance of
once again.
opportunities to view these gorgeous trees, Long
Nature often has a good handle on things,
offered a few places for optimal leaf-peeping.
but sometimes our beloved aspens need the help
Turkey Flats on Pinon Mesa and West Bench by
of the forestry service to maintain their sweet
Mesa Lake are some of her personal favorites.
spot. As Long and I continued to talk about the
Next time you see a vibrant aspen grove,
significance of aspens in our landscape, she
think about what had to happen for it to be there
brought up the importance of management,
and what takes place under the soil that we
particularly clear-cutting. Dead aspen trees
cannot see; you could be looking at a grove that
produce a chemical suppressant created by
has existed underground for longer than you
existing stems. Because aspen groves are deeply
have been alive. :
connected at the root, if not cared for in a timely
home + garden
VICTOR, COLORADO
BLACK MONARCH HOTEL Words by Lauren Farrauto | Photos courtesy of Black Monarch Hotel
L
ocated at the peak of Battle Mountain in
town. “There’s a lot of history here,” shares
Victor, Colorado sits — secluded and spooky
owner Adam Zimmer.
— The Black Monarch Hotel. Prior to its recent
During the remodel process, he sought to
remodel, the boutique hotel was once a casino,
maintain the historic nature of the building while
saloon and brothel for a fledgling gold rush
updating it with modern accoutrements for
Pre-renovation
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Post-remodel: The Black Monarch is influenced by gothic revival and Italianate architecture.
18
guests. “We do all the remodel work and design ourselves,” explains Zimmer. “We launched in May of 2019 with only three rooms. We now have seven. Black Monarch is influenced by gothic revival and Italianate architecture. Other influences include the films Rosemary’s Baby and Crimson Peak.” With rooms entitled “Bela
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Lugosi’s Dracula Room” and the “Jack the Ripper Room,” not to mention the clawfoot bathtub, the horror influence on the hotel’s design is more than evident. But, it’s not just the architecture that has a haunting edge. “The hotel is haunted,” states Zimmer, plainly. The full-time resident of the hotel then began to recount tales of doors opening and closing even when locked and hearing a cat meow outside his door only to open it and find nothing there. “There are phenomena. You just get used to it,” he adds. As a self-proclaimed “scientifically minded” person, these phenomena were an adjustment at first. But following the remodel, the first guests who stayed at the hotel confirmed that what he was hearing wasn’t just part of his
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imagination. “I asked how their stay was and they replied ‘Why didn’t you invite us to the party?’” Zimmer recalls. The host wasn’t even on the property that night, but knew exactly what the guests were referring to. “I experienced a ghost party,” he shares. A few nights earlier, Zimmer was walking through the hotel at night when
RENT IT FROM US!
he heard “a party in the old bar room. A woman laughing, drinks being poured, shouting. Then, I heard a fight break out,” he recounts, matter-of-factly. Whether or not you believe in such phenomena is up to you, but maybe check out the Black Monarch before coming to any solid conclusions. Who knows? You may hear a cat haunting the halls during your stay. : blackmonarchhotel.com
OUTDOOR / EQUIPMENT / PARTY
692 Hwy 50 / Delta, CO / 970.874.5213 mesarentalsdelta.com
drink
BACK TO YOUR ROOTS
A CARROT-GINGER COCKTAIL Words + Photo by Jayme Henderson
D
o you remember playing with your food as a child or unabashedly tasting something different or foreign
for the first time? When was the last time that you experimented with flavors that don’t usually get paired together? Those moments, for me, are some of life’s finest pleasures — getting out of our comfort zones and getting back to our creative, explorative roots. This cocktail is multifaceted and layered with cozy fall flavors. Freshly pressed carrot juice meets a barrel-aged gin, complemented with a subtly sweet-yet-spicy ginger-honey syrup and brightened with a pop of lemon. I added a little of my favorite Colorado apple brandy, Big B’s Barrel-Aged Pommeau, which offers just the right amount of round, apple notes. Now
for
the
dreamy,
textural part of this drink, the egg
white.
While
carrots
and
ginger are classic and common foodpairing matches, adding an egg white to this combination might seem a little strange. Trust me on this one. The texture is sublime, and the resulting flavor is reminiscent of a childhood favorite — a citrusy, complex, grownup version of a creamsicle.
20
CARROT-GINGER COCKTAIL YIELD: ONE COCKTAIL
1½ ounces Spring 44 Old Tom Gin ¼ ounce Big B’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pommeau 2 ounces fresh carrot juice ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice 1 ounce ginger-honey syrup 1 egg white Fennel flowers, for garnish
1. I n a mixing tin, combine the gin, pommeau, carrot and lemon juices, ginger-honey syrup and egg white. 2. D ry shake (without ice) for about 20 seconds. 3. A dd ice and shake for another 20 seconds; you’ll want the cocktail frothy and creamy. 4. D ouble-strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with fennel flowers or another seasonal, edible flower.
GINGER-HONEY SYRUP Use a small saucepan and combine ½ cup honey and ½ cup water along with a coarselychopped, one-inch piece of ginger. Over low heat, bring the mixture to a low boil, stirring along the way. Let simmer for about five minutes, remove from heat and let fully cool. Strain the solids, and store in the fridge for up to two weeks. :
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
21
eat CAT MAYER
FALL RECIPES Words by Maureen McGuire
W
hen I was very small, my grandparents
to visit farmers markets for access to great
lived in Olathe. I remember days of corn
produce, as well as call or research the local CSU
shucking, cutting, bagging, freezing. Olathe
extension office to learn how to safely preserve
sweet corn is so sweet and juicy that we just ate
all of the local food that is produced in our area.
it raw, right off the cob. Trying to eat it without
You, too, can enjoy Palisade peaches in February
my two front teeth, with great effort, was worth
and Olathe sweet corn in April.
it. I’m sure I was a mess.
22
Whether it is fresh, pressure canned or
I love harvest time in Western Colorado.
frozen, Olathe sweet corn, at any time of year,
We are so fortunate to live where we do, and
is a great way to celebrate my Western Colorado
thankfully, with modern technology, we can
roots and remember my grandmother and the
preserve the flavors of the harvest for a long
blue house you can see from the highway in
time. I encourage everyone who lives here
Olathe.
CAT MAYER
CORN SALSA 2 cups Olathe sweet corn, off the cob (fresh or frozen) 1 small red onion, diced 2-3 jalapeños or serrano peppers, minced 1 small red tomato, diced ¼ cup lime juice Cilantro, finely chopped (optional) Salt to taste
1. C ombine all ingredients, and refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve chilled with chips or on tacos.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
23
KITTY NICHOLASON
24
SHREDDED CHICKEN FOR TACOS 2-3 lbs chicken breasts or thighs 2 Tbsp ground chile guajillo (or other chili powder) 1 Tbsp ground cumin 1 onion, diced 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp Mexican oregano 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 tsp salt
Peachfork ORCHARD & VINEYARD “FRUIT AND WINE WITH AN ALTITUDE”
1. P lace thawed chicken in a slow cooker with other ingredients. Cook four hours on high or eight on low. If chicken gets dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth or water, as needed. 2. R emove skin and bones. Shred. Serve on tortillas. Garnish with a choice of salsas, cilantro and radishes, if desired.
281 33 Road / Palisade, CO 81526 970.216.7662 / peachfork.com PHOTO BY LISA “MOOSE” KRAL
PICKLED RADISHES ½ cup white vinegar ½ cup water 2 tsp salt 1 clove garlic, sliced 6 black peppercorns 6-8 radishes, well washed, greens and small roots removed, sliced
1. C ombine ingredients in a ceramic bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and let sit at room temperature for two or three hours, then refrigerate overnight at minimum. 2. K eeps for about a week in the fridge. If using red radishes, the color may fade and seep into the brine. You can also multiply the recipe and water bath process in jars. Good for salads and tacos. :
book + beverage
Words by Gabriela Reitz | Drink photo by August Pomrenke
THE BOOK
Interested in learning more about crocodilia?
TEARS FOR CROCODILIA
You can find Fitzner’s book at various locations,
BY ZACH FITZNER
I
including Out West Books, Grand Valley Books and the Grand Junction Public Library.
n the Grand Valley’s arid climate, locals are used to seeing reptiles skittering across desert trails.
THE BEVERAGE
From the reclusive rattlesnake, to the vibrant
BEETLEJUICE MATCHA
turquoise and yellow collared lizard, reptiles are signature figures in Western Colorado’s desert ecosystem. However, it’s far less likely that you’ll see the collard lizard’s larger and much older relative, the crocodile. That being said, if you ever
find
opeka Coffee is the place to go if you’re craving more than “just coffee.” From
curated lattes to tea to spirits, Copeka has it all — including the perfect drink to accompany a coffeeshop reading of Tears for Crocodilia. The Beetlejuice Matcha — your choice of milk, matcha powder and the essential golden
yourself
syrup — has a bright green hue that reflects the
craving some Colorado
home of our scaly friends. The grassy, mildly
crocodile knowledge,
nutty flavor of the matcha is perfectly infused
local
Zach
has
written
Fitzner
with cardamom and turmeric and balanced
your
by the milk base. I recommend oat milk for its
next fall read. Tears for
creaminess.
Crocodilia:
Copeka has more than just drinks. They have
E v o l u t i o n ,
a repertoire of toasts, boasting toppings such as
Ecology, and the
seasonal fruit, house-made cheese and sundried
Disappearance of One of the World’s
tomatoes, among others. I recommend the
Most Ancient Animals, is a celebration of the
Cheap Trick, which is without a doubt the best
large reptile and the land it lives on.
avocado toast I’ve ever had. If you’re not in the
From the Everglades to Nepal to Egypt to our very own Fruita, Fitzner shares the story of how crocodiles went from prehistoric predators to modern, endangered wildlife. Fitzner delves beyond the specific realm of reptilia and into issues of wildlife conservation, ethics and how humans
mood for toast, Copeka offers other scrumptious options, including hazelnut cardamom
granola,
lemon
berry chia parfait and vegan biscuits and gravy. Of
course,
food
and
can coexist with other creatures. The variety in
drink are only the first part
topics, plus dozens of images, illustrations and
of a coffeeshop experience.
infographs creates a simultaneously enlightening
Both the indoor and outdoor
and entertaining read.
seating areas are colorful,
While crocodiles may seem like foreign
eclectic and are the perfect
creatures, my favorite part of this book is that it
spots to enjoy your tasty
has deep roots in our very own Western Colorado.
treats. For a holistic Tears
Fitzner studied biology at Colorado Mesa University and currently works at Gaston Design
26
C
for Crocodilia + Beetlejuice Matcha experience, I recommend picking up
in Fruita, where he is working on reconstructing
your drink to-go and take a hike, keeping an eye
the remains of a 70 million-year-old crocodile.
out for reptile friends on the way. :
S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS Compiled by Lexi Reich
@carboywinery
@carbondale_claycenter
@denaligato
Calling all wine lovers, this page is for you. With locations in Denver, Littleton, Breckenridge and Palisade, Carboy Winery is on a mission to elevate Colorado wine to a world-class level and help grow the wine industry in the Centennial State.
If you’re looking to decorate your feed with handcrafted ceramic art, Carbondale Clay Center delivers. The nonprofit community arts center offers clay classes for adults, children and families, as well as outreach programs with local organizations, ceramic studio space rentals, long term artist residency programs and ceramic gallery and retail spaces.
This is a Spoke+Blossom favorite. Follow along Denali the adventure cat’s outdoor adventures across Colorado and the West. Denali likes to scale “meowtains” and live the best outdoor life. We promise it’ll be the cutest thing you’ll see today!
Outside by Design
Creating Wellness From Within
Coal at Sunset: A Colorado Town in Transition
Perfect for the outdoors enthusiast, this podcast is all about the business of creativity in the outdoor industry. Learn from top tier outdoor industry CEOs, marketers and creatives about the insights they’ve learned on their journeys.
Created by the publisher of The Brain Health Magazine and MN YOGA + Life Magazine, this podcast is devoted to empowering listeners to live their best life by taking accountability for one’s own personal wellness. Hear from wellness connoisseurs across the nation for doses of mindfulness and inspiration.
If you’re looking for a high-quality podcast, this is it. While it hasn’t aired since 2021, the available episodes are still a fascinating listen on the function of coal as a primary employer and economic driver in rural, Northwestern Colorado. This is a story not only about energy, but values and resilience in the face of change.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
27
style
ONE-OF-A-KIND HANDBAGS
BOOKISH PURSES Words + Photo by Sharon Sullivan
“We judge every book by its cover.”
B
est friends Pam Shafer and Laurena Davis
relates to the book’s theme, then add handles
both love to read, so for Davis’ birthday five
and “embellishments,” like vintage buttons,
years ago, Shafer made a purse for Davis out of
charms or keychains — objects relevant to
her then-favorite book — The Bartender’s Tale
the title — to create one-of-a-kind purses. “We
by Ivan Doig — a title recommended by Grand
emptied our shelves, then started going to
Valley Books’ store owner Margie Wilson.
library and estate sales” to find more books,
Delighted both by the gift and the joy of
“It has to have an interesting cover,” Shafer
business creating their “Bookish Purses” out
notes. “They are quite often older books, because
of hardback book covers — which are sold at
usually newer books only have dust covers with
Grand Valley Books, 350 Main St. in Grand
the design and a boring hardback cover on
Junction. Shafer and Davis also sell the purses at
the inside.”
various arts festivals in Western Colorado. They search for used hardback books
28
Davis says.
creating it, the two friends decided to go into
Thus, their motto: “We judge every book by its cover.”
with interesting covers, remove the pages,
Shafer and Davis accept custom orders,
line the inside with fabric that somehow
like the time a woman asked for a purse made
from Woman 99: A Historical Thriller — a book
Books is restocked each month with new
written by her author friend Greer Macallister.
bookish purses.
Collectible or rare books, as well as religious tomes are off-limits.
“What we have found is people want to buy when they see them in person,” Davis says.
They’re always on the lookout for excellent
“They’re surprised when they open it up and it
condition Nancy Drew books, because “people
works as a purse. They can look at 20 of them; it’s
are nostalgic” about those novels, says Pam.
a hands-on experience.”
And, they’ve crafted a lot of purses out of books
They also sell their bookish purses at the
with dogs on the cover, because, well, they both
annual Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts
love dogs.
Festival in mid-August and the Cedaredge
The best friends work at the dining room
Applefest, which happens this year, October 7-9.
table in Davis’ Clifton home, where they keep
Most often, the leftover pages are recycled,
bins of fabric, boxes of books, jars of buttons and
although Shafer and Davis once made a
various “embellishments.” Sometimes they start
decoupage backdrop for their booth at one arts
with an iconic trinket and build from there. “Pam
festival. If it’s a book that Davis wants to read,
is really good at finding great embellishments
she’ll place the pages on her shelf to read later.
and seeing how it all goes together,” Davis
“We give books fabulous new life,” Davis
reveals. “She’s always on the lookout. I totally
says. “We keep them in circulation in a different
nerd out on vintage buttons. I come from a
way. They’re been read. They’ve been loved.” :
family of seamstresses.” Fabric for the purses’ interiors is chosen to fit the book’s theme. For example, the Herpetology purse has an interior made from material with an iridescent, white scaled pattern. The World of the American Indian purse includes a turquoise charm and a silver Native American button for the clasp — perfect accompaniments to the purse’s American Indian design. Designing and selling their bookish purses is a fun way to spend time together, while also being creative and productive, they say. They’re both busy women; Shafer teaches kindergarten at Scenic Elementary in Grand Junction, and Davis teaches classes at Colorado Mesa University, while also pursuing a Ph.D. Even the purse’s price tags are charming. Remember the vintage checkout cards that patrons used to sign when borrowing library books? From her school librarian, Shafer acquires old checkout cards, which are cut up and hole-punched to use as price tags. Shafer recalls a serendipitous moment during a Grand Junction arts and crafts fair when a woman who was perusing purses suddenly froze when she spotted her sister’s fourth grade signature on a tag. The woman bought the purse, of course. Though creating the purses is a laborintensive process, they strive to keep prices affordable, between $40 and $75. Grand Valley
Visit Bookish Purses on Facebook: facebook.com/bookishpurses or email bookishpurses23@gmail.com.
art
GRAND VALLEY CREATIVE ALLIANCE
NURTURING CREATIVITY HERE Words by Gabriela Reitz | Photos courtesy of Grand Valley Creative Alliance
G
rand Valley Creative Alliance (GVCA) is
programming.” In February of 2020, GVCA
bringing creatives together. Meant to
hosted their first event: an Art Afterhours to
expand on the term “artist,” “creatives” includes
bring creatives together, network and hear about
anyone whose work involves some sort of
each other’s passions. As we all know, however,
creative expression but may not be considered
the COVID-19 pandemic hit the following month,
art in a traditional sense. For example, a chef
which hampered the group’s ability to “bring
or a writer may not be considered “artists,”
creatives together.”
yet the work they do is creative and should be recognized as such.
30
Nonetheless, GVCA did not quit. During the height of the pandemic, GVCA secured
In 2017, the Grand Junction Cultural
funding to sponsor the Chipeta Elementary
Strategic Plan was updated to include three
Ceramics Project, which allows every Chipeta
goals for the area’s creative industry. From
student to participate in ceramics workshops
this plan, a Creative Alliance Task Force was
and showcase their creations. On a city-wide
created. In the following years, this task force
level, GVCA created Community Arts Partners
was successful in designating Downtown
(CAPS), a partnership that brings together five
Grand Junction as a Creative District and in
of the city’s largest art organizations — the
creating a creative alliance whose mission is to
Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, the Art
“cultivate and promote the creative community
Center, the Museum of Western Colorado, the
through collaboration, education, events and
Avalon Theatre Foundation and the Mesa County
Libraries. CAPS held two arts and culture forums with City Council and D51 Board candidates and is in the process of putting together a package in support of a city-level arts and culture director. “We really want to advocate for the arts,” Robbie Breaux, president of the GVCA Board and founding member, explains, “and an arts and culture director is the way to do that on a city level.” Of course, the creation of art is at the core of GVCA’s mission. To achieve the goal of bringing creatives together and promoting their art, GVCA plans to create a MakerSpace — a designated place for creatives to make art, attend classes and just hang out with their peers. Through a MakerSpace, as well as Community Arts Network (quarterly networking meetings, also referred to as CAN), creatives have the opportunity to get to know one another in a spirit of collaboration and support. “One of the things the Grand Valley is experiencing right now is growth,” Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, library director for Mesa County Libraries and GVCA board member explains, “and the arts and culture community needs to figure out a way to grow intentionally and purposefully.”
Through
these
collaborative
opportunities, the arts and culture community can do just that. Also coming up this fall is the Grand Valley Open Studio Tour (GVOST). This event is perfect for anyone who appreciates art and wants to support local creatives, whether you consider yourself a creative or not. Hosted in October, 25 local artists will open their private studios to the public. Truly a tour of the Grand Valley, GVOST begins on one end of the Valley and ends on the other, with a map provided to each ‘tourist.’ This is a chance to witness intimate art processes, home galleries and enter a creative’s artistic sanctuary. Want to know more about what GVCA is up to this fall? Visit their website gvcreates.org for more information. Want to get involved and help cultivate and promote the creative community? Consider donating at the same website, joining a committee or simply showing up to events. :
gvt.mesacounty.us
maker
CANDLE-MAKING AT NEW RETAIL CAFÉ
BLUECORN BEESWAX Words by Gus Jarvis | Photos courtesy of Bluecorn Beeswax
W
32
hen he looks across the factory floor
explains. “I’ve dreamed about creating that
as the day’s bustle of candle-making
space, and I think we pulled it off.”
processes ramp up, he sees customers talking
Located at 1842 S. Townsend Ave. in
over cups of coffee. Some are having a bite to
Montrose, the building that once housed the
eat. The sound of the barista’s coffee grinder
Furniture Connection is now the headquarters
mixes in with their conversations. The space
of Bluecorn Beeswax. The beautifully renovated
is big, yet cozy. It’s industrious and chill. It’s a
building provides the factory space needed to
scene Bluecorn Beeswax founder Jon Kornbluh
manufacture the company’s successful line of
dreamed of creating.
beeswax candles and simple living products. It
“I have always paid attention to and
also provides a relaxed setting for the Bluecorn
appreciated great spaces, whether they are retail
Café & Mercantile, where one can sip a specialty
stores, coffee shops or restaurants,” Kornbluh
coffee drink and enjoy a breakfast burrito or a
lunchtime sandwich with views of the candle production line. The café area doubles as a retail space for Bluecorn candles, as well as other products that fit into Bluecorn’s simple living style. Until early 2020, Kornbluh and the candle business focused mainly on customer-tocustomer website sales. After nearly thirty years of producing and selling candles, he asked himself if he had the energy to continue on. As he prepared to sell Bluecorn Beeswax, people around the world became more homebound due to the COVID pandemic, and the beeswax candle business, surprisingly, received an uptick in sales. Partnering with investors, Kornbluh found new energy and a new vision to expand from the already cramped facility in Ridgway to a new Montrose location. “This is fascinating,” he says. “When we looked for a new space, there were no warehouse spaces available in Montrose. This building was really our only option, and it ended up being perfect in so many ways. We weren’t necessarily focused on a front-facing retail café, but there are 35,000 vehicles driving by here every day. It gave us the opportunity to make our headquarters a special location that has a positive impact on Montrose and the brand. We knew this could be an elevated community space, so we went for it.” The manufacturing side of the business moved into the space in October 2021. In the move from Ridgway, manufacturing was only offline for three days. “We were making and shipping candles on top of electricians working on the building,” he reveals. After extensive renovations, the retail café space opened its doors in April 2022. For Kornbluh, the vision of the retail café has only just begun. Already, the mercantile has been populated with all kinds of simple living products that Kornbluh and his staff love. There are body care products, juice presses, organic cotton napkins, coffee and coffee brewing products that are just a few examples. Of course, the
mercantile
carries
Bluecorn’s
flagship
beeswax candle line and its scented candles. While the business is venturing into the sales of different housewares and body products, he says
34
the beeswax candles are still the backbone and
on his journey into making beeswax candles,
spine of Bluecorn, which is why it’s so unique to
starting in an off-the-grid cabin near Telluride. :
sit and enjoy a coffee and lunch while watching one of the 30 Bluecorn employees strategically dip racks of tapered candles into nearby vats of hot beeswax. “We have been blessed with our employees,” he says. “We seem to be attracting a really high caliber of people to work with us. It’s a great place to work and a great scene. It’s clean, quiet and chill. This place is so inviting for both customers and employees. I really want to maintain this feeling of welcoming and simplicity. It’s just a great place to hang.” Kornbluh hopes to have a liquor license in place soon to pair with future planned events at the mercantile café, including musical events produced by Pickin’ Productions, weekly community candle-making nights and book
Bluecorn Beeswax founder Jon Kornbluh
readings. “We’ve only just begun, and we are pretty darn excited for what we built and what’s coming,” he adds. Be sure to visit beeswaxcandles.com for all Bluecorn products, as well as Kornbluh’s blog
www.studiomwarch.com Resilient Design Guided by a Love of Wild Places.
Visit bluecorncafemontrose.com for more information on Bluecorn Café & Mercantile, including its menu. The café is open every day but Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
music
A TREAT FOR YOUR EARS
crêpe girl Words by Gabriela Reitz | Photo by Honor Blevins
W
hen thinking of crêpes, your mind
After teaching herself the guitar at the age of
images of a French delight, not the sound
10, Grégoire went on to learn the drums, bass,
of indie music. Eliza Grégoire, known on
vocals and a little bit of keyboard. Not only
stage as “crêpe girl,” hits on both senses.
does she write and play her own songs, but she
Born in Indiana to French parents, Grégoire
produces everything from the comfort of her
conjures
initially moved to Grand Junction to race for
bedroom.
Colorado Mesa University’s cycling team. Now,
“I really like teaching myself production,”
she’s planted roots in different ways — first
she explains. “Nowadays, you can look up a
with her crêpe stand, LULU Crêpe, and now
YouTube video for anything.” To Grégoire,
by writing and performing music as crêpe girl
writing music is both fun and a challenge. “I just
(casually branded in all lowercase).
like it so much,” she adds. “And, I like each of my
“It’s kind of funny, because I literally make
36
Crêpe girl is the definition of self-made.
mouthwatering
probably
songs for different reasons.”
crêpes, and I’m French, so it’s part of my culture,”
Her most recent song, “Try Me Out,” is
Grégoire explains, speaking in a light accent.
more artistically “open” than her other songs,
While her voice alludes to her European
meaning she didn’t follow any music rules and
heritage, her style of brown Converse and a long
she “just went with what [she] felt.” While most
tee oozes an edgy, cool confidence — a call-out to
of her songs are about love and relationships,
the musician side of her crêpe aesthetic.
she says that it’s up to the listener to interpret
them as whatever makes the most sense to them personally. “When you release a song, it’s not yours anymore … Whatever the listener thinks the song is about, they’re right,” she says. And crêpe girl’s listener count is on the rise! At the beginning of this year, she had just under 1,000 monthly Spotify listeners. By summertime, she reached 20,000. The best part of writing music, Grégoire says, is performing it. This past spring, she performed
Located at the base of Mt. Garfield, The Blue Beryl Winery serves traditional dry wines — estate grown and made — with a local Palisade twist. Enjoy the wine and the view.
her biggest shows to date when opening for one of her favorite artists and musical inspirations, Del Water Gap. The audiences at these shows were upwards of 600 people, and Grégoire describes it as “the best experience [she’s] ever had.” The process of performing with bigger bands and in front of bigger audiences has taught her various lessons, the most important one being to always “shoot your shot ... with everything.”
3587 G 7/10 Rd Palisade, CO 81526 970.712.0679 theblueberylwinery.com
Because Grégoire doesn’t have a manager, she’s the person who reaches out to artists about opening at their shows; she reasons that “the worst thing they can say is no,” a response that is very common in the music industry. “I’m way more used to rejection than people saying yes,” she elaborates, “but sometimes they say yes, and it’s incredible.” While her listener count continues to rise, and she’s performing in front of bigger audiences, Grégoire plans to stay in Grand Junction. She argues that with everything being online nowadays, there’s no need to move to a bigger city, and why would she when she loves the Western Colorado area? “I happen to make music in a time where I can build an audience from my computer,” she explains. Not only can she share her music from Grand Junction, but the fact that it’s not a big city with music influencers telling her what to do is also appealing. “I think, in general, Grand Junction is beautiful,” Grégoire details, “but also the slower pace and seclusion makes it easier for me to write what I want.” Needless to say, crêpe
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food
CONSCIOUS FARMING PRACTICES YIELD BETTER PORK
WINDDRIFT FARMS Words + Photos by Gus Jarvis
Jan, Dave and George Rosenbaum
“I
t has that malty, graham cracker smell,”
to just pricing, the Rosenbaums’ focus on every
he says, holding a handful of dark brown
aspect of the operation is what makes their
feed. “This is what makes our pork taste so good.”
38
product one-of-a-kind.
George Rosenbaum, along with his parents, Jan
“We treat our entire operation as one
and Dave, operate Winddrift Farms in Olathe,
organism,” George Rosenbaum says. “Our first
Colorado, where corn, barley and soybeans are
thought in anything we do is how will it affect
grown to build the feed needed for the 600-
our soil health? Everything we grow from that
700 fat hogs they sell to their customers each
soil is going into our feed. Higher quality soil
year. The dark feed made of roasted soybeans
means higher quality crops which means higher
and barley is just one of the details that make
quality feed and bedding. In the end, you are
Winddrift Farms’ pork so special. From no-till
getting higher quality pork.”
farming and regenerative farming practices to
Over the last 20 years, the Rosenbaums have
the genetics of the sows, and their dedication
cultivated relationships with their customers
based on just pricing, rather than relying on
In order to take that leap into the business,
a traditional supply-and-demand model. The
they utilized a loan to purchase property to
diversity in their consumers, along with the
operate on, as well as a production credit loan.
operation’s reliance on its own-grown crops for
Both loans had variable interest rates. During
feed, provides stability for both pork pricing
the recession of 1980, the interest rate on their
and the demand of their product. Their focus
loans climbed from 4% to 16%. Meanwhile, the
on being insulated from the national pork and
national price of pork crashed from 55 cents a
commodities markets is the result of some tough
pound to 24 cents. “We had no bargaining power,” he admits,
times in the early 1980s.
adding that the hogs their sows were producing
IN AND OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX
were going almost too well, and that came at
After working at the nearby Grett Dairy and
a cost. “We had great production, but every
realizing running a dairy farm of their own
additional pig a sow kicked out cost us more
was untenable due to expense, Jan and Dave
than the hogs we were selling.”
Rosenbaum first launched Winddrift Farms in
Working to make some sort of profit, Dave
1978. With the help of a friend, they took the
Rosenbaum had the pork USDA inspected in
leap into a pig operation selling hogs on the
Cedaredge in order to sell hogs wholesale closer
national market.
to home. While selling to a small handful of
“We decided to jump in with a 100-sow
independent markets didn’t pull the couple from
operation. It was a big jump,” Dave Rosenbaum
their debt, it did implant an idea in Dave’s head
recalls. “At that time, we were sending semi-
that selling pork direct to consumers at a just
truck loads of hogs out to Modesto, California.
price made more sense. “Even though the price
We were pretty good at it.”
for us dropped, the price in the grocery store
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seasonal sustainable seafood and so much more
970.926.3007 cutvail.com
George Rosenbaum tends to his soybean crop.
hadn’t changed that much,” Dave Rosenbaum
ever-evolving construction boom(s) in Telluride.
says. “That taught me that the price markup
In fact, their sole marketing campaign consisted
is not to the wholesale market necessarily, but
of a sign painted “Se Venden Puercos.” Their
wholesale to retail was making all the money at
customer base grew even more when Sunnyside
that time. That developed the idea in the long
Farms Market opened in Durango, which was
run to sell to our consumers at a fair and just
eager to carry locally-raised pork products.
price that is not market based.”
Little-by-little, Jan and Dave Rosenbaum inched
In debt and unable to sell their large
themselves back into the hog business, but this
operation of hogs at a price to keep them afloat,
time, the focus was on direct-to-consumer sales
Jan and Dave Rosenbaum quit the hog business
and wholesale based on just pricing. “It’s a
for good. They shifted their careers toward
market of consensus rather than an opportunistic
teaching in Peru, and later, teaching in Olathe.
market,” George Rosenbaum believes.
“We spent 10 years in the penalty box paying
40
off our loans,” Dave Rosenbaum says. “We were
IT COMES FROM A GOOD PLACE
never going to do it again.”
While their business grew on more solid ground
They vowed never to do it again until
this time, Winddrift Farms was still tied to the
their children’s 4-H projects brought them two
national market, because the feed they used was
exceptional sows. Over time, they began to
still being purchased. George Rosenbaum, now in
inch themselves back into the hog-producing
his 30s, had spent time in Maui building houses.
business thanks to the two sows their daughters
He decided to come home to be a part of the
Nancy and Betsy raised. In that time, Dave and
farming operations, particularly with growing
Jan Rosenbaum built relationships with a few
a rotating crop of corn, barley and soybeans on
Hispanic families working in and around the
approximately 135 acres.
“They developed the good market and the good genetics of the pigs, but they were buying all the feed on the national market, so the next step in vertical integration for us was now the feed production,” George Rosenbaum shares. “Regenerative farming is what we are aiming for. While producing our feed, we want to leave the soil better than what it was.” He says there’s a lot of economics, science and experimentation in their farming methods that are ever evolving and improving. For starters, they don’t use insecticides and are 100% no till. To keep symbiotic bacteria and organic matter in the soil, they rotate the three crops on their fields. This also allows for a lot less use of insecticide than other farms in the area, as the healthier soil is able to ward off some of those bugs on its own. The corn, barley and soybeans are not only used to feed the animals, but the leftover stalks from the corn and barley are used as bedding for the hogs. This combination of bedding, along with the animal scat, are then put back into the fields to ensure the soil’s nitrogen components are prime for the next crops’ success. “I lived ten years in Maui building custom homes,” George Rosenbaum says. “I love building, and I love Maui, but at the root of it, I knew I would never do that forever, because what I was doing for a living was contributing to what I didn’t like about Maui. Here, I know I am improving a piece of land, and I am providing a high-quality feed and nutrient source consciously.” He adds that their crop of soybeans is of particular importance, as there’s nobody in the area growing them, and, on top of that, there’s nobody roasting the soybeans and pressing the soybeans to remove the oil (many use chemical
“It has that malty, graham cracker smell,” George Rosenbaum says, holding a handful of dark brown feed. “This is what makes our pork taste so good.”
separation) for the feed. The end pork product is just better. “Everything has a benefit. The roasting of the soybeans and the barley creates that nutty, malty, barley flavor, and it really adds to the pork fat,” George Rosenbaum says. “It is so damn good, and I know it comes from a good place.” “We have happy animals, and that really matters to us,” Jan Rosenbaum shares. “We have great customers, and they all treat us with such respect, because we respect them.” “I am so proud of our sow heard,” Dave Rosenbaum adds. “It has been developed over time to produce well in these conditions. And, our just price reputation for a straightforward, win-win relationship with our customers is intended to benefit both members of the deal. If we didn’t have that, we wouldn’t do it.” : Anyone interested in purchasing pork from Winddrift Farms should visit Sunnyside Farms Market in Durango or Kinikin Craft Butchers and Processing in Montrose.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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wellness + fitness
CRYOMEDSPA + RESTORE HYPER WELLNESS
ROOTED IN VITALITY Words by Kristen Grace | Photos courtesy of Tom + Elizabeth Lutes
R
estore
bringing
include Cryotherapy, an Infrared Sauna and
innovative wellness services to people
Hyper
Wellness
is
Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, plus other
across the nation. Cryomedspa in Durango
42
state-of-the-art offerings.
provides Restore’s signature services. Their
Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is designed to
services are all centered around the goal to
boost energy, activate healing and defy signs of
help people “do more” of what they love by
aging. “Forever, people have been using cold as a
optimizing vitality.
way of stimulating circulation,” Elizabeth Lutes
“Our purpose as human beings is to evolve.
shares. It works by sending your body into a
Evolving takes energy, and energy takes vitality,”
sympathetic nervous state, renewing your cells
Elizabeth
Cryomedspa
and leaving you feeling fresh. You walk into a
in Durango and Restore in Santa Fe and
futuristic-looking cubicle chilled with nitrogen
Albuquerque, said as she received a vitamin
and walk out feeling revived and peaceful,
cocktail via an IV drip.
thanks to the endorphin release.
Lutes,
co-owner
of
IV Drip Therapy is among the many
“All the blood is rushing to your core,
wellness modalities offered by Restore. The IV
getting nice and oxygenated. Then, when you
Drip provides vitamins, minerals, nutrients
get out, that oxygenated blood goes back out to
and amino acids in a saline solution. Registered
your extremities,” Max Allen, Restore regional
nurses always oversee the medical processes at
manager, explains. A full-body Cryotherapy
Cryomedspa and Restore, review health history
session takes just two to three minutes. Localized
and create an individualized protocol to ensure
Cryotherapy is also offered to people who need
the most effective outcome. Additional services
more specific treatments.
THE CAR E YOUR PAR EN TS NEED TO
stay safe and independent IN THEIR OWN HOME.
HopeWest PACE provides all the care covered by Medicare and Medicaid plus additional benefits to help seniors continue to live independently at home.
“
My mom is, once again, full of life. I no longer feel overwhelmed and alone. The weight of fear and stress lifted! We are so grateful to be a part of the remarkable, supportive extended family at HopeWest PACE.” –Jaime M., daughter of a current HopeWest PACE Participant* Received June 2022. Shared with her permission.
*
Schedule a home visit, take a tour, or talk to an Enrollment Specialist 970-255-7223 • TTY 800-659-2656 • HopeWestPACE.org
The Infrared Sauna is an enticing and ambient
any combination of treatments that fit their
room for one. “The difference between a traditional
needs). “It’s a fun place to help people heal,” Allen
sauna and an infrared sauna is [the latter] uses
says, zealously. Restore brings many wellness
infrared light to heat what is in the chamber, so
modalities together, so anyone can find refreshing
it’s heating your body from the inside out,” Allen
vitality.
explains. Some of the numerous benefits of the
Elizabeth Lutes believes vitality exists in
Infrared Sauna are detoxification, cardiovascular
four dimensions — physical, emotional, mental
maintenance and muscle recovery. You can adjust
and spiritual. Tom Lutes agrees, saying that
the color of the light, and all the variants on the
depth in each of the four realms of vitality is
spectrum have unique benefits.
fundamental to a person’s overall well-being.
Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves
He believes that being rooted in dimensional
settling into a chamber and receiving 90 to 95%
wellness gives people the freedom to expand and
pure oxygen through a nasal canula. Oxygen is
contract, bend and not break. He shares, “Roots
a great healer, as Allen points out, so anyone
are core strength — core strength physically,
recuperating from injury or illness, people
core strength emotionally, mentally, spiritually.”
recovering from cancer, those with autoimmune
“Roots are [your] ability to contact deeper
or neurological disorders and athletes seeking
and deeper levels of self,” Tom Lutes proclaims.
enhanced performance find the oxygen chamber
Elizabeth Lutes emphasizes, “The deeper the
to be helpful.
roots, the more you’re able to flower and reach
“[Restore is] a perfect way of helping people
out and explore.”
access deeper levels of health,” says Tom Lutes,
Restore is guiding people to vivacity by
co-owner of Cryomedspa and Restore Hyper
helping to ensure the efficiency of their bodily
Wellness. In addition to the core wellness
systems and renew their mindsets because, as
services, Cryomedspa’s and Restore’s licensed
Elizabeth and Tom Lutes believe, mindset is
aestheticians provide Hydrafacials and Cryoskin
causative. Restore helps people plant intentional
treatments.
roots in their well-being and vitality; deeply
Restore is membership-based and treatments are individualized; clients can drop in for a quick,
rooted in wellness practices, you can expand your capacity to “do more” of what you love. :
two-minute Cryotherapy session or stay longer for a facial and relax in the Infrared Sauna (or
cryomedspadurango.com restore.com
44
2515 Foresight Circle / Suite 100 Grand Junction, Co., 81505 970.242.8177 regenesisplasticsurgery.com Mon - Thurs 8am - 5pm / Fri 8am - 4pm
A
t REGENESIS PLASTIC SURGERY, DERMATOLOGY & SPA, helping you look good, feel good, and be happy in your own skin is our goal. Our team of BoardCertified physicians offer both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Our plastic and facial surgeons, Dr. Hartshorn, Dr. Swelstad, and Dr. Pitcher, are experts in facial, body contouring, and reconstruction, while our Dermatologist, Dr. Kappius, is the authority in skin cancer detection and the treatment of skin disease. Our new medical Spa at ReGenesis holistically serves clients through a full-service spa experience in a beautiful and relaxing environment. With certified laser technicians, medical aestheticians, and massage therapists working together under the guidance of Medical Director, Dr. Kappius, our team can help you from head-to-toe. Our medical grade aesthetic services include HydroLuxx™ Facials, microneedling, dermaplane, and chemical peels. Laser services with our ADVATx, IPL, and CO2 lasers to eliminate veins, sun spots, unwanted hair, and resurface the skin. Our
Dr. Kappius, Dermatologist, Medical Director for The Spa at ReGenesis
the county. “The catalyst for ReGenesis was our drive to develop an environment that was comfortable and focused on plastic surgery, specifically aesthetic surgery. Patients want to be in a soothing locale, be able to confidentially discuss their concerns and wishes, and feel they are in the presence of professionals who care about them and their safety. My favorite part of my day is when patients return happy, empowered, and have gained personal confidence from what we have done. Be it cosmetic improvement to bring back their feelings of self-confidence, or disease management like skin cancer removal or reconstruction so it is unnoticeable following unexpected trauma. It is the joy of personal relationships developed with patients as they develop trust in us and enjoy our expertise and results. I love coming to work every day!” said Dr. Hartshorn. ReGenesis accomplishes these amazing results with their team of Board-Certified Physicians, certified Physician Assistants, certified aestheticians, laser specialists, massage therapists, and knowledgeable and caring staff. Each person who walks through our doors is unique and special in their own way and we honor that. ReGenesis Plastic Surgery, Dermatology & Spa is here to provide exceptional care, safe and effective surgeries, procedures with distinct outcomes, aesthetic treatments, and skincare products that help clients look and feel their best in their own skin. Because you are worth a beautiful investment — yourself!
(Left to Right) Dr. Hartshorn, Dr. Swelstad and Dr. Pitcher, ReGenesis Plastic Surgeons
massage therapist provides Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Lymphatic massage customized to each client’s unique and specific needs. Our physicians also offer Botox® and fillers to help each client achieve their individualized goals and desired outcomes. Founded in 2007 by Dr. Hartshorn and Dr. Swelstad, the practice has grown rapidly through referrals and testimonials from local patients and patients from across
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gatherings + getaways guide
Special Advertising Section SKYDIVE MOAB The Skydive Moab reputation speaks for itself. With over 700 ‘Excellent’ reviews on TripAdvisor, they are the most rated skydiving company in Utah. Since they opened in 2003, their focus has been on safety and excellence. In their quest for excellence, they have added a new airplane to their fleet, a Cessna Caravan — it holds 19 skydivers! But don’t just take our word for it, check out TripAdvisor and see for yourself what others have to say about Skydive Moab! Over 75 years of combined skydiving experience and 100,000+ jumps our staff has accumulated. skydivemoab.com 435.259.JUMP(5867)
KEBLER CORNER Kebler Corner is known as the place to be in the summer when you visit the North Fork Valley and Kebler Pass … but have you ever been in the area during the winter? It is a truly magical spot. The property features five winter cabins of varying sizes and price points. Each cabin has heat, a private bathroom and a kitchen or kitchenette. Kebler Corner offers ample snowshoeing and cross country skiing, nearby access to backcountry skiing and snowmobiling, Wi-Fi and even a grocery delivery service. This small, family-owned and operated, pet friendly property also has indoor space that is used as a yoga studio or a group gathering spot. If you are looking to get away from the resort crowds and revel in the peace and beauty of a winter wonderland — Kebler Corner is the place for you! keblercorner.com 970.929.5029
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gatherings + getaways guide
Special Advertising Section CampV Inspired Shelter for the Spirited Wanderer CampV was established in 1942 by the Vanadium Corporation to house the engineers who worked in the uranium mines outside of Naturita, Colorado. In 2020, this historic gem was restored by StudioVille Crew to welcome wanderers to a remote and scenic corner of Southwest Colorado. Discover your Wild without the crowds. Beautiful with a tiny bit of dirt under the fingernails and 120 acres to explore, travelers can sleep well in one of the newly reimagined historic cabins, glamping tents, Jupes, airstreams or riverfront camping. Through our arts non-profit WEarts, explorers can experience our curated art and support art and creative programming in a rural community. When you’re ready for a mission, check out Planet V, our annual arts and music gathering over Memorial Day, and prepare to lift off. campv.com 970.369.9520
WILD WEST BALLOON ADVENTURES Floating in a hot air balloon surrounded by the vibrant fall colors is one of the most spectacular things you can imagine. Wild West Balloon Adventures, located in the heart of Steamboat Springs, offers you the chance to experience the Colorado mountains like you never have before. Imagine soaring above the glistening Yampa River, directly between Emerald Mountain and the Steamboat Ski area. The balloon flights always take place in the morning, leaving you plenty of time to head out on your next activity. You will fly with Bud Whitehead, owner and operator of the company. His experience and skill in the air will leave you feeling safe while you get to relax and take in the views. A must on any traveler’s list, a ride with Wild West Balloon Adventures will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. wildwestballooning.com 970.879.9191
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
47
gatherings + getaways guide
Special Advertising Section FALL EVENTS ON THE LOWELL SCHOOL COMMONS The Lowell School Commons is downtown Grand Junction’s newest outdoor open space, located at the Historic Lowell School (310 North 7th Street). Please join us at these upcoming events: –F irst Friday of Every Month: First Friday Art Happenings. Featuring a new local artist each month. –S eptember 15: 7th & Grand Wine Bar Celebration. Enjoy your favorite wines from several regional wineries. A benefit for Mesa County Habitat for Humanity. –S eptember 29: Artisans and Makers Vendor Market. Find one-of-a-kind artisanal items made or sourced by local vendors. –O ctober 1: Grand Valley Food Truck Throwdown! Sample fare from a variety of popular food trucks and award-winning craft beer from Gemini Beer Co. Advance tickets recommended as this event may sell out. For more info, to purchase advance tickets, or to book your next event: MyDowntownGJ.com
WE SPEAK TO
WESTERN COLORADO
LEARN MORE ABOUT ADVERTISING AT SPOKEANDBLOSSOM.COM
adventure
CLIMBERS + COALMINERS FIND COMMON GROUND
JOE’S VALLEY FESTIVAL Words by Laura Mills | Photos courtesy of Joe’s Valley Festival
L
ocated on the outskirts of Orangeville and
the people of Emery County, Utah, home of Joe’s
Castle Dale lies Joe’s Valley — a bouldering
Valley and the surrounding towns. When Joe’s
paradise. With tens of thousands of unique
Valley was earning its claim to fame in the early
rocks, fine grain sandstone, a wide variety of
2000s, the cowboys and coalminers of Emery
routes in every style and an unparalleled level
County were not thrilled to see a bunch of rag-
of access, climbers from Salt Lake City began to
tag vagabonds with punk rock haircuts and wild
develop the routes in this area in the mid-’90s.
personalities coming into their towns. These
A landmark send of V13 Black Lung in 2000
very towns had been the same for hundreds of
caught the attention of the climbing community
years, relying on the coal mining industry, which
worldwide, and the buzz has never stopped.
had started to fall apart. With Emery County
Perseverance,
50
tenacity,
struggle,
love,
going from 20-plus coal mines down to three,
community and resilience are all words one
hardship engulfed the community. Families and
would use to describe the sport of climbing.
businesses began to disappear, leaving empty
Similarly, those words could be used to describe
homes and shops in their place, making the fear
of this place becoming a ghost town all too real.
He went back home and returned the
The financial struggle combined with the tension
following weekend to signs around the town
building between the climbers and the locals
saying, “We Love Our Rock Climbers.” Suddenly,
was recipe for disaster, or maybe something
Food Ranch, the town grocer, had climbing
beautiful.
chalk and kombucha on the shelves with crash
It all began one Saturday in 2013, during
pads at the register available to rent. It seems as
the annual Orangeville and Castle Dale town
though Emery County had begun to accept that
clean-up. Unshowered, with taped fingers and
the climbers were adding to their town instead
dirt-covered clothes, the climbers who refer to
of taking away. There was serious potential
themselves proudly as dirt bags, led by Steven
for increased tourism to bring their beloved
Jeffery, showed up ready to work. Existing
county out of its economic slump. Jeffery and
residents weren’t sure what to think, but as the
his partner, Adriana Chimaras, had just the idea
day went on, they came to realize these dirt bags
to keep this blossoming bond growing for years
were here not just for the free food, but for the
to come — a festival. Not a festival just focused
aid of the community. After the successful day
on bouldering but, rather, focused on bringing
of bonding and civic duty, Jeffery was asked by
together the interests of the townspeople and
the city council to give a presentation on what
the boulderers who were beginning to call this
bouldering was and why so many people were
place home.
coming to Emery County for it. Jeffery gave
In 2015, the first Joe’s Valley Festival came
his presentation on the valley, its routes, the
to life with stewardship as its backbone. Patrick
“mattresses” on their backs known as crash pads
Bodnar, rock climber and marketing manager
and all things climbing in hopes that this would
of the festival, gave some insight as to what
continue to bridge the gap.
the weekend entails and how its success has
LET THE LEAF PEEPING BEGIN! Make plans to visit Delta County and enjoy all of the beauty that Fall brings.
visitdeltacounty.com
The festival offers trail building and bouldering clinics held by some of the industry’s best climbers, such as Ethan Pringle and Conrad Cooper; jewelry making taught by local jeweler San Rafeal Works; photography and videography clinics held by professional photographers and making massive pizzas at the local favorite, R Pizza. The grand finale of the weekend is a good old-fashioned rodeo — where the climbers are encouraged to participate. “It’s old mining roads with easy access to thousands of deposits of boulders that brings climbers here, but it’s the insane level of community and the love from the locals that continued to help this community gain back
keep climbers coming back year after year,”
financial stability.
Bodnar believes.
“The festival can be broken up into three
You will find people climbing in Joe’s Valley
parts: clinics, climbing and community,” Bodnar
no matter the time of year. With shaded climbs
states with a grin on his face.
available in the summer to higher-elevation
Bodnar and the team behind the festival
routes accessible in the winter, Joe’s has become
pack the weekend with a variety of activities.
a place for nomads to put their feet down. With the success of the festival and the added diversity to the community, the economic future of this area is beginning to look bright once again. This has resulted in Joe’s Valley Festival earning the Economic Impact Award from the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2018 and Emery County putting a bill in place that protects over one million acres of this very land for climbers and recreators alike to use for years to come. All of this growth and positive economic impact has led to “The Fest.” As Joe’s Valley Festival continues to grow, so does its mission. With the festival holding 501c3 status as a nonprofit, their big focus is continuing its advocacy group and adding more stewardship days throughout the year. The festival is held September 22-25, and tickets are in a choose-your-weekend type layout with custom gear and swag bags from sponsors depending on the level of ticket you select. This gives you the opportunity to customize your experience and truly get what you want out of the weekend. With Orangeville being less than three hours from Grand Junction, this place is a must-see on your upcoming fall road trip. : joesvalleyfest.com
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spoke
GEAR PROFILE
EREM WALKING THE TALK OF PERFORMANCE + SUSTAINABILITY Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Erem
W
hen it’s hotter than hot in the desert and
commitment to plant one million cactus pear
very little can survive, “the cacti are
and the projected impact of this mission.
humming.” That’s how Noah Swartz puts it, and
“As a desert company, we applaud the UN’s
he has big ideas about how certain cacti may just
goal to plant one trillion trees but recognize that
provide a big solution to some of the planet’s
this goal isn’t relevant for a massive portion of
toughest challenges.
the planet, and so, doesn’t go far enough,” says
Swartz is the co-founder and chief executive
Swartz. “Planting cactus pear is a better solution
officer of Erem, an outdoor brand focused
for arid landscapes in terms of long-term
on desert performance. This past spring, I
carbon sequestration, protecting local ecology,
spent several days in Joshua Tree, California
revitalizing local economies and conserving
with Swartz, the Erem team and several
precious water resources.”
other journalists to learn about the company,
Swartz emphasizes how one-third of the
their products and, most importantly, Erem’s
earth’s landmass is desert, and 20% of the global
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
53
population lives in the desert. Other parts of
pear, cactus pears have a great growth rate,
the world, including South America, Mexico
their carbon sequestration is high, the fruit are
and Africa, have already invested in large-scale
in demand as food and the plants have biomass
cactus pear projects, but in America, Swartz
potential to be used as biofuel or fodder. The
says, every time someone has tried this for the
plants also need very little water in comparison
past 120 years it hasn’t worked.
to fruit trees (over 90% less water than orange
“Now, we’re at the point where we can
trees, for instance). To start a new plant, all you
look at all those past mistakes, and we have the
have to do is cut a pad, let it dry for five days,
potential to really make it happen for the first
then take that pad, dig a hole, put the pad in the
time in America,” he says.
earth and cover it with a little bit of soil, and
So, what is it about this plant that holds this great potential? Known commonly as prickly
you have a new plant. I actually planted one in Joshua Tree, and it’s just as easy as it sounds. Certain cacti, cactus pear in particular, breathe in carbon, but underground they take that carbon and store it, not as CO2, but as mineral — calcium carbonate. This move of carbon underground is a permanent sequestration, even after the cactus dies. With the plant’s impressive ability to pull carbon from Earth’s atmosphere, Erem’s initial goal of planning 1 million cactus pear (which they have calculated will take around 2,000 acres) has the effect of taking 40,000 cars off the road every single year. In addition, this move to grow large quantities of cactus pear can produce calories in the fruit and pads to feed hundreds of thousands of people. The cactus pear can be turned into renewable bioenergy and can also be used as a form of cattle feed, so the economic potential from this plant is multi-fold and stands strong alongside its environmental benefits.
The author in Joshua Tree, California
54
“If you used to be a cotton farmer in Arizona,
of Joshua Tree and is now scaling its Cactus
you have a very big problem on your hands,” says
Pear Program by cultivating thousands more
Swartz. “You have thousands of acres of plants you
plantings at a time. Erem will use proceeds from
can no longer grow, because you can’t get water to
every sale of its products to fund this program
grow it, so what are you going to grow? We have a
until the goal of a million cacti is reached with
solution for you. With 2,000 acres, a cotton farmer
partner farmers all over the world.
who used to get subsidized water can work with
I haven’t even touched on their desert
this solution that is going to be good for the planet
hiking boots, but I can attest that the brand’s
and good for their bottom line.”
commitment to quality stands out as much as
Erem’s brand pillars are to deliver best-
its sustainability initiatives. Erem’s Xerocole
in-class performance for the desert, raise the
collection provides the protection and support
sustainability bar for the outdoor industry
you need in harsh desert environments, and the
and look to the desert for the planet’s biggest
collection uses only materials with 100% proven
challenges.
paths back to nature — a methodology they are
“One of our founding beliefs is that the
trademarking as Biocircular.
desert is under-represented and under-thought-
The name “Erem,” pronounced Eh-rem, is
of in a lot of different ways, including when
an acronym adapted from the ancient Greek
we think about some of our climate’s biggest
word for desert that stands for Exceptional,
challenges,” Swartz shares. “We think this is
Responsible, Enduring and Motivated. This
our responsibility to uncover what we believe
is the company’s product promise and brand
is a global-type solution; we think it’s our
philosophy. :
responsibility to push it.” Erem started this mission by planting its first 250 cactus pear cacti at a pilot site outside
Get there easier Grand Junction Regional Airport is the most reliable airport in Colorado, with 90% of all flights arriving on time. GJT offers nearby parking, fast check-in and short security lines so you can enjoy the convenience of local, friendly air travel.
To learn more, visit eremlife.com.
spoke
GET OUTSIDE!
GEAR FOR THE SEASON Compiled by S+B Staff
Isle Switch Hit the water with this light, stable and versatile ‘hybrid’ inflatable paddle board and kayak complete package. The ISLE-LINK connect system runs the length of both rails for installing the included kayak seat and footrest or other accessories just where you want them. $995 islesurfandsup.com
Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh SS Jersey We really put this jersey to the test during some hot days this year. Pactimo and 37.5 Technology partnered to create cycling wear to help regulate your core temperature by removing humidity from your apparel. The lightweight mesh fabric works wonders when the temps seem too hot to handle. $163 pactimo.com
Mountain Hardware Stryder Pant
Scosche PowerUp 32K
For hiking, backpacking and
This portable power station is
camping, this durable jogger has
designed for road trips, camping
an adjustable belt to provide the
and garage work, and it also
perfect fit. The nylon fabric dries
comes in handy during at-home
quickly and features a DWR
power outages. It’s compact
finish to shed moisture. We love
and has a protective rubberized
the grey camo print! $75 mountainhardwear.com
coating, along with a built-in LED flashlight and carrying handle. Charge all your portable electronic devices such as phones, tablets, cameras and more. $249.99 scosche.com
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Baffin CUSH Hybrid Slipper Known as a “sleeping bag for your feet,” the CUSH is ideal for chilling at the campsite after a long day on the trails. With soft Altra Escalante 3
nylon uppers, cozy insulation,
The snug, sock-like fit of the
elasticized lockable ties and
upper on this trail shoe creates
a durable, nylon bottom, this
stability and comfort for clocking
slipper combines indoor comfort
miles on the road. The cushioned
with outdoor lifestyle. $55
foam midsole and roomy toe box
baffin.com
ensure a more sustainable wear experience from short efforts to full days on your feet. $140 altrarunning.com
Patagonia Fitz Roy Sleeping Bag 20°F / -7°C Keep camping this fall with a new streamlined, 800-fill power, down bag from Patagonia. It’s lightweight and sewn Fair Trade, so you can truly feel good about bringing it into the backcountry for your next overnight. $499-$559 patagonia.com
Hydaway Camp Bowls
ARTILECT Sprint Tee
Available in two sizes (1.5 cups and
This ultralight Nuyarn merino tee pairs
4 cups), each set includes one camp
comfort with performance to make it
bowl, one lid and one matching
a go-to layer for early morning starts,
insulation sleeve. Pack down the
afternoon adventures and evening
bowl to a slim one-inch package
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SPOKE+BLOSSOM
57
spoke
ATHLETE PROFILE
TRUE COMPETITIVE SPIRIT Words by Kimberly Nicoletti | Photo by Maurizio Torry
Cameron Smith Succeeds by Training in Ways That Feel Right to Him, Not a Coach
C
ameron Smith isn’t your typical Olympic athlete. He didn’t grow up dreaming of
skiing in the Games; in fact, his chosen sport — ski mountaineering — won’t be eligible as an Olympic event until 2026. Smith didn’t even love skiing as a kid; living in the flatlands in Rockford, Illinois, his athletic interest revolved around running. Only occasionally did he get to the little Midwestern ski hills. Nevertheless, Smith exemplifies how carving out your own way as an athlete can lead not only to record-breaking success, but also to a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle. While most Olympic-bound competitors
have at least one coach, Smith prefers to skip coaching in favor of following his own body wisdom and academic knowledge. With a degree in exercise science from Western Colorado University, he ascribes to scientifically-based training, from working out in the gym to biking, skiing, skinning and running; it’s just a matter of when he does each activity. If he’s psyched to mountain bike, he’ll put on the miles, but if he’s tired from work, he’ll dial it back a bit. In addition to not growing up as a skier, he faces a couple of hurdles European skimo athletes do not. First, he works full-time at the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte every summer. Second, he doesn’t live in Europe, where skimo is popular. To address the first, he lets his internal drive — along with an early alarm clock — steer his day. “I think my success isn’t in spite of having balance in life but, largely, because of it. Since I do things that motivate me and keep training fun while keeping balanced with holding down a meaningful job, I’m able to stay consistent over the years,” he believes. “Most athletes struggle
58
with burnout and injury problems over time, but I believe a big part of my success lately has been that I do things that bring me joy and train in a variety of ways. I wake up every day excited for whatever training I’m going to do, and that helps me get the most out of myself in the long run.” To make up for not living oversees, where intense World Cup skimo racers train, the Crested-Butte-based athlete has decided to spend the entire winter training and racing in Europe. There, he plans to focus on sprint and relay, since only those more intense disciplines of skimo — and not his stronger event, vertical — will be Olympic events in Italy.
“I do okay in sprints, especially relative
which was ironic, because he swore he wouldn’t
to other Americans … but I’m small — 5’9”, 130
enroll in the same university his sister attended
pounds — so a powerful, short event doesn’t
and the same one his parents met at as college
maximize my strengths, which are more grinds,
kids. But, mountains can be persuasive; he not
where endurance and fitness plays more of a
only earned a degree from the school, but also
role than pure strength,” he explains.
coached skimo there for the past four years.
So, he’s practicing more explosive interval training.
Though being in Europe will prevent him from coaching there this winter, he still plans
“What stands out to me most about
to work summers at Adaptive Sports Center,
Cam is sheer dedication to the sport and
because he “fell in love with meeting interesting
improving himself in any way he can,” shares
people with great stories and perspectives,” he
training partner and friend Logan Greydanus.
explains. “Seeing their lives change right in front
“Cam doesn’t come from a mountain sports
of your eyes — there’s nothing more important
background growing up in the Midwest, so
I can do than being with that person in that
he doesn’t have many of the advantages that
moment.”
starting a sport really young brings. Instead, he
While Smith is proud of making the USA
really puts in the time to be the best of the best.
Skimo team, being the first North American
This can take the form of waking up super early
man to make the podium in World Cup skimo,
to get a workout in before work or really drilling
placing first in the 2018 Grand Traverse ski, run,
down on identifying weaknesses and focusing
dual sport and triple crown, and being the 2019
on improving them.”
Sprint national champion, there’s much more to
As if excelling in one sport isn’t enough,
him than stats.
Smith recently qualified for team USA for
“Cam embodies the phrase ‘hometown hero’
the Mountain and Trail Running World
more than anyone else I know, even though he
Championships, which will be held in Thailand
wasn’t born in CB,” Greydanus says. “He spends
in early November. Though Smith found some
a lot of his time giving back to the community
success in competitive running in middle and
through things like raising money for our local
high school, he ultimately stopped revolving his
cancer support group, Living Journeys, coaching
life around the sport because, “I was good, not
at the local Nordic center or working at the
great at it,” and small injuries began to add up.
Adaptive Sports Center helping disabled folks
“I was devastated when I couldn’t run
get outside and enjoy the outdoors. With all this
because of stress fractures toward the end of
community engagement, it’s pretty hard to walk
high school. It was too much stress,” he says. “It
down the street with Cam and not have someone
was unhealthy how invested I was in the sport.”
shout a hello or ask where he’ll be running or
Through those experiences, he learned to
skiing the next morning. It’s cool to see how
view life in a less competitive light and take the
the community really rallies behind him and
pressure off of himself.
celebrates his successes when it comes time
“I realize now that the result isn’t
to race.”
everything,” he adds. “There’s so much more to
Maybe that’s because he takes such an
life, and if a race doesn’t go well, I can still take
authentic approach to sports, encouraging
satisfaction in the journey I took to get there,
people to “do things that are fun and motivating.”
because it’s motivating me, and it has taken me to beautiful places.”
“I hope that people can understand that you don’t have to sell out in any way and that sport is
Since college, he has enjoyed the social, fun
complementary to your lifestyle; it can’t be your
and adventurous aspects of sports, so much so
entire identity and motivation to be alive,” he
that when he visited his older sister at Western
says, adding, “I just enjoy the process of trying to
Colorado University, and she took him skiing
be my best.” :
and climbing, he fell in love with the lifestyle —
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
59
grand outdoors
BACKCOUNTRY SEARCH AND RESCUE IN COLORADO
HOW DOES IT WORK? Words by Anna DeBattiste HEATH SAMPLE
M
60
elissa was just sitting down to dinner with
and rescue incidents in her county, and she’d
her husband and two children when she
been waiting for a page for the last few hours. She
heard the text message come in. She swore under
had hoped it wouldn’t come, however. Between
her breath, knowing what it probably was. It was
her busy job for a telecommunications company
Sunday night, typically the busiest night for search
and her volunteer rescue responsibilities, she’d
had little time for her family lately. Her husband
knew. He was disappointed but understanding
had cooked a special dinner that night, telling
as usual. “It’s okay,” he said before she could
her he hoped she would be able to stay home
speak. “You do what you need to do, and we’ll
and enjoy it. Her husband was so supportive
put a plate in the fridge for you.”
of her busy schedule that she felt guilty all
Many Colorado residents, even those who
the time. She snuck a peek at her phone under
recreate frequently in the backcountry, know
the table.
little about how backcountry search and rescue
“All available search and rescue members,
(BSAR) works in the state. Colorado statute
please report to the Wheeler Creek trailhead for
mandates that county sheriffs are responsible
the search for a nine-year-old male separated
for search and rescue, but most don’t have the
from his family during a hike.” She sighed. She didn’t have to go, of course; all search and rescue members are volunteers who respond when they can. But, her team was small, and lately, they had been stretched thin by high call volume during the busy summer rescue season when many members were on vacation. And, it was a child! Nine years old was just one year
“The BSAR community is the safety net for Colorado’s multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy.”
younger than her own oldest child. It was 7:30 p.m.; it would be dark in another
trained staff it takes to handle this function. Very
hour, and the weather forecast was calling
few sheriff’s offices have small paid teams of law
for thunderstorms by 9 p.m. She looked up at
enforcement officers who juggle BSAR duties
her husband, mentally forming the words of
with their law enforcement responsibilities, but
apology, and she saw in his eyes that he already
most sheriffs rely on nonprofit teams composed
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of trained volunteer rescuers. Many sheriffs say
common heard are the desire to give back to the
they don’t know what they would do without
community, a love of the outdoors, the rewards of
these dedicated volunteers.
teamwork and camaraderie, and the occasional
Colorado BSAR teams have many specialties, and those specialties are highly
excitement of working with helicopters, rescue dogs, technical rope systems, etc.
dependent on the type of terrain they service.
As Colorado sees higher and higher
A team on the Western Slope might specialize
visitation numbers, the number of incidents
in canyon rescue, while teams in areas with a
teams respond to has steadily risen over the
lot of climbing terrain specialize in high angle
past couple decades. The BSAR community is
rescue, and some of the high alpine teams
the safety net for Colorado’s multi-billion-dollar
specialize in avalanche rescue. Some teams
outdoor recreation economy, an economy that
train for proficiency in swift water rescue, dive
continues to grow. :
rescue, downed aircraft recovery, cave rescue and other highly specialized rescue situations. All teams train for proficiency in searches and medical evacuations. BSAR incidents often
EDITOR’S NOTE: Melissa is not a real Colorado BSAR volunteer, but the experience depicted in the story reflects an accurate account of working with BSAR.
happen at night and in all manner of bad weather. What makes a person volunteer to be cold,
Wondering how you can support that safety
wet and tired outdoors in the middle of the night?
net? Donate to your local team or consider
The reasons are as varied as the backgrounds
becoming a volunteer. You can find contacts
of our volunteers, but some of the most
for your local team here: coloradosar.org/ sar-county-map/.
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take a hike
WEST BENCH TRAIL Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman
T
he Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain
is a mix of lakes and streams, volcanic rock fields
in the Northern Hemisphere, is terraced
and meadows to lush forests; watch out for those
with benches of aspen and spruce/fir forests.
tree roots.
West Bench Trail rates as the classic Grand Mesa
Lower in elevation than the top of the Mesa,
bench hike and one I generally do three times
West Bench Trail is slightly easier for those not
annually. Wildflowers are on full display in
used to altitude. The trail is not difficult, but
the summer, a photographer’s dream. Winter
is rated moderate for its length and uneven
delights those looking for a gorgeous backcountry
surfaces. For beginners and experienced hikers
cross-country ski and snowshoe destination.
alike, West Bench trail is a gem everyone
Fall, however, is my absolute favorite time
(including dogs) can enjoy. Keep leashes handy
of year to hike West Bench Trail — especially
to respect equestrians, mountain bikers and
September and early October. The temperatures
other hikers with dogs.
are pleasant, the air free of annoying pests, and
64
the trail becomes a scene out of Wizard of Oz.
GETTING THERE
Aspen leaves, loosened by crisp breezes, fall like
From the north side of the Grand Mesa, take exit
graceful snowflakes, converting the trail into a
#49 (Powderhorn/Grand Mesa exit) off I-70. This
golden serpentine pathway. The trail’s landscape
is Hwy. 65, which takes you through the town
of Mesa and past the Powderhorn Ski Area.
the last two cabins on the left is a West Bench
Continue on a few more miles and park for free
Trail sign leading you down a hill to begin your
at the Jumbo Reservoir parking area.
remote adventure. At the 3-mile mark, you will
From the south side of the Grand Mesa, east
see a Powderhorn ski patrol hut, picnic table and
of Delta off Hwy. 92, take Hwy. 65 north through
the top of lift #1, offering stunning views. Enjoy a
Cedaredge 21-miles to the Jumbo Reservoir
snack or lunch and head back to the trailhead, or
parking area.
continue on to lift #2, another 2.5 miles. In June and July, mosquitoes can be plentiful, so take
THE TRAIL
your bug spray.
West Bench Trail is an out-and-back trail with
West Bench Trail is now part of the connector
two length options to pick from. To Powderhorn
trail between The Plunge mountain bike trail
lift #1, it is 3 miles each way. To Powderhorn
and Powderhorn Ski Area. Although hikers have
lift #2, it is 5.5 miles each way. The elevation
the right of way, it’s advisable to step off the trail
change overall is basically zero, because of the
for bikers. :
trail’s rolling flow. The trail begins at 9,700 feet with an elevation change of just 200 feet. On the opposite side of the campground, the trail continues to another bridge and spillway off Sunset Reservoir. Traverse the reservoir edge to where the trail splits, and follow the West Bench Trail to the right. The trail will lead you to a road with private cabins; veer right. Between
NOTE: I have scared up a couple bears on the second section and wish I’d had a bell on my pack. I was forced to sing all of songs from The Sound of Music out loud (the only songs I knew by heart). The bears took off as soon as they sighted me. Probably my singing.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
65
community
THE STORIES OF THE BOOKCASE & BARBER
DURANGO’S SPEAKEASY Words + Photos by Kristen Grace
U
pon entering The Bookcase & Barber, you’re
If you convey the correct password upon
greeted with a smile, the smell of rum,
your arrival, they will open the bookcase to
leather and hair products, and the faint sound of
reveal the cocktail bar. Beau Black says it never
music coming from the other side of the wall. One
gets old watching people euphorically walk
of the walls of the bookstore-turned-barbershop
through the bookcase, being transported back
is teeming with literature — books begging to
to the prohibition era. The best part is that the
take readers on journeys to old and new places.
customers, or “Bookcasers,” will always have an
The greatest story, though, is the one you get to
intriguing story to tell their friends and family.
tell of your journey through the bookcase.
66
The couple’s roots are deeply woven
Owners Beau and Jenna Black established the
in Colorado. Their story started in a local
barbershop in a space that had been a bookstore
restaurant, where chef Beau Black got creative
for over 30 years, originally called The Bookcase.
in the kitchen and Jenna Black tended to guests
To fill a need they saw in the community, they
and maintained the ambiance as the host. Seven
revamped the bookstore into an old-fashioned
years ago, they knew that Durango was the
barber shop. Even more exciting is what lies
perfect home for their next big adventure: The
beyond the bookcase.
Bookcase & Barber, Durango’s own speakeasy.
Jenna Black, an aesthetic nurse specialist
make sure to investigate the cover image for the
during the day, is passionate about the guests’
hidden phrase, or on Instagram, be sure to pay
experiences. She loves being a part of the
special attention to their bio.
community, listening to people’s stories and
The Bookcase and Barber is a place for story
being a part of their new ones. “We’re so grateful
lovers and storytellers. As a Bookcaser, you will
people find us and take the time to search out
experience the passion that seeps into every
our password,” she says. “Durango really helped
inch of the space, every sip of the drinks — the
create this space.”
ardor of the people who create a space intended
The speakeasy is divided into two rooms that intentionally combine old-world and modern
for you to connect with someone special over a drinkable masterpiece. :
industrial design. With personal touches, such as side tables made from three-generation old repurposed wood from the Black family, the speakeasy feels unique and welcoming. “Everything that Beau picks for the menu has a story behind it that our bartenders can talk about; they come from families all over the world,” Jenna Black shares. Beau Black says that he and the servers learn the stories and origins of the bottles on the shelf, and he believes it’s an investment worth making. “I can connect with people more by telling them a little story about this [bottle], and people appreciate that,” he adds. The bartenders will take time to understand your drink desires and recommend or curate a cocktail just for you. To pay tribute to the history of the bookstore, many of the cocktails are named after famous authors. The owners researched the writers, found their favorites drinks and these cocktails form their core list. “It’s a good baseline of prohibition or pre-prohibition style cocktails,” Beau Black explains. The other part of the menu is the stories section. This section is renewed every season, so you can find four new menus throughout the year. The stories section is full of cocktails created and named by the staff that carry a special meaning. They could be inspired by a book, a song or something going on in the world, for instance. Come as you are — dressed to the nines in Gatsby-style attire or in your shorts and sandals after a day spent at the river. The password can be found online, but acquiring it takes a bit of sleuthing. Don’t scroll too fast through their website, or you might miss the phrase in
bookcaseandbarber.com
quotation marks. On their Facebook profile,
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
67
stay + play
RIDGWAY
CHIPETA SOLAR SPRINGS Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa
I
t wasn’t long after we checked into Chipeta
a restaurant, a spa and a little Kiva conference
Solar Springs Resort & Spa in Ridgway that
center.”
my husband and I jumped on our road bikes
Among the current 33 rooms, there is a
and headed toward the Dallas Divide. The pass
variety of accommodations, from single rooms
that divides the Dolores River and Uncompahgre
to rooms with private hot tubs and gas fireplaces,
River in Southwest Colorado is one of the most
most with a view and an outside deck.
scenic byways in the state, if not the country, and what a way to see it. After the 20 miles of headwind and 2,000
aromatherapy, facials and body treatments.
feet of elevation gain, coming back to soak in
Other amenities at the resort include two
our private hot tub at Chipeta was just perfect.
solar-heated pools, along with yoga and Tai chi
The property is inviting — a cozy adobe-inspired
offered in the Kiva. The Kiva is a circular event
compound tucked into the end of a side street in
space, inspired by Native American gathering
Ridgway. It was once a cow pasture, and in 1994,
spaces, and it’s ideal for hosting retreats, meetings,
was developed by Jack and Patsy Young. They
wedding receptions, music events and more.
still own and operate it today.
68
Patsy calls the spa “the heart of the resort” and offers massage, couples’ massage,
The Four Corners Restaurant is open year-
“So, we started with the first building, which
round to locals and the public, while the popular
is a true adobe structure,” Patsy Young shares.
rooftop Sky Bar with its stunning views is open
“That was a 12-room B&B. Then, we expanded it
during warmer weather and often has live music.
building by building; now, we’re up to 33 rooms,
Four Corners serves breakfast daily and dinner
Tuesday through Saturday. Order the Huevos
River Valley — the Ute Tribe and Chipeta, wife
Rancheros if Chef Stefan has them on the menu!
of Chief Ouray, specifically. Nearly three decades
We enjoyed our road bike adventure this
after the Youngs opened the original bed and
trip, but for mountain bikers and hikers looking
breakfast (Chipeta SunLodge), Chipeta Solar
to have Chipeta as their basecamp, the Ridgway
Springs Resort & Spa is still a nod to the heart
Area Trails (known as the RAT trails) offer miles
and heritage of Southwest Colorado. :
of multi-use fun.
Chipeta Solar Springs is located at
Chipeta was originally inspired by honoring
304 S. Lena St. in Ridgway. For more
the original occupants of the Uncompahgre
information visit chipeta.com.
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getaway
MOAB, UTAH
RADCLIFFE MOAB Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Radcliffe Moab
A
trip to Moab often means packing up all
The 38-room hotel opened this past spring
the camping gear and heading to the desert
and is designed to accommodate outdoor
for an outdoor getaway. While it’s wonderful
adventure travelers visiting local attractions like
to sleep under the stars and bring home lots of
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
memories dusted in red dirt, sometimes it’s nice
The Radcliffe lobby features a rich, biophilic
to embrace a visit that requires less preparation
design, giving guests an immediate connection
and guarantees more amenities. We were able to
to nature with lush green plants and trees
check out Radcliff Moab, a new hotel in the heart
balanced with natural woods, earthy tones
of downtown Moab, Utah, and it really was nice
and comfortable seating, providing a nice spot
to visit the area in a new way — one that pairs
to start and end the day. The artwork featured
comfort and convenience with Moab’s unique
throughout the hotel was commissioned by three
spirit of adventure.
local artists, each piece a unique work capturing
“Moab is such an extraordinary destination, and this hotel has been a vision for decades,” says
All the rooms feature a Steadyrack wall,
Rob Radcliffe, founding principal of Radcliffe
giving guests a place to hang bikes and gear.
Ventures. “The Radcliffe is the ideal basecamp
Comforting, luxury amenities include Purple
hotel with an independent spirit offering visitors
mattresses and Cariloha bamboo towels.
to Moab a respite that caters to and curates their experience and needs, day and night.”
70
Moab’s stunning vistas and terrain.
A property highlight is the Radcliffe outdoor lounge with two large hot tubs, a swimming pool
and splash deck, two fire pit features with cozy seating, all set among the peaceful ambience of the Moab Rim and the La Sal Mountains. Hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts can also visit the local, family-owned gear shop GearHeads, located in the same building and just Radcliffe Moab is located at 477 S. Main St. in Moab, Utah.
steps from the lobby. The onsite dining option is Il Rosso Posto,
For more information
featuring Mediterranean cuisine and highlighting
visit radcliffemoab.com.
local farms, gardens and ranches. :
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
71
feature
50 YEARS OF THE IRON HORSE BICYCLE CLASSIC AND DURANGO CYCLING CULTURE
LOOKING BACK, RACING AHEAD Words by Kim Fuller | Photos courtesy of Fort Lewis College Center of Southwest Studies
History is Highlighted in Exhibit at Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College
In the 1950s, Danny Feller and his brother Bob of Durango were two early bicycling innovators whose contributions to the evolution of cycling have largely gone unnoticed.
E
72
very late May in Durango, the spring season
Like every photo I took of the towering
rolls toward summer with the momentum
mountains of the San Juan range that day,
a cyclist may feel on a swift decent from Molas
it’s hard to do justice to the event and the full
Pass to Silverton. It was there atop Molas on May
Iron Horse weekend without being there and
28, 2022 when I felt the elation of this truly great
experiencing it yourself. For five decades,
event in its 50th year, the Iron Horse Bicycle
cyclists from all over the world have been riding
Classic. Happy to be done with climbs and feeling
these car-free miles from Durango to Silverton
that “home stretch” stoke that comes only after
in celebration of the challenge that it is and the
the hardest efforts, I smiled for a quick selfie
community that supports it. What’s more, the
before grabbing a swig of water and reaching for
history of cycling in Durango spans well past
my wind shell to prep for the downhill.
the history of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.
KIM FULLER
Colorado has been on the map for a while when it comes to all things cycling, much in thanks to Durango and its generations of bike enthusiasts. Durango local Jon Bailey is an artist and a cyclist. For over two decades, he has supported and participated in the Iron Horse in various capacities, and for the event’s 50th year, he was the artist commissioned to create the limitededition commemorative poster. Bailey was also integral in helping curate a special new exhibit at the Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College: “Looking Back, Racing Ahead: 50 Years of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and Durango Cycling Culture.” The impressive collection celebrated its opening during the Iron Horse weekend in May of 2022, and the exhibit will be open through spring of 2023. Bailey worked with Center for Southwest Studies museum curator Elizabeth Quinn MacMillan to co-create the exhibit. “This was just a really exciting partnership,” shares Quinn MacMillan. “We started talking about doing this exhibit a few years ago, and we were even lucky enough to meet with Ed Zink
The author riding the course of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in May 2022 — the event’s 50th anniversary.
before he passed away and with Gaige Sippy, and then to have it built over the last few years to what it is; it’s been really a true partnership — having support from the Iron Horse crew and having Jon on board to help connect us to all the
faster. Tom was able to pedal the distance faster
cyclists in our community to pull together those
than the steam engine, and the legend of the Iron
really personal stories.”
Horse was born.
The more you learn about the history of
“In the ’60s, there wasn’t a movement like
cycling in Durango, the more you hear names
this,” explains Jim Mayer. “When you fast-
like Ed Zink and Gaige Sippy again and again.
forward and see what’s happened in areas like
Zink, who passed away in 2019, was a Durango
Durango and Moab and other places where
native, local rancher, owner of Mountain Bike
all the bicyclists continue to race and ride, it’s
Specialists and one of the founders of the Iron
incredible. I never would’ve thought [Tom’s]
Horse Bicycle Classic. Sippy, longtime director
challenge to me would result in something this
of the Iron Horse, stepped back from that role
big. It’s an incredible legend.”
following the 50th anniversary with Ian Burnett now filling those shoes. A walk through the exhibit reveals many
For every piece of history related to the Iron Horse, there is equal or more dedicated to Durango’s notable cycling heritage.
more names and stories to go with them all. For
“There are so many legends who have come
those who don’t know the tale behind the Iron
out of Durango, as far as mountain bike and road
Horse race, it was in 1971 when Tom Mayer, a
cyclists, that are pretty well-known, and their
cyclist, challenged his brother Jim, a railroad
stories are well-known,” says Bailey, “so to be
worker on the Durango & Silverton Narrow
able to dig a little bit deeper was definitely an
Gauge Railroad, to see who could get to Silverton
exciting part of the process.”
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
73
ROOTS OF CYCLING IN DURANGO
As the story goes, and as Gregorio outlines
The entire history of cycling in Durango can date
in his written narrative on display in the exhibit,
back to the late 1800s, with the Durango Wheel
Danny Feller and his brother Bob “were two
Club supporting cycling in Durango since 1895.
early bicycling innovators whose contributions
Originally a cycling advocacy group, it later
to the evolution of cycling have largely gone
became the social cycling club it is today.
unnoticed. They were primarily farmers who
As Quinn MacMillan and Bailey compiled
also operated a small mine located some 2,000
details for the exhibit at the Center for Southwest
feet above Hermosa in the Animas Valley north
Studies, lesser-known stories from Durango’s
of Durango. Beginning in the 1950s, the brothers
cycling history were given more attention.
used bicycles as tools, tinkering and improving
“Like with the Feller Brothers,” explains Bailey.
them to suit their purposes. Danny, being more
“The Feller Brothers were this legend I’ve heard
involved in the mining operation, would modify
about through stories from past rider friends who
old balloon tire bicycles to accommodate his need
have lived here for a long time, including Ed and
to haul tools and heavy loads up and down steep,
Bob Gregorio, who I worked with for a good chunk
single-track trails. These nearly daily excursions
at Durango Cyclery. Years ago, he had taken me up
to the mine led to Danny’s discovery of the joys of
to their cabin, which is up in Falls Creek, and just
backcountry biking as far back as the early 1960s.
started telling me about these brothers who were
He and Iron Horse legend Tom Mayer were riding
pushing the elements of what a clunker cruiser-
Hermosa Creek trail at least a decade before
style bike could do.”
mountain biking was supposedly invented! Bob
“This is before Marin County,” adds Bailey.
was more likely to be seen riding his customized
“The ‘godfathers of mountain biking’ — this is
three-speed up and down the Animas Valley as
way before them. But, this wasn’t a trend; this
he’d run errands and scout for discarded bike
was a utilitarian purpose.”
parts in the back alleys of Durango.”
Mountain bikes from the sport’s early days in the exhibit at Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango are on display through spring 2023.
74
“For years I’ve wanted to do something about the Feller Brothers, because they were just this unknown source that was pushing limits of bike travel, and I’m a fan of that,” says Bailey. “So, to be able to tie that into the event and do that, that meant a lot to me, and I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the community that had no idea or just had a little bit of idea.”
o u y r g n i l e fu st friend be
In true style of the Feller Brothers, riding in, around and through the San Juan Mountains took hold over the decades that followed as Durango become known around the world as a mountain biking destination. In 1990, Durango hosted the first-ever unified and sanctioned Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships. Ned Overend, today a Durango cycling icon, won in front
for their next adventure
next generation of mountain bike stars like Elke
Locations in Grand Junction, Fruita, Montrose, Evergreen & Pagosa Springs
Brutsaert and Howard Grotts that follow names
chowdownpetsupplies.com
of a home crowd at the Purgatory ski area. Durango continues to host collegiate and world mountain bike championships and produce the
like John Tomac, Greg Herbold and Missy Giove. The mountain bike brand Yeti opened its
• find us on Facebook & Instagram •
doors in Durango in 1991, and this decade also brought the development of Trails 2000 (now Durango Trails). From the combination and commitment of all of these efforts and accolades, Durango has continued to become a world-class cycling
Keeping Western Coloradans Active For Over 20 Years
community and destination. “I felt like we did pretty well in capturing not only the Iron Horse but all of these other offshoots of what makes Durango cycling so unique,” says Quinn MacMillan of the museum collection. Along with its hallmark road cycling event, the 50th Iron Horse Bicycle Classic anniversary weekend showcased a dual downhill competition and Roostmaster (cross-country mountain biking and BMX in a fast-paced sprint to the finish), and there couldn’t have been a better celebration of all things cycling in the bike-loving town that Durango is, and, as it seems, always will be. :
Learn more about the exhibit at swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
Established 1998
PCPgj.com
feature
A LOCAL’S TAKE
THRIFTING CULTURE IN WESTERN COLORADO Words by Gabriela Reitz GREG OSTEEN
The Thrifty Shop in Vail
M
76
y favorite thrifting find of all time is
activity. Here’s a list of everything I love, and the
a classic, bright blue rain jacket that
people I interviewed love, about thrifting.
looks straight out of the Paddington movie.
First, thrifting is built on a culture of saving,
Admittedly, when I made this trip to Grand
from money to the environment to culture. For
Junction’s Heirlooms for Hospice, my intent was
example, I bought my blue rain jacket for $9.
to buy back-to-school pants. However, I simply
After a quick web search, I found that it originally
couldn’t resist the chance to get my hands on
cost $40. For a broke college kid like me, that
such a signature piece — and for only $9! While
extra $31 is a big deal! The fact that second-
I may not have left the store with the pants I
hand shopping — including consignment stores,
was looking for, this experience is a case study
as well as thrift stores — is inherently cheaper
in everything there is to love about thrifting
than first-hand, creates a culture of inclusivity.
and the culture that has developed around the
By making quality clothes, recreational gear and
KITTY NICHOLASON
Tammy Campbell and Garrett Cobb man the recently remodeled check-out counter at Goodwill.
household items more affordable, activities at
back-to-school shopping at a retail store, I
the core of the Western Colorado identity become
would be wearing the same pants as students
more accessible to everyone in the community.
around the country. By shopping at a thrift or
Thrifting’s culture of saving also applies to
consignment store, there is a broadened selection
environmental conservation. In the world of
of unique items that reflect my community. For
fast fashion, the endless cycle of producing new
example, if I’m looking to celebrate this year’s
clothes just for those same garments to end up in
Stanley Cup winners (finally!), a local thrift store
a landfill in a year’s time is simply unsustainable.
is the perfect place to find an Avalanche jersey.
According to Business Insider, fashion production
If I needed new shoes for the fall trail running
accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions,
season, The Gear Junction would have a much
while 85% of textiles end up in landfills each year
more fitting selection than a general retail store,
(that’s an average of 82 pounds of textile waste
hence supporting the outdoor recreation culture
per American). Thrifting poses a solution to this
Western Colorado has cultivated.
problem by reselling clothes someone doesn’t
“I love to thrift, because there’s always a
want, hence reducing how many new clothes are
story behind each item I buy, and I can continue
produced and inevitably end up in landfills.
that story myself,” Grand Junction resident
Greg Osteen, the executive director of Vail
Rowen Kimble says. Second-hand shopping in
Valley Cares and The Thrifty Shops, explains
Western Colorado ensures that Colorado stories
that their thrift store is able to recycle about 70%
continue to live on through the clothing we wear
of the clothes that come through their doors.
and items we buy. Ultimately, thrifting culture is
Essentially, not only was my rain jacket cheap,
saving culture. By choosing to spend your money
but by purchasing it secondhand, I am taking a
at secondhand stores, you’re saving money,
step towards saving the environment, which is a
supporting sustainability and enriching the
score in my book.
local culture.
Thrifting culture also plays a role in saving
Second, I love thrifting, because it’s the
community identity and culture. If I had gone
perfect way to explore my home state. Whenever
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
77
KITTY NICHOLASON
The Encore Shoppe on First Street describes itself as “classy consignment.” KITTY NICHOLASON
my friends and I have a day off and a few extra bucks, we drive from Grand Junction to Telluride with the intent of shopping at various thrift and consignment stores along the way. Our day usually looks something like this: wake up, drive to Montrose and shop at Classy Closet, drive to Ridgway and shop at Second Chance Thrift Store, eat a packed lunch, drive to Telluride and shop at Second Chance Thrift Store’s second location, take a quick gondola ride from the base in Mountain Village, drive back to Ridgway for dinner at GNAR Tacos and then end the day in Delta with a drive-in movie. Safe to say it makes for a full day. “We get shoppers from all over the state — even all over the country,” Osteen explains when asked about non-local customers. Short travels for the purpose of thrifting open the door for trying out new restaurants, exploring trails and generally becoming familiar with other parts of our beautiful state. Third, the thing I love most about thrifting culture isn’t that it’s cheaper or that I find super cute rain jackets or even that I get to eat GNAR The author models her thrift shop find.
78
Tacos. Rather, it’s that so many secondhand
environmental impact? Go thrifting. Want to
stores prioritize giving back to the community.
strengthen community identity, while exploring
Nearly every shop I contacted donates the
our beautiful state and giving back? Go thrifting.
money they make to address an area of need. For
Don’t give it a second thought, give secondhand
example, Heirlooms for Hospice (where I bought
shopping a chance. :
my super cute rain jacket) donates all proceeds to HopeWest, a nonprofit that provides hospice care across the West. Second Chance Thrift Store, with two locations — in Ridgway and Telluride — is run by the Second Chance Humane Society and provides shelter services to lost and abandoned pets, while developing various community
IF YOU GO THRIFT SHOPPING Here’s a list of the thrift stores and consignment shops mentioned in this story and that we recommend.
programs. According to Osteen, Vail Valley Cares
Classy Closet, Montrose
will donate $425,000 in grants to non-profits and
Heirlooms for Hospice, Grand Junction
$25,000 in scholarships this year alone. In total, they have given away $5.4 million in grants. In
The Thrifty Shop, Vail
this sense, thrifting culture is about giving back
Second Chance Thrift Store, Ridgway
to the community. Yes, thrifting is great if you’re looking for a Paddington-style raincoat. However, as listed above, there are so many more reasons to choose second-hand shopping. Trying to
Second Chance Thrift Store, Telluride Goodwill, Grand Junction Encore Shoppe & Gallery, Grand Junction
save money? Go thrifting. Worried about your
Lets Have a Hat Party! Hat Party coming to a location near you.
nataliashatbar.com | 970-260-6802
feature
THE DANCE OF A BALANCED ECOSYSTEM
FIRE + WATER Words by Kristen Grace | Photos by Kamie Long
A
n ecosystem is a biological dance — a
and large fires blaze through hillsides at alarming
community of living organisms interacting
rates, scorching forests, destroying wilderness,
with their environment in a symbiotic balance.
depleting resources and threatening life. Climate
The forest ecosystem is rooted in a dependency
change is one of the driving forces behind these
on both fire and water, but too much or too little
fires in addition to, unfortunately, human
of one or the other can be detrimental.
negligence. Understanding the relationship
Colorado’s climate has become an evershifting imbalance; it’s historically hot and dry,
80
between fire and water is the first step towards promoting a healthy forest ecosystem.
forest floor, allowing grasses, shrubs and
FIRE
flowers to flourish,” he says. “Burned forests also
It’s no secret that Colorado, along with much of
create dead trees that attract insects and wildlife
the western United States, has seen an increase
to them.”
in fierce burns. The popular narrative around
According to Tim Kroening, Colorado
wildfires says they’re inherently bad, but this is
Parks and Wildlife area wildlife manager,
not entirely true. Casey Cooley, Colorado Parks
Colorado’s animals are impressively resilient and surprisingly dependent on wildfires. “Our wildlife has adapted to fire over time and knows how to get in and out of their homes just like we do. Unfortunately, there is often some wildlife loss with just about every wildfire. But, the overall population is not negatively impacted. Wildlife will actually benefit from wildfires,” Kroening states. “For a variety of reasons, fire does not burn evenly through the landscape … This is an interesting phenomenon that ultimately creates edge habitat [where one type of habitat meets another] for wildlife, and it’s why we often say that wildfire is good for wildlife.” Because the forest ecosystem can benefit from frequent, low-intensity fires, there are negative effects that can arise in the absence of flames. Fire suppression has been a debated topic in the forestry community for ages. Dr. Ethan Bucholz, academic liaison experiential learning specialist for Colorado State Forest Service and Warner College at Colorado State University, explains that after the Big Burn of 1910 the National Forest Service got very good at putting out wildfires, but this resulted in a new problem — acres of forest begging to be burned. Fire suppression altered the natural disturbance processes in the forests, and we are now seeing areas that historically would burn slowly and regrow being destroyed by fiercer fires. When multiple burn cycles are missed and the forest, in turn, burns more severely than it would have, regeneration is acutely challenged.
and Wildlife forest habitat coordinator, shares that the forest can actually benefit from fire.
The benefits of slow-burning fire and the history of fire suppression demonstrate the
“Natural fire benefits the forest ecosystem
necessity of letting some fires safely burn.
by replenishing the forest with vital nutrients,
There are fires, however, that dance on the line
mainly carbon, from the burning of older
between beneficial and devastating, such as
vegetation. This burning helps create forest
the enormous, fast-burning fires we have seen
biodiversity with openings in the forest canopy
completely denuding forests and threatening the
that allows additional sunlight to reach the
lives of humans and wildlife.
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
81
“Fire becomes devastating to forest
the U.S. are caused by humans — by acts such as
ecosystems when it occurs at unnatural
not drowning a campfire correctly, negligent use
frequencies and burns at a higher severity. Take
of machinery or improper disposal of cigarettes.
ponderosa pine forest for example. Humans
Complacency while recreating in the forest leads
have disrupted that natural fire frequency by
to disasters, which become exceptionally hard to
putting out natural fires that would have burned
contain due to climatic conditions.
at a lower severity. This has led ponderosa pine
82
forests in Colorado to become unnaturally dense
WATER
with trees and other vegetation. Our current
The role of water in the forest ecosystem is vital
forest conditions have led to larger, hotter fires.
and complex. The National Drought Mitigation
Increasing temperatures and droughts allow
Center estimates that much of Western Colorado
fires to burn further into the calendar year.
is currently in a severe to extreme drought.
These factors are why we see larger, hotter forest
Their statistics also say that 2022 has been one of
fires in Colorado,” Cooley says.
the driest years in the past 128.
Unnatural fires are a great cause for
“Most immediately, drought, especially
concern. According to research by the United
severe drought, can cause direct mortality to
States Forest Service, nearly 85% of wildfires in
wildlife through dehydration or heatwaves,
pushing their bodies to the limits. Populations of
Dr. Bucholz explains. “The lack of vegetative
animals such as deer and bighorn sheep tend to
cover, plus dumping a deluge of water onto a
have fewer offspring born or survive their first
fresh burned surface, can lead to flooding.”
years during a drought,” Scott Dunn, community
“[Flooding] challenges our reservoirs; it
programs manager at Walking Mountains
challenges the systems that we have in place
Science Center, explains.
to filter, to draw water out to use for municipal
“Droughts also tend to cause migrations of
services,” Dr. Bucholz remarks. As he points
animals searching for more suitable habitat,
out, Colorado is a headwater state — meaning
causing increased pressure on new areas and
surrounding states receive water from the
potentially increasing the spread of disease as
Centennial State. If Colorado has a water quality
populations live in closer contact or are forced to
or quantity issue, downstream users will feel
share dirtier water,” Dunn adds. Cooley explains
that pain, as well.
that with less moisture, native vegetation has a more difficult time growing and can be replaced
THE DANCE
by nonnative plants. Plus, the vegetation has less
The thirsty atmosphere sets the stage for
time to reproduce and decompose.
unnatural fires to rage, and human carelessness
“The connections between climate change
and complacency can further the catastrophic
and Colorado’s droughts and wildfires are
consequences on an ecosystem subject to
extremely complex and nuanced. There are
human influence. Enjoy the forest while being
natural drought and fire cycles at work in
responsible and respectful; understand that
the West, but a shifting climate results in the
the forest you’re seeing is a dynamic system of
extremes of these natural cycles expanding,”
elements that is balancing the needs of nature
Dunn shares. Drought disrupts the organic flow
and people far beyond what your eye can see.
of the ecosystem and is often the precursor to
Dunn recommends following these principles:
wildfire, because dryness primes the vegetation n
to burn.
regulations for the area you’ll visit (the
Fast-burning fires turn vegetation and soil
National Forest Service and Bureau of
to ash and alter the quality of the water. Dr.
Land Management lists fire restrictions
Ashley Rust, Colorado Parks and Wildlife water
for specific areas on their websites).
quality monitoring and assessment specialist, notes that streams and lakes near disastrous
n
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
n
Dispose of waste properly.
n
Leave what you find.
n
Minimize campfire impacts (make sure
wildfires can take five to 10 years to recover. “Most large fires will impact the water quality by delivering displaced sediment from the burned hillsides to the streams. The sediment will be eroded from the hillsides after rain events physically dislodge the dirt, and this will
all embers and sticks are wet and cool).
cause the streams to be more turbid after each storm,” she illustrates as just one way in which streams are affected from fire. When one element is thrown out of balance,
Plan ahead and prepare. Know the
n
Respect wildlife.
n
Be considerate of other visitors.
we often see the other element out of balance,
Every time humans enter the forests, they alter
as well. It’s common to see flooding after fires,
the dance of the ecosystem, for better or for
which causes another set of issues for the
worse. The unprecedented conditions create a
ecosystem
infrastructure.
variety of challenges when it comes to fire and
“When soil is severely burned, that can, in
water but also opportunities to learn about and
certain instances, alter its properties such that
adore our forest ecosystems for generations
water does not infiltrate as well into the soil,”
to come. :
and
surrounding
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
83
events
FALL 2022 Compiled by Olivia Lyda
SEPTEMBER Chili and Beer Festival Crested Butte, CO September 10
What better way to celebrate the new fall season than with some hearty food and beverages? The Chili and Beer Festival is sure to have you full and happy by the end of your day, with different breweries, chili vendors and other food vendors. cbchamber.com
Bridges of Butte
Crested Butte, CO September 11 Bridges of Butte is a two-week fundraiser for the ASC (Adaptive Sports Center) in Crested Butte with a celebration and community Townie Tour that weaves through town over all Crested Butte’s many bridges, ending at basecamp on Elk Avenue with prizes, food and entertainment. gunnisoncrestedbutte.com
Colorado Mountain Winefest Palisade, CO September 17
Enjoy all that Colorado’s wine country has to offer during The Festival in the Park. Your VIP or General Admission ticket gains you access to unlimited samples from over 50 Colorado wineries, a commemorative wine glass and wine tote, shopping from dozens of artisan vendors, live music, chef demonstrations, educational seminars and more! coloradowinefest.com
84
Crop Duster Timed Road Bike Race Montrose, CO September 17
Make sure to head to Montrose for the Crop Duster Road Race, with options of a 30, 50 and 70-mile bike race. After the race, attend the harvest party, with live music and food vendors. valleyfoodpartnership.org
Love Your Gorge Ouray, CO September 17
Volunteer work day and picnic with the Ouray Ice Park and UWP. Co-sponsored by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, Ouray Ice Park and City of Ouray, make sure to register for this event ahead of time. uncompahgrewatershed.org/events
Crested Butte Film Festival Crested Butte, CO September 21-25
Enjoy some unique films and panel discussions with the scenic mountains of Crested Butte as your backdrop. The 2022 Crested Butte Film Festival will have 75 films spanning the genres of narrative, documentary, outdoor adventure, children’s and short films screening over the five-day festival. cbfilmfest.org
Fruita Fall Festival Fruita, CO September 23-24
Make your way to Fruita for a weekend of live music, food trucks and a variety of vendors, artists and unique sub-events at the Fruita Fall Festival. gofruita.com
Mountain Harvest Festival Panoia, CO September 23-24
Be a part of this annual celebration of local food, vendors and community. The Mountain Harvest Festival offers opportunity to browse local arts and crafts and participate in fun activities, like the Great Chili Cookoff, Farm Tours and Saturday Sundown Swing, all while experiencing local music, art, farms, food and spirits. mountainharvestfestival.org
Telluride Autumn Classic Telluride, CO September 23-25
The Telluride Autumn Classic is a three-day festival that takes place amid the spectacular display of the San Juan Mountains’ autumnal foliage, where enthusiasts convene for a world-class celebration of automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft and more. telluride.com
Ridgway Old West Fest Ridgway, CO September 24
Get ready to immerse yourself in a day filled with appreciating the wild west. The Ridgway Old West Fest celebrates the history, culture and heritage surrounding Colorado and its ranching communities, including live music, vendors and many more fun activities. ridgwayoldwestfest.org
Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Durango, CO September 29 - October 2 The Durango Cowboy Poetry
Gathering is an exciting, four-day event that captures the true spirit of the American cowboy through song, music, stories, trail and train rides, and Colorado’s largest motorless parade. durangocowboygathering.org
Ouray Reconnect & Reboot Ouray, CO September 29 & 30
Organized by the San Juan Mining & Reclamation Conference Committee, join mining, reclamation and water science professionals, researchers, analysts, educators, policymakers and regulators to advance mine restoration knowledge, technology and projects to benefit local water quality. It includes a keynote talk at the Wright Opera House, an open house at Ouray Silver Mines offices, happy hours and field trips to mine restoration projects. mountainstudies.org/sjmrc
Steamboat Food & Wine Festival
that United Way of Mesa County helps support. unitedwayofmesacounty.salsalabs.org
Steamboat Food & Wine Festival is your seat at the table of creation. Interact with renowned chefs in venues that are equal parts intimate and panoramic. Discover first-hand how the origins of food and wine define the most luxurious of flavors. Buy your tickets for this indulgent festival online! steamboatfoodandwine.com
Carbondale’s Annual Potato Day Festival
Steamboat Springs, CO September 29 - October 2
OCTOBER Airplane Tow ‘N’ Throw Grand Junction, CO October 1
Teams of 20 will pull a 100-ton Boeing 757, all for a good cause. Compete to see if your team can pull the plane 20 feet the fastest, or partake in a cornhole tournament, food trucks and more. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit programs
Carbondale, CO October 1
The Potato Day festival — held in Sopris Park — consists of a huge community BBQ and fun activities, such as potato sack racing. Local farming and ranching families kept the festival alive through the years. facebook.com/ CarbondaleAnnualPotatoDay
Ridgway 1K Rally thru the Alley Ridgway, CO October 1
The Ridgway 1K is a very fun costumed race for all ages, with plenty of rest-stops along the way of the “grueling” six-block, downhill course. Each stop celebrates the need to refuel with
Ready to FALL in love with a new home? CALL YOUR TEAM OF TRUSTED REAL ESTATE ADVISORS AT 970.260.8362
Experience. Service. Commitment.
plenty of carbs … and bacon! Read more online. sherbino.org
San Juan Barrel Fest Ridgway, CO October 1
San Juan Barrel Fest is a fundraiser for the Sherbino worthy of a cheers! Barrel brewers and vintners from the Western Colorado region gather to share a cask or barrel of something special at this event. sherbino.org
Downtown Art Festival Grand Junction, CO October 7-9
Make sure to head West to Grand Junction for this fun filled weekend! The Downtown Art Festival features galleries, restaurants, live music, art demos and more. Learn more online about the event and artists. downtowngj.org
Turkey Roast Car & Bike Show
Grand Junction, CO October 8 The Turkey Roost Car and Bike Show is an annual show. All proceeds will help veterans in need. eventbrite.com
Carbondale Fall Fest Carbondale, CO October 14-16
Carbondale Tourism presents the inaugural Carbondale Fall Fest, a celebratory nod to the harvest season, ranching culture and local food. This weekend-long event will include a celebration of local flavors throughout the restaurant community, farm and ranch tours, and a barbecue with live music. carbondale.com/events
Sage Burner Trail Race Gunnison, CO October 15
Near Black Canyon National Park, the race is true to its name, as the
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hills are covered in sagebrush. The race offers unique, 360-degree views of the Maroon Bells, San Juan Mountains and the Gunnison Basin. The race offers some technical slickrock, some smooth single track and double track for speed. Come check out this fall 13K, 28K and 50K trail event! madmooseevents.com
NOVEMBER First Friday Walk Montrose, CO November 4
Montrose Center for the Arts opens a new art exhibit on the first Friday of every month. The featured artist is at the opening and available to meet and visit with attendees. In addition to the new exhibit, First Friday at MCA also includes live music, catered munchies and beverages. The gift shop is also open late on First Friday. mcforarts.org
Rim Rock Run Fruita, CO November 6
This year features a new course map — highlighting the Colorado National Monument, Connected Lakes, James M. Robb State Park and the Colorado River — giving participants a race experience unlike ever before! Every participant will receive a free seven-day pass into the Colorado National Monument to enjoy the park before and after race day. The post-race party will feature a beer garden, live music, food trucks, awards, giveaways and more. events.com
Kessel Run Ultra Fruita, CO November 12
Located on the Road 18 Trails in Fruita, Colorado, this ultra-race course has amazing views of the Western Slope. A mix of smooth and technical single track, this
event will challenge runners for sure with a 10-mile, 20-mile, 60K and 50-mile race options! madmooseevents.com
Secret Garden Gala Grand Junction, CO November 12
Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra provide an unforgettable evening of dinner, dancing and silent auction in a “Secret Garden.” This is the social event of the season that you won’t want to miss! gjso.org
GJSO Chamber Players Concert
Grand Junction, CO November 18 Members of the GJ Symphony play Bohusiav Martinu’s Nonet #2, Robert Ward’s Raleigh Divertimento and Louise Farrenc’s Nonet in E-flat, op. 38 gjso.org
Deck the Halls with Disney featuring DCappella Grand Junction, CO November 19
Delight in a family night-out set to the magical and musical sounds of Disney’s premier a cappella singing sensation, DCappella! Kick off the holiday season as DCappella takes you through a musical journey featuring all of your favorite holiday songs. avalontheatregj.com
DECEMBER Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas Palisade, CO December 2
Join in on the Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas Festival in Downtown Palisade on Friday night and Saturday to get in the Christmas spirit. visitpalisade.com
S V E D T
H O P I S I T N J O Y O W N O W N
L O C A L LY S O U R C E D G O O D N E S S LOCAL meat, produce, bread, pasta, milk, cheese, salsas, sauces, jams, kombucha, CBD products, jewelry, art ... and much more.
Spas, gift stores, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, toys, and more - there’s something for everyone!
Come enjoy an espresso or a scoop of ice cream and see what we have to offer! 10986 Highway 65 Mesa, CO 970.389.3500 @mesa.bloom.market
IG FB
COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
6th Annual Monuments and Canyons Plein Air Event 26 artists from all over the country paint for a week in Colorado National Monument and the surrounding areas October 2 - 9 Anita Winter, CO Monica Esposito, CO David Knox, CO Teri Capp, WA Betsy Menand, CO Laura Martinez-Bianco, NY Laura Gable, WA
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS Chris Kolupski, NY Loren Eakins, CO Charlotte Quist, MT Matt Sterbenz, AZ Nancy Lewis, CO Cedar Keshet, CO Philip Carlton, CO Emma Kelly, CO Mark Akins, CO Don Miskin, UT Lily Shanabarger, TX Elizabeth Neer, CO Virginia Unseld, CO Hai-Ou Hou, MD
Mike Ray, CO Cliff Austin, CO Jason McCullough, CO Chula Beauregard, CO John Phillips, CO Charles Morris, CO
Opening reception for CNMA Members and Event Sponsors (Or purchase tickets for $35 at the door)
Friday, October 7, 5 - 8pm Carlson Vineyards Tasting Room 545 Main Street Grand Junction, CO
Open to the public October 8 - November 5 coloradonma.org
LAURA GABLE “SANDSTONE SOLDIERS” 12X6 OIL
ARTIST MONICA ESPOSITO
Proceeds from the show help with special projects, educational programs, and scientific reasearch in Colorado National Monument.
who we are
ISABEL EHRICH OF JABULANI CREATIONS Words by Lauren Farrauto | Photo courtesy of One Lady Studio
B
orn into a family that lived in Africa for
to their lives. In October 2021, we were able to
over four decades, Isabel Ehrich created
visit some of our artisan partners in Rwanda,
Jabulani Creations as a way to celebrate the
spend the day with them and have these
people, arts and culture she had come to
conversations. To see the cow, the well or the
admire. Jabulani (pronounced Jah-boo-LAH-nee)
stove that these families were able to purchase
means happiness or to rejoice in the African
thanks to their business with us was truly the
Zulu tribal language. She hopes that both clients
greatest gift. It was humbling to learn that these
and collaborators feel this sentiment from
women artisans are typically the sole income
within her business. Spoke+Blossom asked her
for the household.
some questions about the Grand Junction-based business and what her collaboration with the
S+B: How do you feel Jabulani Creations’
artisans means to her.
mission connects with our theme of roots? IE: Jabulani Creations is rooted in my love and
Spoke+Blossom: Why did you decide to
admiration of Africa — its cultures, people
start Jabulani Creations?
and art. Roots create an intricate network, and
Isabel Ehrich: I wanted to provide a platform
by connecting directly with artisans across
for authentic and free-trade products that are
Africa, Jabulani Creations is intertwined in a
rooted within African cultures. By providing a
network rich in history, traditions and culture.
means for artisans to make a livable wage, these
By providing transparency to our customer
arts that are mostly passed down generation to
base and sharing artisans’ stories, we create
generation will continue to be so.
an environment that allows these customers to be a part of this growing international
S+B: What has been the most rewarding part of collaborating with these artisans? IE: Hearing directly from the artisans the positive impact that Jabulani Creations provides
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community. :