Durango Area Tourism Office

Choo Choo with the blues… it was no ordinary ride on the scenic steam train and I missed it. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge train pulled out of the rail yard last Saturday as the “Durango Blues Train” for an evening of Blues on the Rails. The Telluride Blues and Brews Festival transformed the scenic train ride into a live blues venue for 7 bands and acts. My friends Jim and Daryl who are regulars for live blues performances in downtown Durango happily took my place and enjoyed telling me the fun I missed. They roamed/danced between the vintage cars, enjoying local microbrews, food and awesome music. Both raved about the quantity and quality of artists they were able to enjoy in a short span of time. When I the heard the late night train whistle echo through the valley on its return trip, I thought it added an extra note. Their “thanks for a fantastic evening” text also reminded me to buy tickets (and be on board) for next year’s Blues Train and also for the Blues & Brews Festival.

I grew up in Minnesota, tapas weren’t part of our culinary “hotdish” vocabulary. Being a curious foodie, I have sampled tapas on various menus, however this evening I experienced tapas. Invited to Seasons Rotisserie and Grille with my favorite dinner companions (my children and their grandma) I was properly introduced to something that soothed my culinary passion:  Tapas.  Before rushing out the door, I logged on the internet for a brief introduction to tapas and was intrigued by the delightful promise of this small-portioned cuisine that also claimed to encourage conversation (I am a mother of teenagers, need I say more about conversation?). Seated at the intimate kitchen bar reserved for single seating tapas menu, our server Chloe enticed us with her description of fresh local radishes, harvested less than an hour ago, paired with smoked sea salt and anchovy butter. For a moment our budding conversation ceased as we sampled the crunchy, salty, buttery first course. I eavesdropped as the chefs chatted over the bar about the local lamb cuts and tempted us with a flat of plump ripe figs perched out of reach  behind the glass.  Next item was house pancetta wrapped fresh figs served with a slice of blue cheese and walnuts. Again silence as we savored each bite and pondered how to eat a whole sun-ripened fig that threatens to burst with juice at first bite?  The chefs chopped, sliced, and seared on their side of the kitchen bar and kept us entertained with their precise technique and casual conversation as if they were unaware of the bustling restaurant.. Local Foxfire lamb tartare, topped with Foxfire egg yolk and served house-made poppyseed crackers. I was in love with tapas and intrigued with the sensual descriptions as we received each course. Fried baby artichokes with spicy dipping sauce; James Ranch Andala and Belford cheese with Mondo Vecchio porcini salami and sopresata.  Our senses feasted on each dish and we laughed and chatted about things from grades to politics to lost loves. More than a sampling of hand-sized cuisine, my first true tapas experience at Seasons was a satisfying culinary pageant of exquisitely prepared, fresh local cuisine, filling as a meal and at the heart of good conversation. At the moment it’s a bit of a secret, however now that you are in-the-know you can make a reservation to enjoy Season’s tapas.

I recently returned home to Durango from 8 days in a “Big City” visiting family. What a relief!  I sat in stagnant traffic often and observed a lot of what I interpreted as anxiety and frustration among the masses. With no disrespect to our nation’s “Big Cities”, our quality of life and pace of living here in Southwest Colorado is, I feel, so much healthier. Since moving here over a year ago, I have come to find I get just as much done as I did before but enjoy the process more. That means taking more time stopping to taste the coffee, smell the roses and really, really take in the beauty that surrounds us. Here at Sorrel Sky Gallery it is such a treat to watch our guests move slowly thru the gallery. I believe the environment of an art gallery promotes a slower approach to enjoying the surroundings but I also believe that Durango itself sets the pace for the people who live here and those who visit.  After 8 days away and an exhausting flight I couldn’t help but feel so lucky to be back to Sorrel Sky Gallery and to call Durango home!

Kay Ford
Marketing Director
Sorrel Sky Gallery

Art for the pure enjoyment of art is often why a person purchases a particular piece from Sorrel Sky Gallery.  Then there are times when art serves a specific purpose.  The oil paintings of local artist Sharon Abshagen transport the viewer away to the mountains and valleys, rivers and Aspen groves of our region.   A physician from the East Coast visited Sorrel Sky Gallery over the weekend and selected a wonderful piece by Sharon for just that purpose; to transport his patients to another place far away.  For many patients, art in the waiting or exam room can often lend a peaceful dimension to a stressful environment.  We are honored to know that a vision of Durango’s surrounding majestic landscape will serve such a comforting purpose. Kay Ford, Marketing Director, Sorrel Sky Gallery

Watching the wonderful annual fireworks display here in Durango on the evening of the 4th of July was like watching a temporary piece of art created with each explosion.  I longed for some of the colorful combinations to remain “painted” on the night sky.   How fortunate we are in Durango to be blessed with so many wonderful ongoing displays of color and light and movement in the works of art featured in our many galleries.  Each new workweek I walk into Sorrel Sky Gallery I am greeted with a new splash of color with our ever changing art presentation.   Changing out, rehanging and relocating our art and artists brings new life, energy and interest to the gallery.  Consider following suit in your own home…art need not be stagnant to be enjoyed.  Switch things out; shake it up a bit and enjoy a fresh new “explosion” of color frequently.  In the meantime, enjoy the fresh new look of Sorrel Sky Gallery with each visit!  Kay Ford, Marketing Director, Sorrel Sky Gallery

Finally a little bit of some cooler weather today in gorgeous Durango, Co. All I
can say as that this heat wave is making me jealous that I am working instead of
relaxing in the refreshing Animas River. I know it is still a little to early to be
inner tubbing, but I need to go rafting hopefully once this weekend. It is so
great to see all the different rafting companies doing such a great job making
sure their passengers have a one of a kind experience. Keep it going Mild to
Wild, Mountain Waters, Durango River Tripppers, Outlaw Tours and Durango
Rafting Company for all your hard work to making our Animas River adored by
everyone willing to take the trek down river! Especially since it is already Animas
River Days which is one of my favorite activities to do enjoy in the summer! I
mean who does not love going down to a spot where you can over look the river
and see all the smiling faces having such a great time. There is so much to be
entertained by from a river parade to face painting to an art show making sure
there is activities for all ages. Cannot wait to head down to the the Doubletree
hotel and sit outside the Animas River Cafe to watch as the festivities
begin!

Today was a day that I am beyond content to live in a Colorado, mountain town such as my Durango. I went for a bike ride along the Animas River Trail with my boyfriend from my house to enjoy the new, seasonal menu from East by Southwest for lunch. There was an array of new items to choose from that blew my taste palette….never had tried sushi with bacon and let me tell you it was quite the experience! We decided to exercise a little lunch off by walking around the historic downtown. To my surprise there was all kinds of new stuff going on. Cosmopolitan had now opened even more of their rooftop deck (made me think it would be fun to throw a little party up there) and Blu Boutique has moved shop on to Main Ave. I was able to peek inside the new space and I feel like its going to add some new glamour to downtown. With summer now in swing, I was dazed by how time had flown since the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is almost here. My best friend has been training for the past four months to check this event off her bucket list. I cannot wait to cheer her on both at the starting line and with a Ska True Blonde in hand for her in Silverton. GO RACERS!!

The quintessential Colorado vacation: Mesa Verde, cool mountain lakes, historic downtown Durango, the steam train, rafting the Animas River—so much to do and see on a mountain vacation. Just outside my back door are miles of Durango bike trails that I plan to explore with my family. While waiting for my new mountain bike to arrive I checked out Trails 2000 for local bike trails and maps in town and around the San Juan National Forest.  I could use a tour guide as I am usually found on horseback somewhere in La Plata County! Get out, enjoy the bright blue skies—if you see my kids out discovering the hiking trails please tell them to wear their bike helmets!

No one sends me emails with the joke of the day or angel wishes that I am required to forward to 10 friends and then something good will happen in 10 minutes. Instead, my friends email me weekly Durango dining specials….  From me to you, here are my favorites for the month of January. If you find your own favorite, please let me know. Bon appétit.

Cyprus Café: Tapas menu on M-Th nights from 5pm -6pm.  It’s a great value.  $10 choose 3 tapas/wine from the menu.  Guests on the mailing list get 2-4-1 specials.

Oh Fudge!  Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Buy 1 lb Fudge and get a free Plain Caramel Apple

Edgewater Grille at the Doubletree Hotel

Family Night:  Every Sunday from 5p-10p; a 3 course meal for $15 and children 6 and under eat free.  Plat du jour: Monday through Saturday a featured 3-course meal ranging from $19-$25.

Friday Night Seafood Buffet at the Sky Ute Casino. Dine on crab legs, a variety of seafood dishes (chicken and beef too), side dishes, a fresh salad bar, homemade soups, I LOVE THIS: a kid’s only buffet, and desserts!