Wayfinder Issue #3

WAYFINDER

WHAT’S INSIDE

FAT OF THE LAND

Ranching and farming are inextricably linked to the history of the Uncompahgre Valley, and good chefs know that local,seasonal ingredients make for the best dishes. We once again bring the two together with Downs Ranch and Eatery 66.

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MIXOLOGY

As beautiful as it is delicious, mixology maestro Nickolas Pallus has put his own spin on a warming mulled punch. In fact, his poncha is so striking that it made it onto the cover of this issue.

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ADOPTION OPTIONS

Many of us can’t imagine life without our pets, and at this time of year, pets are on many kids’ Christmas lists. Adopt don’t shop and save a life at the same time by visiting a local animal shelter and give an animal their forever home!

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TATTOOS

Segueing from the culinary arts to skin art, Joe Ouelette talks about tattoos and tattooists in the valley. He visits Fancy Rooster in Montrose and talks to Phil Maier about this special form of folk art.

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OPINION

Staying with the beefiness of Jeff and Spencer from Fat of the Land, we talk about what makes a burger and what doesn’t - in our opinion. We happen to largely agree with the late and great Antony Bourdain. If you don’t agree (that also means you don’t agree with Bourdain FYI) let us know.

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They, whoever they are, say that the first year for a new business is the toughest. Well, you’re reading issue #3 of Wayfinder and that takes us to the nine-month mark, so we are on track to survive the dreaded first year- and if the feedback we have received is anything to go by, we are not just surviving but thriving!

Issue #2 saw us grow to include freelance contributions from almost half a dozen writers; issue #3 has seen us grow even more. We have a few more writers for this issue and we have recruited the talents of a few local photographers, too. That increase in the number of contributors has also made the magazine more diverse with several talented women adding to what we hope will become a true representation of the diversity. Next up is some cultural diversity so we can truly be representative of the valley we live in!

As for what is in this issue, mixologist extraordinaire Nickolas Pallus whips up something to warm your cockles as the weather gets increasingly colder. Your tastebuds will, as always, be teased and tantalised. His variation of the Hot Toddy can be found on page xx. NIck also put together a roundup of independent coffee shops we have in the valley.

Eating and drinking are perhaps the easiest way to inject a bit of hedonism into your life, and for the carnivores among us, beef is as diverse as it is delicious. We went to Downs Ranch (a short drive from downtown Montrose) to see how Jeff Downs raises his beef before taking some to Eatery 66 in Ridgway where Spencer Graves turned that raw product into his signature burger and a delicious plate of steak frites.

Elsewhere in issue #3, husband and wife duo Kevin and Gabrielle Clay went to Davis Clothing

Co. in Delta and Daniel Pittman recounts his bear encounter in a new column where people who have made some pretty elementary mistakes in the backcountry tell their stories so you can learn from their mistakes. Joe Ouellette spreads his literary wings with a story about tattoos where to get them and what they mean to him. Photographer Savannah Hubbard beautifully illustrates his words. Our all-woman story on cold weather fly fishing sees Kaitlyn Nagel and Jessica Bidwell write and photograph respectively. Experienced local angler Kate Senn went out with Kaitlyn and Jessica.

We also have a story on the brand new Montrose Rotary Amphitheater as we look back at the inaugural event there; Kaitlyn and Savannah team up for a story on where to find your furever friend in the Valley. We also have stories on the police chiefs in the valley; coworking spaces and more.

Finally, I have been told many times that the photo of me in the last issue was a little too serious (for the record my sister coerced me into adding it). I have attempted to lighten it up by adding my cat to the mix.

CONTRIBUTORS

After 32 years working in the corporate world, Greg Nelson decided to retire and support his community. When he isn’t using his engineering and business experience in an official capacity as the mayor of Ouray, he loves to serve Ouray as a volunteer and to get outdoors to hike his favorite local trails.

Jacob Wilson grew up in the Montrose and Ridgway area. He’s a freelance writer and web content creator. When he’s not busy creating strategic, moneymaking content for local businesses and blogs, he spends most of his summer at the river park with his daughter and dogs.

Jeff Rice is a self-employed graphic designer that has lived in some of the premier cities of the west (Denver, Bend, and Missoula). He relocated to Montrose because it offers unmatched access to the outdoors. When he isn’t working or exploring, he enjoys volunteering in the community.

Joe Ouellette is a local chef and restaurateur. He began his cooking adventure in the dish pit at 12 years old and has worked his way through different stations at various restaurants. Eventually, at 26 years of age, he cofounded Taco del Gnar in Ridgway. He is a proud father of twins and an avid student of gastronomy.

Nickolas Pallus is first and foremost a father. Beyond family, his time is best served as a craftsman of potions, poetry and plants. He believes in the transformative power of each, and so works tirelessly to hone his skills.

William Woody is a freelance photojournalist who has been working in Western Colorado off and on since the 1990s. Woody specializes in editorial story-telling photojournalism and holds a degree in commercial photography, with an emphasis on portraiture and product imagery.

WAYFINDER NEWS BRIEFS

Mauve on Main

Mauve on Main Street in Montrose is a boutique and a connecting point for local artists and those searching for something truly unique in the Uncompahgre Valley.

Owner Lizz Martensen created a space where those searching for new styles in clothing can also find self-care products, books, crafts and even freshly baked goods.

Mauve on Main has clothing that comes in sizes from small to 3X, because “all women should feel welcome here to find something that makes them feel beautiful and confident,” Martensen said.

Mauve on Man is located at 345 E Main Street, Montrose.

IG@mauveonmain

Vine & Dandy

The much missed Vine Market and Bistro in Montrose has been resurrected . . . sort of.

Owner Ray Blanchard, who also owns neighboring Double Barrel Taco, has brought the Vine name back to life, but with a twist to make it his own.

On the corner of Main and Cascade, Main & Vine offers an eclectic menu that contains items as varied as ceviche and scallops; chicken fried steak and sourdough sliders; and sugared sweet potato fries. They serve brunch on weekends as well.

The drinks menu at Main & Vine is impressive with an interesting wine list and numerous variations on mules, martinis and old fashioneds.

Mainandvine347.com

Stand and Deliver

The sight, sound, and smell of roasting green chilies is a seasonal treat around the state. In Montrose, it can be found this time of year on North San Juan Avenue next to the Shell station.

Sometime towards the end of July, Kerry Mattics and his team hauled the pieces of his farm stand from Mattics Orchards in Olathe into Montrose and set up the chili roasting operation as part of a larger farm stand.

The tables are fully laden with a veritable bounty of produce that has traveled all of a dozen miles from Olathe. Expect corn, chilies, eggplant, tomatoes, peaches, apples, plums, squash, pears and much more.

Read more about Mattics Orchards on Page 18.

Drost for Words

The Uncompahgre Valley now has another chocolatier, with the relocation of Drost’s Chocolates from Eckert to 432 Main St. in Delta.

Drost’s offers 100 percent handmade chocolates that are hand tempered on a marble slab using recipes that are a hundred years old. And each of the chocolatiers at Drost’s were trained by the original founders!

Of the various barks, fudges, brittles and chocolates on offer, one of the most interesting is the Penuche Mackinac Islandstyle fudge. Derived from the Spanish word for ‘raw sugar,’ this brown sugar fudge is particularly popular on Michigan’s Mackinac Island where fudge is much more than the sum of its ingredients.

SPECIALTY SHOP

Opened in 2018 by Stacie and Jacob Veatch, Stacie’s Apothecary Shoppe in Ridgway is a full retail pharmacy that also happens to carry all kinds of health and wellness products, as well as jewelry and other trinkets.

Sea Witch Botanicals

Made with only plant-based ingredients, these products are also packaged for optimum waste reduction. This is the Hermitage collection: wood-wick candle made with soy wax and rice bran oil with citrus, lavender, and patchouli; all-natural incense sticks; and room spray with sandalwood and rose distillates, and an essential oil blend of lavender, patchouli, orange, and pink grapefruit.

Badger

Organic plant extracts, exotic oils, beeswax, and minerals come together to make this range of organic skincare products including specially developed products for active people, kids, and babies. The After Sun Balm is made with organic extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and shea butter.

Himalayan Salt Lamps

These lamps are said to draw in water molecules that contain indoor pollutants, such as bacteria, mold, and allergens that then become trapped in the salt and thereby purify the air. They look cool, too.

LeGrande Jewelry

Handmade jewelry by Kristie and Duncan MacGregor in Ridgway, LeGrande uses natural stones, freshwater pearls, and sterling silver to make leather necklaces, bracelets, purses, and earrings. Kristie has also designed three special pieces with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the The Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado.

One Love Tea

Started to promote healthy lifestyles through the natural goodness of teas and herbs, One Love Teas has a range of CBD-infused products. The 100 percent organic teas contain up to 200mg of CBD and come in a range of flavor combinations.

Sundial Medicinals

Offering a range of handmade balms, salves, body butters, bath soaks and tonics, the Herbal Honey Throat Soother is made from a blend of organic herbs and honey from Colorado’s Western Slope.

CLOTHES MAKETH THE MAN - AND WOMAN

WRITTEN BY KEVIN CLAY PHOTOGRAPHED BY GABRIELLE CLAY

For more than a century, Davis Clothing has been dressing residents of Delta and the Uncompahgre Valley, and the family fully intend to keep that tradition going

A marble mosaic with the company’s name embedded in it leads you in from the street. Inside, the original, quarter sawn fir floors, the aroma of leather, the lights hung from high ceilings create a dim, comforting, helpful light; everything about The Davis Clothing Company, in Delta quietly conveys to the visitor that this is a place where well-dressed gentlemen prefer to shop. And have for 112 years.

The oldest single-family owned company in Colorado, Davis Clothing was established as The Roy L. Emry Mercantile Company in 1909. A few years later it changed to The Park-Davis Clothing Company in 1912, and finally to The Davis Clothing Company, Inc. at 3pm on the 5th of June in 1922 by a unanimous vote of the shareholders present at that meeting. Both of them.

The gentleman who incorporated The Davis Clothing Company with the State of Colorado was John W. Davis. Davis began working for Roy Emry in 1908, started investing in the business two years later, and bought the store with a partner in 1912. Since the early 1920s, The Davis Clothing Company has run without interruption on 4th and Main as a local, single-family owned ‘mercantile business,’ as the original Colorado state documents certify.

“The first sign that you were in Davis Clothing was the smell of leather, combined with cotton and wood oil on the floors,” recalls Delta native Gayla Clay. “The store was packed to capacity. Shirts stacked as high and deep as possible without toppling, and boots shelved as high as one could climb on the very tall sliding wall ladder.”

‘Gentlemen’ is how many describe the store’s proprietors. “They always greeted you with a smile and warm handshake,” recalls Gayla, “and quality of product and service were the key to their successful business.”

John’s son, Mel, short for Melbert, ran the growing business with his dad through the innumerable ups and downs that befell the Uncompahgre Valley over the ensuing decades. Boom or bust, during war time and in peace, the store remains always open, serving natives and visitors alike, with kindness and knowledge.

John’s grandson, and current owner, Bradford G. Davis, took over the company in 1988 after the death of his dad. Brad liquidated inventory to pay off debtors and heirs. But slowly, methodically, and

always with an eye to the future, Brad reestablished, restocked, and resumed what his grandfather had begun so long before. Not even a second pandemic could keep Davis down. Brad explains that in addition to a tradition of excellence in selling boots, hats, and other cowboy staples, he perfected hat cleaning and restoration. There are few craftsmen in the United States who still keep to these crafts. And today, the next generation is building a website and learning to fashion custom hats from scratch.

“Davis clothing is, and has been, a treasure for Delta,” says Gayla wistfully, “and I’m not sure many people realize that.”

“ THE FIRST SIGN THAT YOU WERE IN DAVIS CLOTHING WAS THE SMELL OF LEATHER, COMBINED WITH COTTON AND WOOD OIL ON THE FLOORS.

— GAYLA CLAY

WRITTEN BY ERIC CARROLL PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM WOODY

MONTROSE ROTARY AMPHITHEATER

The City of Montrose and the Montrose Rotary Club decided to build the amphitheater because they saw what an asset it would be to the community. They tapped DelMont Consultants to lead the charge on architectural design and engineering for the project. Once the project was conceptualized and designed, Del-Mont and the City of Montrose bid out the project almost exclusively to local construction companies, eventually awarding the contract to Styker. Initially, Stryker had sought to sub roughly 65 percent of the work to local contractors for this project. Upon completion of the project, Stryker had successfully beat that goal and subbed roughly 75 percent to local contractors in the community. The Amphitheater was conceptualized, designed, and built, for Montrose by Montrose.

Amphitheaters and large-scale events are known for having an immense impact on the local economy and job market in the communities that host them. In 2015, Red Rocks Amphitheater generated over $23.5 million for the local economy with only 138 paid shows, and that number has continued to grow year-over-year (with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic.) For comparison, Red Rocks Amphitheater has a capacity of 9,525 and it’s projected that the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater will have a capacity around 6,000. Some of you may be reading this and saying “yeah but we’re not Red Rocks and we never will be --we’re Montrose”. Well the beauty of the Amphitheater is that it was designed and built to accommodate the needs of large touring parties giving Montrose the ability to host nationally recognized names, effectively opening the gate to recognizing that economic opportunity. There is a roof with ample load-bearing capacity that can accommodate a truss grid to hang lighting, a stage large enough to host a fullscale orchestra, and enough power to connect tour buses, lighting, and audio consoles. Backstage there is an area large enough for a semi to easily turn around and back up to loading docks.

The Montrose Oktoberfest, which benefited All Points Transit, was the first event held at the amphitheater. Cousin Curtiss opened the event and is a local musician who lives in Montrose. Zolopht, a 5-piece funk-band out of Grand Junction with a strong following in the region, appeared next, and finally, we had Iron Horse, which is a two-time Grammy nominated bluegrass band. . There is still a lot of work to be done, and a lot of decisions to be made, in terms of how to properly manage and book the amphitheater but we’re past the hard part. The building is built, it looks and, more importantly, sounds, incredible. Change is scary - especially when it’s done in the face of uncertaintybut it takes courage, community, and faith; three things we have a surplus of here in Montrose.

Go and visit the Montrose Rotary Amphitheatre in Cerise park and stand in the grass. Use your imagination and visualize this: you’re standing in a crowd surrounded by your friends at your favorite outdoor amphitheatre. As the house-music slowly fades and the lights start to dim, you can feel the osmosis of that unspeakable energy from eager fans anxiously waiting to see their favorite band. Suddenly, the stage lights rise and you hear band members tuning their instruments as the energy of the crowd starts to crescendo. Using his sticks, the drummer counts off the tempo and is suddenly joined by the other instruments on the proceeding downbeat.

You’re at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater and life is good.

#Live for Live Music.

WHEN IN ROAM

WRITTEN BY JACOB WILSON

Lower cost of living compared to bigger cities draws many to our rural communities, but relocating and moving an idea from concept to execution always requires money - lots and lots of money in some cases. The most expensive and complicated step in a startup can be getting that first office space up and running; the costs of renting a building and bringing in all the tech can be astronomical. For this reason alone, there are hundreds of people working out of basements and coffee shops all over the Western Slope.

Distractions at home and the relative isolation of “solopreneurism” are the main problems that a co-working space aims to address. Coworking spaces offer “a better alternative to working from home,” says Brian Watson, local entrepreneur and co-founder of Altspace.

Watson and his team have connected five of these spaces under the Altspace umbrella: Grand Junction (two locations: downtown and C.M.U. campus), Montrose, Ridgway, and Telluride.

“We really feel that the best strategy for elevating the western slope is taking a regional approach,” Watson said. “We’ve tied all the spaces together, so when you get access to one space, you get automatic access to all five locations.” This “nomad pass” is for individuals and teams that travel the entire Western slope. This idea of fully automated and regionally connected business resource centers is a unique concept being developed and tested on the western slope.

That doesn’t mean all local co-working spaces are in the network yet, even though they all work closely together. One such

space scheduled to open by the end of 2021 is in Olathe. The new co-working space is a grantfunded initiative of the nonprofit M.O.B. (Making Olathe Better). It will offer business and career development seminars,as well as high-tech office space. The goal, according to Erik Westesen, executive director, is not only “to bring more professionals and money to Olathe, but teaching and mentoring too, and that gives me that good feeling of helping out.”

“Our goal is really to connect entrepreneurs and remote workers to the tools, resources, and people that they need in order to be successful,’’ Watson said. “I would say [co-working] is probably the new tool of economic development; in the past, we’ve had chambers of commerce, economic development entities, and libraries.”

The takeaway is this: Co-working spaces build the local business ecosystem. The first law of ecology states that everything is connected to everything else. Thus, connectivity to so many parts of the community is how co-working spaces are quickly becoming essential for economic development and growth.

THE PRODUCERS

FAT OF THE LAND

MIXOLOGY 101

WRITTEN BY XXX XXXXX PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM WOODY

As the nights get longer, and the trees grow bare, there is something endearing about a hot toddy. It’s not that tea doesn’t have year-round appeal, but when temperatures dip, the double-whammy of warmth and whiskey make the toddy a formidable libation indeed. The original hot toddy is, in many ways, just an alcoholic take on a classic remedy tea. Honey, lemon, and black tea, are a timeless combination, and when spiked with some quality whiskey, the results are predictably delicious and healing.

A quick trip to the tea section of your local supermarket, however, will make clear that black tea is just one choice in a sea of “steepables.” From herbal to chai, each box represents a new opportunity to craft a uniquely heart-warming experience. Add to the fray a myriad of sweeteners, spices, juices and spirits, and the combinations will quickly reach the infinite.

Colorado winters, especially in the Uncompahgre Valley, are unique in their duality. Blizzards rage, and yet, give way to the state’s perpetual sunshine. This makes the classic hot toddy, while delicious, a bit inadequate when it comes to matching its locale. By taking a few cultural cues from our neighbors to the south, and raiding the pantry’s holiday spices, a vibrant take on the toddy is easily within grasp.

Poncha (or the English equivalent “punch”) is a warming beverage consumed by millions over the holiday and cold seasons worldwide. There are different traditions, from Madeira to Trinidad, all stemming from an ancient Indian recipe. Panja is Sanskrit for five, so the related words punch and poncha almost always follow that formula of five ingredients, combining sweet, sour, spice, water, and alcohol.

Being a combination of the bright and the spicy, good poncha can evoke the celebratory with a mere sniff. Most modern renditions have a multitude of ingredients, with the unifying feature being the hibiscus flower. Hibiscus is a tropical flower (although cold hardy varieties dot much of the landscaping you see in the Valley), with bright fruit and citrus tones. In fact, it could be argued that the flavor most associated with Hawaiian Punch is in fact hibiscus. Hibiscus tea is available in boxed form at most supermarkets, but checking at a Latin American Market, such as the Sonoran Market and Carniceria in Montrose, yields many more fresh and affordable options.

Since hibiscus is tropical, the rest of the toddy would do well to follow suit. Lime as well as the standard lemon provides the sharp

citrus undertone. The classic tropical spices star anise, allspice, ginger and nutmeg add a warmth and sharpness that balance the drink’s potential for overt sweetness. As for alcohol, tequila and rum are both fabulous liquor choices as they stand up admirably to the flavorful combination of tea and spice. Experimentation is practically mandatory with punch, and so be sure to mix and match ingredients and ratios.

Poncha is a delicious reminder of warmer times, a drinkable way to evoke the tropics and summer. That idea, of transportation, can be used as a template. Whiskey, green tea and Ginger. Turmeric, chai spices, and gin. Earl grey, lavender, and vodka. A good cocktail, a good toddy, is something that can conjure a season, time or place without a word.

MAKE A STRIKING STATEMENT

What do a 5000-year-old frozen Austrian mummy and Post Malone’s face have in common? They both have some pretty shitty tattoos. Only the mummy has an excuse. The art of permanently adorning our skin with ink and dyes is far from new. Tattoos have been relevant in almost every ancient culture since we started fashioning tools and nothing has changed . . . except for the stigma.

WRITTEN BY XXXXXX

PHOTOGRPAHS BY

The time of tattoos being considered outlaw is gone. Corporate giants use tattooed models in their ads to attract a hipper demographic and doctors, lawyers, politicians, and teachers alike are inked and proud. There is no denying the presence of tattoos in modern culture.

Walking into Fancy Rooster Tattoo in Montrose is like an explosion of art and oddities. It is exactly what a tattoo shop should feel like. It’s tough, it’s colorful, the music is loud yet it’s curiously inviting. Phil Maier, the proprietor of Fancy Rooster, came from a tattooed family in Arizona, and so tattoos have been a part of his life as long as he can remember. One of his earliest memories, at the tender age of four, is his uncle and father tattooing each other in their kitchen. As he got older, he began sketching “cholo-style”

tattoos and a few of those designs made their way on to his family members’ skin. He remained passionate about the art throughout his adolescence, tattooing friends here and there, but nothing on a professional level.

In 2006, after securing an apprentice position at a shop in Delta, he made the move from Arizona to Colorado. His apprenticeship was important to him because it taught him the tools of the trade as well as how to tattoo safely and with integrity. Starting a family sealed the deal and inspired Phil to make tattooing his career. Eventually, Phil opened Fancy Rooster which has been going strong for eight years. In that time, Phil and his team have developed quite the following in the valley and beyond.

Phil describes his style as diverse. Each piece is done with the utmost care to ensure his work stands the test of time. Ranging from tough and bold to pretty and delicate, you can expect to see everything from Japanese to Rat Fink, the iconic hot rod character designed by American artist and cartoonist Ed Roth.

When talking about the art of tattooing, Phil puts things into perspective. “We are all artists in our own right. Tattooers sell more art than the dude in a gallery, selling thousands and thousands of tattoos. It’s folk art.” One artist creating that many pieces in a lifetime, based on each customer’s dream, is a true testament of skill and creativity. Phil’s advice to anyone looking to get their first tattoo would be to do your research. He recommends talking to an artist and analyzing their portfolio taking into account their line work, shading, and color saturation. If you have your heart set on a specific style then take your time to find someone that specializes in that style.

Many people choose to get tattoos to tell a story of some kind or to define who they are. Whether it’s to remember a lost loved one, to represent where we came from, a meaningful quote or to cover an unwanted body feature, tattoos, much like the clothes we wear, the way we style our hair, or even the vehicle we drive, are just another way to define who you are.

ANGLING FOR A PRIZE

The Uncompahgre Valley is home to one of Colorado’s premier Gold-Medal designated rivers, and while many anglers pack up for the season as temperatures begin to drop, those in the know get excited at the prospect of cold-weather casting.

WRITTEN BY KAITLYN NAGEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSICA BIDWELL

Affectionately called “The Unc” by locals, the Uncompahgre River river winds down from the San Juan Mountains, through Ouray, Ridgway, and Montrose, to its confluence with the Gunnison River in Delta, and anglers come from near and far to test their skills against the brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout that populate the Unc.

Summer days see the banks of the Unc dotted with anglers, with Riverbottom Park and the stretch behind Home Depot in Montrose being particularly popular, but when the leaves have turned and many of the tourists have packed up to return home, plunging temperatures also frighten off many local anglers who pack up their

gear for the winter to await the return of sunny summer days. This mini exodus, however, allows heariter anglers the chance to take advantage of the great fishing that the area offers during fall and winter, not to mention the stunning scenery the changing seasons bring.

This river, which shares its name with the valley, has some of the finest tailwater fishing in the state. Water released from Ridgway Reservoir and adjacent to the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground flows, ice-free, all winter long and offers fruitful fishing during the winter months. Low water levels and cooler temperatures scare away most anglers, making normally popular spots less crowded.

TRANSFORM YOUR TECHNIQUE

As the weather changes, so does the behavior of the fish, and that means techniques must follow suit and adapt, too. Colder water temperatures and less abundant food sources drive trout to the bottom of deep, slow-moving holes in the river where they are less active. So instead of attracting fish with dry flies on the surface, as is common during the summer, using small nymphs, plenty of weight, a proper drag-free drift, and a strike indicator are the tried and true tactics for winter. It is also best to fish during the middle of the day, when the sun is high in the sky and the air has warmed up.

Beginners to fly fishing and those who have not yet braved the winter temperatures need not fret as there are several companies and individuals in the area that offer guided trips to teach proper technique.

And while the Unc is a great spot for cold-weather angling, it isn’t the only option in the area. Stretches of the Colorado, the Animas, and the Gunnison rivers have also had the Gold-Medal designation bestowed upon them, with the lower stretch of the latter offering a warmer option thanks to the winter sun reflecting off canyon walls.

With proper planning, cold-weather fly fishing in the Uncompahgre Valley is as rewarding as any other time of the year.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT MADE IN THE VALLEY

The Uncompahgre Valley is not only home to some of the best fly fishing in the state, but there are two major fly fishing gear manufacturers located here.

Mayfly Outdoors consists of three brands: Ross Reels, Abel Reels, and Airflo fly lines. Ross and Abel Reels, two of the industry’s leading fly reel brands, are not only designed, but manufactured in Montrose.

Scott Fly Rod Company also calls Montrose home and are well known for their high-end handcrafted fly fishing rods.

A NIGHT IN THE WOODS

has a funny way of making a mockery of even the best laid plans; no matter how unlikely you think any given scenario is, plan for it just in case. You never know, you might have to sprint away from a bear and spend an unplanned night under the stars, just like Daniel Pittman did back in the spring of 2019.

I wasn’t expecting a creek.

WRITTEN BY DANIEL PITTMAN

No shit, there I was…

The black bear stood on her hind legs briefly and sniffed the air. Her cub and I both stopped moving and watched her, searching her body language for clues about her next move. Wearing a puzzled look on her face, she considered her options. I decided not to wait around to find out what her decision would be. I headed downhill into a stand of aspens, quickly putting some distance between us. Eventually I paused to breathe. I stood quietly and listened for popping underbrush or other signs of the big bear’s approach. There was nothing but a warm breeze and a woodpecker pecking in the distance.

The Forest Service brochure map I had with me wasn’t great, but I saw that by moving north, I would eventually find my way back to the trail as it veered west. I needed to get moving if I was going to make it back to camp before sunset.

The trail appeared sooner than I expected, but was narrower than before and it was meandering through the aspens when it had previously skirted the edge. But it was a smooth path, and so I continued on, hiking at pace and glad that my bear encounter had left me with all my limbs. I became aware that the trail had started descending at around the same time I noticed the roaring creek, as it began to drown out the birds.

I was alone and lost somewhere in the rugged wilderness of western Colorado. Lost, with a shitty map, in a grove of aspens, with no visible landmarks with which to orient myself. It began to dawn on me that I could be in a little bit of trouble.

I needed to make some decisions and plan my next moves carefully. First, I would have to backtrack up the trail until I knew where I was. Then I would need to traverse a large meadow and find the trail back down to camp. That was enough of a plan to get started.

I found the trail junction about a hundred yards past the spot where I had stepped out of the trees onto the trail. I’d been following a side trail instead of the main trail for the last two hours. I was deep in the woods and in deep shit.

The air was already cooling off, and the early-season sunlight angled low through the trees. It was at this moment I realised that I was probably going to have to spend the night outdoors – a situation for which I was very much not prepared.

Entering the meadow, I knew in my gut that if I couldn’t locate the trail down to camp within the next hour I would have to begin preparing for a cold night outdoors. I had a thin fleece jacket and gloves, but no water and no food. Thankfully, my partner Melissa had made me eat a real breakfast before she dropped me off at the trailhead.

The search for the trail down was futile, and so I reluctantly shifted my efforts toward finding a place to hunker down for the night. The west side of the meadow sloped down toward a deep valley where I found a slab of rock, still warm from the afternoon sun. I gathered as much firewood as I could and had a fire burning as the sunset turned violet. I emptied my backpack and sat on it to insulate my backside from the cold ground. The fire was hot, but it only warmed my shins, arms, and face, and it was only going to get colder with the temperature expected to drop to near freezing.

Now, I’m clearly no genius, but even a blind pig will occasionally find an acorn, and I was about to have a blind pig moment. I fed the fire until it was reaching up more than four feet, heating the slab in the process. As the fire died down the slab began to cool, eventually to where I could lay down on it. By rotating like a rotisserie chicken, I was able

to stay warm for fifteen minutes or so, at least until the slab cooled and the process had to be repeated.

At first light, I let the fire burn out and stomped out the embers. I walked to the northeast edge of the meadow and immediately found the trail down to camp.

As I reached the campground, I ran into the search and rescue team that were gearing up to go look for me. They thanked me for the easy search and rescue mission! Then Melissa arrived, angry and relieved in equal measure.

Amos Bronson Alcott said that our bravest and best lessons are not learned through success, but through misadventure, and I definitely learned a lesson. I also know it won’t be my last misadventure.

Nature

ARTS

HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE

RED, WHITE AND BLACKLISTED

Born in Montrose, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo wrote “Spartacus,” “Roman Holiday,” and “The Brave One,” among other films. Trumbo was one of the infamous Hollywood Ten who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947, during the committee’s investigation of Communist influences in the motion picture industry. Blacklisted, he continued to work using pseudonyms or other authors’ names. His uncredited work won two Academy Awards for Best Story: for Roman Holiday (1953) and The Brave One (1956). A dramatization of Trumbo’s life, also called Trumbo, was released in November 2015 starring Bryan Cranston as the screenwriter.

OTT

Sylvester Satallone’s forgettable 1987 action movie “Over the Top,” about a long-haul truck driver who tries to win back his alienated son by becoming a champion arm wrestler, opens with Lincoln Hawk (Stallone) driving his rig down into Ouray via the Million Dollar Highway. He inexplicably arrives in town from the north end, having just descended from the south end!

TRUE GRIT

Henry Hathaway’s 1969 western classic, “True Grit” is much more well known. Starring John Wayne, it was filmed in several locations in the Valley, including right in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park ,the setting for the film’s infamous hanging scene. One of the interior walls of the True Grit Cafe is one of the exterior walls of a building that can be clearly seen in the film. There are stories of Wayne bartending in the area for fun during filming, as well as all kinds of other tales about the Duke. Parts of “How the West Was Won” and “The Sheepman” were also filmed in the area.

FILM FESTIVALS IN THE UNC

Ouray International Film Festival

June 23-26, 2022

Ourayfilmfestival.com

Mountainfilm on Tour WHEN Mountainfilm.org/tour

Bow Wow Film Festival on Tour WHERE Bowwowfilmfest.com

Ridgway Independent Film Festival

Nov. 12 & 13

WAYFINDER EVENTS

MONTROSE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES

AUG. 20, SEPT. 3

The Summer Music Series returned to Montrose last month at The Elks’ Lodge, which is directly across the street from its former home at the Black Canyon Golf Course. The four-concert series is free to attend and they happen rain or shine. The two concerts remaining include John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band and saxophonist Vanessa Collier.

2021 RIDGWAY RIVERFEST

AUG. 28

Postponed from its usual date in June, this free and family-friendly celebration of the Uncompahgre River includes live music, food and drink, kids’ activities, watershed educational and cultural programs as well as the infamous “Junk of the Unc” race, a half mile race that sees homemade craft try to stay intact and cross the finish line. There is also a Rubber Ducky Race! RiverFest takes place from 10 am to 6 pm at Rollans Park on the banks of the Uncompahgre River.

MONTROSE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

SEPT. 4

Returning this year on Labor Day Weekend, Montrose Food and Wine will once again invite locals and visitors to eat, drink and be merry. The Grand Tasting will be held from 1-4 pm at the Montrose County Event Center. In addition to lots of wines to taste and food vendors, there will also be other libations. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a photobooth, live music, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event benefit the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club so get your tickets now.

MONTROSE OKTOBERFEST

OCT. 9

The celebration of all things beer is back for its 16th year. This year, the festival is moving to a new venue in Cerise Park, but it will still have all of the same hoppy concoctions you expect at Oktoberfest. There will also be live music, and food vendors. The festival benefits All Points Transit, a nonprofit that provides safe, reliable, and convenient transportation to seniors, people with disabilities as well as the general public.

MURAL VICTORY

Delta has long proclaimed itself the City of Murals, and it is doubling down on that moniker with a new mural celebrating the legacy of the sugar beet industry in the region

Paonia artist Seth Weber has been leaving his mark on walls throughout the Western Slope for the past 15 years. He’s been a practicing artist most of his life but it’s on the stucco where he’s found a niche for telling stories.

Weber is currently working on a large mural in downtown Delta that looks back at the history of the sugar beet industry in the region, adding to an already impressive catalog of public art that has given Delta the nickname “the city of murals.” The mural was sponsored by the Delta Rotary Club to celebrate its 100 year anniversary.

Weber, who has painted several murals throughout Delta, is continuing a long legacy of public art in the city, following in the artistic footsteps of Richard Doherty and Connie Williams who have left gallons of color on downtown walls over the decades.

Whether it’s celebrating the arrival of the railroad to town, the freedom of the press or simply paying tribute to a colorful character of town forever enjoying his coffee and cigarettes, Weber’s work educates and informs both locals and visitors about the long and storied history of Delta.

Mural fans will want to pick up a copy of the Delta City Mural Walking Tour brochure available from the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at 301 Main St andDelta City Hall at 360 Main Street.

ADOPTION OPTIONS

Getting a pet can change your life immeasurably, and there is no better act of charity than to save a life by adopting. Just remember, animals are for life so think very carefully before adopting.

WRITTEN BY KAITLYN NAGEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAVANNAH HUBBARD

Research shows that having a pet in your life benefits both your physical and mental health. Simply petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and promote the release of happy hormones - serotonin and dopamine - in the brain. Pets, especially dogs, encourage an active lifestyle by keeping you walking, hiking, running, and playing . They are also catalysts for socializing; providing great conversation starters and giving the opportunity to meet others in the community.

Not only do pets benefit the quality of life, they teach valuable lessons that help you face challenges and make you a better person. Patience, responsibility, and selflessness come hand in hand with owning a pet. They provide companionship and support during difficult times, and give us something to look forward to when getting up in the morning.

Often the best way to become a pet owner is by adopting from an animal shelter. Countless pets go through animal shelters each year and many of them never make it out due to resource limitations or too few people choosing to adopt. There are so many reasons to choose adoption, with saving a life being just the beginning. Pets who come from shelters are given health screenings, vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. Adopting a pet is a very affordable option, with adoption options in the valley around $100.

At a recent adoption event at Chow Down Pet Supplies in Montrose, Sam from the Second Chance Humane Society shared their adoption process and gave advice for new pet owners. Sam provides animal care, reviews adoption applications, and works closely with potential adopters to help them find the right pet. With Second Chance, there are two ways to adopt. The first is to fill out an application online and set up an appointment to see a specific dog or cat you’ve seen online or heard about. The second option is to visit the shelter during visiting hours to meet the available animals and then fill out the application when you find a furry friend you just can’t live without. Applications vary by shelter, but typically include questions about your housing situation and containment or other considerations made for your new pet. The process is very simple; once an adoption contract is signed and the adoption fee is paid, you get to take home a fully vaccinated, micro-chipped, and spayed or neutered pet.

When asked what to expect when adopting a pet, Sam explained that every pet needs a transition period to adjust and settle into a new home. During the transition period, anyone at the shelter would be available to answer unforeseen questions and provide support. According to Sam, the staff and volunteers “do the work that they do because they’re dedicated to it”. It is more of a labor of love for them than it is just a job. As far as advice for new pet owners who have decided to adopt, Sam said the two most important things are “patience and love”. She added, “with a little bit of patience and letting them adjust, they will turn into great dogs, you just have to be willing to put the time in”.

If you are interested in adopting a new dog or cat to add to your family, there are multiple adoption options in the valley with new animals becoming available all the time.

SECOND CHANCE HUMANE SOCIETY

177 Co Rd 10, Ridgway, CO 81432 (970) 626-2273

Adoption Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM -6PM or by appointment

MONTROSE ANIMAL SHELTER

3383 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 240-1487

Adoption Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM, Saturday 9AM-2PM

ROICE-HURST HUMANE SOCIETY IN DELTA

> JUST OPENED IN 2021!

720 W 4th St, Delta, CO 81416 (970) 874-1078

Adoption Hours: By appointment only

SURFACE CREEK ANIMAL SHELTER

265 SE High Country Ave, Cedaredge, CO 81413

(970) 856-2346

Adoption Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM11AM & 3PM-5PM