Driving through Southwest Colorado is a truly magical experience. The place where mountains meet desert feels especially striking, and during my three-day visit, I saw and experienced so much. I quickly began to fall in love with a region that was entirely new to me. The regional team made this journey in late October for Fellow one-on-one meetings with council members, among other activities, and the trip was both energizing and eye-opening.
Our one-on-one meetings began in Pagosa Springs. Before our first meeting, my 2nd Year Fellow, Elizabeth Gumper, and I took a walk along the river. The mineral smell in the air, combined with the steam rising from the geothermal pools, felt almost otherworldly. We jokingly suggested that perhaps we should hold our meeting at the hot springs instead of a local restaurant. While that didn’t happen, we weren’t disappointed—the restaurant served one of the best club sandwiches I’ve ever had.
From Pagosa Springs, we traveled on to Cortez, where we visited the Montezuma Heritage Museum. The museum truly sets the gold standard for small-town museums. Its recently renovated facilities and exhibits felt cohesive, intentional, and thoughtfully curated. My favorite exhibit examined the role of women during pioneer days, and I learned a great deal about how much their labor contributed to daily survival in those days of the early U.S. Touring the museum with our council member from Cortez made the experience even more meaningful, as he added local knowledge and personal context that brought the exhibits to life.
Day two began with a short drive to Silverton, where I was once again overwhelmed by the beauty of my surroundings. Autumn was still putting on a show—leaves in shades of red, gold, and orange lined the mountainsides—and Elizabeth and I couldn’t help but imagine what it might be like to live surrounded by that kind of majesty every day. Our one-on-one meeting was held in a community space that serves as both a gathering place and a resource hub for local residents. My time at El Pomar has exposed me to many different models of community support, and this space felt like a thoughtful and effective way to meet the needs of a rural town.
Later that day, we headed to Durango, where the remainder of our meetings were scheduled. We met with two council members, one over coffee and the other over lunch, which gave us the opportunity for deeper conversations in a relaxed setting. I was immediately taken with the atmosphere of downtown Durango. It felt Western and eclectic, while also being warm and welcoming. After wrapping up our meetings, Elizabeth and I popped into an antique mall, where we spent a joyful hour browsing, and I even found a few treasures to take home.
The third and final day included two more one-on-one meetings. The first was held at the Durango Diner, a community institution that has been serving up classic Americana for over 60 years. The second meeting took place over afternoon treats, where I tried grasshopper ice cream for the first time (mint and chocolate do, in fact, belong together).
This trip gave me a deeper appreciation for the Southwest region and the people who make it such a special place. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support this region throughout the rest of my Fellowship, and I look forward to returning soon.
