Wayfinder Issue #4

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE UNCOMPAHGRE VALLEY

ALL THE GEAR

We teamed up with Montrose Surf + Cycle to put together a gear guide with some essential pieces of kit. If you need anything else, stop by and see them and they’ll get you sorted.

PAGE 43

SET YOUR SITES

For those interested in learning about the original inhabitants of this area, there are several sites in the valley that begin to tell the story of the Ute Indians.

PAGE 68

E PLURIBUS UNUM

It might not seem like it at first glance, but the Uncompahgre Valley is a melting pot. Scratch the surface and you’ll find people from dozens of cultures from across the globe.

PAGE 70

NO SHIT

When a freak blizzard caught Chris Carter and his traveling companion by surprise, they knew they needed to pack up and get beneath the storm. But that was easier said than done. PAGE 46

REC YOURSELF

Even though it is just five years old, the Montrose Rec Center has become an essential part of life for many in Montrose, and it’s just one facet of what the rec district as a whole offers. PAGE 50

The 4-1-1

To misquote Sally Field: “You like us! You really like us!”

Well, that’s how it feels, anyway. We’re quite pleased that the initial concept - or at least the spine of it - for Wayfinder proved popular enough to warrant being kept about for an entire year. Advertisers seem to like it and we no longer have to cajole friends to write stories. However, we are invoking the old showbiz adage of “keep ‘em wanting more” and so we are going to be mixing things up a little bit from the next issue.

That means this issue will likely be the last you see of “Mixology 101” and “Fat of the Land,” although we’re confident we’ll replace them with something equally as good. Whatever we end up going with, we’ll be retaining the services of those talented writers and photographers that contributed to those sections.

For the swansongs of those sections, Nickolas Paullus gives us his take on the Negroni and we took some local honey to Alpen Confections where it was transformed into something wondrous in “Fat of the Land.” Elsewhere in the world of food and drink, there’s a roundup of purveyors of beer in the valley, and some strong opinions on tacos.

Elsewhere, we celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Montrose Rec Center, we have a story on running, a gear guide that we produced in conjunction with our friends at Montrose Surf + Cycle, some mountain biking news, and Chris Carter talks us through a genuine near death experience in the San Juans. Speaking of being out and about in nature, it’s important to take care of yourself, and so Tracey Drabloes gives us some hints on skincare. The awesome Delta Brick and Climate and Chipeta Solar Springs Resort also feature.

This issue ended up becoming a celebration of the diversity we have here in the valley. We have a story that looks at the LGBTQ community and their efforts to be recognized, and we profiled a few women (out of the many incredible women here doing amazing things) that have displayed determination and tenacity to start their own businesses. We also have a story on some important Ute Indian sites in the valley and profiles of the Hispanic Affairs Project and Partners Mentoring. In terms of cultural diversity, we were somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people here from different countries. It is nothing short of remarkable.

Finally, the photo accompanying this letter is me with my niece and nephew (I’m the one in the Chicago Bulls hat). To me, it represents what we leave behind when we venture to other places - when we take the road less traveled. And it doesn’t matter why we take that road, whether it is for adventure, for love, or to give our kids a better life; how long that road is; or how far we travel from home. For many of us immigrants to the Uncompahgre Valley the sacrifice is worth it.

CONTRIBUTORS

ALEX DURHAM is a Ouray High School graduate and the Executive Director of the Voyager Youth Program. She is passionate about behavioral health and serves her community as a board member for the Center for Mental Health. She loves working with youth and building relationships within her community.

DANIEL PITTMAN has been a Coloradan for over five years, and enjoys camping, hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the wild places of the Western Slope. His other interests include landscape photography and going on road trips with his partner Melissa. Daniel and Melissa welcomed their second son, Phillip Rupert, in January.

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.

KAITLYN NAGEL was born and raised in Colorado. She studied at the Colorado School of Mines and works as an engineer in the outdoor industry. Kaitlyn is a skier, hiker, climber, biker, fly fisher, and ultramarathoner. She also loves traveling and has visited over 50 different countries - and she’s only gotten food poisoning once!

CHRIS CARTER is an artist, ultra-runner, thru-hiker, and traveler who grew up as the son of foreign aid workers in Kenya. He loves drawing, creating, running, climbing, backpacking ... basically anything that uses the right side of your brain and gets you out in the wild.

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, money-making content for local businesses and blogs, he spends most of his summer at the river park with his daughter and dogs.

JOHN ARENAS is a librarian at the Montrose Library. Originally from Maryland, John moved to Montrose for a year of AmeriCorps service and found a new home in Western Colorado. He enjoys short stories and long walks in the desert.

COURTNEY GREEN is the founder and owner of Spark Consulting. She is also a military veteran who holds a law degree and has done doctoral work in Leadership Psychology. She can usually be found mountain biking, rock climbing, or skiing with her adopted puppy, Kalei.

DANIEL CASTILLO was born and raised in the Napa Valley. A trained chef, he has worked at several world-renowned restaurants. He moved to the western slope of Colorado in 2018, and since the summer of 2021 he has been the executive chef at Elk Mountain Resort.

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. At 26 he co-founded Taco del Gnar in Ridgway. He is a proud father of twins and an avid student of gastronomy.

KEVIN CLAY is a third generation Uncompahgre Valley resident who relishes the opportunity to write local stories and share the history of cool places he visits with his wife, Gabrielle, and their dog, Nina.

NICOLE ALBRECHT is the new managing editor at Wayfinder. She’s also a creative consultant with more than five years of ad agency experience, a small-business owner, and a mountain biking enthusiast. She’s the kind of person who hung out at the dog park before she had a dog.

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

SAVANNAH CONLEY is a Montrose- based portrait and landscape photographer who is passionate about creating images that tell a story. When she’s not shooting you can find her drinking coffee by the gallon, skiing, or spending time with her husband and son. She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, and searching for the world’s best taco.

XAVIER SAENZ is a proud parent and grandparent, a young people’s minister at Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church, and the founder of Delta Pride and the father of the Van Dyke Krewe founded in 1999.

NICKOLAS PAULLUS loves everything that Spring embodies. Embracing the season of growth, you can find him (and his tiny family) tending seedlings, going on epic adventures, and planning classy events.

TRACEY DRABLOES has worked as an aesthetician and massage therapist for almost 30 years. She is currently the international trainer and European distributor for ISUN Skincare which is Ridgway. In her free time, Tracey expresses gratitude, practices kindness, and savors joy.

KATI WHELAN is an adventure photographer based out of New Castle, CO. She spends most of her time outdoors, so naturally she enjoys photographing anything in nature. While her business is geared towards adventure related photography, she also loves creating marketing content for local and online brands/businesses.

BIZ & INNOVATION

Shelter Distilling

Mammoth Lakes, California-based Shelter Distilling are planning to take up a sizable chunk of land at Colorado Outdoors in Montrose. The plan is to build a 23,000-square feet distillery, brewery and restaurant that will be able to accommodate hundreds of guests inside and outside. The project is estimated to break ground in late 2022 and the company has plans to hire 25-30 employees once the location opens. The goal is to expand production of spirits, canned cocktails, and canned beer as well as to work closely with local ranchers and farmers to keep their products locally made.

Shelterdistilling.com

Retro Games Japan

Another new business in town, RGJ is an online video game store that mainly focuses on home video game consoles, games, and accessories imported directly from Japan. RGJ refurbishes and distributes vintage video games and related products. Owner Shuei Kato grew up playing video games in his native Japan, and so is something of an expert. Dedicated gamers will love the fact that RGJ offers games that were never released in the US, and while there are some games that require some basic Japanese to play, many retro video games require no language skills or are in English.

Retrogamesjapan.com

Magical Mountain Party

A new business in town (although the business has been in existence for two years), owner Valerie Kato relocated here from Kremmling, Colorado, bringing her business (and her family) with her. Magical Mountain Party is a celebration service and offers face painting, balloon decorations as well as large yard cards - think of a sort of banner for your yard made from corrugated plasticamong other things to make sure that your celebration goes off with a bang whether you are having a birthday party, a baby shower, a wedding, a graduation party or even a corporate event.

Magicalmountainfacepainting.com

WHERE TO FIND US

ALT SPACE ENTREPRENEURS

OLIVIA PEDERSEN, FOUNDER & CEO OF SUSTAIO

There seems to be something special about coworking spaces, and it’s not just the free coffee or modern office furniture. Talk to any of the members at Alt Space’s five locations in the valley and you’ll quickly realize that it’s the people that make these workspaces so unique. Take Olivia Pedersen, who runs her thriving start-up out of Alt Space Telluride, for example.

Pedersen is the founder & CEO of Sustaio, a company that is developing a consumer sustainability score to empower humans to achieve climate-smarter living. Think credit score for sustainability; a way to quantify your climate impact.

“Using our proprietary algorithm, Sustaio considers your life stage, income, where you live, and how you live to quantify all of your efforts and impact on emissions, water usage, and consumption. Anyone can get their free Sustaio Score at sustaio.com.”

Pedersen recently went through the highly coveted Techstars Accelerators, a 13-week program designed to help companies like Sustaio build smarter and faster. While serving a national market, Pedersen is currently scaling her company right here in small town Colorado – thanks, in part, to the remote working option afforded by Alt Space.

“I love that Alt Space has created an urban environment within a rural area where you can experience the same aspects of an entrepreneurial community that you would expect in a city,” Pedersen says.

In a mile-wide town like Telluride, Pedersen is one of a number of Alt Space members who have chosen to forgo the home office in exchange for a space that is professional, comfortable and filled with other career-driven people.

Sponsored by Alt Space, this article is part of an ongoing series about entrepreneurs that call Alt Space home.

Read more about Alt Space at altspacecowork.com or scan the QR code.

SPECIALTY SHOP

THE UTE INDIAN

MUSEUM

in Montrose houses an important collection of Ute history and artifacts including a large collection of pottery, jewelry, and art. Located at 17253 Chipeta Road in Montrose, it is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sundays

Mini

Mini Ute Parfleche by artist Debra Box, Southern Ute Indian Tribe

“Rez Runner” hand carved horse by artist Alvin Iron Cloud of the Oglala L

Morenci & Cerrillos Turquoise Necklace set by artist Travis Jensen, Navajo

Beaded heart medallion by artist Valerie Willie, Navajo

Ute Cradle Board by artist Mariah Cuch, of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation

“Rez Runner” hand carved horse by artist Alvin Iron Cloud of the Oglala Lakota Sioux

Ute Mountain Ute Pottery Plate by Ute Mountain Ute

TILE BY FIRE

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF

Quietly turning out thousands of beautiful and intricate tiles in an inconspicuous industrial building in Montrose, Delta Brick & Climate is an amazing example of what could perhaps be called regenerative industry: a problem material is repurposed into something that is not only useful but is particularly desirable

The name of the company is a slight misnomer given that Delta Brick and Climate is in Montrose not Delta and while they occasionally make bricks, business these days is largely centered on the beautiful and ornate tiles that the company is quickly becoming known for. The name is actually an homage to Delta Brick & Tile Company which operated in Delta County from 1905 to 1958 and produced many of the bricks that are seen in the region’s buildings today.

SEDIMENT IMPEDIMENT

Sixty or so miles from Montrose in the North Fork Valley is Paonia Reservoir and Dam, constructed over 60 years ago to provide water for homes and farms in the Valley. Several years ago, irrigation capacity dropped to the point that the reservoir was drained to figure out why. It turned out that sediment had built up to such a degree it had reached the reservoir’s outlet - which was about 60 or so feet above the bottom. With so many people relying on the reservoir, a solution was needed and an eclectic group of stakeholders came together to figure it out. The result, eventually, was Delta Brick & Climate, thanks to the sediment having one special property: it is actually a high-quality clay.

Enter scientist and entrepreneur Christopher Caskey, the founder and owner of DB&C.

GAS GUZZLING

DB&C in Montrose is actually a pilot facility, with plans for a full-scale factory located on an abandoned coal mine site in the North Fork Valley. The plan is for that facility to use the methanesoaked coal (which like the clay is a concern and a wasted resource) of the now closed mines as a fuel to fire ceramic products the company is already known for, just on a larger scale. The methane is thus converted into carbon dioxide and water. Carbon Dioxide is non-toxic and 84 times less impactful on the climate compared to vented methane.

The project is also an opportunity to form bonds in the community, especially between climate scientists, coal miners, farmers, conservationists, and builders.

RANK AND TILE

As for how the process works, it is pretty straightforward. Gone are the days of digging clay by hand and literally filling buckets, instead front end loaders and skid steers are used, which is still a pretty labor intensive process.

When the clay makes it to Montrose it is put through a pug mill and extruded into a ribbon or a column. Sliced into lengths, the clay takes a week to go from wet to dry clay, then it is shaped and then fired twice over two days. The first firing turns the clay to bisque, a process that removes all the water from the clay and leaves it the familiar orange/red terracotta color, then it is glazed and fired again.

DOWN TO A FINE ARTISAN

Unlike big companies that mass produce tiles using much bigger equipment and through an entirely different process (using pressure instead of heat), tiles from DB&C will have a built in level of variation due to their handmade nature and the source of the clay, but it is that variation that is so appealing.

DB&C doesn’t envision itself as ever being a competitor to bigger manufacturers. They produce handmade, local, and sustainable products so the price point is a little higher. That means they appeal to higher end consumers, hotels and the like, or those that are more concerned with sustainability, but a backsplash or a shower is certainly within reach for most people.

Even though the business is still in its infancy, sales have been good, with interest coming from all over the county. While most sales have been in state, DB&C tiles have made their way across the country and are currently gracing properties in glamorous locales like the Napa Valley, and have made it as far as Rochester, NY. With so much raw material available and such a good product, the future is very bright for DB&C.

WONDER WOMEN

WRITTEN BY COURTNEY GREEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY SAVANNAH CONLEY

Make no mistake, there is a fairly long way to go before we achieve true equality between the sexes, both here in the Uncompahgre Valley and the country, but there are lots of women here that refuse to be constrained by traditional gender roles or by any kind of glass ceiling. From CEOs to artists, we have some incredible women who not only call the Uncompahgre Valley home but are working to make it better. Here we profile a few of these women in what will be, hopefully, the start of a series of profiles on women in the Uncompahgre Valley that are as impressive as they are inspirational

"She has a bad attitude."

"I don't have an 'attitude', I have standards."

ALEXIS BACA-SPRY

Alexis Baca-Spry, licensed professional counselor and owner of thriving Majestic Counseling, found that COVID opened the door for her practice to expand through telehealth, connecting with adults in new, comfortable ways. She is EMDRIA (emdria.org) trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and in Equine-Assisted EMDR therapy. EMDR therapy provides clients rapid relief by reducing symptoms such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks, complicated grief, performance anxiety, addictive behaviors, disturbing memories, phobias and trauma reactions. Alexis recommends this therapy for anyone “who is finding that things are not working for them anymore and they are open to trying something different, non-traditional, to heal what’s happened in the past causing issues now.”

Alexis started her own practice after thoughtful contemplation and evaluation. What was most important to her was integrating balance with a lifestyle of flexibility, nurturing time with family, and managing her own schedule to include self-care. In talking with friends and business owners to learn how to be successful in operating her own practice, she left community health to start out on her own. She asked herself “just try it, what is the worst that can happen?” And answered, “I go back to working for someone else, like I have already experienced.” Alexis felt there was no downside, only an upside with new possibilities for growth.

She is an avid runner, back-packer and enjoys freestyling in the kitchen. You may see her out hiking along the Western Slope with her Blue Heeler/Aussie dog, Soro, as she is preparing to complete the entire 800 miles of the Arizona Trail.

DR. YULIYA JURNOV

Dr. Yuliya Jurnov, a licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine and licensed Acupuncturist for over 10 years, owns the successful Come For Health, Acupuncture and Natural Health clinic in Montrose. Dr. Yuliya uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in her approach to healing physical pain in the human body. Some services offered are gentle acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, and bioenergy. Physical pain is often the messenger calling out to get our attention. She helps her patients heal their physical pain, which is often accompanied by emotional pain, to move them back into balance. Many patients come to her with depression, anxiety, stress, lower back pain, PTSD, and sleep problems.

She found relief herself as the recipient of acupuncture and herbal medicine. She knew this Eastern medicine approach to healing was what she wanted to intensely study and share with others to help them heal. This is her life purpose, not just a job. She loves her work and wakes up excited each day to make a difference in the lives of others. Her entire life is devoted to learning, growing, and helping people not stay stuck in their pain.

“I never really wanted to work under somebody else. However, owning my own business was a gradual process, an evolution of sorts, that consisted of many steps,” says Dr. Yuliya. “Even if you are starting something new, learn from others who are already successfully running businesses.”

While away from Come For Health, Dr. Yuliya enjoys crosscountry skiing and hiking with her family and German Shepherd, Gesser, along with soaking in local hot springs.

Comeforhealth.net

KELLEY (FIELD) SANBURG

Kelley (Field) Sanburg, a fourth generation family member in the Uncompahgre Valley, successfully owns and operates Coffeepot High Country Outfitters, a premier hunting outfit with drop camps and DIY packing services for archery, black powder, and rifle seasons for elk, mule deer and black bear. Coffeepot specializes in big game hunting opportunities, however, they also offer summer vacation adventures including trail riding, fishing, pack trips and special family outings.

She cannot imagine doing anything other than living by her own hands, farming, raising sheep and horses, running cattle, and packing. The knowledge and wisdom of the land and animals is in her blood and is inseparable from who she is. The only time away from the land for Kelley was to attend Colorado State University to earn her B.S. in Agricultural Business.

Running her own business allows her the freedom to be who she is 100 percent. “I like the fact that I am my own boss outside all day, not stuffed into an office,” Kelley said. “It is a wonderful life, although it is a tough living. It is more than driving around fancy tractors, you have to be ok with living out of trucks and tents,” she added.

She loves working hard to provide food, fiber, and clothing for the community. And putting the painstaking attention into cultivating beautiful fields that people admire along the Valley. It feels so rewarding to her when she receives a simple ‘thank you’ from the community. When a person recognizes and respects the fruits of her labor with genuine appreciation, that means the world to her.

Coffeepotoutfitters.com

MEGAN KIMMEL

Megan Kimmel, owner of the flourishing Ridgway Natural Foods, is passionate about contributing to positive change. She has created a place for the community to connect and support each other through local, farm-based food. Her market and deli provide organic, fresh, consciously sourced foods, to take on the go or to enjoy on the patio.

As a world-class, professional mountain athlete, Megan understood the value of high-quality food as it directly affected her running performance. Traveling around the world to compete, Megan was exposed to both low-quality airport food and small, organic grocers who offered fresh produce and local goods. This contrast inspired her to bring the concept back home. Ridgway Natural Foods was born as a way for Megan to feel grounded and create a healthy community that supports itself to economically thrive.

Megan is a socially and environmentally conscious business leader, who feels fulfillment through her work as an expression of her values. “My whole heart is into it. It is rewarding to be around really great people everyday who are excited about the store and products,” Megan shares. She believes that “we have the power to change things in small communities” and that fuels her desire to persevere with focused intent and patience and she continues to grow Ridgway Natural Foods. “Good things take time to build, one step at a time. However, one step at a time can make grand changes.”

Ridgwaynaturalfoods.com

Solar Flare

WRITTEN BY KEVIN CLAY

The town of Ridgway calls itself the ‘Gateway to the San Juan Mountains and an undiscovered gem of southwestern Colorado,’ and while the storied San Juans to the south certainly sway most to hurry deeper into the wild, there is a somewhat secret inclusion within this undiscovered gem

The intersection of Highway 550 and Sherman Street in Ridgway has a daily traffic count of about 11,000. That’s eleven thousand bumpers zipping past the little town with an official population of less than 1,000; zipping through a busy intersection with a few dispensaries and a couple of gas stations; and mostly zipping past a town that is perhaps best known as one of the main locations for the John Wayne movie “True Grit.”

Chipeta Solar Springs Resort is just three blocks south of Ridgway’s main thoroughfare, Sherman Street, on South Lena Street. From its Rooftop Sky Bar and the Four Corners Café (both of which are open to the public), guests can barely see the highway with all the folks zipping by, most of whom are unaware of this haven hiding in plain sight.

The property has 33 Southwest-inspired guest rooms—most with private hot tubs—that welcome out-of-towners and locals alike to stay, soak, eat, and enjoy the almost 360-degree views of the nearby mountains. Those that have visited won’t be surprised to hear that the resort has a 60 percent return rate.

Built in 1993 by Jack and Patsy Young, it has expanded several times since then. Today there are Standard Rooms, which are already generously appointed, Choice Rooms, Lodge Deluxe, Kiva Deluxe, and the newest Studios and Suites in

LoCha, short for Lower Chipeta. All of the rooms are named for mountains, passes, and other landmarks of the Four Corners region, like Sneffles and the Canyon de Chelly rooms.

“We strive to create an accessible and affordable resort experience that can serve as an alternative to the more expensive mountain town options,” says General manager Clay Frost. “With guests often requesting a room by name.”

Distinctly Southwestern in its unique architecture, most rooms at the Chipeta Solar Springs Resort (or just ‘The Chipeta’) feature real adobe, local rough-hewn logs, uniquely painted porcelain sinks, fireplaces, king sized beds, wet bars, and private patios with hot tubs. Southwestern artwork (including reproductions of Edward S. Curtis’ recognizable images of Native Americans), artifacts, and accoutrement adorn the adobe.

The Kiva building has a meeting/conference space that also offers, among other things, yoga and tai chi classes several times a week.

The Chipeta Spa is the heart of the property where guests and visitors can connect or reconnect with the rare serenity of this region at the hands of experienced, licensed massage therapists. Unwind with a Chipeta Signature Massage, whether alone or with your partner, or try a Head, Hand & Foot

As you walk through the resort, it is impossible to miss the main pool. Solar heated and fed by a manmade waterfall, it stays set at a comfortable 80 degrees year-round. The large, elevated hot tub nearby simmers at 104 degrees, with magnificent views east and south toward Telluride.

Dining at the Four Corners Café is an experience in itself. A resident sommelier helps find the perfect pairing for your crab-stuffed portobello mushroom cap, or peppercorn crusted ribeye, while the adobe fireplace in the corner chases off any chill from the outside air. On Wednesdays and Fridays, diners are serenaded by live music. There’s also a Tepee Village on site with three tents—one for adults, one for kids, and a 420-friendly tepee.

For all the reasons out-of-towners, out-of-staters and international visitors come to Western Colorado—to ski or snowboard, hunt, fish, hike, bike, relax, and commune with nature— Chipeta Solar Springs Resort offers a unique, barely hidden homebase for it all. This, and it’s only 40 miles from Telluride, just 10 from the Switzerland of America, Ouray, and only about 30 miles south of Montrose Regional Airport.

Massage. There is even a pregnancy massage. As the website succinctly says, “relax, retreat, refresh, revive.”

FOOD & BEVERAGE

RESTAURANT PROFILE

PROVISIONS AT THE BARBER SHOP

Given how small Ridgway is, the dining scene is particularly impressive. There are a few international offerings - Thai, Mexican, and even a Costa Rican restaurant - alongside the well known and respected Taco del Gnar, Eatery 66 and Colorado Boy. Kate’s and True Grit are a little more homey, and then there is Provisions at the Barbershop

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF

This October will see owner Amie Minnick celebrate six years at the helm of Provisions at the Barber Shop, which is no mean feat given how many restaurants (indeed businesses generally) have succumbed to the effects of covid. Minnick is quick to point out that her survival was due almost entirely to loyal locals.

As you might expect, the former barber shop on Clinton St, which dates back to the late 1800s, had absolutely no infrastructure that was necessary for a restaurant, and so Minnick completely renovated the property from the ground up. Several months after that work began, Provisions opened in October 2015.

As for Minnick, she grew up in the Napa Valley, the famed California wine region, and was fortunate to be exposed to great food and wine. It was these formative gastronomic years that Minnick credits with putting her on a culinary path that would see her eventually attend the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). A stint in Telluride before attending the CIA exposed her to the Western Colorado, and after graduating she returned to the area to work as a private chef and caterer, eventually deciding to open a restaurant.

When it comes to the philosophy at Provisions, Minnick says she does her best to respect the ingredients and accentuate their flavors rather than transform them. Both seasonal changes and weekly specials keep regular visitors on their toes.

Heavily influenced by Europe - with dishes such as trout amandine featuring - the menu will change again in May as lighter dishes for spring and summer are introduced . Expect asparagus, corn, cherries, and peaches. Provisions also has espresso, pastries, breads, wines, beers and cocktails.

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

WRITTEN

BY WAYFINDER STAFF

David Fishering grew up in Montrose after his family moved to the area when he was five years old. After graduating from Montrose High School in 2001, he left to attend university at the University of Southern California. A switch from physics and aerospace engineering to international relations saw him study for a master’s degree in the UK. Stints in San Antonio and DC followed before Fishing and his wife Sarah moved back to Montrose in 2014 to start a family.

A year before the move to Montrose, a road trip to Kentucky to follow the Bourbon Trail, and a trip to Scotland, were the seeds that would eventually lead to the opening of Storm King Distilling Company. While it seemed like a pipe dream while the two were living in DC, when the move to Montrose happened, the dream seemed attainable. Fishering made a deal with his father, Greg: He would help his father run his business, if they found something more fun to do. They purchased a still in 2016 and distilled a batch of whiskey. Today, Storm King produces bourbon, wheat whiskey, rye whiskey, agave, gin, rum, and vodka with occasional variations on those base spirits such as barrel rested gins.

The Fisherings purchased the historic Potato Growers Association building in 2017 and while the main building was not in any condition to house a distillery, the metal warehouse on the property was. They opened in June 2018.

The future for the company lies in the Potato Growers Association building. Inspired by warehouse conversions that have exploded across the country in the last decade or so, the Fisherings are currently working to historically renovate the building into a mixed use retail space that will also be home to the distillery’s tasting room. The plan is to have it open by fall of 2022.

Stormkingdistilling.com

There are two distilleries in the Uncompahgre Valley, and between them they are turning out everything you need for a fully stocked liquor cabinet. Storm King Distilling Co. is one of them

TACOS

WRITTEN BY DANIEL CASTILLO

Tacos are at the very heart of Mexican cuisine, and for good reason; but what makes a taco and, more importantly, what does NOT make a taco, is a very important distinction to Mexicans. Put something - anythingbetween two slices of bread and you have a sandwich, but the same isn’t true of tacos, especially if you don’t get the ‘bread’ right to begin with

Corn isn’t just a crop to us Mexicans, it is at the very heart of our culture, so much so that we sometimes even call ourselves los chicos del maíz - children of corn. Cultivating maize (as it is known in Spanish) dates back millenia and corn is generally considered to have originated in Mexico. And that’s where the story of the taco begins - with the corn. It must be dried, soaked in lime, washed, and ground with warm water and a little bit of lard until a proper masa forms. Then, and only then, can you begin to think in terms of tacos. This time consuming process is the first hurdle to getting an authentic taco, and thanks to the global popularity of tacos, that process has largely been eliminated in the name of efficiency. The result of this corner cutting is billions of so-called “tortillas.”

It might be a little controversial, but I will tell anyone who will listen that hipster chefs creating “new” and “innovative” tacos of pork belly, ahi tuna, chicken fried steak, and bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers over smoked brisket have it horribly, horribly wrong. It is absolutely true that people love them, and it drives me a little insane to listen to people extol their virtues as tacos. Call them whatever you like, but please for the love of Pancho Villa stop calling them tacos.

They’re not bad, far from it, and in fact I support these “innovators” by eating their open face flatbread sandwiches, washing them down with a craft beer, but you can rest assured that with every bite I am wishing I was at a tiny taco shop in Mexico where a tortilla lady is pressing fresh tortillas, and el taquero is taking my order of cabeza, tripas, and asada.

Growing up, I was fortunate to be able to travel to and from my parents’ little ranch in Jalisco.

TOP 3

For me, the most authentic tacos in the Uncompahgre Valley can be found here

TACOS GARCIA 802 Main St, Delta TACOS EL GORDO 1019 E Main St Unit #1, Montrose TACOS AND BEER 3410 Williams Dr STE 400, Montrose

Those trips exposed me to local taco shops up and down the country. While I know not everyone is so fortunate, I encourage everyone, on their next visit to Mexico, to get yourself an Uber and ask your driver to take you to his favorite taco shop. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself surrounded by locals eating tacos and drinking Corona, in what is almost certainly going to be some kind of shack. The table will be garnished with small bowls of salsa roja, salsa de tomatillo, a molcajete of Peruano beans, and fresh jalapeno and carrot pickles. Your tortilla will arrive slightly toasted with a thin patina of flavor and fat from the disco (traditionally these agricultural disks were used to cook on), topped with your choice of meat, and finished with freshly chopped cilantro and onion. If you ask, you’ll get a fat roasted jalapeno with a split bulb of spring onion cooked in the same fashion. There will probably be dogs running around begging for a morsel of meat, too.

BREWERY TOUR

WRITTEN BY JOE OUELLETTE

Believe it or not, there was a time when this part of Colorado had very little in the way of ‘fancy beer.’ There were two readily available beers at local juke joints hailing from our great state: the good ole’ boy, Coors, and Fat Tire, the O.G. craft brew from New Belgium. Then like a blown keg shooting beer all over bar goers on a greenhorn’s first keg swap, microbrews and craft beer exploded on the world and they were everywhere, including the Uncompahgre valley. Today we have almost a dozen breweries in the valley.

Ouray, the “Switzerland of America,”is home to four breweries, which is impressive for a town with a year-round population of just over 1,000. As you pull into town you’ll first see The Ourayle House, or as it’s known locally Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing. It’s an unremarkable hole-in-the-wall hang with a small selection of excellent beer on tap and an owner that’s not afraid to give it to you straight. This joint delivers exactly what you came for, cold beer in a big or small

glass or as the proprietor explains his (small glass) and hers (big glass). It’s a must when visiting Ouray.

Next, The Ouray Brewery with its unmatched rooftop where you can sip one of their slightly nutty yet bold Box Canyon Brown or their crisp San Juan IPA, whilst being dwarfed by the gorgeous San Juan Mountains.

Up the road a hop (get it?), skip and a slight stumble you have the Colorado Boy Southwest. It’s the third installment in the Colorado Boy franchise with a huge patio, 12 beers on tap, pizza, and authentic Mexican cuisine. The beer here is brewed in Ridgway at the Colorado Boy there (see below).

Finally, there is Red Mountain Brewery with its aspirations to keep it local. They tend to rotate their beer based on seasonality and when paired with their well-crafted gastropub food they will not disappoint.

Craft beer is a staple, nay an essential, part of life in Colorado and the Uncompahgre Valley. And while it wasn’t always that way, we now have a veritable beer trail running the length and breadth of the valley

TOUR DE FORCE

Moving down the valley to Ridgway, the charming community’s one and only pub is the flagship of the Colorado Boy empire. Established in 2008, locals affectionately call it “The Boy.” Here you will see people scattered about the sidewalk enjoying the hoppy goodness of the local favorites, the Pale Ale, the Irish Red and a rotating cask beer, all of which are great with one of the artisanal pizzas.

Down in Montrose there are four providers of finely crafted brewskis. First, we have Colorado Boy Montrose, the second brewery owned and operated by the original founding father of the brewing school (yeah, Colorado Boy offers a brewing class). With their different renditions and flavors than the previously mentioned “Boy” and a theatrical pizza kitchen in the dining room, you can’t go wrong with an evening at the “Mo-boy.”

Then there’s Horsefly Brewing, a bustling beer house and restaurant with ample outdoor seating, live music and the slogan, “no crap on tap.” Hop enthusiasts will want to try the Peacemaker double IPA while you indulge in their wing of the month.

Just off West Main Street there is Two Rascals, a cozy local hang with lots of bar stools and plenty of conversation to pair with their tasty ale selection. The Kolsch and Cream Ale are particularly good and a few of them loosen you up for a game of darts.

Finally, we have the newest installment of Montrose breweries, San Juan Brews. With garage door-style windows opening onto Main Street, this is a great place to sit and people watch while drinking one of their immaculately crafted beers. The Saison and Nitro Porter are particularly good.

Ten miles north in Olathe you’ll find Mad Russian Brewing Company. With more than a dozen campsites on the property, you can indulge in one of their half a dozen beers, including the delicious Bobcat Pilsner or Devil’s Slide Raspberry, while pitching your tent or playing a game of the refreshingly lowtech cornhole. There is regular live music and occasional food available. And, after you’ve had a few and need a nap, you can simply crawl into your tent for a siesta. Brilliant!

At last, we reach the end of our hoppy malty journey in the city of murals, Delta, home to the family-owned and operated Stoik Beer Company. There you can expect a host of fun flavors like Oatmeal Cookie, Chocolate Stout and their Peach Blonde.

So, no matter your taste in beer, be it strong, dark and bitter or light, crisp and crushable, our little slice of paradise has plenty of options for all. Prost!

HONEY FAT OF THE LAND

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM WOODY & KATI WHELAN

Nothing short of a marvel of nature, honey has long been used as a medicine and a food across the globe. It varies wildly in flavor, depending on where it is produced, and it has an eternal shelf life. Put it in the hands of a couple of master confectioners and you have a recipe for something special

It’s hard to know where to start when extolling the virtues of bees and honey. Honey is delicious (the flavor of which changes depending on the flora the bees are collecting nectar from) and it has miraculous medicinal properties: it’s an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and it has antibacterial properties. It’s used orally to treat coughs, and topically to treat burns and promote wound healing, among other applications.

Then there is the fact it never goes off. It has to be stored correctly, but when it is, it pretty much has an eternal shelf life. It has been discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs still edible. Then there is the fact that bees are a vital part of our ecosystem. They are highly efficient pollinators of our food crops as well as for wild plants. So important are they, in fact, that without them our ecosystem would almost certainly collapse.

Add to that the fact that bees are simple to keep, and it becomes obvious why there are so many “Honey for Sale” signs all over the Uncompahgre Valley. Black Canyon Honey is one producer in Montrose.

HOMETOWN HONEY

There are lots of small honey producers in the Uncompahgre Valley. Kyle Rice runs Black Canyon Honey, he began his apiarian adventure two years ago when he bought a Flow Hive (a specifically designed hive that allows you to harvest honey without opening the hive). He said he had been thinking about it for a few years, and then suddenly he saw the Flow Hive on Craigslist and that was that.

It started as just a hobby, but Rice quickly realised that the bees were producing more honey that he could use. He currently has three hives and last year harvested five gallons of honey. He is planning to add two more hives in the near future, but his long term plan is more ambitious. Rice currently works full time as a nurse practitioner, but he sees beekeeping as a way to help with retirement. He will likely keep adding hives over the next 10 years with a goal of having between 1,000 and 2,000.

ALPEN GLOW

use local honey in their Montrose Honey Truffles (local honey and a 64 percent dark chocolate from Guayaquil, Ecuador). Honey can be temperamental and should be treated gently as too much heat can

Lin McKay and Mike Shafer, owners of Alpen Confections, were profiled in issue #2 of Wayfinder

THE NOT SO NEGRONI MIXOLOGY 101

WRITTEN BY NICKOLAS PAULLUS PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM WOODY

A riff on the classic cocktail the Americano, the Negroni is itself the result of experimentation and acts as a perfect example of how cocktails shouldn’t be pigeonholed as this or that. Substituting components in a cocktail opens up an almost limitless number of possible permutations meaning that the palates of even the most ardent opponents of any particular ingredient can be satisfied

In an ideal world, all spirits would be created equally. With guests, with customers, with the self, vodka and whiskey would be on equal footing. The entire cocktail repertoire would be open, and each and every person could be acquainted with each and every glorious manifestation of mixology. Alas, taste is divisive, and even the most discerning drinkers have their preferences. While this could be seen as debilitating, a hard limit put on

the number of cocktails one could make and enjoy, it doesn’t have to be because mixology is a science.

Science has rules and formulas that are, traditionally at least, to be fairly strictly adhered to, but the science of mixology allows the scientist to work with these patterns and to make minute modifications so that almost any drink can be catered to an individual’s particular preference. This is especially

true of the mixer, a complementary yet crucial co-conspirator in any captivating cocktail.

The Negroni is divisive from the outset. Gin is likely the most maligned of spirits, so any cocktail with it as its backbone is likely to scare off more than the occasional suitor. The other two ingredients, vermouth and Campari, do not necessarily help gin’s case, being bitter and botanical. The resulting drink is fantastically balanced, but

certainly not everyone’s cup of tea.

Substituting tequila for the gin creates a completely new flavor profile. A Mexican Negroni, as it is often dubbed, is a delicious cocktail in its own right. The bitter orange Campari pairs nicely with the funky agave flavor, and the rich red fruit from the vermouth gives the drink a velvety mouthfeel. But what if the flavors of the complimentary liqueurs were modified as well, doubling down on the new profile provided by

the agave to make something similar, yet utterly unique?

There are various liqueurs on the market that satisfy these qualifications. Mexican classics like Damiana, or new craft liqueurs like Granada Vallet are up to the task. When using local distillery Storm King’s Agave Blanco, however, something a little closer to home seems requisite.

Seasonally, the Western Slope of Colorado is graced by some truly stupendous citrus. Arizona growers come to the region in the winter, bringing some of the freshest and most vibrant fruit imaginable. By using Meyer lemons, with their vibrant limoncello quality, grapefruit from the farmstand (a classic agave accompaniment as evidenced by the eternal popularity of the Paloma), as well as some robust and bitter herbs, and a Campari substitute that leans more Latin, a uniquely Uncompahgre valley version is well within reach.

Sweet vermouth is a fortified wine liqueur, its rounded flavor being a potent combination of bitter herbs, warming spices, and port wine. The Le Marechal dessert wine from local winery LaNoue Dubois is stout yet sweet. While unique, it certainly resembles port, with its regal dark fruit flavor, making it a great base for a vermouth style liqueur. At 17 percent alcohol, it is rich enough to properly extract some enticing traditional vermouth flavors like clove, cinnamon, and orange peel, yet sweet enough to round off the bitter bite provided by wormwood.

The resulting “Not so Negroni” is boldly balanced. Fruit forward with a bite, the citrus, wine, and agave all stand out, while all also providing layers of luxury.

Cocktails sometimes seem stuck, resigned to their particular place on the palette. With spirits, however, there is so much room for experimentation.

OUTDOORS & ACTIVITIES

DARK SKY AT NIGHT

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has named Top of the Pines as the newest addition to the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program. TOP is the second IDA-certified Dark Sky Park in the Uncompahgre Valley joining Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The 175-acre recreation area is owned by Ouray County, but managed by the non-profit Top of the Pines and offers all kinds of opportunities for recreation. It’s popular for weddings and events, too.

Topofthepines.org

RIDGWAY BIKE PARK

Another newly formed non-profit, Ridgway Bike Park is raising funds to build a paved pump track in downtown Ridgway. The group has already been granted the use of a piece of land near the skatepark that is owned by the town, and all that remains is to raise the funds necessary to build it. For more info or to donate visit: Ridgwaybikepark.com

UNCOMPAHGRE NORDIC ASSOCIATION

Formed in January of this year by Gary Shellhorn and Jon Thomas, the organization is a good old fashioned non-profit advocacy group that promotes cross-country skiing and over snow travel on the Uncompahgre Plateau. While there is still time to get some skis on, the organization will likely be active during the rest of the year scouting for potential new trails and fund raising for the next season.

Facebook.com/MontroseNordic

GEAR GUIDE WAYFINDER

right gear can make or break everything from

REVEL RASCAL

This bike is super capable in a range of conditions. With 130mm of travel in the rear and 140mm up front, the Rascal will give any rider a huge amount of confidence without feeling sluggish on climbs. We recently took one on a road trip to the Pacific Northwest where we tested it on big descending days as well as closer to home on nasty, rocky technical trails. If you’re looking for the cheapest option out there, this isn’t it, however, the quality is amazing and Revel is located right up the street in Carbondale which keeps money in the region. Their customer support is second to none too. Prices start at $5,500.

CEP HIKING MERINO SOCKS

The most blister resistant sock we’ve ever worn. A blend of Merino and synthetic materials with zone specific padding and a good amount of compression, these mid cut compression socks also regulate temperature, shed moisture, keep swelling down and stay in place better than any other socks we’ve tried recently. Great for hiking, running, cross country skiing, or pretty much any activity that generates heat and friction. $27.95

TOPO ATHLETIC ULTRAVENTURE PRO

If you combined our favorite features from the shoes we’ve used over the last five years, you’d have the Athletic Ultraventure Pro. The 5mm drop from heel to toe helps maintain a more natural stride and offers more stability on technical trails, while the wide forefoot allows for the swelling that is inevitable on long runs. The Vibram Tread and super durable construction can handle pretty much anything the desert or San Juans can dish out. $150

BILLABONG 4/3 SALTY DAYZ FULL WETSUIT

Comparable to the Men’s Absolute+, this wetsuit is designed for activities that include long periods of time in cold water and require lots of mobility. Whether it’s early season river surfing, wakeboarding, or those big water days when you’re rafting or kayaking and getting splashed all day long, the graphene thermal lining on the chest and back panels and neoprene fabric (which is partially recycled) will keep you warm. $259.95.

SMITH FOREFRONT 2

A solid combo of safety and style, the Smith Forefront 2 was designed to work well with sunglasses (Smith or not) thanks to vents that allow warm air to escape, eliminating foggy lenses. From a safety standpoint, the Forefront 2 has MIPS and Koroyd impact protection systems that help with rotational forces and impacts to help you ride day after day. The Smith Forefront 2 is available in almost 20 color combinations. $240

AIRE TRIBUTARY TOMCAT

Available in a solo or a tandem, the Tomcat is a workhorse. The perfect boat for the Western Slope, we’ve been using them in our rental fleet since we opened in 2015, and they are great for multi-day fishing trips in Gunnison Gorge or just floating the Uncompahgre River through Montrose. Pack a solo full of your favorite adventure gear for the day or a tandem with all of your car camping luxuries (or bring a friend) for an overnighter and explore what makes the West Slope the best slope. Available in four colors. $1,049

Scan the QR code to visit the Montrose Surf + Cycle website

The

a leisurely day on the trails to a full on expedition. We went to the staff at Montrose Surf + Cycle to ask them for some gear picks to make the most of the season

THE BUZZ ON

WRITTEN BY NICOLE ALBRECHT |

BY DAN BALLARD

Mountain biking is gaining momentum in the valley. And behind the scenes of your local singletrack, a small group has been digging up (literally) new opportunities for mountain bikers. There’s a project that has been years in the making, a new trail system that will have people amped to take off their skis and get ready to ride this season

PHOTO

ELECTRIC HILLS

Not everyone would gaze upon a desert hillside with massive power lines and think “what a lovely place to ride my bike.” Yet by the end of this year, there is no doubt that hundreds of mountain bikers will be ecstatic over the 1,000 acres of BLM land in Shavano Valley known as Electric Hills. The 17-miles (when complete) of professionally designed singletrack will soon flow across the landscape, enticing riders with fun and technical terrain not found on nearby trail systems.

The new trails begin six miles west of Montrose, plugged into the Rimrocker trailhead at the end of State Highway 90. Here, riders can “find their flow” on a variety of trail features. From rock gardens to tight switchbacks, Electric Hills will be a playground for intermediate to advanced riders, and a skills building opportunity for beginners. The design follows three circuits, each gaining in difficulty while connector trails give ample route options. It’s also built for multi-use, welcoming all types of nonmotorized trail users.

The project is considered a big win for the greater mountain biking community, and especially for the local trails organization MUT (Montrose Uncompahgre Trails). MUT has spent 8 years turning a vision for Electric Hills into an awesome reality. Up until now, mountain bikers in Montrose chose between moto trails (often rutted out or too steep), beginner level singletrack, or leaving town to ride in places like Grand Junction, Gunnison or Durango.

“Many of our trails are decommissioned roads, where the lack of challenge and variety is evident. Local riders end up driving to other towns to find fun, challenging trails,” says Garry Baker, MUT committee member.

Last season, news of Electric Hills sparked over 80 volunteers to show up and help build the first five miles of trail. The completed segments boast punchy climbs with bumpy descents, and will be ready to ride as soon as the seasonal wildlife closure ends on April 15. The remaining 12-miles of trail will be built out by Sweet & Sustainable Singletrack over the course of the next year, pending approval on a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“No dig, no ride,” joked a volunteer recently on the Montrose biking forum. While many hands make for easy work, the truth is, building new trails takes a lot more than digging. Years of planning, coordination with land agencies, and grant proposals are among the tasks that get things moving. More than anything, it takes the determination of individuals who have the willpower to make things happen – people like Garry Baker and Bill Harris, key conductors for Electric Hills. So next time you’re sending it on your favorite singletrack, think about how it got there, and whether you too can be an amplifier for making the Uncompahgre Valley an even better place for riding bikes.

WHITEOUT WORRIES

WRITTEN BY CHRIS CARTER

A series of unfortunate decisions, including a passion to be first, led to Chris Carter having something of a standoff with Mother Nature, and she was in no mood for games. A hasty - and possibly ill advised - retreat from a snowstorm was the start of what would thankfully only end up being a cautionary tale

No shit, there I was …

Hip-deep in fresh powder, staring into an endless, angry white tunnel along one of the most technical and gnarly sections of the Weminuche Wilderness, and my companion and I had three snowshoes between us - one less than is ideal. We needed to get out of the mountains, and fast.

This past year I set out on an eight-month, 5,200-mile, journey to complete thru-hikes of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the Appalachian Trail (with the Pacific Crest Trail, they are collectively known as the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking). Since I was pushing big miles to knock out both trails in one season, I was the first thru-hiker of the 2021 hiking season to enter the snow-laden San Juan Mountains along the CDT, hitting the first peaks in early May.

After a couple of days of preparation in Pagosa Springs, I set out from Wolf Creek Pass with another thru-hiker and mountaineer named Sky, armed with a passion to be the first hikers to make it through the San

as best we could, but after nearly an hour of wasting precious calories, realized we had to move on without it.

After a day of wading through the storm, Sky trudging slowly behind the track I beat in the snow, we decided it was time to bail. There was no way we were going to make it to Silverton before collapsing from cold and exhaustion. After some deliberation, we made the decision to deviate from our GPS track of the CDT, and navigate down a treacherous gorge to get below the snow line and out of the mountains.

Our excursion down the gorge quickly turned into one of the most desperate, Hail Mary attempts to get below the snow line and back to safety that I have ever experienced. We spent two days making our way down the increasingly dangerous canyon. We soon realized we weren’t moving fast enough through the towering drifts of snow lining the raging river below. By this time our clothes were soaked, and our food supplies were shrinking. Hypothermia and fear began to set in. Shivering uncontrollably, we taped hothands to our extremities, and jumped in the river, realizing that

Juans. After four days of battling through chest-deep snow, navigating wind-swept knife-edges, and trying to conserve precious calories, we were hit with a full-on blizzard which trapped us where we had set up camp on the fifth day.

“Where did this come from!?” Sky bellowed over the wind, his headlamp beam dancing blindly in the frantic flurries. “We were supposed to be done with stormy weather three days ago!”

“Couldn’t tell ya.” I shot back groggily, as I knocked back a snowdrift that threatened to cave through my open mesh door. “But we’re gonna be buried soon if we don’t make some decisions.”

We agreed that we would wait out the storm where we were unless it reached a certain level on our tents, scared we would be permanently trapped in the everdeepening pale blanket amassing around us. The snow eventually and perhaps inevitably reached our agreedupon point, and so we hastily broke camp and prepared to push forward. Sky had used one of his snowshoes to pin down a guyline for his tent, but the snow had piled so high, he was having trouble digging deep enough to retrieve it. We excavated the entire area around his tent

wading and swimming our way down the gorge may be the only way we could drop elevation fast enough.

Though we were moving at twice the speed through the river, we were barely holding on to our energy, and frequently found ourselves cliffed out or trapped above soaring waterfalls. To add insult to injury, I began to develop flaring shin splints from the breakneck pace we were hitting, and Sky had to help me hobble through the labyrinth of whitewater and jagged cliffs we found ourselves in.

It had been a while since I had felt so close to death. We hit the snow line at the end of the second day. To say it was a relief would be something of an understatement. Footsore and weary, we trudged the remaining miles to an old jeep road, and eventually hitched a ride back to Pagosa Springs to recover. The relief was palpable, and in retrospect, allowing our fear of getting trapped to push us out into that storm could have very seriously led to our deaths.

Fear led to panic which led to a series of bad decisions. These decisions almost cost us our lives, and ultimately we were lucky to escape in the shape we did.

OUR EXCURSION DOWN THE GORGE QUICKLY TURNED INTO ONE OF THE MOST DESPERATE, HAIL MARY ATTEMPTS TO GET BELOW THE SNOW LINE AND BACK TO SAFETY THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED >

REC YOURSELF

YOURSELF

WRITTEN BY JEFF RICE

There is a new wave of residents in Montrose that don’t know what life is like without the Community Recreation Center on South Woodgate Road. In the five years since the world-class facility opened its doors, it has gone from strength to strength and it appears it will continue that trend

The imposing yet quirky Rec Center (officially called the Montrose CRC), with the water slide snaking out and then back into the building, has come to embody the recreation lifestyle in the Uncompahgre Valley. Currently the Rec District serves 35,000 people, larger than the city of Montrose but smaller than the county and it will certainly serve more as the area grows. Offering every recreation opportunity that a resident could ask for at a price well below the country club facilities that it equals or surpasses. Into rock climbing? There’s a 27’ wall just as you enter (painted to replicate the Black Canyon of the Gunnison). Training for a triathlon? Get all your circuits done under one roof with the lap pool, spin bikes, and indoor track or treadmills. Addicted to the newest fad in town, pickleball? There are courts indoors and out with league play galore. Enjoy bonding with friends during a group fitness class? Take your pick from any of the 50 classes per week (yoga, tai chi, spin class, Standup Paddle Board Yoga, ZUMBA, Silver Sneakers varieties, and more).

When visiting the Rec Center now, it is hard to believe that just 10 years ago the Rec District was at a crossroads. Their calling card was what is now the Fieldhouse on Rio Grande Ave and South Ninth; however it was dated. There was an indoor pool, an outdoor kids’ pool (that still exists), and a couple of rooms of exercise equipment. The facility was aged, in need of repair, and not serving the needs of the community. After two ballot measures, Montrose citizens voted in 2014 to approve a city sales tax increase of 0.3 percent in order to get the facility they dreamed would complement an active west slope resident’s lifestyle. And complement it, it has.

The Montrose Community Rec Center facility is an 82,000-square-foot facility that is a beauty both in design and function. It is the largest rec center on the Western Slope and often ranked in the top five recreation centers in the state (the other four being on the Front Range). An average of 5,000 visitors stop by the Rec Center each week,and, in addition to the economic impact from membership fees, the facility employs 24 full-time staff and over 200 part-time employees.

And the Montrose Rec District isn’t just focused on enhancing the lives of people that stop by the Rec Center. There are also year-round programs for all age groups and interests within the Rec District boundaries including youth disc golf leagues, adult kickball fun leagues, Gunnison River float trips, and mountain bike skills clinics at Cerise Park. There is also a program for those that are 50+, including winery tours, open line dancing, crafty chatty groups, and more. The Rec Center is also a Certified Silver Sneakers facility which means senior citizens are able to join for free because of their health insurance coverage.

The new Rec Center also allowed the Fieldhouse to be reinvented. Indoor soccer leagues (streamed live on Facebook no less), outdoor summer pool days for the kids, a mini outdoor garden, and pool party rentals allow the Fieldhouse space to remain a thriving venue. The Fieldhouse is also home to Weehawken Arts.

The impact of the Montrose Rec District reaches far beyond the physical buildings. It is at the heart of the community, providing all kinds of options and opportunities to every demographic, at an affordable price. It provides opportunities to try new activities, a chance to make new friends, or a place to rehab from an injury; most of all, it offers the chance to be part of the community.

RUNNIN’ A DREAM

WRITTEN BY KAITLYN NAGEL

Have you been experiencing reduced stress, better sleep, and overall improvements to your mental health? Have you noticed your muscles, joints, bones, and heart getting stronger? Do you find yourself getting outside, breathing in fresh air, and soaking up vitamin D from the sun?

If so, there’s a good chance you may be a runner

RUNNIN’ DOWN DREAM

If you or someone you know is interested in taking up running, there is no better time to start than now. There are endless benefits to be had just by running. Research has shown that running, even once per week, lengthens lifespan by benefiting overall health and decreasing the chances of dying from many preventable diseases. Not only that, but, running greatly increases the quality of life, especially in later years.

If you are new to running and feel intimidated, there are many approachable ways to build up to running your first steps. Taking regular walks is a great way to build an exercise habit. Once a good walking base is built, running can be incorporated by alternating 1 minute of running with 1 minute of walking. Increasing the ratio of running:walking is a great way to build towards running nonstop.

A great way to find motivation to build up to running longer distances is to sign up for a local race. The Uncompahgre Valley hosts a number of 5K races (3.1 miles) throughout the year, many of which benefit great causes. Putting a race on the calendar will provide a clear goal to work towards with a definitive timeline. To keep motivated, try finding a friend who’s interested in running and sign up for a 5K together; working towards this goal will be a fun and rewarding experience.

The Uncompahgre Valley offers a great variety of running paths. The cities of Delta, Montrose, Ridgway, and Ouray offer paved paths that can be used for running and walking year-round. Portions of the paths existing today will eventually link up to become the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail, connecting Ouray to Delta with 65 miles of continuous path.

The valley also boasts extensive trail systems that are great for running. Trail running has become increasingly popular in recent years because it reduces the impact on your body compared with concrete. Trail running also promotes balance and stability. Getting out on trails is a great way to experience nature and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the area.

In the summer months, trails at higher elevations can offer a reprieve from the valley heat. In colder months; snow and ice can be avoided at lower elevations. It is important, however, not to run on muddy trails, doing so causes damage and increases erosion on the trail.

Dennis Weaver Memorial Park has a great trail network that is perfect for those new to trail running or looking for an accessible short loop. The park is located about 1.5 miles north of Ridgway. Turn west off of Highway 550 onto RiverSage Drive and continue across the river to a trailhead on the right. It is possible to walk, run, or bike from downtown Ridgway to the park on a paved

ULTRARUNNING

Colorado is home to some of the world’s most famous ultramarathon races, with one of the most challenging finding its home in Ouray. An ultramarathon is a race that is longer than a marathon (26.2 miles). Ultramarathons have become increasingly popular worldwide as a way to test one’s endurance and mental toughness. The Ouray 100 Mile Endurance Run, which takes place at the end of July, is one of the steepest 100 mile races in the world with 41,862 feet of climbing and descent for a total elevation change of 83,724 feet. The race also offers a 50-mile option that is equally as challenging relative to the distance covered. For those looking to test what they are truly made of, look no further than this race.

path. Networks of trails radiate out from this trailhead, offering a variety of difficulty levels. One popular option is the two-mile lollipop route which starts up the Stagecoach Trail, climbs to the top of Boot Hill, then around the Riversage Scenic Loop and back down Stagecoach.

For more experienced or more adventurous runners, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of public land surrounding the valley with some incredible trails with amazing views. Northeast of Montrose, Ute, Bobcat and Sidewinder trails in Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area are beautiful. Northwest of Delta is Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area which has truly staggering scenery to turn through.

Whether you are an experienced runner or just beginning a walking routine to work towards running your first steps, the Uncompahgre Valley is an amazing place to travel on foot. Running is such a simple sport; it doesn’t require much equipment and can be done just about anywhere or anytime. There are considerable benefits that can be seen by incorporating running into your routine. Of all the benefits that running offers, the most important is the simple lesson that it has to teach us. Running teaches us that if you take one step at a time, just one simple step, you will get where you want to go in life.

CLUB TOGETHER

Running with others can be a great way to motivate yourself to get out the door. They’re a great way to meet people, too, if you are new to the area. There are plenty of groups of people that run in the valley, but most of them are fairly informal. Among the more organized groups are Montrose Surf + Cycle (meet at 6:15pm on Thursdays at MS+C, 245 W Main St, Montrose) and San Juan Mountain Runners (meet at 9am on Saturdays at Looney Bean, 3480 Wolverine Dr, Montrose).

ARTS & CULTURE

MERCILESS INDIAN SAVAGES AGES

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF

An exhibition by artist Gregg Deal at the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose attempts to deal with the problematic issue many Indigenous people find themselves confronting: What does American Democracy mean to them?

The title of the exhibition - “Merciless Indian Savages” - is a direct quote from the Declaration of Independence, specifically from the list of 27 grievances that are laid out against the Crown. The last of those 27 grievances accuses King George III of exciting “domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.”

While that passage very succinctly sums up the feelings of the writers of the Declaration of Independence toward the Indigenous people, it also equally succinctly sums up Deal’s intent with the exhibition. Factor in the juxtaposition of “all men are created equal” in the very same document, and the question of ‘what does American democracy mean to Indigenous people’ becomes even more pertinent. It is a question without an answer for many.

“Indigenous people weren’t considered people at all. At the time, that document was drafted for rich white landowners, and even poor white people were excluded. The actions of early settlers pointed to the desire to extract land from the Indigenous people.”

That desire, which Deal calls the “English way” (which was unlike the way other groups - the Spanish, the French and the pilgrims - interacted with Indigenous people) culminated with the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Not much has changed for Deal when it comes to that exclusion. “I often say that I’m Indigenous having an American experience. Yes, I’m American, but I

consider myself Numu (Paiute) first and foremost. I’m Indigenous to this continent, and that happens to make me American, whether I like it or not.”

That view causes a problem for some people, especially those that are invested, for one reason or another, in the power dynamic that has been created. “Romantic nationalism is predicated on our extermination or complicity,” Deal says. “And it rears its head in one form or another almost every day.”

Deal often hears the phrase “why can’t we just all get along’’ in relation to his work. He says there is a lot to reconcile before we can talk in those terms. As for what that reconciliation looks like, Deal says that in itself is a big question. “There is no single answer,” he says. “Every tribal nation is different and has different ideas on what reconciliation should look like.”

Personally, Deal says while it is a difficult question, he settles on education as a starting point. “Given what is happening right now in the country with regard to legislation being proposed to prevent certain things being taught in schools, I think education would be a good place to start.”

A member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Deal has an impressive resume, having lectured at some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States including Dartmouth College, Columbia University, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. “Merciless Indian Savages” is open through May 2022.

Historycolorado.org/ute-indian-museum

“

YES, I’M AMERICAN, BUT I CONSIDER MYSELF NUMU (PAIUTE) FIRST AND FOREMOST. I’M INDIGENOUS TO THIS CONTINENT, AND THAT HAPPENS TO MAKE ME AMERICAN, WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT.

— GREGG DEAL

COURTESY OF HISTORY COLORADO

SETTING THE STAGE

Upstairs at Precedence MONTROSE

Located above the Precedence Music Academy, upstairs in the former Masonic Temple on the 500 block of Montrose, is Montrose’s hidden jazz bar and lounge. It is one of the most beautiful and unique venues in the state, largely thanks to its beautiful stained glass domed skylight in the ballroom, which is huge, and vintage details throughout.

Owner Jordan Carls, an extensive network of studio musicians, music instructors, and performing artists, all spent some serious time perfecting the acoustics in this place. There’s live music every Friday, from Take Five, the highly talented house band, to big-name blues artists and local favorites. Plan on showing up early to enjoy cocktails and lite bites in the swanky library lounge.

Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery

MONTROSE

Healthy Rhythm Art Gallery is all about art and music. Located at 232 East Main Street, this space is a combo art gallery and music venue, with proprietor Ken Vail also offering creative consultancy services. The music inspires the art and the gallery art adds to the atmosphere. Hosting small-batch, artisan-crafted tunes that are curated by Vail (with input from [BREED] Butters). This is the venue for you if you like the kind of small and intimate acoustic shows that only small towns can offer. There is live music most Fridays, especially during the summer, but the website warns to call ahead to be sure, as opening days and times may vary.

WRITTEN BY JACOB WILSON

The last year or so has made it crystal clear that we are social animals, and as such, we tend to feel and function better when we connect with others. If you struggle with weighing the perceived risks of social infection with the mental health benefits of connecting with other humans, then here is a shortlist of small venues with big energy and historic beauty to make sure your outings are worth the effort

The Wright Opera House OURAY

Ouray was once a pretty rowdy place full of brothels, gambling, and whiskey. Legend has it that Ed Wright and his wife, Letitia, believed that Ouray needed “cultural” opportunities. They created a “decent” place that would feature “cultural and educational programs of high quality.” That was 1888, and 134 years later the Wright continues with its mission to class up the small mountain town.

These days the Wright is still a decent place that has stayed true to cultural and educational programs of high quality including, among other events, the Ouray International Film Festival, as well as shows such as “Colors of Spirit” by Paula Hayes which runs through April 15.

Sherbino Theater

RIDGWAY

The “Sherb” is owned and operated by the Ridgway Chautauqua Society, a nonprofit organized around a singular mission to keep the historic Sherbino Theater a community gathering place. In keeping with the historic tradition of the Chautauqua, the group aims to produce a variety of “programs celebrating lifelong learning, the arts, culture, and community.” Programming ranges from adventure film festivals to acoustic folk music - and seemingly everything in between, including, in the next few months, the Women’s Adventure Film Tour; and poet, percussionist, storyteller, mask maker, and seventime GRAMMY nominee Will Clipman for an evening of multicultural mask art and original world music.

SITES TO BEHOLD

WRITTEN BY NICKOLAS PAULLUS

The Ute Tribe and their predecessors have called the Uncompahgre Valley home for thousands of years, and while much of their legacy exists in place names - Ouray, Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, and Tabeguache - there are places of tangible cultural value that dot the valley from north to south. Some celebratory, some tragic, yet each carrying an important piece of the story of the indigenous peoples of the Uncompahgre Valley

The Ute Museum is a logical place to start. Artifacts, media, and classes abound, the museum an immersive experience that was created in conjunction with the tribes. Market days with wares from the Ute and other proximal tribes, Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta’s grave, and the indigenous plants garden near the river are just a few highlights. The museum is an intellectual haven for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the people that nurtured this valley.

It is also through the museum that you can book tours of the Shavano Valley Petroglyphs. The site, one of hundreds dotting the plateau, is on private property and as such is one of the best preserved sites of early indigenous habitation in the area. While some of the art represents an esoteric and undecipherable prehistory, much of the petroglyphs are recent enough that they are intelligible to the Ute Tribe, leading to a uniquely transparent interpretation of much of the glyphs on the tour.

Being a nomadic tribe, the Ute bands of the Western Slope used sites such as Shavano as places of council and trade. One other such place, the Ute Council Tree in Delta, represents a more contemporary meeting spot. Tribal councils, including such reputed guests as Chipeta, graced the glade for the tree’s 200 year history. The old tree lost its last living limb in 2017, but the stump remains, a legacy of Ute connection with the area.

Nearby Confluence Park also features the beautiful Pow Wow Arbor, and thehistorical reconstruction of Fort Uncompahgre. The word Uncompahgre itself, is variously translated as red lake or red water spring. Most conjecture suggests this is a reference to the highly mineralized hot springs that dot the valley and feed into the river. Throughout the state, from Idaho Springs to Pagosa Springs, hot springs were traditional places of refuge for the native tribes. In the valley, the site of the current Wiesbaden resort in Ouray, is even said to be a spring in which Ouray himself spent time.

Near the current town of Colona, lie the remains of the Los Pinos Indian Agency. The Agency represented a governmental infiltration of the Tabeguache and Uncompahgre bands, in their newly limited reservation on the Western Slope (following their steady displacement West across Colorado). As mining and migration from the east and south encroached, the tribe’s reservation continued to shrink through deceit and poor administration, leaving Los Pinos as one of the last strongholds of

the tribe. By 1881, the tribe was forcibly displaced to the Utah Ute reservation, ending historical native habitation of the valley.

While the historical predominance of Utes in the area is past, their presence is still felt throughout the valley. Much of the beauty and historical legacy of this place is rooted in the Ute culture. Many of the foot trails and scenic highways still in use follow ancient Ute trails.

The Utes are not gone, but a living part of this place. From the foot of Thigunawat (Grand Mesa) in the north to the “Shining Mountains”of the San Juans in the south, the Ute spirit will always be a part of the Uncompahgre Valley.

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MONTROSE

E PLURIBUS UNUM

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF

The Uncompahgre Valley might not, at least on the surface, appear to be particularly culturally diverse, but scratch just beneath the surface and ask some questions and you’ll find representatives from most, if not all, 50 states as well as dozens of countries, all of whom add to the tapestry of life here

MADE IN JAPAN

TOMOKO VONSEGGERN is one of a small group of Japanese that call the Uncompahgre Valley home. The lead customer service representative at the Montrose Animal Shelter, Vonseggern is originally from Yorii, a small town northwest of Tokyo, but lived in Tokyo for 17 years. There she met her husband who is originally from San Diego. After they met in Tokyo and eventually got married, they decided that the US would give them the kind of life they wanted. That was 14 years ago, and while Vonseggern loves to travel - and has visited many states - Colorado is the only state she has lived in. She is not only glad to have settled in Colorado, but is happy to be in Montrose and the Uncompahgre Valley. One thing Vonseggern loves about this area is the access to water, from the Montrose Water Sports Park and Ouray Hot Springs to the Montrose Rec center.

Vonseggern understandably misses Japan sometimes, especially her family and the food, but one thing she doesn’t miss is the weather. “Japanese summers are always uncomfortable because they are so humid because Japan is surrounded by the ocean, so the dry summers here are much better.” Vonseggern’s compatriot, Chiyo Tirona, also works at the Montrose Animal Shelter.

INDIAN BUT NOT INDIGENOUS

RAHUL SALUNKE was born and raised in Mumbai, India. A dentist both there and here, Salunke and his wife Aparna began the process of moving to the US about five years ago for the sake of their children’s education. They have one son and one daughter, the latter of whom is about to graduate from Montrose High School.

The path for Salunke and his family to get here was far from easy. After graduation as a dentist he did his residency and became an orthodontist. Then he ran his own practice for 25 years. When he began the process of trying to relocate to the US he found out he would pretty much have to go to dental school again. He was not deterred. He studied in India to take exams in the US, before being accepted to the University of Colorado at Anschutz Medical campus, where he completed his graduation. He is now a fully qualified and certified dentist.

After so long running his own practice, Salunke decided this time around to work at a community practice. He was offered options in Connecticut, Portland, and Montrose, in addition to numerous corporate dental offices in the US. His first visit to Montrose was for an interview at the PIC Place. A brief tour of the town followed the interview. Before he came, his plan was to live and work in the US for a while to see if it was right for his family, but mere hours after his interview and tour he called his wife back in India and told them this was the place for them. It was a bold decision as it would be his family’s first visit ever to the US, but he hasn’t regretted it.

Life in Montrose is obviously very different to life in India, and Salunke and his family miss certain things about India, including the street food (bhel puri and pav bahji especially), but life in Montrose is treating the Salunkes very well and he says they very much feel part of the community.

I HEAR THE DRUMS ECHOING TONIGHT

ETIENNE TOLNO is from the West African country of Guinea. The 34-year old came to the US three years ago with his wife Mary Beth. They met while she was volunteering for the Kissidugu Foundation, an organization run by Etienne’s older brother, Gabriel Fara Tolno.

Initially, Tolno lived in Salida for 1.5 years and then Crested Butte for a summer with Mary Beth’s sister. They moved to Montrose with their children, Faya and Forest, in November 2020 to be closer to Mary Beth’s mother.

Tolno had dreamed of coming to the US ever since his brother came as an artist with the prestigious Merveilles Ballet company over 20 years ago. Fara is a respected teacher of West African drum and dance, and so it was no surprise when Tolno followed in his footsteps; Tolno plays several drums including the traditional Guinean drums the djembe and dunduns.Tolno holds classes and seminars at schools throughout western Colorado, New Mexico, California, Hawaii, and has taught workshops at Yoga House in Montrose. He will be teaching a five-week series through Weehawken Creative arts starting in April (visit weehawkenarts.org to find out more).

Adapting to a new way of life is always difficult, and Tolno says he does miss certain aspects of the culture back in Guinea including the drumming, dancing and singing (which are a big part of life in Guinea) as well as the communal eating, which is usually done by hand. He has, however, found life in the US to be much better in some ways, including some of the more simple things that aren’t as prevalent in Guinea such as access to blenders, vacuums, washing

machines and dishwashers. The availability and variety of food in the US is also very different from Guinea where rice, vegetables, and mangoes feature heavily. Before arriving here, Tolno had never tried broccoli.

Tolno is attending Colorado Mesa Community college’s free ESL classes, and studies English three times a week. Soccer is massively popular in West Africa, and something that Etienne has played since he was young. When Mary Beth saw a flier at the rec center announcing a new indoor soccer season, Tolno signed up and now plays every Monday in the adult co-ed league.

BY XAVIER SAENZ AND ALEX DURHAM

Change is tough, but some changes are tougher than others. The Pride movement is the joyful answer to the question of how to bring change to communities to make them more representative and welcoming for everyone

WRITTEN

As recently as 1962, many LGBTQIA2S+ families found they had to use code to identify themselves, saying “Are you a friend of Dorothy’s” to signify their sexuality. Pride has been a way to push back against stigma and create a safe space to defeat homophobia and other forms of prejudice. The Uncompahgre Valley is a flourishing place and is home to people from all walks of life, all colors, creeds, nationalities, and sexual orientations.

Delta Pride has been at the forefront when it comes to creating safe spaces for those that are marginalized, not only in Delta, but in the surrounding counties. Just as the town of Delta derives its name from the topography created by the confluence of the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers, Delta Pride strives to combine LGBTQIA2S+ communities and other populations to flow as one. Just as the Uncompahgre flows alongside many towns in the valley, the message created by Delta Pride has flowed out to the surrounding towns.

As early as 2013, Delta Pride brought the first taste of drag to the area. The show was called “It’s About Time,” and attracted performers from Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and as far as Utah to entertain and support one another. Although some may have hoped, nobody could have known that that show would change the lives of many people in this otherwise rural area.

Pride is more than just entertainment however; family events are the central focus of Delta Pride. This allowed the group to support the Unite LGBTQ Pride Festival in Montrose; sponsor a Transgender Day of Remembrance event at the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose and in Cedaredge; provide music for Fruita Equality’s first event. Continuing the theme of creating safe spaces, Delta Pride created an online event called “Don’t Dis My Ability” for differently abled LGBTQIA2S+ people.

Change became apparent and enshrined in the community when 2021 Delta Pride received its first proclamation read by the City of Delta. That same change was also enshrined in Ouray County when that same year Ouray’s first ever Pride event also received a proclamation from the county.

Standing on the shoulders of all of those that put in work, effort and sacrifice into making this valley a tolerant palace for all, including the Delta Pride organization, Ouray Pride came about in a matter of months. Driven by a group of teenagers from Ouray and Ridgway, there were several other key players that made the event possible. Tera Wick, a mother of a transgender youth, the Safer More Affirming Communities group, Voyager Youth Program, and

community volunteers worked to support the vision of the teenagers and helped them to make it reality.

Voyager sponsored the event with financial backing and resources through a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation that supports Ouray County LBGTQ+ youth. Communities that Care, an organization that supports the development of youth leadership skills, contributed, too. The visionary teenagers also raised $2,390 through a GoFundMe.

The Ouray County Pride event took place on July 25 as Pride Celebration Day. Trennie Collins, a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, kicked off the event with a land acknowledgement. Over 300 people attended and enjoyed music and a drag show courtesy of Delta Pride in the Town Park.

A second Ouray County Pride event is planned for this year and Delta Pride has several events planned. Even so, there is a long way to go and more change needed, but even the longest journeys start with a single step.

To find out more about both organizations or to get involved or support them, find them both on Facebook.

LGBTQIA2S+

In use since the 1990s, the initialism is an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. Initially rendered as LGBT, the term has been evolving ever since and there are several main variants with some being more specific than others. Even the definitions of these terms are up for discussion and debate so don’t expect this to be definitive or exhaustive.

L — Lesbian refers to women who are primarily attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other women

G — Gay decribes those who are atrracted solely or primarily to members of the same gender. It can be used to refer to men or women

B — Bisexual describes people who experiences attraction to both people of their gender and another gender. It is often used interchangeably with pansexual

T — Transgender is a description for someone who has transitioned (or is transitioning) from living as one gender to another

Q — Queer is another umbrella term used to describe individuals who don’t identify as straight. It used to be a common slur and, as such, isn’t always embraced. Q is also sometimes used for Questioning, a term for those who are unsure about or are exploring their own sexual orientation or gender identity

I — Intersex is an umbrella term that describes bodies that fall outside the strict male/female binary. There are lots of ways someone can be intersex

A — Asexual and aromantic both describe those who feel little or no romantic attraction to others and/or have a lack of interest in romantic relationships

2S — Two-Spirit, is a term used within some Indigenous communities, encompassing cultural, spiritual, sexual and gender identity

+ — Typically refers to those who are part of the community, but for whom the rest of the initialism doesn’t accurately capture or reflect their identity

Smith Mountain Ultra Marathon 2022

Returning for its second year on April 23, the Smith Mountain Ultra consists of two races - the 40-mile ultra and a 25-mile race. Spectacular views of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area are included with the entry fee.

Ultrasignup.com

Fly Fishing Film Tour

A benefit for the Uncompahgre River, the evening will consist of several films about outdoor adventure and conservation with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership to be used for maintenance and improvement of riparian areas, fish habitat and recreation areas. Saturday, March 19, 6:30-9 pm at the Ouray County Event Center. Uncompahgrewatershed.org/events

Murder on Starship Deathstation IV

Part of a series of Murder Mystery Dinner Theater events at the Wright Opera House, this one, on Friday April 1st, will take diners on an interactive theatrical experience aboard the ominously named Starship Deathstation IV. Expect intrigue, laughter, and a three-course meal as you try to figure out who the killer is. Characters will be assigned the week of the show, and costumes are strongly encouraged.

Thewrightoperahouse.org

MTB Stoke Night

It’s time to get stoked for riding season! Your local trails organization MUT (Montrose Uncompahgre Trails) is throwing a party at the Montrose County Event Center on March 31st from 6-8:30pm. This is a great opportunity to get up to speed with all of the mountain bike and trail news from the area. Enjoy free pizza, beer (cash bar), mountain bike films, and sweet raffle giveaways. Free to attend.

RSVP on Facebook

@MontroseMUT

SKIN IN THE GAME

ISUN

WRITTEN BY TRACEY ANNETTE DRABLOES

As we get further into the winter months, harsh weather conditions can take a real toll on your skin, causing it to flake, itch, dry, or even crack. Low temperatures, harsh winds and low humidity strip the skin of its natural moisture. Reassessing our routines, switching up our products, and changing our habits can go a long way in making sure you don’t suffer adverse consequences of the frosty season on your skin.

HYDRATE

Take care of your skin from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water will help you stay hydrated, which is essential for youthful looking skin.

EXFOLIATE

Are you noticing your skincare routine just isn’t working like it used to? By removing dead cells, beneficial nutrients contained in your skincare products are more readily absorbed into the deeper

layers of the skin where they can deliver their nourishing ingredients. For healthy, glowing winter skin, exfoliate twice a week with a mild exfoliant. Our favorite is ISUN Crystal Cleansing Exfoliant.

HUMIDIFY

The additional moisture in the air will help to replenish hydration and keep the environment from sucking it out of your skin.

PROTECT

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Protecting your skin is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. The sun’s UV rays are equally damaging year round, so keep on top of the sunscreen. ISUN Antioxidant Sun Butter SPF 27 will not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays, it will also keep your skin deeply nourished.

Visit Isunskincare.com for more information

Skincare is a global cosmetics brand founded and still based right here in the Uncompahgre Valley. International trainer Tracey Annette Drabloes offers a few pointers on how to deal with the harsh winter conditions that can take its toll on skin at this time of the year

ENDEAVORS

HISPANIC AFFAIRS PROJECT CHARITABLE

WRITTEN BY JOHN ARENAS

No matter where you’re from, the Hispanic Affairs Project wants you to feel at home on the Western Slope. The Montrose-based non-profit, also known as HAP, has worked to promote immigrant integration in western Colorado since 2006. HAP also endeavors to make everyone feel not just welcomed, but like they have a say in what happens where they live.

“An important value for our organization to work for is change, not charity,” says Karen Sherman Perez, HAP’s Community Engagement and Development Director. “In order for community members to advocate for positive change, they must understand how our U.S. systems work and feel confident that they can be part of the change they want to see in the world.”

To this end, the organization works with the immigrant community to promote active community engagement, through skills building and leadership development training, so that immigrants can advocate for “changes that contribute to more inclusive and equitable systems,” says Sherman Perez.

What does this look like in practice? Take the recent passage of SB87, the Agricultural Workers’ Rights bill, which was signed into Colorado state law in 2021. HAP worked alongside immigrant and migrant workers to advocate for the bill, which improves living and labor conditions for agricultural and range workers across the state. It also ensures that they will be, for the first time, included in state minimum wage provisions.

Successes like this are the product of a long

journey, and HAP knows that the foundation of civic engagement rests on equitable access to resources and services. These can include everything from drivers’ licenses to United States citizenship, both of which HAP helps community members apply for. Once people have their essential needs met, the organization continues its support with outreach and education programs designed to raise awareness about important issues that impact the community.

HAP also understands that integration is a twoway street. The key here is to “bring together immigrant and U.S.-born communities in ways that break down barriers and fear and foster a sense of belonging and community,” says Sherman Perez. She encourages people to be an ally to the community by showing up for events and taking action on issues that impact immigrants and refugees. Executive Director Ricardo Perez echoes this sentiment.

“There are so many actions that diverse and welcoming communities can take to make sure they are being inclusive to people from all walks of life,” says Perez. It can be as simple as reaching out to a neighbor, getting to know them and their story, and creating a personal connection. Remember your own story too, says Perez, noting that almost everyone can trace their roots back to immigrant ancestors. He also encourages organizations to reflect on their values and consider how they can be more diverse and culturally responsive.

“Diversity is what makes our country the place it is,” says Perez. “And the smart thing to do is to embrace it and find ways to ensure we are being inclusive.”

The Hispanic Affairs Project is a non-profit that promotes and works to help immigrants integrate and advocates for immigrant rights

GET INVOLVED

Given HAP’s focus on change, rather than charity, volunteering looks a little different. While HAP does not have specific or regular volunteer opportunities, they do have activities and events from time to time that they need people for. Signing up to the HAP mailing list will ensure you find out about these opportunities as they arise. Other ways to help include donating, following HAP on social media, and by taking your own steps to engage with and/or advocate for your immigrant neighbors.

PARTNERS PALOOZA

Partners Mentoring is a nonprofit that aims to partner young people with adults who can mentor them with the goal of increasing self-esteem, improving academic performance, and building on social skills

WRITTEN BY WAYFINDER STAFF

Serving young kids and young adults aged between 6 -17, the Partners philosophy is to give young people positive role models, especially those that might not have those role models in their lives for various reasons. Having a mentor could expose the kids to positive experiences and opportunities they may not otherwise have.

Partners has served Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties for over 30 years, and in that time has helped thousands of young people. It is, however, a never ending mission, and so the good people at Partners are always looking to get the word out about what they do and recruit more mentors. To that end the organization is planning on having a recruitment drive and community festival this spring: Partners Palooza.

This fun and informative day will take place on May 7 at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater, and will consist of live music (Montrose resident and root stomping royalty Cousin Curtiss is confirmed with more to come) as well as other entertainment including a paintball course! There will also be food and drinks at the event! Best of all, it’s FREE!

While enjoying yourself, you can speak to the good people at Partners who will be on hand to answer any questions you might have as well as to sign people up for an orientation to be a mentor.

As for what a mentor does, we spoke to Mark Spindler who has been a mentor for the last five years.

“I first got involved with partners because my own children were making an exodus and I loved parenting and fatherhood. I also lost my son when he was very young and Partners offered me the opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of a young man who needed one,” Spindler says. “I also wanted to give back to my community. I was taught from an early age by my parents to get involved in the community you live in and to contribute.”

Spindler’s case, however, is not typical. “Five years is not the norm,” he says. “The requirement is one year, but my junior mentee and I hit it off so well that there was no question of it carrying on beyond that one-year commitment. We became friends off the bat, and it has been fun to see him grow into a young adult, especially recognizing how some of his behavior has been shaped by our time together.”

It is, however, very important to remember that

“

— MARK SPINDLER

being a mentor can be hard, and it is something that should be thoughtfully considered before making a commitment. “The kids and their individual situations are often emotionally charged - it’s why many of them are in the program to begin with,” Spindler says. “It can be heartbreaking to see these young kids go through some extreme hardships, and it’s emotionally taxing to see them in absolute distress, especially as your hands are often tied to a certain degree when it comes to what you can do because you are a mentor and not a parent, which is a very important distinction.”

Partners does a great job in providing skills workshops to help mentors through these situations and other difficult situations.

It is absolutely worth it, however, Spindler says. “I have had some very proud moments as a mentor,” he says. “I’ve been there when he has overcome hurdles and challenges and succeeded at things he never thought he could. Spindler also says he feels a certain amount of pride in being able to be there when he is perhaps needed most. “There are times when these kids’ lives are falling apart. They’re scared and would otherwise have nobody to turn to. It feels good to be able to help in those situations”

Currently Partners has 60 active partnerships and 30 on the waitlist for mentors, so head to the amphitheater on May 7 and see if being a mentor is right for you. You could profoundly change the life of a young person.

Partners-west.org

I’VE BEEN THERE WHEN HE HAS OVERCOME HURDLES AND CHALLENGES AND SUCCEEDED AT THINGS HE NEVER THOUGHT HE COULD.

IF THE SNOWSHOE

WRITTEN BY DANIEL PITTTMAN

Snow in the mountains doesn’t mean you can’t hike your favorite trails – in fact, this time of the year is the perfect time to explore some areas that get crowded in the summer, and snowshoeing is also a great way to get out in the snow without breaking the bank. Shoes can be rented from local ski shops or sporting goods stores (Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has sets that can be borrowed for free)

SNOWSHOE FITS

As for where to go, many county and Forest Service roads are not plowed in the winter and make for a fantastic day in the snow. Yankee Girl Mine, just south of Ouray, is beautiful and accessible. Park at the pullout for County Road 31 and strap on your snowshoes. Portions of the road are very narrow, with steep drop-offs, so be careful. And for those new to snowshoeing, proper snowshoeing etiquette means not stomping on cross-country ski tracks.

One of the first historic sites you’ll pass is the ghost town of Guston, where a few structures are still standing. As you approach the unmistakable headframe of the Yankee Girl Mine, don’t neglect the basin below you to the right – alongside the Million Dollar Highway are the remains of the Idarado Mine, whose tunnels extend over five miles west to the Pandora Mill near Telluride.

When you get to the headframe, which is in remarkably good condition, take a peek inside to see the hoist mechanism that lifted ore to the surface from over 1000 feet below.

WAYFINDER

Looking Forward

Happy Birthday … to us

The completion of this issue represents an entire year of Wayfinder (no mean feat if we do say so ourselves) and, as such, we are confident in saying that Wayfinder is here to stay. Inevitably, there have been a few teething problems, but nothing insurmountable (the fact you are reading this means they were in fact quite surmountable - which we discovered, while writing this, is actually a word).

We are planning a few changes and a slight revamp of some of the sections as well as a slightly different concept for the covers for year two, but the essence of Wayfinder magazine will stay the same, extoling the virtues of the Uncompahgre Valley.

One thing that has changed is the addition of a managing editor. An essential addition that will ensure the smooth and timely production of the magazine, the managing editor of any publication is the chief whip, making sure things are done on time and to the standard we hope you have come to expect from us.

Comments, thoughts, opinions, remarks, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to contact@ wayfindermagazines.com, and as always, if you’re interested in having the print version of Wayfinder mailed directly to your home or office, visit wayfindermagazines.com/subscribe