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WILDFLOWER SPLENDOR 20 SMALL TOWN BIG EATS 46 HIT THE ROAD 67 DANGERS OF OVERTRAINING 88 SUMMER 2024 / ISSUE 28
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VIEWS!
• Homes starting at 1800 square foot • 3-car garage minimum / RV garages allowed • Custom design available • RV parking and storage on site • Stucco exteriors with optional stone accents • Architectural 30-year shingles • Nature’s Composite fencing S • Pressurized irrigation to lot S • Parks & walking paths • LOT SALE from $170,000+ Bring your builder
ON-SITE OFFICE LOCATED AT 848 Fire Quarts Lane Grand Junction, CO 81506 (North, off H Road & 26 1/2 Road)
emeraldridgegj.com CALL JANET TO SET AN APPOINTMENT
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COMING IN AUGUST O = Office 2631 Tiger Eye Lane
A = Available for Purchase (under construction) S = Sold
S UNMARKED LOTS: CALL FOR AVAILABILITY
U = Under Contract L = Vacant Lot Available
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 Be sure to check out our website: emeraldridgegj.com
C O L O R A D O
D E S I G N E R
444 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-1617 www.mesajewelers.com Full Service Jeweler • Custom Design • Open 7-Days a Week Now in store - Our new John Atencio Collection
GREAT COLORADO ART
AWARD WINNING WINE
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
250 SOUTH GRAND MESA DRIVE | CEDAREDGE, CO 81413 | THEAPPLESHED.NET | 970-856-7007
CO N T what’s up in the west
lifestyle
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20 24
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VOICES OF WESTERN COLORADO Locals Weigh in on Energy
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STYLE Your Guide to Summer Fashion in Western Colorado
WHAT’S UP IN THE WEST • I nside the Brand-New Grand Junction High School •F ruita’s Imondi Wake Zone to Host the Colorado State Wakesports Championships • J ojo’s Dinette: A New Place to Gather •G rand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition
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MAKER Kevin Molick Woodworking
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ART Ouray International Film Festival
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MUSIC Grand Junction Flute Circle
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FOOD Ridgway: This Small Town Has Big Eats
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WELLNESS + FITNESS Healing Your Postpartum Body with Food
BLOSSOM Flower Splendor: Getting to Know Wildflowers HOME + GARDEN Wiggle Worm Gardens
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DRINK A Floral-Centric Summer Sour
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DRINK Montanya Rum: Taste of the Caribbean in Crested Butte
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EAT Summer Recipes
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BOOK + BEVERAGE • e ndurance: Extreme Survival in the Colorado Rocky Mountain Wilderness By Kelly Ashford • Rapid Hydration from Tailwind
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INSTAGRAM + PODCAST PICKS
E N TS adventure
features + events
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ADVENTURE Colorado’s Hardest Road Bike Climbs
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WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING + RESPONSE On Colorado National Monument
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SPOKE Gear for the Season
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HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? The Dangers of Overtraining
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SPOKE Gear Profile: Gili Gear
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SPOKE Athlete Profile: David Becker Climbs V12
FRESH FOODS Exploring the Intersecions of Health, Heritage + Harmony
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GRAND OUTDOORS Fire in the Sky: The Perseid Meteor Shower
EVENTS Summer 2024
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TAKE A HIKE Yule Creek Trail
WHO WE ARE Cassidee Shull
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FAMILY On the Road, Together: Vacationing with a Toddler in a Camper Van
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STAY + PLAY Kebler Corner: Summer + Fall Cabins, RV Sites + Tent Camping
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GETAWAY Portland, Maine: Weekend Escape with Local Flair
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ADVENTURE + EXPERIENCE GUIDE
SPOKE+BLOSSOM
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
ENERGY Welcome to the vibrant pulse of summer in Western Colorado! With this bright season we witness an exciting surge of energy in our natural landscapes and communities. As the valleys shimmer in golden sunlight and the peaks stand proudly under clear blue skies, Western Colorado becomes a playground for the soul. Our gardens flourish, vineyards burst with growth and rivers beckon adventurers and dreamers alike. Trails wind through landscapes that invite both quiet reflection and joyous exploration. Take extra time this season to enjoy it. Isn’t that what summer is all about? Stop to relish in local wildflower splendor (page 20), sip a magnificent cocktail (page 26), delight in international cinema (page 40), try a new restaurant (page
Publisher Jaunt Media Collective Editor-In-Chief Kim Fuller Managing Editor Lexi Reich Assistant Editor Kristen Grace Art Director Kitty Nicholason Community Engagement Laura Mills + Chloe Wasserstrom Partnerships Bobby L’Heureux
46), take a hard bike ride (page 53) and head out with the family on a memorable
Contributors
getaway (page 67).
Lisa Blake
Chloe Mayer
Roschelle Bulda
Amanda McCracken
Nate Buyon
Maureen McGuire
Adam Evarts
Laura Mills
Kim Fuller
Nickolas Paullus
Sandy Ferguson Fuller
Sue Polan
Lucie Hanes
Lexi Reich
Spoke+Blossom runs deeps. In-depth journalism throughout these pages highlights
Clare J. Hefferren
Hannah Schweitzer
stories of human interest, natural wonder and cultural relevance. We invite you
Jayme Henderson
Rick Spitzer
Jared LaCroix
Chloe Wasserstrom
Kristen Lummis
Jennifer Weintraub
Cat Mayer
Melanie Wiseman
In this issue we have worked with partners to put together an extensive Adventure + Experience Guide, beginning on page 78. It’s a special section that features the outfitters, gear, events and accommodations that make summer sweeter in Western Colorado. It’s a fleeting season, so book that trip! As usual, our appreciation for the talented team of contributors behind
to take your time enjoying every article. Just as the days stretching before us are filled with promise and warmth, the energy is this issue is a celebration of the growth, connection and joy ever-present here.
Cover Photograph Yule Creek Trail by Melanie Wiseman
Kim Fuller with Bobby L’Heureux (+ Pepper too!)
Spoke+Blossom Magazine Jaunt Media Collective 2077 N. Frontage Road / D Vail, CO 81657
Publishers of Spoke+Blossom Founders of Jaunt Media Collective
Join the Spoke+Blossom Community facebook.com/ spokeandblossom
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Keep in touch with us between issues! Check out our website, spokeandblossom.com, for updates and events, and follow us on social media. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to be taken directly to our website.
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Founder Robin Brown
This magazine is shareable and recyclable. Please don’t throw it in the trash.
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 © 2024 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.
211 E. Aspen Ave. | B | Fruita, CO 81521
Located at the base of Mt. Garfield, The Blue Beryl Winery serves traditional dry wines — estate grown and made — with a local Palisade twist. Enjoy the wine and the view.
Eat local! YEAR-ROUND FARMERS’ MARKET & SPECIALTY GROCERY Stop in before hitting the trail for our Grab n’ Go Deli sandwiches and salads, or try one of our frozen take-home meals later on at the campsite!
skipsfarmtomarket.com | 970.858.3597
3587 G 7/10 Rd Palisade, CO 81526 970.712.0679 theblueberylwinery.com
TASTE THE TWILIGHT TANNINS
AT SUMMER SUNSET SIPS TOAST COLORADO SUNSETS EVERY L A S T F R I D AY O F T H E M O N T H W I T H V I N T A G E VIEWS AND NEW CELLAR ADDITIONS.
2 2 1 31 3 /10 R D • G R A N D J U N C T I O N , C O
With rich Italian roots created in the heart of the New York Mafia scene, family, loyalty, and craft represent the core of who we are—cultivating community and excellence in our vintage wines without compromise. Experience Mafia Princess Wines, and join the family.
EXPLORE THE CELLAR & EVENTS
MAFIAPRINCESSWINES.COM
© 2024 Mafia Princess Wines, LLC. Photo: Misfit Brands. All rights reserved. GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beveragesimpairsyourabilitytodriveacaroroperate machinery, and may cause health problems.
contributors
CHLOE WASSERSTROM Chloe finds comfort in the Colorado air and the stories woven throughout nature’s peaks and valleys. When she is not exploring the world around her and translating it onto paper, you can find her on her yoga mat, on a pair of skis or her head in a book, most likely with at least three hydrating beverages nearby. Follow her @chlowass.
LAURA MILLS KRISTEN LUMMIS
Laura is currently the leader of community engagement for Jaunt Media Collective and finds immense joy in her role. She manages newsletters, affiliate marketing and social media for all of Jaunt’s publications. Follow her adventures @l.millsy.
Kristen is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two nowadult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for USA Today10Best and to write for Spoke+Blossom.
KRISTEN GRACE
Kristen writes about all things food, wellness and culture, and she is also digital editor over Covered Bridge, Spoke+Blossom, YOGA + Life and Well. magazines. When she’s not devoting her time to writing stories and to the magazines, Kristen enjoys being outside and finding the best picnic spots.
NICKOLAS PAULLUS Nickolas has been knee-deep in the food and beverage world for over 20 years. His passion for yummies for the tummy is unbridled. When he’s not cooking, eating or thinking about food, he’s probably spending time with family. He writes for various magazines.
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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.
Welcome
Rangely is a small town located among the Book Cliffs Mountain Range of the high desert in Northwest Colorado, which is part of the Great West Region. Our town is filled with caring citizens, clean air and amazing adventures... right out your backdoor. We feel fortunate to have 300 days of sunshine a year, dark skies, hundreds of miles of OHV Trails and one of the only designated natural rock-crawling parks in Colorado. We are located on the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway. The quality of life in Rangely is second to none — a safe environment with low cost of living and no traffic. Recently, Rangely was ranked the 2nd Safest City to live in Colorado by HousesFor.Sale. Working remotely is easily accomplished in our town with our 1gb fiber-optic internet services. Our Town was actually ranked #23 in the U.S. for “Best Work from Home Cities in 2021.” We are a college town — home to Colorado Northwestern Community College’s main campus. Rangely has the best of both worlds....quiet, safe and remote with major shopping less than an hour away — along a beautiful scenic drive, of course. We invite you to come check us out. Be sure to stop by Town Hall and say hello.
townofrangely.colorado.gov
Memories that last a lifetime.
YEAR-ROUND FLIGHTS IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS Wildwestballooning.com | 970.879.9191