Go West: Telluride, Colorado
Telluride's small population and isolated positioning should not be deceiving of its history and rich culture. Driving into town, one passes Ralph Lauren's 30 miles of fence that protects his 17,000 acres. It is no wonder Lauren calls Telluride home, as it seems so much like his brand - chic, fresh, Western and classic — with a modern twist.
Standing in the American West scape reminds us humans that we are small specks in the Universe. Its vastness and canopy skies are breathtaking and leaves us in awe. Perhaps one of the West's greatest gems is Telluride, Colorado. Tucked in a box canyon surrounded by 13,000 - 14,000 foot peaks, the town is eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long and is completely walkable. Because of its significant role in the history of the American West, the core area of Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. If you can tolerate the altitude of Telluride, it is a memorable experience filled with scenic views, quaint coffee shops, top-notch yoga experiences and more.
Spurred by an Art History course in graduate school, 'Art of the Americas', I was interested in artifacts of the Ute tribe in Telluride (selected photos below). The Native American Ute tribe was the first to inhabit the Telluride valley and established their summer camps along the San Miguel River. Using tools made of wood and stone, they hunted elk, deer, and mountain sheep high in the San Juan Mountains. In winter, they migrated to the lowlands and the nearby red rock canyons of the desert for shelter and to harvest clay for their pottery wares. They also migrated down to the lowlands for dry ground, harvesting willow to make baskets. Naming the area, “The Valley of Hanging Waterfalls," the Ute way of life continued for centuries until Spanish explorers and fur trappers passed through in the late 1700s. Many of the Ute’s artifacts are on display in town and regional museums, such as the Telluride Historical Museum.
“In the beginning there was nothing but the blue sky, clouds, sunshine, and rain.”
My personal experience in Telluride was timely as the first day was a landscape of fall, firey Aspens and by day two, a quiet snow had fallen. The town's Gondola was the perfect means to view the town and its stunning mountains from up above.
In town, the most quaint, lovely coffee shops are accessible: Coffee Cowboy offers an array of hot and cold brews, some named for Western icons like Annie Oakley and Butch Cassidy. Having been open for almost thirty years, many local characters seem to call this spot home for morning and/or afternoon coffees. Butcher and the Baker is a personal favorite, if one is looking for locally sourced produce, handmade breads and fresh sandwiches. They also offer many dairy-free options including their house-made ‘famous’ almond cashew milk.
I personally skipped the slopes for warm, cozy yoga studios and walkable, in town experiences. Practice Telluride is a stunning, light filled space offering classes of many styles and variations. Their yin class is a great option if the altitude is harsh on your body and you simply need to gently move and breathe. Also try and track down private instructor Hollie Sue Mann, former owner of Practice Telluride. She is a guru and her life lessons are as significant as her instructed movement. Telluride Music offers new, used and vintage instruments and their shop is filled with treasures, such as 1940 Gibsons and 2000 Danelectro Convertible in Blue Sparkle. Their staff is warm and educational and their instagram is engaging and wildly creative! My first love is books and there is no shortage of reads to purchase for your trip home at Between the Covers Bookstore and Bruno Cafe, which offers great classics, gems by regional authors as well as a nice selection of American contemporary lit and poetry. In the back is the coziest of cozy spots to grab a coffee, read and just be.
Telluride’s landscape is painterly and the historic mining town is a quintessential gem of well preserved Victorian architecture now converted to galleries, shops and dining. Though a little harder to get to and a little harder to adapt to the high altitude, it’s truly a place, as many say, “you can dance with the moon, ride the clouds and get lost in your daydreams.”
