Episode 11: Double Shot Cyclery

Sorry for the hiatus, y’all! I’ve been super busy opening residence halls and welcoming new students to campus. Who knew that welcoming students to college was so difficult? It’s long days and lots of work, but holy cow, have I loved every second of it!

I took the morning off because I just craved some coffee and conversation. And three hours of coffee and conversation was just what I needed.

Y’all know that I’m obsessed with creating spaces for people to feel safe and comfortable and warm, which is why I love coffee shops. I also love creating spaces in which dialogue can occur and deep, meaningful conversations happen. So that’s exactly what I did. I grabbed my dear friend and hit up Double Shot for a while.

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Allow me to introduce you to someone I love. Brooke Christopherson is a beautiful soul with an unmatched energy. Brooke has a smile as bright as the sun. She is intelligent, bright and positive, funny and has a heart of pure gold. She has this incredible story and I am so grateful to be part of it.

I met Brooke this summer while working on campus as an intern. She was working as an Orientation Coordinator and was planning all aspects of the new student orientation experience. Being a former Orientation Leader, I connected with what she was doing and I connected with her energy immediately and I knew I needed to be friends with her.

After a long orientation and welcome week we both needed to get off campus, and being the coffee-obsessed humans that we both are, agreed on a coffee date.

Brooke and I shared three hours of deep, meaningful conversation and multiple cups of coffee.

We shared our stories, talked about college and graduate school and dreamed up our futures. We talked about our passions for travel and adventure. We spoke about Brooke’s gap year and volunteering abroad and how I found myself here in Gunnison.

We spent a long time talking about sense of space and feeling connected to our community, where we live and our fit into that place. We both consider Gunnison home for wildly different reasons but it’s the commonality in that that brings people together. That is just how Gunnison works. It’s magical.

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Since moving to Gunnison, I have met so many incredible people with so many amazing stories. I have gotten deep with my staff, students and friends like Brooke. I love that Gunnison is a place in which dialogue and “deep talks” can be created. I love Brooke and I love my team. I love coffee and the abundance of shops in the Valley. I love the energy and the vibe surrounding this beautiful community.

Thank you Brooke for chatting this morning and for always being a ray of sunshine. I can’t wait for our next coffee date – I’m sure there will be many more this year. Love ya, sister!

Find your peace, y’all. Follow the sun!

-JD

“So follow, follow the sun, the direction of the bird, the direction of love” – Xavier Rudd

 

Episode 10: Midland Stop, etc.

Hello and happy Saturday!

It’s my first day off in three weeks which means I have a lot to be excited about! I slept in until 8:15 this morning and then packed a bag and drove from Gunnison to Buena Vista…just for coffee and gelato. Yes, I did in fact drive an hour and a half just to get coffee and gelato. I know…I may be slightly crazy.

I haven’t done nearly as much exploring as I have wanted to this summer, and since it’s my day off and raining I decided on coffee instead of a hike.

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I arrive at Midland Stop around 11:15am. Ain’t No Man by the Avett Brothers is playing as I walk in and I am blown away because it was just playing in my car too. I walk over to a high top table in the corner by the window, set down my bag and go to the counter.

Both baristas look pretty young, but are very energetic and offer great customer experience. The young man that took my order was incredibly friendly. It was refreshing. Whenever I go into new places and there are young employees that are great at their job and have strong work ethic I get so excited about the future because sometimes working with college students I don’t get the best attitudes and behaviors.

I order a medium drip coffee and a small mint chip gelato for a total of just over five bucks! Woohoo!

There are only two people in the small shop when I arrive. They occupy the bench along the wall and have resumes and cover letters scattered in front of them. I hear them talk about job application processes, edits that can be made to each item, and a new job opportunity in Leadville.

Two guys walk in and post up at the bar along the window. They are soon joined by a young woman. They all pull out computers and cameras. It looks from my seat like they are uploading and editing photo and video content. I wonder what they’re working on. Maybe they run a blog too?!

A cute family walks in, goes up to the counter, places their order and take their drinks to go. I am suddenly reminded of Northern Michigan. Buena Vista gives off the same touristy vibe of the area that I grew up in. There are lots of adventurers donning Patagonia apparel, Chacos, and driving Jeeps or Subarus. I kinda like this small town. There seems to be a lot going on.

The man and woman in the corner are still mulling over application materials and continue talking about jobs. A woman walks in by herself and sits at the single table right next to the bar along the window. She pulls out a computer and a notebook and works without distraction.

A young mother now comes in and takes the corner bench as resume guy and gal get up to leave.

Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root plays on the radio and a guy with a manbun and a dog walk past the window next to me.

It’s been just over an hour, I’ve finished both my gelato and my coffee and am now ready for lunch. There is a restaurant right across the street so I decide to give it a try. I pack up, buy a scone and a sticker as I leave, and walk across the street to the Eddyline where I order a spinach salad and an IPA.

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Buena Vista is Spanish for beautiful view and I can’t help but acknowledge the fact that everything I’ve seen today has been beautiful. I love the rain. I love the mountains. I love the BV downtown district. I love the service I received at Midland Stop. I love the river running through town. I love all of these people – beautiful, young, adventurers, each with their own story. I am happy to have a day off. I needed this.

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After lunch, I head to another coffee shop that I’ve been dying to try – they have shops in both BV and Salida.

My favorite stuffed animal as a child was named Brown Dog, so when I first heard of Brown Dog Coffee Company I knew I’d love it. I stopped in and immediately fell in love. Everything about this cute little shop screamed Joel. It was so very me. I order a large dark roast to go and pick up a sticker from here as well. I take my coffee for the road, knowing that it’s a foggy and gray drive up the mountain on my way home and the warmth of a good coffee will help get me through.

Wow! I didn’t realize how exhausted I was and how badly I needed this break until I got it. I’m so glad I took the day to focus on and reconnect with myself.

This is episode ten of The Flannelogues!

-JD

Episode 9: Double Shot Cyclery

After working all morning I needed a boost, and Hope, the other new RD was posted up at Double Shot Cyclery so I decided to join her. I arrive around 1:45pm.

She was already in the booth by the window at the corner of the shop. Perfect! My favorite seat! 

I order a cold brew from my favorite barista in town – I should know his name, but sadly I don’t…time to step up my game – and join Hope at our booth.

The music playing today is on fire. I’m not sure if it is a playlist, Pandora, Spotify, or someone’s music library, but I am dancing from the moment I sit down – Hope is going to learn quickly how weird I am.

We are the only people here for a few minutes. Then a middle aged couple comes in, sits down and drinks their coffees. They ask the barista about places to ski in the area, and how far we are from Crested Butte. A young woman walks in, orders an iced latte of some sort and takes it to go.

A few more people come in and order coffees to go, and then finally a young family comes in – a young couple with a double stroller and two young children, cutteee! The little boys ask what their parents are drinking and are calling the iced coffee drinks shakes. I can’t contain myself – cuteness overload. The younger of the two boys starts whining and they all get up to leave.

A police officer in uniform walks in and heads straight to the back where they work on bikes. He’s back there for a while. He walks out as I am taking a photo for this post, and we make awkward eye contact so I have to acknowledge him. I say “Hey pal, how’s it going?” at the same time that he does – great now he thinks I’m weird too. Oh well!

Hope and I are left alone again. A Leon Bridges song plays overhead and I dance along. We both start dancing to Believer by Imagine Dragons as it comes on next. I don’t actually know this song, but Hope asks me if I can sing the “wooooo” part…I say no. We both laugh because I don’t know what’s happening.

We both listen to the music and sing along since we’re the only people here. No shame! Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked plays and we’re both jamming out.

A few more people walk in and peruse the bike gear along the wall and chat with the barista about it. Another young couple walks in behind them and order coffees and a chocolate chip cookie.

A long while goes by with no action at all at the cyclery, so I guess this concludes episode nine of The Flannelogues.

-JD

Episode 7: Burnell’s Farmhouse Eatery

I’m not at a coffee shop today…but I am writing anyway. A new local business opened and I just had to try it out. I am a huge fan of food trucks so when one came to town, I was thrilled.

Burnell’s Farmhouse Eatery was perfect for brunch this morning. I mean, really, what beats a food truck offering outdoor seating and fresh local ingredients? Only a coffee shop can beat this!

I perused the menu and settled on something called Sweet Potato Sunshine. It was seriously heaven. If you’re looking for a great breakfast bowl, this is one you have to try!

A bed of fresh lettuce, sliced sweet potatoes and black beans, topped with green chile – yummmmm! Try it with eggs too!

For only being open for two weeks, there was quite the crowd when I arrived. Two older couples with dogs shared the large table against the back fence. A couple with two young children sat at the table in front of them, closest to the truck. A few others meandered in as I ate.

I couldn’t stay very long, so I didn’t bring anything to work on or intend on writing about this, but it was too cool not to share with you all. They didn’t have specialty coffee but it was local, so I settled for a cup anyway.

I look forward to coming back and trying other items on their menu and bringing friends with me next time.

This is episode seven of The Flannelogues.

-JD

 

Episode 6: Milagros Coffee House

Tanner, Marissa, and I hit the road, drove to Alamosa, and spent the day out of town. It feels good to get away every once in a while.

I liked Alamosa more and more as we wandered the city. It is a quaint little town with historic buildings, an old downtown district, and a lot of character. It gives off an inner city vibe, but we are nowhere near a large city – I like it. It’s fascinating that there are so many homeless people here…not the case in Gunnison. I feel a draw to this little place, a need to help, a vision for a community that is rich and vibrant – or once was anyway.

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We started our day at Marissa’s house. Her mom had prepared us lunch – huge shout out for the hospitality and for the handmade coffee mug! After being welcomed into this beautiful home, sharing lunch and meaningful conversation, we decided to check out the local scene. With Marissa as our tour guide, me in full-on tourist mode and Tanner as our trusty sidekick, we hit the streets of downtown with no plan in mind.

We stopped at The Roast, a local coffee shop that shares space with the San Luis Brewing Company. Unfortunately they were just closing so we couldn’t stay…another visit and another blog post will be in store because I absolutely have to go back here. It’s so cute!

Instead we jumped across the street and perused the little bookstore. I finally have friends who are readers! We all talked books, shared some of our favorites, and then walked down to Milagros Coffee House, where we now sit so I could write this post.

I was curious what Milagros meant, but being in a city rich with Latino culture, I knew it was a Spanish word. I googled it and found this. I love that it is a religious folk charm, and that it translates to miracle or surprise. It fits the vibe that the shop gives off.

It’s quiet here. There are quite a few people but none of them talk. They’re all working on things individually. There are two girls sitting by themselves at tables along the window. One man sits alone by the front door. A young man on the couch has headphones in and appears to be watching a movie on his laptop. Behind him are the only two people in the cafe sitting at the same table. They both have plates in front of them, but I can’t tell what they’re eating.

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The three of us sit in the back corner at the most wobbly table I think I’ve ever sat at – Thanks T and M for resting your elbows on the table so I can type this. A Mumford and Sons song is playing on the radio and I am at ease. The atmosphere surrounding this shop is lighthearted and peaceful. Their WiFi password is loveothers. If that doesn’t paint you a picture of the vibe that this place gives off, look at the pictures below. It’s very spiritual and uplifting and positive. The shop is owned and operated by a local nonprofit that helps feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and give back to the community.

Taylor Swift’s Trouble is now playing and Tanner and Marissa ignore me as I sing along. They’re both on their phones, as I type this. Shame on me for dragging them here just so I can write a blog post, right? Nahhhhhh!

I look at the empty table next to us and I find out that Milagros hosts a trivia night on Wednesdays. I am becoming a big fan of trivia. Bar trivia is something I look forward to every Tuesday in Gunnison, but coffee shop trivia is definitely something I can get on board with – I will keep this in mind for my future shop.

The two across the shop from us that were eating get up and leave and they struggle with the door as they walk out. It’s a push, y’all…doors are hard sometimes.

Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner plays and I laugh as Tanner and Marissa argue about something next to me. The two of them are so competitive and this song is defining our relationship right now. As the only noncompetitive one in the group I am often the mediator of conflicts and games. It’s all in good fun, though!

One of the ladies by the window gets up and leaves. I never seem to pick a time to write when the coffee shop is busy. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not.

Marissa is now telling Tanner how girls in coffee shops are better than girls in the gym. She points out the girl sitting by the window. She’s an athlete and a bookworm. She sits at the coffee shop alone and does her work meaning that she is dedicated and focused. I am beginning to realize how much Marissa picks up on cues that people give her. Being the daughter of counselors, she’s really good at reading people. Tanner laughs at this and goes back to his phone.

The barista draws the blinds as the late afternoon sun shines in on us. He wipes the empty tables around us as Marry Me by Train plays on the radio. The late afternoon settles in around us and I feel very comfortable here in this moment, with this company. I’m thankful that I have these great friends, and the ability to escape campus and work for a day. I am excited to continue exploring Colorado and the local coffee shops here. Alamosa, I’ll be back!

Way Down We Go by Kaleo is now playing on the radio. This is one of my favorite songs. Yessss! Tanner and Marissa are playing Would You Rather next to me and I am laughing at some of their scenarios..aka…”would you rather eat crab legs every day for the rest of your life or wake up and take a shot of tequila every day for the rest of your life”. I think we’ve been here for too long…they’re starting to get restless.

I wrap up this post as Move Your Body by Sia plays. It is fitting that this song is my exit song because everyone knows how much I adore Sia!

This is episode six of The Flannelogues.

-JD

Episode 5: T-bar Tea House

I have the afternoon off so I decided today was a great day to post up and get some more blogging done. I drove to Crested Butte and arrived at T-bar around 4pm – is this considered tea time?

 

I ordered a peach apricot iced tea and sat along the wall, my back to an old french door that no longer opens and just adds aesthetic to the shop.

The only people here are a set of two kids to my right, sitting by the window, and a middle aged man two tables to the left of me drinking a smoothie. Soft music with no words is playing and I am quickly enamored with this small storefront – a quiet and quaint place to get work done.

A few moments pass and the barista – is that what you call someone brewing tea? is it the same as coffee? – brings out my drink. Shortly after both kids and man leave and I am alone with my tea, the soft music, and the spin of the ceiling fan above me.

Well, I guess I won’t be writing much about conversation today…

A man walks in and has no clue what to order. If you’re not familiar with tea, it can be a little daunting looking at this menu. The young man behind the counter helps him settle on something of interest and hooks him up with his drink.

A group of four walk in the door and each of the girls orders a mint kombucha to go. The boy doesn’t order anything and instead sits down and stares at his phone. I think I want to grab a kombucha to go before I leave; that sounds so good!

I ask them what they think of it, and they unanimously respond that I need to order one. My mind is made up.

They leave, and I am alone again.

I hang out for a bit but no one else enters the store while I am there. I pack up and go to Third Bowl for ice cream before heading back to Gunnison.

Sometimes a quick trip out of town and a pit-stop for tea is all you need to recharge.

This is episode five of The Flannelogues.

-JD

Episode 4: Crested Butte Coffee Tour

This was my second day off this summer and I needed to get away for a while, to escape from work and life for a bit. Crested Butte is the perfect place to escape. I have fallen madly in love with this cute little mountain town. For being so incredibly tiny, it is packed with things to do. I can’t believe how many places I can grab a cup of coffee – I thought about starting my coffee shop here, but unfortunately, the market seems to be saturated, so maybe not.

I headed up from Gunnison around 11am and arrived right around 11:30. The first thing I did was stop at The Guild Cafe, a shop I have been dying to try out and haven’t yet visited, that is home to First Ascent Coffee Roasters and Mountain Oven.

I walked up to the counter, ordered a trail mix muffin, and a coffee – It was called something strange, I believe it was steampunk? – and sat at the four-top by the window. I spread my stuff out in front of me and did some work…now you may be thinking It’s your day off and you’re absolutely right. It wasn’t work-work but work, nonetheless. I will probably explain at a later date what it is that I am working on.

I was the only person in the coffee shop – this is becoming a trend – other than employees and the bean grinder is too loud to overhear much of what they’re saying. Too bad, but probably a good thing since I need to focus on the work that I am doing.

After an hour and a half at The Guild, I decided to move to the library, so I packed up and walked across town. I thought the Beulah library was small, but the Crested Butte library is tiny. I sat in this fun little nook in the wall, but I am too big for it so I had to move after a few moments.

I think I like libraries and bookstores almost as much as I like coffee shops. When I left the library I grabbed lunch at Camp 4 Coffee.

I ordered a peach smoothie and a veggie & cheese burrito and chatted with the baristas about the Alt-J song on the radio, then headed outside to the patio. I chose a red wooden chair under a red umbrella. Two guys slightly older than me walked in in front of me and chose the seats across from me outside. They sat for maybe five minutes and left. The only other people on the patio was a group of three older women who were gossiping about the Tony’s and dream vacation destinations. I finished my lunch, and decided it was time to post up and do some reading.

I walk down the street to Rumors Coffee & Tea and Townie Books. This place is the definition of cute, local, independent bookstore and coffee shop.

I walked in and sat down at the table closest to the counter. This is the busiest of the coffee shops I’ve been in today. There is a guy about my age sitting at the table directly in front of me, headphones in, work sprawled in front of him. Across from him sits a couple who are poring over a local magazine and discussing vegan restaurants and cuisine. At the table closest to the window by the front door is a few young girls who stare at phone screens and chat quietly to one another. A middle-aged couple walk in with a dog and then the husband walks back out with the dog as he tells his wife his coffee order.

After they leave, I order a raspberry cream soda and sit back down with my book.

Three coffee shops down and I still feel like there is so much of Crested Butte to see. My next stops will have to be the few cafes and galleries that serve coffee, the chocolate shop for some ice cream or fudge, and obviously restaurants. Again, I can’t believe the local foodie scene! There’s so many options!

On my way back to my car, I notice that it’s happy hour at the Eldo Brewery so I walk in, order the IPA and go to the patio. There are two others on the patio, a couple just finishing their drinks. They leave and I am alone with my beer, the sunshine, and the mountain view. Ahhhhh! Life is too good.

The thing that I love about spending the summer in a new place, is that it allows me to experience things that I may not get to do again for a long long time. I don’t care that I spend money at three coffee shops and a brewery on my day off, because I am buying a positive experience, one that I will carry with me for a long time. I value these experiences and I can’t wait to keep trying the local favorites.

Today is also my one month Gunniversary – yes, I made that up – so why not celebrate? I can’t believe I’ve been living in Gunnison for a month already! Colorado already feels like home.

Cheers to a great summer filled with coffee, beer, sunshine, mountains, water, and adventure!

This is episode four of #TheFlannelogues.

-JD