Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Fall 2023 | Issue #25

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• Homes starting at 1800 square foot • 3-6 bedroom • 3 car garage minimum • RV parking and storage on site • Stucco exteriors with optional stone accents • Architectural 30-year shingles • Nature’s Composite fencing U • Pressurized irrigation S • Parks & walking paths • LOTS FOR SALE S ON-SITE OFFICE LOCATED AT 2649 Emerald Ridge Lane Grand Junction, CO 81506 (North, off H Road & 26 1/2 Road)

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O = Office NOTE NEW LOCATION A = Available for Purchase (under construction) S = Sold

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U = Under Contract UNMARKED LOTS: CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

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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

C O L O R A D O

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CO N T what’s up in the west

lifestyle

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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Haven

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COMMUNITY STYLE Bottle to Mural Street Art in Silverthorne

WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST •M ountains to the Desert Classic

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ART Orisons Earthwork: Imagining a Climate Future

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MAKER Abbey Andersen: Crafting Culinary + Artistic Odes to Nature’s Overlooked Whimsies

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FOOD Western Culture Farmstead & Creamery: Foodies + Goat Lovers Welcome

•A ll Day Verde from Sauvage Spectrum and Spoke+Blossom •P artner Dancing Picks Up in Western Colorado •4 Film Festivals for Fall •R oaring Fork + Farm Map

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BLOSSOM Dip Into the Honey House

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DRINK Elevation Change

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FOOD Shortening the Grain Chain

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DRINK Lager Room Talk: Raise a Pint of America’s Favorite Beer

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MUSIC Mick Wilson + Connie Michael: The Gift of Music

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EAT Fall Recipes

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WELLNESS + FITNESS Destination Wellnes at Durango Hot Springs

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BOOK + BEVERAGE •G ravel Adventure Field Guide — Fruita & Palisade/Mesa County

By Stephen Beneski and Juan Delaroca •R ed Monkey Butt Amber Ale

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INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS

E N TS adventure

features + events

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ADVENTURE Scaling Colorado’s Via Ferratas

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CHARGE UP, COLORADO EV Road Trip Guide

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SPOKE Gear for the Season

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SPOKE Gear Profile: Outdoor Vitals

PALISADE INSECTARY Safeguarding the Taste + Landscape of Western Colorado

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GRAND OUTDOORS Reclaim Your Power with Ecotherapy

ON THE TRAIL OF THE GALLOPING GOOSE An Autumn Adventue in Southwest Colorado for You + Your Bike

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GRAND OUTDOORS Orient Land Trust: Protecting + Preserving the San Luis Valley

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TAKE A HIKE Blue Lakes Trail

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FAMILY + COMMUNITY The Cycle Effect Celebrates 10 Years

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STAY + PLAY Hotel Maverick, Grand Junction

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STAY + PLAY Elevation Hotel & Spa, Crested Butte

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GETAWAY Swiss Wine + Wellness: Soak Up Well-Being in the Mountains and Valleys of Valais

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EVENTS Fall 2023

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WHO WE ARE Danny Rosen, Lithic Bookstore

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

H AV E N The first week we adopted Pepper, he would try to squeeze himself into small and dark spaces — under the bed, between the couch and the ottoman, beneath the kitchen island, on a low hotel room shelf and curled at our feet in the office.

He was seeking a sense of safety, a refuge, amidst this new-to-him world we were introducing. It had been a year-and-a-half since our last pup Jack had passed, and we were ready to give a new dog a home, a haven.

By the time this print magazine is in hands this fall, little Pepi will be six months old and well on his way toward doghood. He continues to come “out of this shell” more and more as weeks pass, and he really only retreats into a small and dark space (his soft crate) when he’s ready for rest.

Watching Pepper get comfortable and settle into giving and receiving love reminds me why it’s important to create and hold space for one another. Within such a large and wide world, it is the more quaint areas of our own towns and neighborhoods where we can make havens for support, growth and connection.

So many articles in this issue celebrate the sweet refuge of community. We highlight local events and nonprofits that continue to offer assistance where it’s needed; we celebrate small businesses creating opportunities for wellness, nourishment and adventure; we embark on travel and embrace nature to expand beyond what we already know.

May these pages give you inspiration to create your haven here, and there, and wherever it is you feel safe to open your heart.

Publishers of Spoke+Blossom Founders of Jaunt Media Collective

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.

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This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.

Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Lauren Farrauto Digital Editor Kristen Grace Art Director Kitty Nicholason Community Engagement Laura Mills Partnerships Bobby L’Heureux Judy Shay Interns Amalia Manning Contributors Jack Affleck Abbey Andersen Julia Andréone Chloe Andrews Julie Bielenberg Lisa Blake Kristen Blizzard Florine Bonaventure Julia Clarke Kaitlin Emig Nicko Ferguson Kim Fuller Kristen Grace Kyle Harvey Jayme Henderson Kelly Huffman Jim Hurst

Dmitri Leon Kristen Lummis Andrew Maguire Derrick Maness Amalia Manning Cat Mayer Chloe Mayer Maureen McGuire Laura Mills Ursula Nizalowski Nickolas Paullus Erin Phillips Melissa Plantz Lexi Reich Melanie Wiseman Freddy Witarsa Reed Woodford

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Cover Photograph Abbey Andersen

Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux

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Founder Robin Brown

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Copyright © 2023 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.

contributors

AMALIA MANNING Amalia is a Colorado native enjoying her time with Jaunt Media Collective as an editorial intern. When not writing, she is likely exploring the outdoors, spending time with her dog or attempting a new craft. Amalia is currently a student at Colorado College studying organismal biology and ecology with an interest in journalism.

CHLOE ANDREWS Chloe is a freelance writer and novelist with a love for all things outdoors. You can probably find her on a long hike, rafting or tapping at her keyboard.

KELLY HUFFMAN Before moving to the Western Slope in 2021, Kelly wrote about theater, the arts and global health for Seattle-based newspapers, magazines and websites.

Dancing is one of the great joys of her life. Another is bicycle travel. She has a memoir in the works about her crosscontinental rides. PHOTO BY TIGER MIKE PHOTO.

URSULA NIZALOWSKI Ursula graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in writing and has done freelance work for five years.

Among her published works are YouTube and Me: A Troubling Relationship in the Green River Anthology and YOLO in CMU’s publication The Literary Review.

CHLOE MAYER Chloe is a high school student from Grand Junction. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking the mountains in Ouray or making a large bowl of ramen. She hopes to become a professional writer one day, and she loves the color pink.

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NICKOLAS PAULLUS Nickolas is deeply invested in the Western Slope and its local food movement. For both work and a play, life tends to revolve around food, nature and their interplay.

voices of western colorado

HAVEN NOUN: A PLACE OF SAFETY OR REFUGE

We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic Compiled by Lexi Reich

STACIA WHITEHEAD

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JEFF VIERLING

BILL GREENWOOD

Owner of Wild West Balloon Adventures

Co-Founder and CEO of Tailwind Nutrition

“A haven is something created

“Haven — from höfn, havn,

“As a teenage snowboarder in

Executive Chef of Greenwood’s

and is unique to every person. It’s

hæfen — a port or harbor (not

Georgia, I always aspired to live

more of a feeling than a physical

always safe harbor). Here on

in the Rocky Mountains. So, I

place. My haven is ripping down

the Western Slope, haven is

moved to Colorado to find my

a Rocky Mountain trail on my

where adventure and tranquility

haven. Being an avid forager,

bike, locked into a complete

converge. Where beauty washes

I love to explore the bounty

feeling of concentration and

over us, where clarity of mind

of this land. I’ve found a deep

flow. It’s the perfect snow that

comes with physical effort,

connection exploring the forest

has just enough density to lift

where we connect with those

floor for wild greens in the

me up, so I feel weightless on

who have come before us and

spring, mushrooms and berries

top of my board, leaning into the

those who will come after. But,

in the late summer. The beauty

turns, arms out, brushing the

never without danger — ever-

of this community and its local

powder beside me. It’s my family

present and essential in a way it

farmers offers a haven from the

laughing together and the escape

isn’t in more populous places. I

chaos of the world. It’s a space

of a great yoga class. A haven is

feel lucky to be surrounded by

where I can experiment with

necessary to thrive, to create, to

havens, places to slow down,

traditional Western Colorado

live to your full potential.”

think and be grateful, recognizing

ingredients, incorporating old

that we all need access to havens

and new techniques with my past

in our lives.”

culinary influences.” :

what's up in the west

MOUNTAINS TO THE DESERT CLASSIC SUPPORTS YOUTH OF THE SAN MIGUEL WATERSHED Words by Chloe Mayer JIM HURST

MELISSA PLANTZ

A

nnual cycling events have become a

granted to 45 children, nonprofit organizations

beloved tradition for many Coloradans,

and deserving individuals, and the cumulative

and the state’s stunning landscapes continuously

impact over the years has exceeded a staggering

attract cyclists from across the world. This year,

$3 million.

Erik and Josephine Fallenius invite cyclists to

Just For Kids is an organization based in

ride the Mountains to the Desert Classic (M2D)

Telluride that focuses on supporting youth

on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. This challenging

and youth organizations within the towns

road ride from Telluride to Gateway is a

of Telluride, Norwood, Nucla, Naturita and

fundraiser for the San Miguel Rivershed Just

Paradox by providing leadership opportunities

For Kids Foundation, which empowers youth by

that promote self-sufficiency and responsibility.

providing financial and developmental support.

The foundation was started by Bill

This fall marks the 20th anniversary of

Carstens, Erik Fallenius’ good friend and local

M2D, and organizers eagerly anticipate the

philanthropist. Though Carstens has now passed,

participation of 200 cyclists to take on the

the Just For Kids Foundation is still carrying out

challenge of the 74-mile, 103-mile or 133-mile

his mission, providing essential scholarships,

rides between Telluride and Gateway. Cyclists

operating grants, program support, capital

will strive to raise an impressive $200,000, aiming

and start-up funding, and new and updated

to surpass last year’s achievement of $160,000.

equipment across Colorado with the help of

The event will start in downtown Telluride, and

M2D, its sole fundraising event.

cyclists will ride until they reach the red-rock

M2D holds a special place in the hearts of

canyons of Gateway Canyons Resort, passing

not just those in Colorado but cyclists all over

through some of Colorado’s most breathtaking

the world. Due to the challenges of the COVID-19

areas along their way, including the Valley Floor

pandemic, the event was almost lost. Now,

and Paradox Valley.

it returns this fall with palpable excitement

M2D is fondly referred to as “the best Gran

against the backdrop of Colorado’s finest views,

Fondo on the Western Slope” by the owner of

and cyclists will come together from all around

Lizard Head Cycling Guides, John Humphries.

to support Colorado youth. :

Last year alone, a remarkable $140,000 was

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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what's up in the west

RIPENING AWARENESS OF AGRICULTURE CHALLENGES AMIDST CLIMATE CHANGE

ALL DAY VERDE FROM SAUVAGE SPECTRUM AND SPOKE+BLOSSOM Words + Photo by S+B Staff

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auvage Spectrum winery in Palisade has

community stewardship and enhancing the

partnered with us here at Spoke+Blossom

Colorado and Gunnison River corridors.

magazine to present a lively white wine that

Th e G rand Valley ’s u niqu e clim ate,

embodies the essence of Western Colorado. The

characterized by hot days and cool nights, creates

collaborative effort has resulted in the creation

optimal conditions for grape ripening and

of “All Day Verde,” a light and effervescent wine.

acidity retention. In 2022, the region experienced

Crafted by Patric Matysiewski, co-founder

unusually high temperatures, resulting in the

and winemaker of Sauvage Spectrum, All Day

creation of All Day Verde. Matysiewski explains,

Verde boasts a unique blend of 73% albariño,

“You’re tasting the climate change with this

21% grüner veltliner and 6% riesling grapes,

product. Mother Nature threw us a curveball,

all grown, produced and bottled in the Grand

and to combat rising pH levels, we picked the

Valley. With each bottle sold, a portion of the

grapes earlier than ever before.” The result is

proceeds will be donated to One Riverfront, a

a perfectly balanced wine that refreshes and

Grand Junction nonprofit dedicated to fostering

delights.

Matysiewski describes the wine as “young,

agriculture and local businesses. Spoke+Blossom,

bright and crisp, with a hint of fizz,” offering

known for capturing the Western Colorado

a delightful combination of flavors including

lifestyle, aligns perfectly with Matysiewski’s

white melon, gooseberry and lime blossom. Its

vision, while One Riverfront’s dedication to

delicate body is beautifully complemented by

being a community steward for the Colorado

underlying mineral tones. This Vinho Verde

and Gunnison Rivers resonates deeply. The

variation pays homage to Colorado, capturing its

connection between the river and the vines

spirit in every sip.

highlights the interdependence of ecosystems

Even the wine label itself pays tribute to

and the importance of community involvement.

the vibrant state of Colorado. Designed by the

All Day Verde serves as a proud reflection

talented local artist Shannon Kennedy, the

of the Western Colorado. By supporting local

label features an illustration that embodies a

winemakers like Sauvage Spectrum, who

picturesque day in Western Colorado, showcasing

prioritize transparency and eco-consciousness,

a lush green landscape and vineyards, truly

Colorado communities continue to lead the

capturing the essence of All Day Verde.

way in honoring and enjoying the earth while

Sauvage Spectrum is deeply committed to

adapting to the challenges of climate change.

eco-conscious practices throughout their grape

All Day Verde is $14 per 375mL bottle.

growing and winemaking processes. From the

Experience the taste of Colorado by visiting the

vineyards to the cellar, the winery embraces

Sauvage Spectrum tasting room in Palisade or

sustainable routines, limiting chemical use and

the second tasting room in Ouray.

utilizing pressed grape leftovers as compost to

The wine can also be ordered by

enrich the soil diversity.

scanning the QR code here and online

M a t y s i e w s k i s ay s p a r t n e r i n g w i t h

at sauvagespectrum.com. :

Spoke+Blossom and One Riverfront allows him to further his commitment to Colorado’s

Orchard Mesa Residence Palisade, Colorado

Renderings | JPAG Atelier Collaborator | DesignCamp Studio

Modern design for the Colorado Plateau and Rocky Mountain Region. Based in Paonia, CO. www.studiomwarch.com

|

@studio_mw

what's up in the west KELLY HUFFMAN

SWINGING IN THE SPOKES

PARTNER DANCING PICKS UP IN WESTERN COLORADO Words by Kelly Huffman

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ord’s getting around Western Colorado

scene centered on a local coffee shop. After the

about an unlikely swing dance spot:

pandemic shut down that dance venue, bike

Brown Cycles in downtown Grand Junction.

Two Friday evenings a month, a distinctive

mix of music — from Pink Martini to Bessie

shop owner Chris Brown up offered his space.

“The cool thing about this group is that we don’t do anything and people just show up,” he says.

Smith — floats onto Main Street. Inside the shop,

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dancers jitterbug and Lindy Hop beneath the

WESTERN SLOPE ECLECTIC STYLE

Cannondale bikes hanging overhead. Outside,

Hoofers from as far away as Cedaredge and

passersby pause to watch the whirling couples

Montrose (and sometimes even Moab) converge

and swirling skirts, the dips and slides, the spins

on Brown Cycles for the chance to dance.

and grins.

Newcomers have discovered the group through

“It’s my happy, safe space,” says musician

Facebook or word of mouth. For Front Range

Misti Dawn Kelly, who curates the tunes for each

transplant Bridget Hyde, it was the “Swinging in

gathering. “We’re here without alcohol or other

the Spokes” poster she spotted in Brown’s front

distractions, just enjoying the time.”

window. She’s rarely missed a dance since.

Kelly and several other regulars have been

Back in Denver, the 26-year-old was a fixture

twirling together since at least 2018 when the

in the city’s thriving swing scene. Now, she mixes

FREDDY WITARSA

with an eclectic local group that spans college professors to chiropractors, Gen Z to Baby Boomers. “People do a little bit of everything here,” says Hyde. “There’s so much variety on the Western Slope.”

The Grand Junction gatherings are much smaller than those on the Front Range, but Hyde reports a bigger variety of music styles at Brown.

It’s free to boogie at the bike shop, but Denver dancers plunk down $12 or more. In Grand Junction, Hyde gives impromptu private lessons when dancers ask for pointers. On the Front Range, she says, there might be 50 or 60 people at a lesson.

HANGAR DANCE ROARS INTO GRAND JUNCTION SEPT. 30 Hyde will teach the swing basics to dozens of beginners at a much-anticipated event: the

John Unger dances with Vicki Tromburg.

Grand Junction Regional Airport on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. When they’re not swinging to the music, dancers will snap photos of classic cars

DMITRI LEON

and check out World War II bombers.

“Our success is sort of a revenge on the ‘cool kids’ table,’ because we always have something going on now.”

— Bike shop owner and swing dancer Chris Brown The Friday night dancers from Brown Cycles will turn out in full force for the hangar dance.

Shop owner Chris Brown senses that their star is on the rise. “It’s easy to imagine that most of the group spent their high school careers without a date on Friday and Saturday nights,” he says.

“Our success is sort of a revenge on the ‘cool kids’ table,’ because we always have something going on now.” :

Learn more about the hangar Misti Dawn Kelly dances with Freddy Witarsa.

Commemorative Air Force’s third annual hangar dance. “Keep ‘Em Flying” is a throwback to the 1940s, with live music by Grand Junction big band Swing City Express. Up to 300 vintageattired attendees are expected to descend on the

dance at bit.ly/hangar_dance.

Dances are held on the first and third Fridays from 6–9 p.m.

Brown Cycles 549 Main St. Grand Junction

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

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what's up in the west

4 FILM FESTIVALS FOR FALL Words by Chloe Mayer | Photo by Nicko Ferguson

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his fall, from early September to early

Meryl Streep on their way to the opera house.

December 2023, Western Colorado will

The festival’s lineup is always a mystery until the

host four film festivals in well-loved towns

event, so film lovers everywhere eagerly await

and opera houses. Each with its own beautiful

the selection announcement as the weekend

backdrop to match the silver screen, the venues

approaches.

give cinephiles from around the world places to

The Sheridan Opera House will also host

gather to see the newest independent films of

the 14th Telluride Horror Festival, a highly

the year.

anticipated event from Oct. 13-15. This festival

Stories Worth Telling is a film festival

will showcase the latest, best horror films from

hosted in Leadville that aims to connect brands,

around the world, as well as suspense, thriller,

creatives and filmmakers through the power

dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy films.

of storytelling. The festival is centered around

Attendees from across the country will indulge

four primary values: compassion, innovation,

in all things frightening as the festival offers

adventure and execution. On Oct. 14, attendees

feature and short films, special programs, guests

will enjoy music, storytelling and a film showcase

and other events, with a lineup to be released

to conclude the night at the Tabor Opera House.

within weeks of the festival dates.

Some of the most anticipated films include From

The final film festival this fall will be Aspen’s

My Window by Futuristic Films and To the Top by

5th Annual Shining Mountains Film Festival,

F4D Studio, as well as an array of outdoor films.

hosted at the Wheeler Opera House from Dec. 1-2

This fall also marks the 50th annual Telluride

by the Aspen Indigenous Foundation (AIF). AIF

Film Festival, which will be hosted from Sept.

aims to give a platform for Indigenous people

1-4 in one of Colorado’s most secluded mountain

to showcase their rich cultures, wisdom and

villages. Tucked in the San Juan Mountains,

traditions. The Shining Mountains Film Festival

Telluride brings a laid-back atmosphere to the

sheds light on the unspoken truth of the United

celebrated film festival, as attendees have the

States and welcomes all who hope to learn more

opportunity to speak with actors and filmmakers

about Indigenous people, offering insight into

from across the world. One may find themselves

the joys and tribulations of the first people of the

chatting with Ruby Rich, Guillermo del Toro or

United States. :

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what's up in the west SARAH UHL

ROARING FORK + FARM MAP BRINGS THE LOCAL FOOD SCENE TO CENTER STAGE Words by Kristen Grace

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he Roaring Fork Valley, including the

local food scene. The Roaring Fork + Farm Map

communities of Aspen, Snowmass Village,

guides foodies through the valley, making a point

Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, is

to elevate the growers and chefs who bring the

well known for its outdoor opportunities. Skiing,

food to your fork.

biking, hiking, fishing, rafting and other outdoor

“The Roaring Fork + Farm Map intends

recreational activities make the Roaring Fork

to help connect visitors to any of the five

Valley an appealing destination for visitors.

destinations in the Roaring Fork Valley, to local

The healthy ecosystems and abundant natural

food and farm experiences in each community

resources also lend themselves to a flourishing

and to the land and food on their plates,” says

THE PULLMAN – VISITGLENWOOD.COM

Sarah-Jane Johnson, a roadmap consultant

As Colorado’s emphasis on local food systems

responsible for spearheading the efforts behind

continues to grow, initiatives like the Roaring Fork

the map. “This beautifully illustrated map helps

+ Farm Map are putting the state on the global

plant the seed to plan a day trip or a weekend

map, not only as a destination to enjoy these

within this region, which boasts a wealth of

boutique-style local farm and food experiences,

agricultural heritage and amazing local food.”

but also as a patchwork of communities that

The map was illustrated by Sarah Uhl, a

invest in local growers, ranchers and food and

Carbondale-based artist who uses art as a tool

drink creators that minimize the distance from

to connect us with one another, ourselves and

farm to fork (or cup) and sow the love right back

nature. The tourism organizations in each

in to Colorado’s ecosystem and economy.

community surveyed small farming and local

Find the map at any of the 10 visitor centers

food-related businesses and organizations to

around Colorado and at all the businesses

identify those that had a relationship to local

featured on the map. :

farming by sourcing local or regional produce.

roaringforkandfarm.com

The map promotes the idea of agritourism which, according to the USDA, links agricultural production and processing with tourism to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and educating the visitors while generating income for the farm, ranch or business owner.

Camp with us at the corner of wilderness and Main!

970.925.5029 keblercorner.com

30682 County Road 12 Somerset, CO 81434

“These experiences give travelers a chance to connect with the earth, enjoy the outdoors and learn about the roots of food production. There is increasing interest by visitors to Colorado in local food and deeper connections to the land, and the Roaring Fork Valley makes a great destination for conscientious travelers who care about the food on their plate,” explains Johnson.

For the eager foodie and explorer, the map can be used in a variety of ways. Johnson shares, “The Roaring Fork Valley as a food trail is a diverse experience that can even be ridden (on the Rio Grande trail) or rafted (on the Roaring Fork River). You could have a libation tour, checking out some of the unique and worldclass distilleries like Marble Distilling Company, Woody Creek Distillers and Casey Brewing.”

Tiny-home style cabins Full hook-up sites Electric only RV sites Tent sites Pet-friendly Guest wi-fi

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blossom

SILT’S SWEETEST SHACK

DIP INTO THE HONEY HOUSE Words by Julie Bielenberg | Photo by Derrick Maness

H

ave you heard of honeybee wranglers and

Limbach’s family hives in 2022. Maness is now

the honey honor system? That’s the lingo

the owner of Silt’s Honey House.

at Honey House in Silt, near exit 97 off I-70.

With Maness’ new honey empire came 3,000

This is truly a locals’ secret, as the unassuming

hives spread across 100 locations statewide,

shack holds hundreds of gallons of honey from

including the Roaring Fork Valley, Meeker and

throughout Western Colorado. While many

Hayden. However, these hives and their bees

pop-up shops are becoming trendy, the buzz at

travel great distances via 18-wheelers.

this hive has long been thriving.

move them with a specialized forklift. I wait

started the Honey House. He came from a family

until January when it’s cold. Bees stay in their

of beekeepers and attended CSU to become an

beehives to keep the hive warm,” explains

entomologist. Later, returning to the Silt family

Maness. “We use this to move them with the least

operation, he was a worker bee and grew the

amount of possible stress, because bees come in

hive and business.

different sizes and produce different amounts of

Derrick Maness is also into bees. So much so,

22

“My beehives are on pallets to allow me to

Five decades ago, Paul Limbach’s family

honey.”

he’s one of the rare bee wranglers in Colorado.

These bees are so prized that they actually

Limbach was his mentor and taught him the

spend spring break in California and require

trade; the allure was never lost with Maness.

a bee wrangler to ensure their safety and

He started at age 14 with Limbach, 27 years ago.

transport; that’s Maness.

Maness and his company, Colorado Mountain

Bees are business, and a very buzzed about

Honey, purchased the Honey House and

business, because of imposter bees. Maness

has European honeybee hives. This insect was brought to the Americas in the 1600s. When people began to irrigate the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley, the native insects weren’t able to handle the crops; therefore, the European honeybee was imported.

“I drive the bees to pollinate the Chowchilla almond orchards each year in California,” shares Maness. The location is about an hour away from Yosemite, where spring can occur six weeks earlier. By hauling bees from snowcovered Colorado to the sunny orchards, Maness is able to benefit both his hives and the almond orchards. “I take them to a food source to get stronger and help the farmers, and in turn, the spring feast for my bees makes bigger yields when they return to their Colorado hives.”

The nutrient-rich bees return to Colorado and get right back to work. Colorado Mountain Honey offers eight varieties of honey in the house: Trappers Lake fireweed and White River National Forest high altitude wildflower, Meeker to Hayden blend, dark amber wildflower, rabbitbrush honey and more.

The reason for so many varieties is because honey is hyper-localized per the hive, since honey is dependent on different flowers for pollination and flavor, and that is impacted by what can grow, where and at what elevation.

“Plants are putting roots in soils, and that’s what’s amazing about bees. They live off nectar and sugars from plants. Each plant has a chemical makeup, and bees are in tune with that,” says Maness. “The pollen is literally vitamins, keeping all the minerals right from the backyard, and that impacts flavors, since every area is different from one another because of the altitudes, weather systems, trade winds and more.”

The Honey House is an honor system operation and is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You are allowed to take what you want.

Simply add the total, and leave cash or Venmo for your purchase. Aside from honey, there are other bee-based products that also operate on the honor system, including raw pollen and bee’s wax. The shack has enough room for a halfdozen people to comfortably explore the inside of Maness’ hive. :

drink

ELEVATION CHANGE A BRIGHT AND TROPICAL COCKTAIL WITH RYE WHISKEY AND AGED RUM Words + Photo by Jayme Henderson

M

aybe you think of lazy summer afternoons or beach getaways when you

think of pineapples. For me, I am transported back to sea level in my grandfather’s balmy, shaded backyard in Florida, where he grew pineapples from their discarded tops.

While we can’t grow pineapples here on the Western Slope of Colorado, we can thankfully find them — often year-round — in local grocery stores.

This bright, tropical cocktail captures the essence of summer and welcomes cozier, fall-ready spice tones with the help of aged rum and rye whiskey. The secret to really elevating this drink? Freshly pressed juice from grilled pineapple. Sure, you can opt for store-bought pineapple juice in a pinch, but taking the time to char and juice fresh pineapple slices adds another layer to this already-complex cocktail. :

24

ELEVATION CHANGE 1 oz rye whiskey (I used Storm King Distillery’s Colorado Straight Rye) ¾ oz aged rum (I used Montanya’s Oro 1-Year Aged Dark Rum) 1 ½ oz grilled pineapple juice ¾ oz sage simple syrup ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice Sage leaf, for garnish

1. I n a mixing tin, combine the rye whiskey, aged rum, grilled pineapple juice, sage simple syrup and lemon juice.

2. A dd ice, shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

3. G arnish with a fresh sage leaf.

GRILLED PINEAPPLE JUICE Take fresh slices from a whole pineapple and grill both sides, just long enough to get a good char. You don’t want to grill the slices too long and dehydrate them. From there, juice the slices, let cool and make the cocktail.

SAGE SIMPLE SYRUP Combine one cup water and one cup sugar with a handful of fresh sage leaves. Over low heat, stir the mixture and remove from heat once it begins to simmer. Let the sage leaves steep for five minutes, strain them and let the syrup cool. This sage simple syrup will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to a month.

ELEVATION CHANGE SPIRIT-FREE VERSION

Want to savor the same tropical notes in a spirit-free version?

The secret to adding depth is strong-brewed black tea. Steep a bag of black tea in a cup of boiling-hot water, but instead of following the suggested brew time, let the tea steep until the water reaches room temperature and really press the bag for the best extraction. While it’s too tannic and bitter to enjoy on its own, the strong-brewed tea provides a great substitute for the heavier spirits. The steps for making this refreshing, spiritfree drink is the same as the spirited version, and it’s delicious served up in a coupe or on the rocks with a splash of seltzer.

2 oz grilled pineapple juice 1½ oz strong-brewed black tea ¾ oz sage simple syrup 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice Sage leaf, for garnish

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

25

drink

LAGER ROOM TALK

RAISE A PINT OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE BEER Words by Nickolas Paullus | Photos courtesy of Stronghouse Brew Pub

I

n its German homeland, when it comes to

notes that, “The benefit to an ale is the amount

beer, a lager is a myriad of things. The style is

of time it takes to make.” Cold fermentation

bound only by the technical parameters of cold

is a slow process, and Gerson adds that he can

fermentation, cold storage (or lagering) and the

produce “two to three ales for every lager.”

bottom feeding yeast usually employed. Lagers

The process is long but lends itself to a

come in all hues and potencies, with regional

smoother finish. Cold lagering tends to reduce

variation across the country.

off-putting flavors like acetic acid. The same

In America, and much of the world, however, the lager is much narrower in the popular

Sam Enders, brewmaster at Stronghouse

imagination. Yellow, fizzy and light bodied, the

Brew Pub in Telluride, describes the result as

pale lager is the most consumed style in the

“crisp (with) crystal clear brightness, very well

world, the nation and, yes, in Colorado. Despite

carbonated and clean.” Lagers are synonymous

the plethora of ales, European lagers and sours

with drinkability and, as such, lend themselves

on menus statewide, the pale lager still reigns

to high consumption in summer months. Lagers

supreme.

are often described as sessionable, and Enders

Craft breweries shied away from lagers for much of their 30-plus year history. This

26

process helps the beer to settle and clarify.

adds that, “If I can drink a pint and want another, that is always a sign that it’s a good lager.”

may have been to be contrary to “big beer,” to

Besides drinkability, brewers often point

offer something novel, but brewer Eli Gerson

to the lager’s Old World roots when asked to

of Ramblebine Brewing in Grand Junction also

describe what makes a good lager. Gerson sees

“European lagers as the perfect examples” of the style. This hearkening back to tradition, however, adds another dimension to the complicated nature of making authentic and quaffable lagers.

Kevin McHugh, owner and brewer at Pomona Brewing Company in Montrose, thinks the extra effort is worth it. When making a German lager, he is “strict about the malts … even the yeast, which can be hard to source,” because he believes the lauded tradition is worth taking note of. Not just light lagers, German lager traditions are informing McHugh’s process on styles as divergent as mildly hopped pilsners and smoke-driven rauchbiers.

In fact, the German brewing tradition has influenced beer culture worldwide for hundreds of years. In Mexico, German immigrants in the 19th century created a brewing tradition that stretches forward to today, where Mexican lagers are one of the most popular styles in the world.

The style is making headway in the craft beer scene, as well. Emma Dutch, head brewer at Trail Life Brewing in Grand Junction, says that their “Mexican lager is consistently [their] top seller.” The style is nebulous but is typically crisp and light, with dazzling clarity like other light lager styles.

Where many German lagers hearken to tradition, Dutch points to her Mexican lager as a creative opportunity.

“Our pilsner has German noble hops and pilsner malt, but our Mexican lager features New Zealand hops. I appreciate that about craft in the U.S. There are beers that are strictly traditional, but no one is holding anyone’s feet to the fire over tradition and everyone appreciates creativity.”

Mexican or American, the pale lager is America’s beer. It outsells other styles unequivocally, and its dominance isn’t going anywhere. Local breweries, as such, have turned to the lager to create a common ground between the uninitiated and an industry that can be intimidating from the outside. “I’m secretly hoping,” adds Dutch, “that our Mexican lager will prove a gateway to other easy drinking craft beers and that drinkers will find that craft doesn’t just mean a double IPA.” :

113 W 3RD STREET PALISADE, CO 81526 970.464.2888 FIDELSPALISADE.COM

eat

FALL RECIPES

SEASONAL SMELLS + SOUTHWEST FLAVORS Words by Maureen McGuire | Photos by Cat Mayer

M

y house often smells of whatever food

during the Indian summers we have in Colorado.

is in season in the valley. For a week or

The big plastic bags of chiles we get are usually

two every fall, it smells like roasted chiles. My

still hot from the giant roasting basket, and

husband and I bug the staff at our local farmers

occasionally, we get impatient and burn our

market well in advance of when they start

fingers, because we don’t wait long enough to let

roasting chiles to see which weekend we can get

them steam the skins off.

two bushels of chiles to skin, de-seed and put

The smoky, sweet and spicy aroma lingers

in bags for the freezer to be used all year. It’s a

in my kitchen for weeks. Despite wearing gloves

big job, but it pays off when I dig in the freezer

and washing my hands often, the scent clings to

in winter and fall to make the green chili stew

my hands and arms. My students and friends

recipe I’ve written about before, this recipe or

often comment that I smell so good — like

an endless variety of Southwestern recipes that

dinner. I just grin and reply that I think I smell

I eat all year.

like autumn in the Southwest. :

From the haven of my kitchen, I can only imagine running the big fire-roasters outside

28

GREEN CHILE MAC + CHEESE

3. A dd salt and seasoning.

SERVES 6

4. O nce everything is sautéed to a hot temp, turn down the heat to medium-low or low.

Add one cup of milk, stirring constantly, to make a thick sauce. Do not boil.

3 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 cups roasted green chilies, diced 3 Tbsp flour 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cumin 8 oz cheese, shredded (I used asadero this time but have used Monterey Jack or cheddar in the past to much acclaim of my husband.)

2 oz additional cheese for baking, if desired 2 ¼ cups of milk One pound pasta, cooked and drained One pound pork or chicken, cooked and shredded

1. O ver medium-high heat, sauté the onions in the butter and oil. When they start to sweat, add the flour to make a roux. The goal is to make a sort of béchamel as the base for the cheese sauce. Try to avoid lumps, and incorporate the flour into the fat as much as possible.

2. O nce the flour is starting to brown, add the chiles and continue to sauté. You may need an additional teaspoon or two of fat.

5. S tarting with the cheese, alternate adding a quarter of each (if you use more than one kind of cheese) and the remaining milk to incorporate with the sauce. You want the temperature to be warm enough to melt the cheese but not hot enough to simmer, or the cheese may break. You may need to add a little more milk if the sauce gets too thick.

6. O nce all of the cheese and milk are incorporated, add cooked pasta and shredded meat. Once everything is hot, you can eat it like this, but if you want a baked style mac and cheese, put it in a casserole dish.

7. I f you want to bake your finished dish, you’ll need 2 ounces of cheese to sprinkle on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, add the extra cheese to the top, and bake until the edges are golden.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

29

SHREDDED PORK FOR TACO/BURRITO FILLING SLOW COOKER 2 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt roast 2 jalapeños, diced 1 whole onion, diced 1 orange, quartered, or half a cup of orange juice 2 bay leaves 1 tsp Mexican oregano 1 whole dried chile guajillo 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt FRY FINISH 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder Pinch of salt Pinch of garlic powder

30

1. C ook eight hours on the low setting in the slow cooker. Remove bay leaf, orange rinds and dried chile. You can eat them like this or finish them to be more like street tacos (you may want to adjust the seasoning).

2. To finish the pork, pan fry with the cumin, chili powder, salt and garlic powder. Pan fry until the edges are crispy.

3. S erve on tacos with lime, avocado and cilantro, or use in other recipes.

It also makes a good start for pulled pork sandwiches.

D R I N K W H A T Y O U L I K E

970.464.5554 Open Daily 10am-5:45 carlsonvineyards.com carlsonvineyards

CarlsonVineyards

VAIL VALLEY’S PREMIER MEAT & SEAFOOD MARKET pasture-raised beef & lamb free-range chicken the corner @ edwards 56 edwards village blvd / 105 edwards, co 81632

seasonal sustainable seafood and so much more

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book + beverage Words + Photo by Ursula Nizalowski

Beneski and DelaRoca also list popular local restaurants and vineyards, such as Fidel’s Cocina and the Vines 79 Wine Bar & Vineyard.

While the books are intended to encourage the reader to explore the biking routes, they also promote local cycling races and events. However, Beneski is more interested in inspiring “people to go get on their bike outside of a race” and only use the guidebook “as a training tool” for the races if they want to try them. To get a copy, Gravel Adventure Field Guide — Fruita & Palisade/Mesa

F

THE BOOK

County: Colorado Western Slope can be found at

GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE — FRUITA & PALISADE /MESA COUNTY

local bike shops in the Grand Valley or ordered online through graveladventurefieldguide.com.

BY STEPHEN BENESKI AND JUAN DELAROCA rom the Book Cliffs to the Colorado National Monument, Mesa County has many natural

landmarks . And, one of the best ways to experience them is by biking along the routes described in the latest Gravel Adventure Field Guide book by Stephen Beneski and Juan DelaRoca titled Fruita & Palisade/Mesa County: Colorado Western Slope.

This guidebook describes gravel bike routes in the

THE BEVERAGE

Western Slope while delving into the area’s history.

While the book is sold in print form, its maps can be scanned onto a smartphone. In turn, the smartphone’s GPS can locate where the routes are in relation to the user. This hybrid approach is Beneski and DelaRoca’s way of “diving into the

32

E

RED MONKEY BUTT AMBER ALE xclusively sold at the Suds Brothers Brewery in Fruita, this craft amber beer has an alcohol

by volume (ABV) measurement of 5.3% and an

nostalgia of cycling in gravel and the nostalgia of

international bittering unit (IBU) of 29. What this

travel … but we’re giving it a modern twist.”

means is the amount of alcohol is stronger than a

The main reasons Beneski created the Gravel

light beer but not as strong as an IPA. Like other

Adventure books with DelaRoca were to “map

amber beers, though, it is moderately strong in

existing gravel roads” that have been forgotten

hops and malt. The main reason Stephen Beneski

and help small towns “gain a footprint in outdoor

says he likes Red Monkey Butt is that it doesn’t

tourism” that would encourage people to come to

get a person overly buzzed after doing strenuous

them. For instance, the guidebook describes “two

outdoor activities such as cycling. It’s also a nice

routes where people can start in Palisade and

relaxing drink to have while reading a Gravel

ride to Fruita,” and then stay overnight in Fruita

Adventure guidebook and contemplating which

or ride back to Palisade and spend the night there.

bike routes to take on your next ride. :

INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS Compiled by Lexi Reich

@beyond.the.board.co

Perfect for harvest season, we love the exquisitely designed and locally sourced grazing tables from Beyond the Board in Ridgway. Owner Angela Chehayl is an expert charcutier with a passion for bringing people together over food.

Postcards From Palisade

This local podcast shares a snapshot of the people and places that shape Palisade as a top destination in Western Colorado. New episodes are released most Tuesdays and feature interesting things our neighbors in Palisade are up to.

@graveladventurefieldguide

Since the Fruita and Palisade field guide released in June, we can’t get enough of the adventures featured on this page. If you’re looking for inspiration to fuel your next outdoor experience this fall, Gravel Adventure Field Guide has you covered.

The Man Enough Podcast

What does it mean to be a man today? This podcast explores how rigid gender roles affect all people by creating a safe environment for a range of perspectives. New episodes release every Monday and feature honest conversations with celebrities, thought-leaders and change-makers.

@mypubliclands

Did you know the Bureau of Land Management has a field office in Grand Junction?

Explore the over one million acres of public lands surrounding the West Slope through colorful and mountainous imagery.

Channel Mastery

Created by Verde Brand Communications, this podcast teaches business owners how to excel in the outdoor industry through an ever-changing retail landscape. It offers tools, strategies and tactics for multichannel mastery straight from the experts to your earbuds.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

33

community style

NEWEST COLLECTORS ART SERIES FROM BRECKENRIDGE DISTILLERY FEATURES WORK BY SANDRA FETTINGIS

BOTTLE TO MURAL STREET ART IN SILVERTHORNE

By S+B Staff | Photos courtesy of Breckenridge Distillery

F

or the past three years, Breckenridge

has created more than 80 large-scale artworks

Distillery has been combining the arts of

for public and private collections across the

blending whiskey and painting by partnering

nation. Fettingis pushes her practice creatively

with local Colorado artists to not only create the

and professionally by experimenting with new

label for limited-edition whiskey blends but also

materials, taking on projects outside of Colorado

to create pieces of public art in Colorado.

and pushing the visual language of abstraction

This year, the new Breckenridge PX Naranja Cask Finish Whiskey is co-created with local

34

through line and geometric minimalism inspired by architecture and our natural world.

Colorado artist Sandra Fettingis. The artwork

The PX Naranja Cask Finish Whiskey hits

created by Fettingis is printed on the bottle and

fall right, with a smooth aroma that opens up

featured in mural form in Colorado’s newest arts

to stonefruit and candied mandarin orange

district in Silverthorne.

peel. The palate resonates with raisin and

Fettingis is a Denver-based muralist and

fig with a background of orange marmalade,

installation artist focused on creating work for the

finishing with a light cinnamon spice balanced

public realm through geometric patterning. She

by matured oak. :

Learn more at breckenridgedistillery.com/ collectors-art-series/, and about Fettingis and her work at sfettingis.com.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

35

art

IMAGINING A CLIMATE FUTURE

ORISONS EARTHWORK Words by Chloe Andrews | Photos courtesy of Marguerite Humeau and Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum JULIA ANDRÉONE AND FLORINE BONAVENTURE

addresses and directions will be provided upon making a reservation.

The sculptures draw their inspiration from the vegetation and animals of the San Luis Valley. Visitors are invited to lay on the wings of Sandhill Cranes, to imagine a new future in their flight path. Other sculptures draw from the wind and the vegetation of the valley, creating whistling, mystical spaces “that take you through different meditations around resilience, care, transformation, the transience of existence, the edges between life and death and the acknowledgement of the whole being the sum of its parts and the inhabited solitude that makes you feel alone in the vastness of a very rich, entangled web of life,” explains Humeau. The adaptability and resilience of the life of the San Luis Valley is something

M

she deeply admires and weaves throughout arguerite Humeau reimagines futures in

Humeau says that her art is “acupuncture at

and Guardian of Ancient Yeast, drawing from the

the scale of a landscape.” Her work reflects caring

past — from the lost and forgotten — to create

for the land and helping it reconnect every form

beautifully imagined, compassionate artworks.

of life that has lived on it, is living on it or will

Her

newest

project,

titled

Orisons,

is

an exercise in deeply, compassionately

live on it, “with every other form of life that has existed in the past, present or future.”

understanding an ecosystem that is a haven for

It is an art centered around finding haven

all who live there. It is built on the ancestral land

and healing in a world drastically changed by

of the Ute People and the Navajo (Diné) people

climate change and learning from the land itself

in the San Luis Valley on the fallow farm land

to create futures in extreme environments.

donated by Jones Farm Organics.

In order to understand the land, Humeau met

“The land is the artwork,” shares Humeau.

with many different experts, from the Department

This 160-acre earthwork celebrates the flora and

of Agriculture, thunderbird and rainmaking

fauna as heroes of a post-climate world that live

ritual specialists, local community groups “and

in the extreme conditions of the San Luis Valley.

maybe most importantly geomancers who gave a

Including 84 interactive sculptures inspired

‘reading’ of the land, like a palm reading but at

by the vegetation and native animals of the San

36

Orisons.

her art. She sculpts Holder of Wasp Venom

the scale of the landscape,” she shares.

Luis Valley, Orisons is an artwork entwined at

From the geomancers, she learned about

every step with the land that hosts it. It opened

specific individuals who have died and seem to

on July 29, 2023 and closes June 30, 2025. Entry is

be trapped on the land — for example, the eldest

free, though donations are appreciated, and exact

female of a human group who tried to settle

JULIA ANDRÉONE AND FLORINE BONAVENTURE

37

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

“Orisons” by Marguerite Humeau, 2023, curated and produced by Black Cube, A Nomadic Art Museum. Photography by Julia Andréone and Florine Bonaventure.

38

on the land in the 1850s may be trapped in the northwest corner.

“There are groups that have also been seen by the geomancers of Ancestral Puebloans who have been crossing the land,” she explains. “In particular, their presence is felt in the southeast area, above a part of the soil that has been transformed into a soil crust over the years.”

This knowledge creates deeply compassionate and compelling art that centers the land and all who live there. This time and research have not just given her a perspective but a multitude of perspectives.

“How do we think or live or exist like a bird, like a Russian thistle?” Humeau inquires. In other words, how is our own anatomy, our mind, reflected in the world around us?

In Orisons, Humeau is looking to the native plants and animals to be “our guides to teach us to navigate our own futures” in a world deeply influenced by climate change. It is an artwork taking a piece of land that we “as humans have used as a site for extraction for many years and transforming it into a site of reverence” where

"Guardian of the Aspens" 36"x38" Acrylic on Birch Wood Giclee Reproductions Available

Studio visits and commissions are welcome.

970-985-0812 cynthiaduff.com cynthiadufffineart.com

Represented by: Cobalt Gallery Tubac, Arizona Craig Gallery Palisde, CO Asheigh Christie's at Hertage Meeker, CO Redstone Connected Gallery Redstone, CO Art and Frame of Coronado Coronado, CA

the animals and plants will show us the way into the future.

It is art deeply entwined with the climate crisis, with the natural world, that shows visitors that “in order to survive on this planet, we need to merge within the greater whole of life.” It is art that imagines a future. : orisons.art

The Flyfisher by DJ Janowski | craiggallerypalisade.com

Showing at the

Craig Gallery 128 E. 3rd Street In the heart of downtown Palisade (970) 361-1045 | Kay Crane, Gallery Director

maker

CRAFTING CULINARY + ARTISTIC ODES TO NATURE’S OVERLOOKED WHIMSIES

ABBEY ANDERSEN Words by Lexi Reich | Photos by Abbey Andersen

She sits on the board of directors for Elsewhere, teaches seasonal classes with Arts For All and coordinates farm harvest events for hunger relief with UpRoot Colorado.

As an illustrator and ceramicist in Paonia, Andersen says the artistic community in Western Colorado not only supports her food-centered craft but celebrates it. In turn, Andersen heavily advocates for the arts in rural Colorado by connecting visiting artists from around the world with the local community.

This September, she is the featured artist at Grapevine Gallery for the Final Friday Art Walk in Paonia. Spoke+Blossom had the opportunity to sit down with Andersen to learn more about life as a seasoned maker, including where she draws inspiration from and her unique creative processes.

What was your journey

A

to becoming an artist? bbey Andersen has made a life out of

Like any good burgeoning artist, my creative

following her nose and tastebuds. Her

journey began by decorating my homework

education is in studio art and creative writing,

papers with irreverent sketches in #2 pencil

but her favorite medium is food — farms,

and ballpoint pen. While illustration has always

foraging, setting tables in beautiful spots and

been the backbone of my work, I studied at

gathering people around them. After years

Humboldt State (now Cal-Poly Humboldt) and

of teaching art and working in the food realm

was immediately taken in by the expansive

across the country, Andersen arrived in Paonia

ceramic studio there. I’m thankful to have been

for an artist residency at Elsewhere Studios in

exposed to my professors’ knowledge of texture

2019 and hasn’t left since.

and underglaze techniques, skill sets which have

Because Andersen finds it impossible to stick to just one form of art, she wears many hats

40

contributed to a specific style of sculptural and illustrative texture in my clay work.

in the industry. She houses her creative work

I taught art classes at a small studio in Santa

under Whistlepig Art, a whimsical nickname

Cruz, California for four years, and there’s no

that she coined simply because it brings her joy.

doubt that working with kids has made a big

Andersen’s most popular creations are colorful

impact on my dedication to the fun and silly

popsicles that look more like garden sculptures,

side of visual art. Additionally, my experience in

but she also makes pottery to represent the

farming and catering and a passion for bringing

overlooked whimsicalities of the natural world.

folks together around a table has helped to set

the intention for how I would like my work to

show my work at Grapevine Gallery (along

impact others. Functional pottery designed for

with 15 other local artists). From time to time, I

sipping and savoring, illustrated garden puns,

illustrate for magazines like High Country News

a kids book about the kitchen table and the

and Taproot Magazine. I also advocate for the

creation of a popsicle line that highlights the

arts in rural Colorado through my work on the

overlooked and underutilized flavors of the

board of Elsewhere Studios, connecting visiting

North Fork Valley are all ways in which my

artists from around the world with our local

delight in food traditions plays into my work.

communities.

These days, I continue to teach art seasonally with a nonprofit organization called Arts For All,

What is your favorite part about

which provides donation-based, after-school art

living on the West Slope as a creator?

programming for children in second through

What are some of the challenges?

sixth grade in the North Fork. My curriculum

Having had the chance to live in numerous

focuses on skill-building lessons in drawing,

creative pockets all over the country for the past

painting and clay and how those mediums

couple of decades, I have to say the feeling of

intersect with nature. I craft up ceramics at

“belonging” in regards to lifestyle, community

Paonia Clayworks, a pottery collective, and

and artistic whimsy here in Western Colorado,

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

41

artwork and contributed to the desire to use and enjoy what already exists around us.

I love to experiment with a variety of mediums in my art practice, though I am primarily

known

for

my

illustrated

and

sculptural ceramics and my foraged popsicles.

I love the concept of “esemplastic power” — shaping seemingly disparate things, unifying and molding them into one. I get a kick out of folks who make the connection between my seemingly unrelated modes of art and find the common thread: whimsy, unexpectedness, celebration, encouraging enjoyment and partaking in fleeting loveliness. I think it’s important to give quality airtime to the lesser-celebrated parts of our world: opossums, kitchen tables, socks. and especially in Paonia, has been unmatched.

It’s a heckuva good fit. Because of this community

What is your creative process like?

embracing my particular flavor for quirkiness,

One day, I’m working on a series of illustrated

nature, fun and food, my work has had the

“gams on drams” tumblers or fixing a light

chance to settle gloriously into its own little

bulb to a robot octopus sculpture, the next day

niche since landing on the Western Slope.

concocting a batch of creamsicles featuring

I am so thankful for the ease of access to

chanterelles or whortleberries I foraged from the

all the things I hold most dear — open spaces,

mountains. I spend a good chunk of the harvest

neat flora and fauna, interesting juxtapositions,

season organizing farm gleaning events for local

amazing food, fun and authentic people, music —

hunger relief in my work with UpRoot Colorado,

and all without stop lights in the way! Connecting

so summer is often a time I switch gears from

my creative work here comes naturally. For me,

studio work to harvesting and popsicle-ing.

the biggest challenge in this region is finding the

All of my work is a multi-step-oriented

right avenue for selling art without “selling out”

process. For popsicles, it’s first gathering

and to make a living as an artist (or to make a

ingredients and making a syrup, then layering

living at all!). My pieces take a fair bit of time

and freezing, decorating and photographing

to complete, and it’s a constant struggle to price

them and, finally, packaging them. In regards

them in a way that reflects my work while also

to ceramic work, the process I often employ

being accessible to the community.

requires painting underglaze on greenware (clay that is still raw and unfired) before the first

What is the inspiration

firing, then adding stains, more painting and

behind Whistlepig Art?

underglaze pencil drawings (harkening back to

I find it impossible to stick to just one form of

those homework paper sketches) on the bisqued

art. In my household growing up, we celebrated

pieces before the final firing. Sometimes I use

a tradition from my dad’s Danish roots, called

glazes, but often, I like to keep the matte raw

ruskomsnusk. On nights when we didn’t feel like

clay look. I am currently working on a series

making a full meal, we would throw together

of sculptural reptilian lamps, in addition to the

handfuls of this and that from the fridge and

usual production of illustrated cups and mugs. :

come up with a tasty one pot meal. Instead of having boring ol’ leftovers, we got to have an exciting ruskomsnusk dinner. The concept of ruskomsnusk has certainly infiltrated my

Find Andersen’s work at Grapevine Gallery and Paonia Clayworks, or visit abbeyandersen.com and follow @whistlingwhistlepig on Instagram.

Popsicles appear around town from time to time, but they happen on a whim.

42

food

Suanne Miller packages their most popular goat cheese — lemon chive chèvre.

WESTERN CULTURE FARMSTEAD & CREAMERY

FOODIES + GOAT LOVERS WELCOME Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman

F

irst, Suanne Miller fell in love with cheese

thankful for the beauty and community of the

making. Then, she fell in love with goats.

Western Slope.

Once a cheese-making hobbyist in Boulder, Suanne and her husband, Dave, made a life

ARTISAN GOAT CHEESE

changing decision to leave the Front Range for

Miller debates what she likes most about making

the rural, pastoral lifestyle they craved.

cheese. She loves that it’s an ancient craft — over

“The connection to the animals, the land and

7,000 years old — the history, the science, the

the seasons was a very profound thing for us,”

end result, the patience it teaches you and the

explains Suanne Miller. “We were such urban

fascinating and engaging artistry.

suburbanites; we didn’t have the connection

Goat cheese is fairly new to the American

someone has that is already farming and then

palette (the first goat dairy was licensed in

decides to go into cheese making.”

California in the 1970s) but is definitely gaining

The Millers planted roots on 5 acres just west of Paonia in 2015. They say they are extremely

traction as a mainstream food product, rounding out charcuterie boards and main dishes.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

43

Cary Atwood of Grand Junction takes a break from cycling in the area to help bottle feed the “kids.”

44

Where goat cheese has had a certain

explains Miller. “I say drink all wine, eat all

reputation as being smelly, unsavory, barnyardy

cheeses. Cow and goat cheeses next to each other

and unpleasant, Miller says she challenges

makes for an overall interesting palate.”

anyone who feels this way to come in and try

She leaned toward goat cheese when learning to make cheese because of its piquant,

her cheese.

“I don’t feel my goat cheese reflects any of

“a unique flavor in goat cheese that is a sour

those flavors, but I have had goat cheese that

tang that is found to be very pleasing,” describes

does,” says Miller. “Research finds it’s how fast

Miller. Plus, when it came to farming, handling

you cool the milk. Our milk goes from body

and raising goats seemed more manageable than

temperature to under 40 degrees in under 20

cows. The farmstead primarily uses the Nubian

minutes for a cleaner, fresher cheese.”

breed for its high butterfat and ability to tolerate

Miller refers to their farm as a miniature

the heat and cold temperatures well.

homestead version compared to larger dairy

The Miller’s buck, Jeffrey Valentino, breeds

plants. Equipment may heat and cool the milk,

with their approximately 50 females each fall.

but she stirs and cuts the curds, puts them

Come February through April, each nanny

in molds, turns the molds and cuts, packages

averages two babies or “kids.” They nurse

and labels the cheese. The labor-intensive

for 7-10 days to remove the colostrum (first

cheesemaking process, and the husbandry of

milk after giving birth), then the nannies are

the goats, which Dave Miller commands, truly

separated and milked for the next 10 months,

define their cheese as artisan.

while the kids are bottle fed, then weaned.

GOAT VS. COW

THE CHEESE

“In the world of cheese, I would never say only

“We’re milking the goats every day, so I have

drink white wine or only drink red wine,”

to be in the creamery making cheese every

LET THE LEAF PEEPING BEGIN! Make plans to visit Delta County and enjoy all of the beauty that Fall brings.

visitdeltacounty.com

Farm hand Carter Keegan gives the nanny goats their daily hay.

Dave Miller gets ready to separate out four eager goats at a time for their twice-a-day milking.

46

day,” shares Miller. “The different cheeses are

COMMUNITY

basically different recipes — different ages,

Western Culture Farmstead & Creamery is

different moisture content.”

open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Softer and creamier cheeses contain more

The Millers welcome guests to visit their on-site

whey, while crumblier or pastry cheeses have less,

farm store, hang out with the goats for some

and removing as much as you can, usually through

goat therapy, help bottle feed, watch milking and

pressing and aging, produces a harder cheese.

cheese processing and learn where their food

Miller notes that the milk goes through

comes from.

different stages throughout the entire lactation

Spring is a busy time, when area children

cycle, and she uses this fact to showcase seasonal

come to help bottle feed and name the new

milk flow — brie in early spring, parmesans

arrivals. ‘Coconut,’ ‘Snowflake’ and the like

late fall and fresh cheeses in summer, such as

hang on tags around the neck of each goat. The

chèvre, fetas and farmhouse cheeses, aged a mere

goats love people and come running with their

couple days.

tails wagging.

Their most popular cheese is lemon

Western Culture Farmstead and Creamery

chive chèvre. One customer brings in his own

cheeses are featured at many farm-to-table

container, buying it by the pound, because his

events, small markets across the Western Slope,

family puts it on “everything!”

Indigo Autumn and Black Bridge Winery in

“Chèvre is like a blank canvas to me — what

Paonia, Big B’s and Farm Runners in Hotchkiss,

seasonings can I add, what can I bring to the

Smith Fork Ranch in Crawford and hotels, such

table with this cheese,” asks Miller. “And, if you

as Little Nell in Aspen. :

ask me what to pair a certain cheese with or how to serve it, I have answers.”

westernculturefarmstead.com

Take the easy way there.

Grand Junction Regional Airport makes getting there easy with nearby parking, fast check-in and short security lines. The most reliable airport on the Western Slope, GJT makes travel a breeze with daily non-stop flights to four major cities and hundreds of one-stop connections worldwide. Wherever you live in western Colorado and wherever you’re going, Fly GJT and take the easy way there. Book now at FlyGJT.com

food

SHORTENING THE GRAIN CHAIN Words by Nickolas Paullus COURTESY OF BLUE GROUSE BREAD

W

estern Colorado, like much of the

efforts. In her home state of Vermont, farm-to-

country, has been experiencing a slow

table was so intrinsic to the community that she

but deliberate shift to local food ways. Wine

and her classmates built a wood-fire bread oven

grapes, peaches and sweet corn have become

in high school. Rossman has brought a similar

synonymous with Colorado’s vibrant farm

ethos to her bakery. Rossman sources Colorado

culture, and beef reigns as the state’s largest

grain from Mancos to the San Luis Valley, yet

food resource. Each is much lauded in the farm-

much is hyper-locally sourced within 2 miles of

to-table community, yet much less has been said

Blue Grouse’s Norwood bakery.

about Colorado’s vibrant grain community.

In 2022, Colorado ranked as one of the largest producers of white winter wheat and as

issues nationwide,” says Rossman. “It’s amazing how quickly it all fell apart.”

the top producer of millet nationwide. Despite

As well as sourcing issues, much of

this, Colorado grains are all but absent from

the value in locally grown grain can be

supermarket shelves statewide.

attributed to environmental concern. Soil

The Colorado Grain Chain (CGC) is a 501(c)3

fertility, water shortages and fossil fuel

nonprofit that has been working for the last five

consumption are common talking points in the

years to connect growers and makers statewide.

American Southwest, and locally grown grain

The group has helped highlight the broad array

reflects a more conscientious approach to food

of grains being cultivated throughout the state.

resource.

On facilitating the often difficult process of

Dan Hobbs, owner of Pueblo Seed and Food

networking, CGC representative Audrey Paugh

Co. in Cortez, suggests, “Farmers are on the front

notes, “There is a huge gap in our food system,

line of climate change.” He points to historical

and re-localizing our grain economy is essential.”

farming practices from the Asian steppe to New

Blue Grouse Bread owner Hannah Rossman

Mexico as evidence for a requisite consideration

grew up knowing the value of localized food

48

“COVID really highlighted supply chain

of soil and water conservation.

Hobbs highlighted the importance of grains as a “basis of fertility,” which stresses the importance of crops being useful as forage and food but also to support the land they grow on. Much of the last century focused on short term gains over ecology, and Hobbs sees small

scratch made breakfast lunch catering

grains as a necessary mitigation to the damaging practices of the recent past.

Rotating crops that feed the soil, which also have a commercial appeal, is important for many growers trying to insert themselves into a local grain economy. Rye represents as a waterwise grain that is an important fall cover crop that promotes soil fertility.

As a crop, Hobbs observed the grain’s future is intimately entwined with the beverage industry. This includes seasonal iterations of local rye beer but, more often, as rye whiskey like the Colorado grown iterations from Storm King Distilling in Montrose.

Hobbs and many like-minded growers in Colorado are also focusing on a wide range of other seed grains. One of Hobbs’ cohorts, Laura Parker, owner of High Desert Seeds in Paonia, is working to produce regionally adapted varieties of quinoa, amaranth, sorghum, barley and teff.

These grains are indigenous to climates not unlike the Desert Southwest and, as such, represent a cognizant approach to environmentally sound food practices.

While she is working to grow out crops for local businesses like Mountain Oven, she also expressed the necessity and value of growing “with home gardeners in mind.”

Much of the food security debate centers around important issues, like necessary changes on large scale farms and the hazards of the global supply chain. When it comes to a local food movement, however, it doesn’t get much closer to home than in the garden. :

420 Main St, Downtown Grand Junction Cafesolgj.com 970.986.3474

NICKOLAS PAULLUS

music

MICK WILSON + CONNIE MICHAEL

THE GIFT OF MUSIC Words by Kristen Lummis | Photo courtesy of Rosewood & Ivory

F

or 17 years, Mick Wilson and Connie Michael

Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra and found “lots

have provided a vibrant soundtrack to life

of other performance opportunities” throughout

in the Grand Valley as members of Fifth Reel,

50

Mesa County.

a Celtic contra dance band, and Rosewood &

An accomplished pianist and keyboardist,

Ivory, a jazz duo. Wilson plays the clarinet and

Michael has a background in both “bar room

loves jazz. Michael plays the piano and adores

honky tonk piano” and classical training. “For

traditional music. Friends and colleagues,

my 9th birthday, I was given piano lessons as a

they’ve converted one another to an expanded

gift,” she explains. “The classical teacher wasn’t

repertoire which they happily share, providing

available, so I started with a bar room player,

the gift of music to diverse local audiences.

which made a big difference in what I play now.”

Originally from Pennsylvania, Wilson

Like Wilson, Michael attended college to

describes himself as a musical “late bloomer.”

study music. While a student, she discovered

While he “hated” band in junior high school, by

traditional contra dance music and left the

the time he got to college, he wanted to be a music

classical world behind.

educator. After relocating from Pennsylvania

Wilson and Michael met when he was her

to Nucla, Colorado, Wilson moved to Grand

sons’ middle school band director. Soon, Michael

Junction when the uranium economy busted in

invited Wilson to a Celtic jam session. When

the 1980s. “Moving to Grand Junction was the

Wilson arrived, he realized he was the only

best thing that ever happened to me,” he exudes,

woodwind, and one tuned to B-flat at that. On

noting that in addition to teaching band at West,

the fly, he sight-read and transposed the music.

Fruita and Redlands Middle Schools, he played

It was the first of many jam sessions he’d attend

in the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, the

and the beginning of a group called Fifth Reel,

which, with fiddler Norm Ashley and caller Ron Young, introduced contra dance culture to the community.

Linda Roush of Grand Junction is a big fan; twice a month, she heads downtown for live Celtic music at the Springhill Suites. “I love Irish music,” shares Roush. “After five years of coming to these jam sessions, I’ve become friends with the musicians and friends with others in the audience. We’ve become a community.”

The duo’s other ensemble, Rosewood & Ivory, plays more formal gigs. Through the years, they’ve performed at a variety of venues from brunches to weddings to concerts and other special events. Performing jazz standards and Michael’s original waltz compositions, one of their favorite places to play is at senior care facilities, such as assisted living and nursing homes. “The audience really relates to the music,” shares Michael. “And, they are so grateful.”

Misty Trout, life enrichment director at Cappella of Grand Junction, agrees. “Rosewood & Ivory have been blessing our community with their harmonic piano and jazz clarinet since we opened our doors in 2017. We feel fortunate to have such caring people continue to share their beautiful talent with our residents.”

In addition to sharing their musical talents, Wilson especially has found that the gift of music is an important lifeline. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008, he credits a “really slow progression” to playing music and boxing in a special program for those with Parkinson’s.

“I’m actually lucky to be a musician,” says Wilson, noting that music and performing keep him from getting depressed. “There are days when I have trouble buttoning my shirt in the morning, but I can still get around the horn.”

Looking to the future, Michael and Wilson plan to keep on doing what they’re doing as long as they can. “The people we’ve met, the connections we’ve made and the joy that we share with others is a great community thing,” explains Michael. And while both Fifth Reel and Rosewood & Ivory have cut back on performances since the pandemic, Michael notes that they continue to build their repertoire.

“We like doing our own thing,” she says, “playing what we’re feeling each day.” :

wellness + fitness

DESTINATION WELLNESS AT DURANGO HOT SPRINGS Words by Kimberly Nicoletti | Photos courtesy of Durango Hot Springs

52

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

53

T

here’s really nothing better than feeling

Durango Hot Springs employs cutting-edge

weightless in hot springs while gazing up at

technology to enhance nature’s healing effects.

snow-capped mountains — except for infusing

It’s the only hot spring to permeate its pools with

your body and mind with well-being as you

1 trillion nanobubbles of medical grade oxygen

soak and let the cares of the world fade into the

for each liter of water through AquaGen.

vast, blue sky. Durango Hot Springs Resort &

“Similar to a hyperbaric chamber, dissolved

Spa offers exceptional healing properties, both

oxygen is infused into the body through the skin and

natural and enhanced.

bloodstream by water pressure. The extra oxygen

Mother Nature has graced Durango Hot

enhances the ability of the water to oxygenate

Springs with more than 32 natural minerals —

the body and helps repair skin disorders and scar

compared to an average of eight to 16 minerals

tissue,” Graven explains. “We’ve had visitors from

found in most hot springs throughout the world

Florida come with an oxygen level of 90, and it was

— with high total dissolved solids (TDS), shares

98 or 99 when they left.

Ken Stone, director of sales and marketing.

Durango Hot Springs is also the only hot

For mineral water to offer health benefits, it

spring in the world to use quantum fusion, a

must contain TDS measuring more than 4,500;

magnetic process that suspends minerals in

Durango Hot Springs’ TDS weighs in at over

solution for longer time periods to allow the skin

14,000. Higher-concentration minerals include

to better absorb them.

lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium,

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have this

calcium, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, silicon, iron

incredible resource, and then we supercharge

and manganese. Meanwhile, there’s not enough

it,” Stone says about the hot springs.

sulfur to produce any unpleasant odor.

“There is a wealth of mineral content in the

a flow-through water system that exchanges

water that has been demonstrated to promote

fresh water every two hours in each of the 32

health,” says James Graven of Durango-based

soaking pools, which is refreshing, compared

Treehouse Communications. “When you soak in

to the industry standard of 24-hour water

a hot spring, the hydrostatic pressure increases

exchange. The recirculating system uses oxygen

all around your body. This is due, in part, to the

and ozone to sanitize water, so only a trace of

water’s high mineral content. The increased

chlorine, as required by the government, is

hydrostatic pressure lowers blood pressure

used in the pool, and no chlorine is added to the

and causes more blood to flow through your

other 32 mineral soaks.

veins, increasing cardiac output and improving metabolism.”

54

The resort keeps its water pristine with

High silica content softens dry skin and helps with psoriasis, acne and eczema, while

other minerals can significantly aid in relieving conditions such as joint pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia and lower stress and improve sleep, Graven says.

The resort, formally known as Trimble Hot Springs after the nearby Trimble fault the minerals come from, has benefitted from over $10 million in capital improvements since its new ownership in 2019.

“We’ve doubled the size of the pools in the last year, and it continues to evolve,” Stone says, adding that the reservation system ensures “uncrowded or even empty soaking pools.”

Two recently-added 45-degree cold plunge pools, aptly named Purgatory and Limbo, are extremely popular to improve circulation, decrease inflammation and promote muscle recovery. Fitting six to eight people comfortably, they’re some of the biggest in the region, if not the state, Graven reveals.

For ultra-privacy, five cedar, Japanesestyle Ofuro tubs tucked within a peaceful Zen garden create another way to unwind. Each tub, rented by the hour, is freshly filled with thermal mineral water heated to a soaker’s, or couple’s,

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desired temperature.

Botanic gardens, with 250 plant species added last summer, enrich the beauty of the serene resort. Invigorating reflexology walking paths meander through the plants, trees, flowers, stream and waterfall features, engaging your senses, from soothing tactile experiences and inspiring sights to light splashing sounds.

The resort offers something for everyone, whether you’re seeking a sense of community or solace. A more secluded hillside provides 13 adult-only pools, while 19 remaining pools welcome kids and families. Ten ADA-accessible soaking pools afford zero-entry ramps.

In addition to a soaking utopia, the resort offers body indulgences, from a variety of massages and facials to scrubs and enhancements, like rejuvenating foot treatments.

• Plastic Surgery • Dermatology • Facials • Dermaplane • Brow and Lash Tinting • Face and Body Waxing • Hydroluxx® Facial • Skin Peels • Microneedling • ADVATx® Laser • Laser Hair Removal • CO2 Treatments • IPL Photofacial • Massage Therapy

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“The hot springs is peaceful. It’s joyful,” Graven believes. “It just has this warm, inviting

You are worth a beautiful investment—yourself.

feeling where you can relax in private areas or get a community sense with live music and meeting people.” : durangohotspringsresortandspa.com

ReGenesisPlasticSurgery.com 2515 Foresight Circle, Suite 100 Grand Junction, CO 81505

970-242-8177

adventure

SCALING COLORADO’S VIA FERRATAS Words by Erin Phillips | Photo by Reed Woodford, KMAC Guides

V

ia ferrata is an adrenaline-drenched way

to provide an efficient way to move through the

to experience mountainsides and canyon

jagged peaks of the Dolomites for the Italian and

walls. Italian for “iron path,” via ferrata offers

56

Austro-Hungarian troops during World War I.

an adventure similar to rock climbing and

The first via ferrata in Colorado appeared

mountaineering but with more safety and

in the early 2000s when Chuck Kroger, famed

accessibility for a much larger audience.

Telluride climber, illegally installed bolts and

Colorado is securing its hold on the experience

rungs to continue on a ledge system below Ajax

in the U.S. by currently offering more routes

Peak that eventually petered out. Initially, this

than any other state.

well-kept secret was known only through word-

Via ferrata routes have steel fixtures such

of-mouth, until the National Forest Service caught

as cables, railings, ladders and steps engineered

wind and wanted it removed. However, after

into the rock face, transforming crags perhaps

many hours of volunteer work and engineering

once attempted only by experienced rock

studies, the route was fully established in 2007.

climbers into a space where anyone with a

Since then, places like Estes Park, Ouray and

reasonable level of fitness and tolerance of

Cañon City established their own via ferratas.

heights can spend an adventurous day on a cliff

“Guests were not asking for it; it was more just

side in sneakers.

a thing we thought would be cool back then,”

In most cases, climbers will attach their

recalls Dyer. But nowadays, more and more

climbing harness to the steel cable using a

people are saving their hard-earned vacation

specific via ferrata lanyard protection system.

money to climb high on another route.

While some routes require booking through a

One of the newest via ferrata courses, Gold

guiding service, others are open and free to the

Mountain Via Ferrata in Ouray, opened for its

public. It’s important to be prepared with proper

first season on May 1, 2023. This route climbs

gear and knowledge about access, weather and

roughly 1,000 feet of elevation, scaling the

route conditions. Even though via ferrata is a

infamous “Gold Mountain,” a historic and highly

relatively safe activity, there are still inherent

profitable mining claim, and tops-out with a

risks. Helmets are important to protect from

cable bridge and private vista overlooking the

rock fall, which can happen frequently.

San Juan mountain range.

“For a lot of the people we take out, this

Additional via ferrata courses can be found at

is a pivotal life experience. It’s their first time

Arapahoe Basin, Manitou Springs, Mount Evans

interacting with a wild space in this way,”

and Buena Vista, and it seems likely that more

shares Dustin Dyer, co-owner of Kent Mountain

will follow suit in the near future. Companies like

Adventure Center (KMAC) Guides in Estes Park.

Via Ferrata Works are even creating a variety of

“The benefit stewardship-wise is huge, and we

overnight lodging experiences at new heights.

actively emphasize that when we take people

Part of the reason Colorado may have

out. Pointing out, for example, that this mountain

more via ferratas than any other state is the

isn’t condos, because people have chosen to

amount of accessible rock, the volume of private

protect this place.”

property and its proximity to large populations.

Though now a fun adventure activity, the

“To have one on public land, you have to be far

original intended purpose for via ferratas was

enough away from a population center where

no one would really care but close enough that

alliances and via ferrata provider networks.

there will be people who will fund this thing,

“Things like that are in its infancy right now. We

which is a pretty unique set of circumstances,”

are still doing a lot of education on what is via

shares Dyer.

ferrata, the history of it, why it’s fun, why it’s safe

There are big pushes going on behind the

— all those things,” says Dyer. “We always say,

scenes that will probably become public in the

the more there are of these, the better it is for

next year or two where companies are making

all of us.” :

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

57

spoke

GET OUTSIDE!

GEAR FOR THE SEASON Compiled by S+B Staff

The Ridge Pant from Alpen Outdoors Made for women, these hiking pants are durable and flexible with two stretch fabrics woven with recycled yarns. They are quick-drying, and the reinforced knees and a lightweight, water-resistant, soft-shell fabric offer protection, while interior and leg opening draw cords ensure a customized fit. With ample pockets, including deep front, side leg and back pockets, you can carry what you need on the trail and when you’re out and about. $149 alpenoutdoors.com

Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho Down Hanging out at camp just got a little cozier. The Honcho Poncho is now

SCARPA Spin Planet

available with down

A balance of comfort, stability and

insulation (the original has synthetic insulation).

This blanket-like fireside staple moves with you when you’re wearing it but packs down when you’re transporting it. $195 thermarest.com

precision all come together on this elevated trail running shoe that boasts recycled content in its upper, midsole and outsole as part of SCARPA’s commitment to sustainability. Its breathable EXO construction offers a precise, wrap-style fit. $159 scarpa.com

HOLOS Organic Overnight Muesli This delicious and nutritious breakfast option can be prepared the night before for added convenience. Made from high-quality ingredients, such as whole grains, nuts and fruits, this muesli provides a good source of fiber and protein to start your day off right. It also comes in a variety of flavors and is free from artificial additives. Starting at $4.42 per meal. us.liveholos.com 58

Mountain Hardwear HiCamp Shacket Light This go-to fleece is ideal for outdoor adventures and chilly weather. It’s a lightweight sherpa layer that still offers high-loft insulation and stylish features like the snap front closure make it as versatile as it is comfortable. $110 mountainhardwear.com

spoke

Dakine Cross-X Bike Glove Designed for aggressive riding, these protective mountain bike gloves have updated knuckle guards and silicone grip enhancements, along with touchscreen compatibility. Critical palm padding reduces vibration and the moisturewicking shell keeps hands dry, making them ideal for riders seeking control while tackling challenging trails. $40 dakine.com

Revelshine Wine With a focus on sustainability, these travel and camp-friendly wines come in eco-friendly, singleserve aluminum bottles, ensuring

Mystery Ranch 3-Way Briefcase

quality and easy transport while

Available in 18- or 27-liter capacity

minimizing environmental

sizes, this travel companion is

impact. We like the rosé the most,

versatile and durable for the office

and it pairs wonderfully with

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SPOKE+BLOSSOM

59

spoke

GEAR PROFILE

OUTDOOR VITALS BREAKING NEW TRAIL ON A MISSION TO LIVE ULTRALIGHT Words + Photos by Kim Fuller

A

60

s a young outdoorsman growing up in

using Walmart gear my whole life,” shares

Utah, Tayson Wittaker only had access

Wittaker, who founded Outdoor Vitals in 2013.

to the least expensive gear options for trips

“So, as I started to tap into that, I couldn’t believe

with family, scouts and athletics. He said it was

the difference and the experience. My biggest

miserable; even into his college years, he couldn’t

thought then was that if people understood this

afford the brands with top technology and the

and if people had some of this gear, they’d spend

retail prices that reflected it. Yet, his interest

so much more time outdoors.”

in the outdoors only grew, especially once he

Ten years later in May 2023, I backpacked

learned of the innovative options emerging in

the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park with

the world of ultralight backpacking.

Wittaker and the Outdoor Vitals team, along

“I just realized how much better some of

with a handful of other journalists. This dramatic

this gear was that is available, but I had been

desert terrain is a backyard playground for the

OV crew, as their office is in Cedar City, Utah,

As we settled into camp, Wittaker offered

less than 30 minutes away by car. Monthly

his assistance in setting up my tent, and I gladly

research and development trips get the Outdoor

accepted. This one-person shelter is designed

Vitals team into the field to test prototype gear

with details that only avid ultralight backpackers

consistently; in 2022 alone, the team hiked more

would know to include. It weighs in at a slight

than 1,400 miles on the clock.

1 pound, 9 ounces, and once all the corners were

Our spring adventure revealed a lot of

pulled out and secured tightly, it fit my sleeping

remaining snow in the area, more than what’s

bag and down quilt quite comfortably, with an

typical for early May in Zion, so I opted to trek

ample area for my hiking boots and pack in the

wearing the Satu Adventure Pants and the

vestibule.

Altitude Sun Hoodie. Temps began to rise as

As founder and CEO of the company,

we walked into the midday hours, with the

Wittaker is just as connected to these products as

sun dipping in and out from cloud cover, yet

Outdoor Vitals product design director Brigham

my temperature stayed steady. The CS40 Ultra

Crane. Crane has become the brains behind

Backpack I carried was packed full, yet all the

integrating innovative tech into every piece,

contents in it — overnight essentials like the

yet Wittaker and every OV team member has

Fortuis Trekking Pole Backpacking Tent and

tested all the products immensely. If a piece isn’t

Stormloft Down Topquilt, along with necessary

perfect, it doesn’t go into the market until it is.

layers, including the NovaUL Ultralight Jacket

“We look at what the product needs to be

and Tushar Rain Jacket — are all made to be

and focus in on how to achieve that,” explains

as light as possible while still offering optimal

Crane. He and I shared a conversation at the

performance. We were on the trail for 8 hours

base of Zion’s famously-known Angels Landing

that day and hiked 15 miles to our permit-

while watching a rain storm move in around

designated campsite.

us. “And, probably the most important thing we

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62

do is test it ourselves. I’ve been backpacking my

Colorado. The conversation was a reminder

whole life. We’re not going to sell something that

that fewer and fewer companies are private

we don’t have a strong experience level in.”

these days, especially well-known brands. While

Performance is at the forefront of the

one of OV’s core values is to “live ultralight,”

Outdoor Vitals design process, and since the

Outdoor Vitals has had a heavy lift in gaining

brand was founded on and has maintained a

share in the outdoor market while staying true

direct-to-consumer sales model, they are able to

to their mission through a more bootstrapped

get the highest quality materials into the gear,

business approach. The load is getting lighter as

truly customize their products and set prices

they’ve established a strong and growing base

that aren’t influenced by retail markup.

of loyal customers, continued expansion of top-

After testing almost every piece of Outdoor

notch ultralight gear options for backpacking

Vitals gear on this Zion overnight and then

and more, and made a 1% revenue share

continuing to use many pieces at home in my

commitment to various sustainability initiatives,

everyday life (I wear the NovaUL Ultralight

all while forging a bright new path for the

Jacket to commute to early morning gym

outdoor industry.

sessions, and the Tushar Rain Jacket is my

“By not going through venture capital

constant backcountry companion on hikes,

options, we’ve always had to be crafty with

trail runs and mountain bikes), the brand’s

crowdfunding and these different things to

performance promise stands true as much

scale,” explains Wittaker. “That leaves us to

as their commitment to direct customer

focus on one single stakeholder, which is you,

connection.

the end user.” :

Wittaker and I chatted as he drove me to the airport to catch a morning flight back to

outdoorvitals.com

grand outdoors

RECLAIM YOUR POWER WITH ECOTHERAPY

By Julia Clarke | Photos by Jack Affleck

Developing a reciprocal relationship with nature may be the key to improving your own health, and that of the planet, according to one expert.

64

ave you ever been out on the trail and

H

to do with plants,” explains Batorijs, founder

found yourself inexorably drawn towards

of the Ecotherapy Project and mountain leader.

a particular tree, plant or flower? Whether you

This understanding of our ancestral relationship

want to look at it, touch or smell it, some hidden

with nature forms the foundation of his work as

part of you feels that it has something to offer

an ecotherapist.

you, even if you don’t understand exactly what.

Ecotherapy is an increasingly popular form

According to integrative psychotherapist Stefan

of counseling that uses physical interaction with

Batorijs, the reason for this may lie in your genes.

nature as a tool for healing. Now, the idea of

“We’ve all been hunter-gatherers in past

nature time as therapy probably isn’t news to you

lives, and that’s still inside us, so we have this

as a Colorado resident. You probably practice it

instinctive knowledge and wisdom within us

every day, inhaling the scent of pine on a sunrise

hike, listening to the sound of rushing water as you run alongside the creek or feeling the breeze in your face as you ride your mountain bike downhill. But however much joy you derive from your time in nature, it’s common to also feel a sense of disenfranchisement around the health of the planet, and many of us seek out talk therapy as a result. Here, Batorijs explains that heading outdoors for ecotherapy can be really beneficial, because it actually requires you to build a more reciprocal relationship with nature than you might currently be enjoying on your daily hikes. As in, you don’t just come to nature for healing; you give something back.

“The origins of the word ecotherapy mean to take care of our home, which means taking care of the earth, so what I try to encourage is a reciprocal relationship, so that when people come out into nature, there’s a give-and-take between people and nature,” he adds.

Stepping into the role of becoming a steward of nature is something that helps many people to feel more empowered and cope with the stress of climate change — something that 84% of people said they were at least moderately concerned about in a 2021 survey of 10,000 people across the globe.

“It’s not just about nature being a resource for people’s mental health, but it’s also about educating people to then want to protect nature,”

explains

Batorijs.

“I

think

we’re

The act of being in nature is the art of living.

Come sit for a spell.

becoming increasingly aware of the destruction that we’re causing to the planet. More and more people are being affected negatively by climate change and how we as a species are impacting the environment.”

Of course, you can start with the obvious — taking part in conservation efforts such as local trail cleanups, examining your recycling practices or working with a local wildlife trust. Taking the bull by the proverbial horns and engaging in activities like these positively impacts your natural surroundings, and it can also help you overcome any sense of helplessness you may be experiencing around the health of the planet.

“A lot of people feel disempowered, but I really feel very passionately that by going out 755 26 Road, Grand Junction | CO 81506 970.242.7766 | bookcliffgardens.com

and creating a reciprocal relationship, then

happen quite quickly with this type of work;

we feel that we’re doing our little bit to try and

according to Batorijs, it ordinarily takes just

restore the balance,” says Batorijs.

a few sessions for his clients to form a better

If you want to take things a step further, he

sense of their place within the grand scheme of

encourages working with a trained ecotherapist

things. At the same time, some things that have

and developing a more spiritual relationship

been bothering them no longer seem of any

with nature. Such a relationship can include

consequence and so-called “short-term” mental

reading a poem aloud to nature, bringing food

health issues are quickly resolved.

and drink to share with the forest or taking your meditation or yoga practice outdoors.

“It’s really powerful to feel connected to the

in nature, people access a part of themselves

land and the forest and feel that we’re giving

that has a strong sense of authenticity and of

something back, because just by sitting with the

their own identity that has a place outside of the

forest and becoming sensitive to it, it’s helping us

constructs of culture and society. By working in

to understand our impact on the environment.”

nature, people feel that they’re being heard and

Though it may take time for us to soothe the

they have a place there,” believes Batorijs.

strain we’ve put on our planet these past couple of centuries, individual transformation can

66

“People tend to get in touch with their true selves. Through this process of working together

And of course, you do have a place here. It’s your home. :

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grand outdoors

PROTECTING + PRESERVING THE SAN LUIS VALLEY

ORIENT LAND TRUST

By Kaitlin Emig | Photos courtesy of Kristen Blizzard

T

he Orient Land Trust is a stakeholder in

in 2001 as a non-profit organization to protect

environmental protection and preservation

an area that was then experiencing significant

of the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. This

development, explains Doug Bishop, executive

organization encapsulates a unique high desert

director of the OLT. This was when open space

area that is both full of life and raw from the

was being subdivided into 35- and 40-acre parcels

vulnerable landscape that surrounds. The Orient

for people moving to the area to build their

Land Trust’s mission includes preserving and

houses and homesteads.

protecting wildlife habitat, natural and biological

remaining undeveloped land for the history, the

activity, clothing-optional opportunities and the

agricultural heritage and the remarkable high

hot springs for the education and enjoyment of

desert views,” he says. Bishop was on the original

current and future generations.

board that helped create the non-profit and has

history,

open

space,

Nestled in the foothills of the San Luis Valley

68

“We wanted to preserve a little of the

agricultural

resources,

been in his current position for nine years.

close to Crestone and the Great Sand Dunes

The founders of the land trust, Neil and

National Park, the Orient Land Trust occupies

Terry Seitz, began their involvement in the mid-

land with a rich history of mining, homesteading

1970s by reclaiming the structures and pools that

and healing waters. The land trust was set up

have decayed over time since their inception in

the 1920s. Their goal of maintaining the land for

says. “The guidelines are minimal, which allows

future generations developed into the creation of

the guests and supporters to establish the culture

the trust encompassing the Orient Mine, Everson

and values.”

Ranch, over 1,000 acres of open space and the small oasis known as Valley View Hot Springs.

The culture created with the Orient Land Trust and Valley View Hot Springs is different

Just some of the many resources under OLT

than any other area in the state. Bishop

include a free-flowing natural spring water on

acknowledges that, when guests arrive, they are

the land for soaking, drinking, heating, electricity

invited to create the experience they idealize,

generation, endangered fish habitat and natural

which results in a tranquil, open and accepting

irrigation. The 760-acre Everson Ranch, a remnant

place. “We do very little in the way of dictating

of a large acreage homestead from the 1870s,

and regulating the experience,” he says. There

models sustainable agriculture, conservation of

are not many rules, except the golden rule to

natural resources and promotion of responsible

treat others fairly. Bishop urges visitors to take

alternative energy. The historic Orient Mine,

responsibility for their actions and acknowledge

active from 1880 to 1932, once mined iron but

the local environment.

now houses over 250,000 Mexican free-tailed

Bishop believes the land trust can be an

bats, which is Colorado’s largest migratory colony.

inspiration and serve as a model for other land

Seeing these emerge from their cave at dusk to

trusts. “We would like to see the opportunities

feed is a memorable sight for all ages.

for clothing-optional living increase. We would

The Orient Land Trust is supported through

like to see historic places and structures receive

membership and partnerships with organizations,

protection. We strive to protect the natural

such as Central Colorado Conservancy and the

resources of soil, geology, wildlife habitat and

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land

vital natural areas by encouraging others to make

Management. Through conservation easements

efforts to increase environmental knowledge and

and research partnerships with The Nature

action,” he says.

Conservancy and Colorado Department of Parks

The Orient Land Trust regularly offers

and Wildlife, the OLT protects thousands of acres

information

of open space free from development pressure

sky, geology, alternative energy, responsible

while maintaining uninterrupted landscapes for

stewardship and history to its community.

over 11,000 visitors annually to enjoy.

Upcoming

Bishop

acknowledges

the

steady

and

reliable supporters as a diverse and widespread community. “Many of our supporters have been coming for a long time; in some cases, people have been involved for 30 years and longer,” he

about

projects

the

wildlife,

include

the

irrigating

night

the

hayfields, fixing fences and maintaining the infrastructure and grounds. : Details about membership and ways to support can be found at their website, olt.org.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

69

take a hike

BLUE LAKES TRAIL Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman

I

’m not alone when I say that Blue Lakes Trail

Forest in Southwest Colorado. Located close to

is one of my all-time favorites. Not only has it

Ouray, Ridgway and Telluride, the plural Blue

been touted as one of the top hikes in the San

Lakes Trail is not to be confused with the also

Juan Mountains, even Colorado as a whole,

stunning Blue Lake Trail above Bridal Veil Falls

but it is rated as highly as some of the best

in Telluride.

hikes in national parks around the country.

70

Three turquoise green lakes in a glacial basin

WHEN TO GO

surrounded by 14er Mount Sneffels, and 13ers

The best time to hike Blue Lakes Trail is mid-

such as Dallas Peak, Gilpin Peak and Wolcott

to-late June (depending on snowfall, July to be

Mountain, make for a jaw-dropping adventure.

on the safe side) into October (again depending

Blue Lakes Trail follows the Dallas Creek

on snowfall). Muddy spots, rushing water

drainage within the 16,566-acre Mount Sneffels

crossings, snow and ice are all things to consider

Wilderness area of the Uncompahgre National

when planning for this hike.

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72

Because of its beauty, Blue Lakes Trail’s

Lower Blue Lake is a great place for

popularity has made it a busy destination. Hike

a recharge break or to take advantage of

during the week if possible, and start early to

shoreline camping. From here, hikers ascend

beat the traffic and possibility of afternoon

more than 500 feet in a little over a half mile

thunderstorms.

to reach the middle lake at 11,500 feet. Overall,

If you’re a wildflower fan, this trail will entice

the trail is very well maintained and easy to

you with a plethora of columbine, larkspur,

navigate. However, this is one section that can

lupine, Indian paintbrush, alpine avens, red

be confusing and irregular. Stick with it, and

queen’s crown and pink moss campion, to name

carry on upward.

a few. The best times for viewing wildflowers are typically mid-July to mid-August.

Once you’ve popped out at the second lake, the trail to the third lake, 11,720 elevation,

Hiking Blue Lakes Trail in the fall is my

is an easy to follow trail just a quarter-mile

personal pick for crisp, stunning views. Golden

long. Leaving plenty of time for relaxation and

aspen and rust and crimson oak brush mix with

soaking in the views, allow six to seven hours for

evergreens, and the possibility of freshly white-

the hike.

tipped peaks make the hike postcard perfect.

If you have the energy, hike an additional steep, rocky, switchback slope to Blue Lakes

GETTING THERE

Pass for a close up “peak” of Mount Sneffels.

The trailhead is located off Colorado Highway

(It’s worth it!) :

62 between Ridgway and Telluride. Turn south onto Dallas Creek Road (CR7/FR851) and drive 9 miles. The drive itself is gorgeous. You will pass some open dispersed camping areas before coming to the end of the road where the trail begins, and camping is available but limited. The road is considerably rough and washboardy.

High clearance vehicles are recommended but 4x4 is not required. There is a restroom at the trailhead, and no fees are required.

THE HIKE The hike is 8.7 miles round trip with 2,509 feet of elevation gain. This may seem like a moderate hike, but with a starting elevation of 9,500 feet and a steady incline as soon as you hit the trail, it can be considered challenging.

Shortly after the trailhead, continue ahead southwesterly, where the Blaine Basin Trail forks east (left). For 3.5 miles to the first of the Blue Lakes, you’ll wander in and out of Engelmann spruce forests while being gifted with expansive views of the Sneffels Range in open valleys.

Lower Blue Lake sits at an elevation of 10,980 feet and is the largest of the three lakes. It is considered to be the most beautiful of the lakes from its majestic color perspective, but continue on to lakes two and three for the most spectacular panoramas.

NOTE: Leave No Trace principles ensure the area’s beauty for years to come. Sturdy shoes are a must for this rugged terrain, as are layers and rain gear due to elevation, temperature and weather changes. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

family + community

A LOOK BACK ON A DECADE OF EMPOWERMENT + COMMUNITY BUILDING

THE CYCLE EFFECT CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Words by Lisa Blake | Photos courtesy of The Cycle Effect

G

rowing up Puerto Rican in El Paso, Texas,

Resting upon the transformational powers

Suzie Reel felt like she wasn’t white enough

of belonging, The Cycle Effect (TCE) combines

for the white kids and not Mexican enough for

mentorship and mountain biking, serving up

the Hispanic kids. She was white, Latina and

programs for 10- to 18-year-old girls with a

searching for belonging.

mission to empower young women and build

“I always felt like I didn’t have my place,”

74

stronger communities.

Reel says. “Even in college, I felt like everyone

In 2010, Tam and Brett Donelson set out to

wanted me to pick one or the other. So, when

create an opportunity for young women in Eagle

I found out about The Cycle Effect last year, it

County, built around the idea that committed

really resonated with me.”

and driven kids should be able to participate in

a sport they’re passionate about, no matter what their background. Through Donelson Coaching, mountain biking provided the means for these athletes to escape the stresses of high school life and to learn lifelong skills.

Launching in 2013, The Cycle Effect began with just three volunteer coaches and 10 eager young women in Eagle County. Over the past decade, the nonprofit has grown to over 50 coaches and 300 young women in four counties (Eagle, Summit, Routt and Mesa). In 2023, TCE will serve 100 women in its Mujeres y Pedales (Women & Pedals) group, which is similar to its original girls’ mountain bike program but supports Latina women 18 years and older.

TCE will also recycle over 100 used bikes to community members in need this year through its growing (Re)Cycle bike match program.

Research has shown that participating in sports can have abundant benefits for young people, including improved physical health, increased self-esteem and a sense of belonging and community. By focusing on young women who identify as BIPOC, Latina, low-income

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

75

and/or at-risk, the program addresses systemic

daughter’s April introduction to the program.

inequities that limit access to outdoor sports and

“She has found that community and that space

recreation.

where she feels safe to be herself. I have seen a

It’s the belonging piece that caught Reel’s

76

happier, more confident child.”

eye when TCE kicked off its Fruita chapter last

Her daughter had never mountain biked

year. She could see that same struggle to feel

before joining TCE team and, today, jumps out

included in her then 11-year-old daughter as she

of bed for the 7 a.m. summer practices — before

transitioned into middle school and tried to find

the Western Slope day gets too hot — eager to get

her place among her peers.

outdoors and on the trail.

“After the first Cycle Effect practice, she had

“I feel like The Cycle Effect has done a lot

the biggest smile on her face,” Reel says of her

for me self-confidence-wise,” Reel’s daughter

says. “I used to be super self-conscious and

and help them foster a sense of belonging, drive

nervous. When I first went to The Cycle Effect,

and community.

I was thinking there was going to be a ton

“It is clear that our youth are facing huge

of judgey girls there. But when I got there,

challenges,” says TCE co-founder Brett Donelson.

everyone was super welcoming and helpful,

“The disconnect they feel from nature, their

encouraging each other. They help me make

families, their communities and each other has

myself a better person.”

never been larger. They need these spaces to

TCE provides everything girls need to

create connections and feel like they belong. The

mountain bike — bikes, shoes, racing jerseys,

work we do is more complex than ever, and we

bibs. It’s a true come-as-you-are organization

are more committed than ever.”

and team. Girls can expect year-round

What’s next for The Cycle Effect? Donelson

programming, spanning 80 days, with the

and team are looking at creative strategies to

main season happening between May

build out current programming and evolve with

and October. During winter months, TCE

athletes’ needs.

participants are hitting local gyms together,

“We believe that we’re just getting started

strength training and riding stationary bikes,

in terms of how to be most effective around

and giving back to communities through

mentorship, empowerment and changing

volunteer work.

lives on mountain bikes,” Brett Donelson adds.

Programs are structured to provide mentorship, oftentimes considering what

“I believe we’re looking at a bright future of helping to enrich our communities.” :

courage looks like, knowing your own limits and recognizing and being okay with them.

The focus is always on connecting girls to a community of peers that can be a support system

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In 2023, it’s Alpine Bank’s golden anniversary. Learn more and join the celebration. alpinebank.com/50YearsYoung

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Learn more about The Cycle Effect and get involved at thecycleeffect.org.

stay + play

HOTEL MAVERICK, GRAND JUNCTION Words + Photos by Kim Fuller

A

78

n evening spent at Devil’s Kitchen in

After an eventful happy hour out on the

the Hotel Maverick calls for at least one

Devil’s Kitchen patio, my husband and S+B

cocktail out on the rooftop. Here, guests can take

co-owner, Bobby L’Heureux, and I enjoyed

in a sweeping angle of Grand Junction paired

a delicious dinner inside that included local

with panoramic views of the Grand Mesa and

Palisade wine and regionally-inspired dishes,

Colorado National Monument.

like Fiery Pueblo Chili and Gnocchi Panzanella,

Spoke+Blossom and Sauvage Spectrum

then finished with some Maple Bacon Doughnuts

raised some glasses together at the open-air

for dessert. The short walk to our room in Hotel

venue for the launch of our collaborative All

Maverick was a welcome finale to the night.

Day Verde white wine (more on page 14 of this

Located on the Colorado Mesa University

issue) on Friday, July 21, 2023, making way for a

campus, the hotel has a central location for

memorable weekend with Hotel Maverick as our

access to all Mesa County has to offer. For those

home-away-from-home.

visiting from out-of-state, Hotel Maverick is only

a 10-minute drive from Grand Junction Regional Airport.

Our plan was to road bike Colorado National Monument in a loop from Grand Junction to Fruita and back. Bobby and I embarked early Saturday morning, just before 8 a.m., and made it back well before noon to grab coffees and a pastry at Betty’s, a coffee lounge on the hotel’s first floor.

For those looking to adventure by car instead of bicycle, Hotel Maverick has a Rest and Recharge package available to electric vehicle owners. In partnership with Colorado Mesa University, guests can recharge their electric

S H O P V I S I T E N J O Y DO W N T O W N

vehicle while also replenishing their own energy. The package includes a sleep mask, noise machine and meditation playlist, as well as an oil diffuser with calming scents from local health and beauty company Mesa Lavender. Guests also have access to CMU’s recreation center and Hotel Maverick’s hot tub.

Hotel Maverick has set a new bar for more elevated accommodations in the area. Head there for just an evening, an overnight or a full getaway to see for yourself. : thehotelmaverick.com

Spas, gift stores, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, toys, and more - there’s something for everyone!

stay + play

ELEVATION HOTEL & SPA, CRESTED BUTTE Words by Kim Fuller COURTESY OF ELEVATION HOTEL & SPA

E

80

very season is notably fantastic in Crested

Elevation Hotel & Spa is a five-minute drive

Butte, but there’s something about fall

from downtown Crested Butte and sits at the

that just can’t be topped. Town quiets down a

base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR).

bit from the busy summer season, while crisp

The hotel’s location is ideal for direct access to

mountain air pairs with alpine sunshine as the

mountain biking and hiking trails on and around

aspens turn gold.

CBMR, along with convenient proximity to some

of Crested Butte’s most iconic singletrack like Snodgrass and the 401 Trail Loop.

In

2022,

Wo o d H o u s e

hospitality

company acquired the property and has made some exciting improvements. José is a modern Mexican restaurant with a focus on Guadalajara and Oaxaca-inspired cuisine. Start with an order of casa guacamole and streetstyle elotes alongside a housemade mezcal or tequila cocktail. You can sit inside or outside at José, and if your timing is right for aprèsadventure or dinner, your mountain views will be illuminated by alpenglow.

Another new addition to the property is the Billy Barr, named for local environmental researcher and advocate Billy Barr, who has been living in a secluded cabin in the ghost

KIM FULLER (BOTH PHOTOS)

town of Gothic, just north of Crested Butte, since 1970. Barr is known for his meticulous records of snowpack data and wildlife observations that have helped shape climate science in the Rockies. The 2016 short film The Snow Guardian is dedicated to Barr. This lounge is in the center of the hotel and ideal for a warming negroni or refreshing amaro spritz.

It’s a little quieter up at CBMR than down in town, especially in the fall, so it’s a welcome spot to unwind for a weekend. There is a free bus to and from the town of Crested Butte, making it easy to plan a day or evening outing.

Dog-friendly accommodations, a spa and fitness center, bike storage and covered parking are some of the details that make Elevation Hotel & Spa a top choice, and we’re looking forward to seeing how WoodHouse continues to improve the property and the guest experience. : elevationresort.com

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

81

getaway

SOAK UP WELL-BEING IN THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF VALAIS

SWISS WINE + WELLNESS Words + Photos by Kim Fuller

H

82

ome to the iconic Matterhorn peak and

to the area, 80,000 plots of vineyards and 370

its famous basecamp town of Zermatt, the

cellars, producing one-third of all Swiss wine.

Valais canton, or state, in southern Switzerland

Alongside the rich history of viticulture

offers much more than just those celebrated

in Valais is a deeply-rooted lifestyle of

landmarks.

wellness. Much like the thermal springs found

With 5,000 hectares (over 12,000 acres) of

throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountains

vineyards, Valais is the largest winemaking

in the United States, the hot water that bubbles

canton in Switzerland. The region boasts more

up from beneath the Swiss Alps has offered

than 55 different grape varieties, some unique

locals and visitors rejuvenation and healing for

centuries. The thermal mineral water is known to relax muscles, stimulate circulation, alleviate joint pain and also offer community locales for families and friends to gather.

SIP Surprisingly, only about 1% of Swiss wine is exported. The Swiss are not shy in admitting that this is because they prefer to keep their wine to drink themselves. The domestic demand is such that there isn’t much left to send beyond Switzerland’s borders, so to enjoy Swiss wine means to plan a visit there.

While more familiar red varietals are grown in Valais, including pinot noir, gamay, merlot and shiraz, some local grape varieties are those most may not recognize — for red wines, cornalin and humagne rouge, and for white wines, fendant, known in Valais as chasselas, petite arvine and heida.

A stop at Les Celliers de Sion makes for a lovely afternoon of tasting local wine, learning about the local winemaking traditions from

84

director David Héritier and the opportunity

Alps torrents, contribute to a rich diversity of soils.

to traverse through the vineyards. Sion is the

This unique combination of factors enhances the

capitol of Valais and the heart of the country’s

potential for producing exceptional wines.

wine heritage. Sion has a sunny and arid climate,

It’s no surprise that Swiss wine pairs

creating an ideal environment for cultivating

beautifully with Raclette cheese and Swiss

wine grapes. In addition, the region’s geological

fondue, and a lunch of beefsteak tartar at Les

dynamics, including upheavals, receding glaciers

Celliers de Sion with a cornalin red wine pairing

and alluvial deposits from the Rhône river and

cannot be topped.

SOAK Up above the Valais valley floor are towering Swiss mountains, and right beneath them is the town of Leukerbad, where 3.9 million liters (over 1 million gallons) of thermal water bubble up daily from 65 springs, making it the largest deposit in Europe.

Thermal spas are a destination and pastime for Valaisans, and they all have different qualities. Walliser Alpentherme & SPA in Leukerbad is a more intimate oasis where guests can peacefully soak beneath a mountain panorama. Leukerbad Therme is the largest thermal bath in the entire region with 10 bath areas, slides for families and a sauna.

The indoor pool has a therapeutic circuit of underwater massage jets, and the natural stone grotto with an unfiltered thermal water and steam generator is great for a cleansing sweat.

STAY Time spent in Sion can be based out of Hotel Bains de Saillon. There is a large thermal spa on property, and guests can also venture to the ruins of Saillon Castle and up to Bayard Tower in between wine tastings.

In Leukerbad, Hotel Les Sources des Alpes has a quaint thermal spa with tremendous views of the towering cliffs of the Gemmi.

Breakfast and dinner are wonderful in the hotel at La Malvoisie, and enjoy an authentic Swiss lunch at Restaurant Lounge 1411.

There is a direct flight from Denver to Zurich on Edelweiss Air, making a trip to Switzerland and the canton of Valais smooth and convenient.

It’s easiest to arrive in Valais by train via the railway station at Leuk, and then ideal to move throughout the region with a car. If extensive travels around Switzerland are planned, the Swiss Travel Pass is the way to go. : Learn more about Valais and plan your stay at valais.ch.

feature

EV ROAD TRIP GUIDE

CHARGE UP, COLORADO Words by Kimberly Nicoletti | Photos by Visit Colorado/Andrew Maguire

S

cenic byways invite travelers to slow down,

(slower) chargers within at least 100 miles of each

take in the scenery and walk through

other — though most stretches between stations

historic downtowns to truly get a feel for the

are much shorter. Plans include electrifying the

land and culture, and now, it’s easy to drive

remaining 13 byways.

electric vehicles throughout Colorado. Statewide

The significantly lower cost and reduced

initiatives are helping fund chargers along

power requirements of level 2 chargers make

scenic and historic byways, as well as within

them perfect for overnight stays in hotels,

rural communities and urban clusters. So far,

while faster chargers that typically take 20 to 30

about 125 chargers statewide have been installed

minutes allow at least enough time to survey the

through the initiative, which covers about 80%

local vibe at a coffee shop.

of initial costs.

86

“We have pretty ambitious plans to enable

It’s all part of Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas

statewide travel with EVs,” says Matt Mines,

Pollution Reduction Roadmap, released in

senior program manager at Colorado Energy

January 2021, to reduce emissions from 2005

Office, one of the four main partners of the

levels by 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030 and 90% by

initiative, which also includes the Colorado

2050. So far, 14 of the state’s 26 scenic byways

Tourism Office, Department of Transportation

have been “electrified,” meaning they offer a

and Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways

mix of DC fast-charging dual ports and level 2

Commission. “Colorado is unique in that we have

a very specific initiative pursuing this. It enables

October or Paonia Holiday Art Fair, the latter of

statewide travel to recreate that gives travelers

which celebrates over 50 artists and agricultural

joy with a much cleaner energy source.”

vendors in December. On your way in or out

While every state offers scenic byways,

of town, check out the Crawford-Hotchkiss

Colorado, along with Oregon, are charging ahead

Historical Museum, which also offers a charging

nationwide.

station. There, you can step back in time into a

“Colorado is a leader of promoting tourism-

fully-furnished, 1900s log cabin. Then, imagine

optimized routes that have been electrified,”

life in simpler days through the museum’s world-

says Andrew Grossman, director of destination

class Indian artifacts, old-time photos and a living

development for the Colorado Tourism Office.

room diorama. Rotating displays include vintage

“The major advantage of the concept is you

business equipment, clothing, antique medical

don’t have to compromise where you’re going in

supplies and even unidentified mystery objects.

Colorado.”

Hop over to adjacent Colorado Highway 65

Travelers can plan trips with plugshare.

and picnic near picturesque Pioneer Town in

com, which provides addresses and detailed

Cedaredge at the Dick McGuire Memorial Pergola

information about the type of charger and cost

or on the grounds of the quaint Chapel of the

at specific locations. Coloradobyways.com offers

Cross, or walk to the town’s nearby restaurants,

detailed information and links about things to

shops, art galleries, city park or creekside and

do along each byway.

historic walking trail. The scenic byway traverses

For example, you might stop at the Delta

the Grand Mesa National Forest, with 300 lakes

25kW EV DCFC on Main Street in Paonia, a town

and reservoirs and forested trails through the

where slowing down takes an artistic slant.

mountains for hiking or snowmobiling.

Stroll through shops, galleries, restaurants and

The charm of Colorado’s scenic byways is

the community arts center, many of which are

that they connect the dots between historic sites

located in turn-of-the-century buildings. Or, stay

and hundreds of thousands of acres of stunning

a little longer for the Mountain Harvest Festival

vistas spanning red-rock canyons, meadows and

in September, Colorado Hard Cider Fest in

majestic peaks.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

87

Top of the Rockies byway elevates travelers

Top Wilderness and climbs over Colorado’s

to the tallest peaks in the state — Mount Elbert

least-traveled passes. Its 82 miles stretches

and Massive — as well as historic Leadville, one

from Yampa to Meeker. Montgomery’s General

of the highest incorporated cities in the United

Store, established in Yampa in 1890, still uses a

States. Stop at the landmark Minturn Saloon

hand-crank cash register and adding machines;

before heading up to Leadville via Tennessee

Crossan’s M&A Market has stood on First and

Pass, where you’ll find the monument to Camp

Main streets for over a century. The byway

Hale’s 10th Mountain Division soldiers, along

ushers travelers through subalpine forests,

with the ruins — and informative signs — on

alpine tundra and cliffs and opens up one of the

the training grounds themselves. Leadville’s

best birding regions. In Meeker — an official

historic walking tour reignites the days of the

Colorado Main Street community and National

silver boom, which led to the town’s Victorian

Historic District — experience a late-1800s

mansions, Tabor Opera House and Delaware

officer’s quarters at the White River Museum.

Hotel. Learn more about the characters and

Then, look for evidence of Theodore Roosevelt

lifestyles of the good ole days at the National

and other notables who visited the Meeker Hotel

Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, originally

& Café.

built in 1900 as the town’s high school. And,

“The infrastructure is in place to travel

don’t miss Annunciation Church, where the

these byways confidently. There are plenty of

Unsinkable Molly Brown was married in 1886.

stops along the way to slow down and enjoy

If fall leaf-peeping by train is more your thing,

yourself; that’s the intention of a byway — to

book a ride on the Leadville Railroad. Of course,

enjoy it. It’s not like highway travel where you’re

snow-capped 14ers dominate the landscape,

going from point A to point B,” Mines says. “EVs

so you can connect with nature through the

provide tremendous air quality benefits. You’re

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which

significantly reducing your emissions and

stretches from Tennessee Pass to Turquoise Lake

traveling in an environmentally friendly way.”

and around to Twin Lakes to Interlaken.

One of the more remote byways is the state’s northern Flat Tops Trail, which skirts the Flat

88

So, pick a byway — any electrified byway — and start exploring Colorado’s off-the-beatenpath gems. :

TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES np lugshare.com

The go-to-resource for understanding where charging stations are located. nc oloradobyways.com

A Colorado Tourism Office resource to plan your trip along the 26 Scenic & Historic Byways; the byways with a lightning bolt on the landing are current Colorado Electric Byways. nC olorado Energy Office

EV Dashboard Lists the number of charging stations in Colorado.

Craft coffee, cocktails, cuisine & culture — all with a view of the candle factory. Learn more about our live music offerings online.

14 COLORADO ELECTRIC BYWAYS n Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

(high-clearance and 4WD vehicle required) n Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway n Colorado River Headwaters

Scenic Byway n Flat Tops Scenic Byway n Grand Mesa Scenic Byway n Guanella Pass Scenic Byway n Highway of Legends

Scenic Byway n Lariat Loop Scenic Byway n Silver Thread Scenic Byway n Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway n Trail Ridge Road Scenic Byway n Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway n South Platte River Trail

Scenic Byway n West Elk Loop Scenic Byway

1842 S. Townsend Ave. Montrose, CO bluecorncafemontrose.com

feature

SAFEGUARDING THE TASTE + LANDSCAPE OF WESTERN COLORADO

PALISADE INSECTARY Words by Kelly Huffman | Photos courtesy of Palisade Insectary

R

90

enowned for its mouthwatering flavor, the Palisade peach has a fan base that stretches

FIGHTING A PEST WITH ITS NATURAL PREDATOR

far beyond its namesake town. As this year’s

In 1945, Palisade fruit orchards came under

harvest wraps up, it’s time to meet an unsung

attack by a voracious moth that had been

hero behind the success of this signature Western

introduced by rail car the year before. Now

Colorado crop: the Palisade Insectary.

known as the peach moth, this pest attacks

Home to the state’s biocontrol program

trees from the inside out, stunting growth and

and an intrepid team of entomologists, the

destroying fruit. It’s especially hard on stone

Insectary once helped save the Palisade peach

fruit. Bite into a Palisade peach in 1945, and you

from destruction. Today, it plays a key role in the

were likely to find a bruised, brown, inedible

survival of the fruit — and the taming of invasive

interior — courtesy of the peach moth. The

weeds all over Colorado.

entire Grand Valley fruit industry was at risk.

Pesticides didn’t faze the peach moth, which bores into branches and beneath fruit skin, evading spray. That’s when entomologists stepped in. A government-funded team set up shop in a small house at First and Main in Palisade where they got to work on Colorado’s very first biocontrol program. Their aim: control the peach moth with its natural enemy — a stingless wasp called the Macrocentrus ancylivorus.

Known as Mac, this little wasp — just

Peach moth

larger than a mosquito — has succeeded where

released Mac into orchards in spring 1946. As

ONLY IN PALISADE: POTATOES, WASPS AND PROVOKING CALIFORNIA ENVY

expected, the wasp sought out the peach moth

“It’s a miraculous program,” says fifth-generation

caterpillar, where it laid its eggs. When the Mac

orchardist Dennis Clark of Clark Family

eggs hatched, well…. “It’s like a scene from the

Orchards. “We truly don’t have an OFM [peach

movie Alien,” says Insectary manager Dan Bean

moth] problem to speak of.” Between May and

of the peach moths’ grisly end.

August each year, he and about 80 other growers

chemicals didn’t. After breeding the insect indoors,

Palisade

Insectary

entomologists

“Mac became the kind of hero wasp we want

receive free paper bags of Mac pupae to hang in

to have around,” Bean wrote on historycolorado.

peach trees, spaced at about one per acre. Clark

org, “saving delicious Colorado peach crops from

sprays his family’s 130 acres for aphids and other

[peach moth] decimation ever since. And thanks

insects, but Mac reduces the overall volume of

to Mac, the Palisade Insectary was born.”

pesticide he applies.

Female Mac

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

91

Bindweed

Because Mac doesn’t overwinter in Palisade,

BEYOND THE PEACH ORCHARDS

the Insectary continues to raise and distribute some

The Palisade Insectary — which predates the

1.5 million wasps annually. The method hasn’t

U.S. Department of Agriculture — has grown

changed much since 1945, with entomologists

its reach enormously since its founding.

drilling holes in potato tubers that will host the

Today, it offers about 20 biocontrols to safely

next generation of Mac. The adult wasps fly free

control noxious and invasive species that

in the friendly confines of the Insectary, attracted

range from tamarisk to Russian knapweed to

to a backlit window. Then, they’re sucked up with

puncturevine. Its most-requested bio-weapon?

a vacuum hose and transferred to the potatoes,

A gall mite that’s the natural enemy of the field

where they lay their eggs.

bindweed.

California peach growers would love to

In recognition of its expertise, the Palisade

have a Mac program of their own, says Bean.

team is also on the front lines of the fight

But, Palisade has the only one in the country. In

against an up-and-coming species: the yellow

California, commercial peach orchards cover

star thistle. Already spreading across 12

30 times more acreage than their Palisade

million acres in California, this invasive plant

counterparts — making the Golden State

is considered one of the state’s most serious

operation too big to benefit from this biocontrol.

rangeland weeds. Bean and his team are raising

With just 2,000 acres of Palisade peaches in

weevils in hopes of halting the thistle’s progress

cultivation, Mac manages to protect Western

in Colorado.

Colorado’s boutique, high-yield fruit.

92

Puncturevine

INTO THE FUTURE: GENETIC MATCHING But are those weevils — collected from a certain spot in Greece — the exact genetic

Maintenance-Free Maintenance-Free Living Living

match to combat the type of yellow star thistle that threatens the Centennial State? Maybe the thistle came from a completely different patch of Greek soil — or another country entirely.

“The better the match between the weevil and the thistle,” explains Bean, “the more likely the success.” In biocontrol, one size definitely doesn’t fit all.

Bean is eager to incorporate more modern science into the Insectary’s work with genetic sequencing of insects and plants. “Think of it as 23andMe for bugs,” he says. “New genetic tools will allow us to look more closely and make the best fit.”

Also on Bean’s radar: closer partnerships with Colorado Mesa University professors and computer modeling of habitat requirements.

REQUEST YOUR OWN BIOCONTROL BUG Weed-fighting biocontrol bugs aren’t just for commercial operations or large landowners.

Anyone in Colorado can request a biocontrol through the Insectary. Concerned about safety?

Before it can be released, every new species of insect undergoes at least 10 years of research and testing. Because of these precautions, the U.S. biocontrol program has a sterling record with zero “oops” incidents affecting the wrong plants.

In

Western

Colorado,

September

is

the Insectary’s preferred time to combat

nnGreat GreatNorth NorthGrand GrandJunction Junctionlocation location nnNear NearBook BookCliff CliffCountry CountryClub, Club,St. St.Mary’ Mary’ ssHospital, Hospital, I-70, I-70,GJGJAirport, Airport,Colorado ColoradoMesa MesaUniversity University nnProfessionally Professionallydesigned designedand andbuilt built nnMaintenance-free Maintenance-freeliving living nn1,7151,715-2,569 2,569sqsqftftoptions options nnStarting Startingatat$678,500 $678,500 nnStairless Stairlessmain mainlevel level

puncturevine — aka the cyclist’s roadside enemy the goat head. Canada thistle is also on the firing line through October. Costs for biocontrols to fight these and other invasive weeds range from $30-$50. The Palisade

Art: Art:Topher TopherStraus StrausFine FineArt Art Staging StagingofofTopher TopherArt Art Photo Photoby by: Blue : BlueSpruce SpruceMedia Media

Insectary also offers tours where you can meet entomologists, learn more about their work and maybe even see the savior of the Palisade peach industry, the Mac wasp. :

To request biocontrol bugs or to schedule a tour, contact the Insectary at 970.464.7916 or visit palisadeinsectary.org.

Give Giveus usaacall callto toschedule scheduleaatour tour RAY RAYRICKARD, RICKARD,CCIM CCIM

Commercial CommercialBroker Broker | | RE/MAX RE/MAX4000, 4000,Inc. Inc. Cell Cell970.250.1128 970.250.1128 ray@gjproperties.com ray@gjproperties.com

feature

AN AUTUMN ADVENTURE IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO FOR YOU + YOUR BIKE

ON THE TRAIL OF THE GALLOPING GOOSE Words by Kristen Lummis | Photos courtesy of Galloping Goose Historical Society

I

n the late 1940s, a group of girl scouts,

“We thought it was funny,” shares Haley.

including Marilyn Haley, were riding a railcar

“We laughed a lot about it. Of course, we had no

from Telluride to Dolores. Climbing into one of

94

idea who it was.”

the “motors,” a single-car hybrid combination

In those days, Telluride and Dolores were

of a truck and a train, Haley recalls sitting

two of the stops along the Rio Grande Southern

on a big black box as they rode home. Upon

Railway, a line which ran through Colorado’s San

disembarking, they realized they’d been riding

Juan Mountains from 1891 to 1952. Traversing

on an occupied coffin.

some of the most spectacular scenery in North

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

95

America, the railcar was a workhorse, delivering

“The motors were fast, reliable and dirt

mail, goods and passengers in a strictly utilitarian

cheap,” Schaeffer explains. Pieced together

manner.

from limousines and trucks and adapted for rail service, the RGS motors were “a junkyard deal,

A WADDLE AND A HONK

with ingenuity replacing funding.”

The story of the Galloping Goose begins in the

In 1950, the RGS lost its U.S. Mail contract and

mining towns of the San Juan mountains. With

went into the tourism business, painting four of

tons of precious ore to be transported and

the railcars (numbers 3, 4, 5 and 7) silver, adding

hordes of newcomers eager to stake their claims,

bench seats, cutting in windows and festooning

a Russian immigrant named Otto Mears built a

these vehicles with the logo of a running goose.

160-mile railroad connecting Durango, Mancos,

The tourist cars were renamed the Galloping

Dolores, Telluride and Ridgway.

Geese for their distinctive waddling motion

Known as the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS), it fell on hard times after just a couple of

on the uneven mountain rails and their loudly honking air horns.

years. Yet because the RGS provided essential transportation and shipping services, steam

THE RIGHT TIME FOR TOURISM

trains continued to run. With the stock market

While this area of Western Colorado is now a

crash of 1929, the line again faced bankruptcy,

popular year-round tourist destination, with

save for a crucial contract to deliver the U.S.

world-famous

Mail. In order to save money, the RGS cut back

National Park and Telluride Ski Resort, by 1952,

on steam engines, which took five people to

it was clear that tourism wasn’t going to save the

operate, in favor of individual “motors” which

railroad.

required just one operator.

96

attractions

like

Mesa

Verde

Today, however, the remaining RGS motors

Karl Schaeffer is a railroad historian and

are part of the area’s tourism, and a trip to

the founder and former board president of the

Southwestern Colorado is a perfect way to learn

Ridgway Railroad Museum. As he explains it,

more about this stunning region’s history and

Motor 1, a reconstruction of which can be seen

heritage. While the drive between Ridgway and

in Ridgway, cost $840 to build in 1931 and saved

Dolores, along the San Juan Skyway, is beautiful

more than that amount in just three weeks of

at any time of year, fall is especially gorgeous

operation. Eventually, six more motors would

with incandescent groves of aspen, shimmering

be built.

lakes and rivers, and high mountain peaks

stretching infinitely into autumn’s crystalline

According to Henry Kaldenbaugh, a member of the local Galloping Goose Historical

blue sky.

Ready to go? Here are our tips!

Society and Dolores Railroad Museum volunteer, a good time to visit is during one of

BRING YOUR BIKE

Dolores’ many festivals, including the Dolores

One of the best ways to experience the local

Harvest Festival in October with a full line-up

railroad history is to ride your mountain bike

of live music.

along the abandoned railroad grade. The 19-

History goes back way farther than the late

mile Galloping Goose trail starts at Lizard

19th century in Dolores. Don’t miss the Canyon

Head Pass and ends near Telluride. It will add

of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum

a unique dimension to your exploration. More

showcasing the archaeology and history of the

information about the trail is found below, along

Ancient Puebloan and Native American people

with additional mountain biking tips for each

indigenous to this region.

As for you and your bike, we recommend

community.

the Bean Canyon/Boggy Draw trail system with

DOLORES: CENTURIES OF HISTORY AND GOOSE 5

62 miles of beginner and intermediate loops.

been proudly displayed since it was purchased

TELLURIDE: THE GALLOPING GOOSE TRAIL

for $250 in 1952. Restored and fully operational,

Until fall 2022, Galloping Goose 4 was at home

this railcar runs along a short track in front of the

in a small park on Colorado Avenue in Telluride.

Dolores depot. It also makes extended runs on

It is currently in Ridgway for repairs, so you’ll

the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

have to carry on to the north to see it. But don’t

and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

skip Telluride, as this is where you can access

Dolores is a railroad town at heart and Goose 5 has

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98

KRISTEN LUMMIS

Biking on the Trout Lake Road portion of the Galloping Goose trail.

the Galloping Goose trail and get up close and personal with history.

RIDGWAY: CURRENT HOME OF MOTOR 1 AND GOOSE 4

There are lots of options for riding the trail.

The Ridgway Railroad Museum is the largest

You can arrange a shuttle and head downhill

museum in this region, and it’s worth taking

from the top of Lizard Head Pass nearly into

some time to visit. Here, you can also pick up a

town. Or, you can park at Lizard Head Pass and

railroad history guide to the San Juan Skyway.

do an out-and-back around Trout Lake, taking in

The museum operates railcars on a half-mile

the railroad trestle and water tower.

loop of track on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and

Another out-and-back option is to park near

2 p.m. from mid-May to mid-October, with

Ophir and ride past Ames to the Illium trailhead.

self-guided tours of the outdoor train cars and

The trail here is scenic and jaw-dropping. While

engines available anytime.

the numerous trestles that formed the “Ophir

Look for a reconstruction of Motor 1 (the

Loop” were torn down decades ago, you can

prototype for the future Galloping Geese) and

imagine the engineering it took to move trains

Telluride’s Goose 4, as well as additional rolling

through this steep, narrow valley. As Schaeffer

stock and comprehensive indoor displays.

puts it, “It was a brave thing to do in a terrible place to build a railroad.”

If you find your bike is calling you, head to the RAT (Ridgway Area Trails) system with

Past Ames, you’ll discover more terrible

over 40 miles of singletrack. Or, visit Ridgway

places to build a railroad, where the trail clings

State Park for boating, paddleboarding, fishing,

to the mountainside on the narrowest of grades.

camping and more.

At Illium, you can retrace your steps or ride up

Enjoy! :

the valley road to your car.

The Galloping Goose trail is open to bikers, hikers and horses.

Want more Geese? The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden is home to Motor 2, Motor

Telluride offers endless options for dining,

6 and Goose 7. Galloping Goose 3 is operated

lodging, shopping and outdoor fun. If you’ve had

during the off-season at Knott’s Berry Farm in

enough biking, pull on your hiking boots, and

Southern California.

check out the numerous trails that leave right from town.

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99

events

FALL 2023 Compiled by Amalia Manning

SEPTEMBER Jeeping Red Mountain’s History Ouray, CO September 1

Join Ouray County Historical Society curator Don Paulson on a guided tour of historical mining sites in the Red Mountains.

Participants will be taken in jeeps across the San Juan Mountains to experience the beautiful fall colors and learn about the area’s fascinating history. ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

Bridges of the Butte

Telluride Autumn Classic

This two-week fundraiser for the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) in Crested Butte is sure to spark family fun while giving back to the community. Come for a townie tour of Crested Butte’s various bridges, and enjoy lively costumes, fun prizes, music, food and entertainment. gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

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

Telluride Blues and Brews Festival

Fruita, CO September 22-23

Crested Butte, CO September 10

Chili and Beer Festival

Telluride, CO September 15-17

Come celebrate Crested Butte’s 25th annual Chili and Beer Festival for an afternoon full of music, friends and locally crafted food and drink. Hosting a range of Colorado brewers and restaurants, guests can sample and vote for their favorite chili and beer. Join in on the competition by entering chili of your own! cbchamber.com

This multi-stage celebration of music and craft beer offers an eclectic mix of live blues, funk, indie, rock, jam-band, gospel and soul performances accompanied by some of the best craft breweries in the country. The 2023 lineup includes Bonnie Raitt, The Roots, The Revivalists, The Word and many more exceptional performers. View ticket availability online. tellurideblues.com

Tour of the Moon

Colorado Mountain Winefest

“Ride the Moon” in this classic cycling event that weaves through the Colorado National Monument, with both a 41-mile loop and 64-mile loop offered. Be sure to register early, as space is limited. theridecollective.com

Recognized as the best wine festival in the nation, Colorado Mountain Winefest offers unlimited samples from over 50 Colorado wineries, along with educational seminars, chef demonstrations, live music and a variety of food and artisan vendors during the Festival in the Park. View tickets and explore other events taking place during Colorado Wine Week through the website below. coloradowinefest.com

Crested Butte, CO September 9

Grand Junction, CO September 9

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Palisade, CO September 16

Telluride, CO September 21-24

Fruita Fall Festival Visit the long-standing, annual Fruita Fall Festival for a weekend of live music, food trucks, local vendors and activities for all ages.

This year’s “Paint the Town” theme promises a festival overflowing with color, art and creativity. gofruita.com

Mountain Harvest Festival Paonia, CO September 22-24

This annual festival celebrates local food, music, art, farms, spirits and more. Expect to browse local arts and crafts, enjoy free music performances and participate in fun activities, like the Great Chili Cookoff, Farm Tours and a pub crawl. mountainharvestfestival.org

Crested Butte Film Festival Crested Butte, CO September 27-October 1

Enjoy a host of unique films and engaging panel discussions in the picturesque mountain town of Crested Butte. This five-day festival features 75 films for all to enjoy, spanning the genres of narrative,

documentary, outdoor adventure, children’s and short films. cbfilmfest.org

Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Durango, CO September 28-October 1 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 features Colorado’s largest motorless parade. durangocowboygathering.org

Steamboat Food & Wine Festival

Steamboat Springs, CO September 28-October 1 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. steamboatfoodandwine.com

Airplane Pull

Grand Junction, CO September 29 Don’t miss the competition of the year! Teams of 20 will pull a 100ton 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 various local nonprofit programs that United Way of Mesa County helps support. grandjunctionsports.org

OCTOBER Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy

Grand Junction, CO October 5-8 and 19-21 Both terrifying and witty, this thrilling adaptation reimagines the classic vampire story of Dracula

as a darkly comic drama. Kate Hamill’s gender-bending version drives a stake through the sexism in the original work and turns the tables on its assumption of female victimhood. coloradomesa.edu/tickets

Cedaredge Applefest Cedaredge, CO October 6-8

Visit the small town of Cedaredge for a surplus of fresh apples, live music, arts, crafts, food vendors, a pinup competition, car, tractor and motorcycle shows and much more.

The event supports local fruit growers, artists and businesses while celebrating the community’s rich agricultural heritage. cedaredgeapplefest.com

Downtown Art Festival Grand Junction, CO October 6-8

Come celebrate the Downtown Grand Junction Creative District and support local artists for this fun-filled weekend! The Downtown Art Festival will feature new sculpture installations, extended galleries, Western Colorado vendors, live music, art demos, performances and more. downtowngj.org

Ridgway 1K Rally thru the Alley Ridgway, CO October 7

Support local arts organizations through the Ridgeway 1K Rally Fundraiser, a dynamic, 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 plenty of carbs … and bacon! sherbino.org

San Juan Barrel Fest Ridgway, CO October 7

Following the Ridgway 1K Rally, the San Juan Barrel Fest can refresh participants and welcome drinkers with tastings of beer, wine and cider, as well as live music. Barrel brewers and vintners across the Western Colorado region will gather to share a cask or barrel of traditional styles alongside specially crafted drinks at this fundraiser for the Sherbino. sherbino.org

Carbondale Fall Fest Carbondale, CO October 7-8

Wine and dine in Western style at the Carbondale Fall Fest, a celebratory nod to the harvest season, ranching culture, agricultural heritage and local food. This weekend-long event will connect residents and visitors through local flavors of Carbondale’s vibrant restaurant community, farm activities, ranch tours, shared stories and more. carbondale.com/events

Telluride Horror Show Telluride, CO October 13-15

Calling all horror fans! Join Telluride for their 14th annual Horror Show, the first and largest horror film festival in Colorado, with screenings of films from across the globe. For three packed days, experience an unnerving mix of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy in Telluride’s unique theaters, with many of the films showing for the first time in the U.S. telluridehorrorshow.com

Sage Burner Trail Race Gunnison, CO October 14

Near Black Canyon National Park, this race is true to its name, as the hills are covered in sagebrush.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

101

The Sage Burner Trail Race offers unique, 360-degree views of the Maroon Bells, San Juan Mountains and the Gunnison Basin, making for a great day out on the trails.

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! oneloveendurance.com

Howl-O-Ween Dog 5K Grand Junction, CO October 28

Whether your canine companion is ready to race or is more content with an easy autumn walk, dress up with your pup and parade your Halloween spirit in the second annual Howl-O-Ween 5K and 2K Fun Run and Walk. Stick around after the race for the pet costume contest and live music! grandjunctionsports.org

NOVEMBER First Friday Art Walk Montrose, CO November 3

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 is 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 will be open. visitmontrose.com

Rim Rock Run Fruita, CO November 5

For runners searching for a “monumental” course, Rim Rock Run presents a remarkable experience. The Rim Rock marathon and half marathon course follows the famous Rim Rock Drive through the Colorado

102

National Monument, giving runners beautiful views and a world-class route in the Grand Valley. grandjunctionsports.org

Ridgway Independent Film Fest Ridgway, CO November 10-12

For the ninth year running, this community curated film festival promises to inspire, engage and build connection with viewers and filmmakers alike. The 2023 Ridgway Independent Film Festival will once again bring an exciting selection of some of the best short films from around the world and is open to all filmmakers of all ages working in all categories of film. ridgway-fuse.org

Kessel Run Ultra Fruita, CO November 11

The trails of Fruita are a hidden gem for trail running, with amazing views and engaging routes. The course boasts a mix of smooth and technical single-track, exciting switchbacks and climbs to stunning overlooks. This event is sure to challenge runners with 10-mile, 20-mile, 60K and 50-mile race options! madmooseevents.com

GJSO Essential Chamber Orchestra Grand Junction, CO November 17

Join Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra’s (GJSO) Chamber Players for an unforgettable evening filled with impressive and captivating music. The Essential Chamber Concert is one of four in the GJSO’s Chamber Series. Experience the most illustrious names in virtuosic recitals and collaborations through this series. gjso.org

Polar Express Train Ride

Durango, CO November 17-December 31 Experience a magical winter train ride and delight in the coming-tolife of the classic holiday story, The Polar Express. Riders will embark on a vintage steam train to pick up Santa Claus himself at the North Pole and share a wonderful light show with him while there.

Expect an immersive experience throughout the journey, filled with sweet treats, readings from The Polar Express book, Christmas gifts and hot chocolate “straight out of the storybook.” durangotrain.com

Downtown Tree Lighting Grand Junction, CO November 18

Catch the spirit of the holidays in Downtown Grand Junction, beginning with the downtown tree lighting. With a magical wave of his hand and a sprinkling of magic dust from the Wells Fargo rooftop, Santa lights not only the tree at Fourth and Main but also all the lights on Main Street simultaneously! downtowngj.org

BVSC Turkey Trot 5K Buena Vista, CO November 23

Celebrate Thanksgiving this year with a family-friendly and strollerapproved course that both parents and kids are sure to enjoy, with both a 5K and a shorter kids fun run course offered. Participants can expect to see beautiful views of the Collegiate peaks, fun swag, special prizes and a raffle showcasing local Buena Vista businesses. oneloveendurance.com :

who we are

DANNY ROSEN Words by Ursula Nizalowski | Photo by Kyle Harvey

Rosen also developed a passion for poetry, which resulted in him putting together three books of poems. He even became acquainted with various poets, including Jack Mueller, a poet from the Beat movement that Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg famously founded. Mueller in turn had a major impact on Rosen’s life, especially with his “all power to the paradox” saying. According to Rosen, what this saying means is one should pay “attention to both sides being right or to the endless possibilities” of life. Because Rosen was so inspired by Mueller, he founded the Lithic Press to publish Mueller’s books and later created the bookstore to complement the press, much like the City Lights Bookstore & Publishers in San Francisco. In this endeavor, Rosen was aided by Kyle Harvey, who manages the store and designs the press’s book covers.

Since its inception, the Lithic Press has

“T

he miracle of the desert” is what San Francisco poet Neeli Cherkovski calls the

Lithic Bookstore & Gallery located in Room 202 at 138 South Park Square in Fruita. Inside lies a maze of bookshelves along with a small stage and a corner sofa. Paintings by local artists grace the walls as wood and metal statues stand on the shelves and hang from the ceiling, giving the place a vibrant aura. This same energy emanates from the store’s owner Danny Rosen, who has lived an interesting life as a rock climber, scientist, poet and publisher.

Beginning in the 1970s, Rosen began rock climbing as a teenager. Though he remained an amateur, he found himself hanging out with some of the best rock climbers and traveled to various rock climbing locations around the world. While in Israel, he had a revelation akin to a religious experience, which led him to becoming a field geologist. Later, he took an interest in astronomy and landed a job running an observatory in Namibia for a year.

published over 60 books from people across the U.S. and the world. These can be purchased at lithicpress.com or the bookstore. As for the store itself, Rosen wants it to be “a reflection of the community [he lives] in, as well as a place that wants to enhance [his] community” and “raise human awareness and touch hearts and minds” through learning and public discussion.

To this end, the Lithic Bookstore won the Grand Junction Inclusivity Business of the Year Award in June of 2023. Rosen’s store also recently hosted an episode of the podcast My Story So Far on Colorado Public Radio where speakers discussed the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in Grand Junction. : Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., though the store is open later for special events, such as poetry readings and science talks. For more information, visit lithicbookstore.com or call 970.858.3636.

SPOKE+BLOSSOM

103

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