T H E
H U B
O F
A D V E N T U R E
I N
W E S T E R N
C O L O R A D O
CARING FOR CACTI 18 HOT SUMMER GEAR 54 PET-FRIENDLY SPOTS 62 TECH BOOM IN WESTERN CO 76
SUMMER 2022 / ISSUE 20
Filing 1 is Now Available!
VIEWS!
• 1800 square foot minimum • 3-5 bedroom • 3 car garage minimum • RV parking and storage allowed • Stucco exteriors with optional stone accents • Architectural 30-year roofing • Nature’s Composite privacy fencing allowed • Pressurized irrigation water to each lot • Parks & walking paths ON-SITE OFFICE LOCATED AT 2649 Emerald Ridge Lane Grand Junction, CO 81506 (North, off H Road & 26 1/2 Road)
emeraldridge-gj.info 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 Broker/Owner
REALTOR®, ABR, CRS, GRI 970-250-0765 N1323D@msn.com
As hunger rises, we can too. By partnering with 145+ Hunger Relief Partners and through our signature programs like Mobile Pantries, Food for Kids, and food boxes for older adults, we provide millions of meals to neighbors in need on the Western Slope.
With your inspired support, we can ensure nobody on the Western Slope goes hungry. Every $1 helps provide enough food for four meals, and 96 cents of every $1 you give goes directly to our food distribution work across our 12-county region on the Western Slope. Will you join us? Visit foodbankrockies.org/donatews or scan the QR code. Photo by Jeremy Poland
CO N T lifestyle
what’s up in the west
9
2
8
VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Happiness is Here
9
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST El Jet’s Canina + Sky Outpost Eco Resort Launching in 2023
30 28
BOOK + BEVERAGE Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner Wave Drinks
29
S+B’S INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS
10
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST The Art Center Reveals the Jac Kephart Gallery
30
STYLE Pet Photography by James Lout
12
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Art in the Heart of Fruita
32
ART Tim Navin: Sparks Fly Studio
13
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies
34
MAKER John Calden Boots
14
BLOSSOM Elderberry’s Farm in Paonia
36
MUSIC Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival is Back
16
BLOSSOM Summer Blooms at Any Altitude
38
MUSIC Montrose: Big Amphitheater Ready for Big Sounds
18
HOME + GARDEN Caring for Cacti + Sustaining Succulents
40
FOOD Kulina Lani: Organic Sourdough Bakery
20
HOME + GARDEN Restoration Gives Furniture New Life: Soulful Collections
44
ADVENTURE + EXPERIENCE GUIDE Special Advertising Section
22
DRINK Rosé Rhubarb Mojito
46
WELLNESS + FITNESS Gut Check: You Are What You Absorb
24
EAT Summer Recipes
E N TS adventure
features + events
48
72
48
ADVENTURE Get In The Wild: Canyoneering in Southern Utah
68
RESILIENCE ON THE BRAIN Depression and Suicide Help in Western Colorado
50
SPOKE Gear Profile: HIMALI
72
52
SPOKE Gear Profile: Diamondback Release 5C
GRIP BOULDERING Western Colorado Climbing Community Finds Common Ground
76
54
SPOKE Gear for the Season
TECH INDUSTRY EXPANDS IN GRAND JUNCTION
80
56
SPOKE Athlete Profile: Andrea Minnick
BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US How Ranchers + Boaters Share the North Fork of the Gunnison
58
GRAND OUTDOORS Outer Range: Connecting Students with the Great Outdoors
84
EVENTS Summer 2022
88
WHO WE ARE Shaylyne Mitchell of Wild West Boutique
60
TAKE A HIKE Mirror Lake Trail
62
COMMUNITY Pet-Friendly Spots
66
STAY + PLAY CampV: New West End Wonder a Nod to History, Art + Community
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
3
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
HAPPINESS IS HERE This is an exciting time to be in Western Colorado. It’s always been special here, yet the energy around community and the momentum toward mindful growth is truly radiating from this region. This summer season, we are honored to be presenting the 20th issue of Spoke+Blossom to our readers and partners in Western Colorado and beyond. The print subscriber base spans all across Colorado and throughout 26 states in the nation, and S+B’s online reach is international. In 2017, S+B founder Robin Brown had a vision. “This is the story of Western Colorado,” she wrote in the publisher’s letter. “I would argue that our story is really about collaboration, ingenuity and good-old western independence … This is the real story of Western Colorado — the Colorado you were promised.” We’re so grateful to Robin, and to all who have contributed so much to Western Colorado and to Spoke+Blossom. I can only imagine the S+B team five years ago, buzzing throughout the summer with something so tremendous on the horizon. I would guess it was similar to how Bobby and I felt in 2019 when Cat Mayer, accomplished photographer and S+B’s second publisher, approached us with the opportunity. What I see here is a pattern of possibility, born from all of S+B’s founding ideals and nourished by fertile soils, rushing rivers, desert rocks and sun-drenched skies. This is an exciting time to be in Western Colorado, yes, but it always has been. Happy 20 issues to Spoke+Blossom! We’re so happy you’re here.
Publisher + Co-Owner
Join the Spoke+Blossom Community Instagram @spokeandblossom
twitter.com/ spokeandblossom
Keep in touch with us between issues! Check out our website, spokeandblossom.com, for updates and events, and follow us on social media. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to be taken directly to our website.
4
This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.
Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Lauren Farrauto Art Director Kitty Nicholason Advertising Bobby L’Heureux Judy Shay Contributors Lisa Blake MacKennea Broyles Don Campbell Marisa Dobrot Kaitlin Emig Lauren Farrauto Sandy Fuller Kristen Grace Lucie Hanes Jayme Henderson Gus Jarvis Cabrini Klepper Jenna Kretschman James Lout Olivia Lyda Cat Mayer Maureen McGuire Wyatt McSpadden Laura Mills Kimberly Nicoletti Jeremy Poland Lexi Reich Daniel Roman Sharon Sullivan Timberwolf Photography Melanie Wiseman Sarah “Woody” Wood Cover Photograph Courtesy of Diamondback
Kim Fuller
facebook.com/ spokeandblossom
Founder Robin Brown
Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 North Frontage Road / 103A Vail, CO 81657 For advertising, contact ads@spokeandblossom.com 815.414.9642 Get in touch! We would love to hear from you. Please send your comments to letters@spokeandblossom.com Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Printed in Colorado.
S V E D T
H O P I S I T N J O Y O W N O W N
Spas, gift stores, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, toys, and more - there’s something for everyone!
contributors
GUS JARVIS Gus is a Montrose-based writer who spends his summers in search of live music, big brown trout and desolate river canyons. A former fishing guide on the Gunnison Gorge, he now works to hone his skills of writing short stories. He lives with his wife, Torie.
LEXI REICH
S+B MANAGING EDITOR
KIMBERLY NICOLETTI
Lexi’s love for the mountains led her to plant roots in Denver, Colorado. You’ll often find her waking up with the sun and burying herself in a computer, glasses on. Outside of writing and editing, she likes to read, hike and lead yoga classes. lexireich.com
Kimberly is an award-winning freelance journalist, editor and writing coach. She has taught yoga, Nia, Zumba and tai chi throughout Summit County, Colorado and earned a master’s degree in Somatic Psychology and Dance Therapy from Naropa University. She loves the simple things in life, like stargazing and eating ice cream.
DANIEL ROMAN Daniel is an international whitewater rafting guide turned owner. He founded Western Slope SUP, a Hotchkiss-based river guiding service, in 2017. He enjoys sharing stories from his home in the North Fork Valley — a region transitioning from a coal mining past to a future in organic agriculture and outdoor adventures.
JENNA KRETSCHMAN Jenna Kretschman is a writer in Grand Junction, where she grew up. She works fulltime in animal welfare and enjoys spending her free time exploring Western Colorado and hanging out with her two adorable cats.
6
SARAH “WOODY” WOOD Sarah is an entrepreneur with a passion for gut health, outdoor pursuits and creative communities. Woody brews jun kombucha with her partner Brian in their new business, Grand Jun Fermentation, and works with local creative professionals near their home in Fruita as manager at FARM, Fruita Art Recreation Marketplace.
RIDER: MIKE HOPKINS
DIAMONDBACK.COM