Voices of Western Colorado: Haven
HAVEN
Noun: A place of safety or refuge.
We Asked These Western Slope Locals to Weigh in on This Topic
STACIA WHITEHEAd — Owner of Wild West Balloon Adventures
“A haven is something created and is unique to every person. It’s more of a feeling than a physical place. My haven is ripping down a Rocky Mountain trail on my bike, locked into a complete feeling of concentration and flow. It’s the perfect snow that has just enough density to lift me up, so I feel weightless on top of my board, leaning into the turns, arms out, brushing the powder beside me. It’s my family laughing together and the escape of a great yoga class. A haven is necessary to thrive, to create, to live to your full potential.”
JEFF VIERLING — Founder and CEO of Tailwind Nutrition
“Haven — from höfn, havn,hæfen — a port or harbor (not always safe harbor). Here on the Western Slope, haven is where adventure and tranquility converge. Where beauty washes over us, where clarity of mind comes with physical effort, where we connect with those who have come before us and those who will come after. But, never without danger — ever-present and essential in a way it isn’t in more populous places. I feel lucky to be surrounded by havens, places to slow down, think and be grateful, recognizing that we all need access to havens in our lives.”
BILL GREENWOOd — Executive Chef of Greenwood’s
“As a teenage snowboarder in Georgia, I always aspired to live in the Rocky Mountains. So, I moved to Colorado to find my haven. Being an avid forager, I love to explore the bounty of this land. I’ve found a deep connection exploring the forest floor for wild greens in the spring, mushrooms and berries in the late summer. The beauty of this community and its local farmers offers a haven from the chaos of the world. It’s a space where I can experiment with traditional Western Colorado ingredients, incorporating old and new techniques with my past culinary influences.”