Auto + Marine

A Van Built for the Journey

Adventure-Ready Comfort, Built for the Wild Roads Ahead Article by Gavin McCalden | Photography by Rob Gowler Based in Durango, Colorado, Van Lab is redefining what it means to travel in comfort, style, and rugged functionality. Their latest custom build—crafted on the ultra-capable Ford Transit Trail platform—comes with an additional 2-inch lift and suspension upgrade by VanCompass and is ready to tackle everything from winding mountain roads to desert trails. Outside, this rig is equipped...

Travel

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Two International Tour Guides Emphasize Outdoor Experiences to Cultivate Traveler Transformation Article by Jennifer Mason Roar! Smash! Whoosh! Just like that—the tornado snatches Dorothy and transports her to the land of Oz. She’s lost. She doesn’t know anyone. Everything and everyone she encounters are equal parts unfamiliar and dazzling. She’s exhilarated and discombobulated, and all she wants to do is go home. In many ways, Dorothy’s adventure in Oz is the perfect simulacrum of...

Life + Culture

Strings & Streams

The Storyteller’s Path of Thom Chacon Article by Denise Leslie | Photography by Courtesy of Thom Chacon In the rugged high country of Durango, Colorado, singer-songwriter Thom Chacon moves between two rhythms: the quiet pull of a fly line over water and the steady strum of his guitar. Both have become storytelling tools—one reflecting the pace of nature, the other the pulse of human experience. Born in Chula Vista, California, near the border with Tijuana, Chacon grew up surrounded by voices...

Sports + Recreation

A Rapid Row-mance

Alpacka Raft Celebrates 25 Years of River-lutionary Packraft Design Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Steve Fassbinder Car keys. An allowance. A later curfew. These are the typical requests young people make of their parents. Thor Tingey, however, asked his mother, Sheri, to make him a boat capable of withstanding the feral thrashing of an Alaskan river. There’s only one reason why a young man demands the impossible or seeks the improbable: love. Thor had fallen head-over-heels in...

Sports + Recreation

Two-wheeled Freedom: Summer 2025

Durango’s own 2nd Ave Sports provides expert insights for go-to gear this summer Article by Ahdon Ridenour | Photography by Andy Wingerd   2nd Ave Sports has a reputation for supplying Durango with the best brands for everyone from the bike-curious to the cycling evangelist. As trends and technology shift, it takes an expert to stay in gear and on top of new terrain. Your LBS (Local Bike Shop) 2nd Ave Sports has the gear to fit your needs, and an experienced team to make sure it fits well.  ...

Arts + Culture

Chisel, Bling, Strum, Giggle

Four Artists Reveal How, Through Creativity, They Heal Hearts, Time-Travel, Slake Passion, and Find Meaning Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Andy Wingerd Some people know they are artists from a young age. For others, art arrives like a rescue rope dropped into the dark pit where they've been trapped. Regardless of how it emerged, creative expression enabled these innovators to share morsels of magic—one creation, one note, one laugh at a time. Mike Jordan Therapeutic Improv...

Local Services

Spirit Forging

Ben Nighthorse Campbell Reveals How to Craft a Singular, Extraordinary Existence by Merging Many Arts—Jewelry, Judo, and Service Article by Jennifer Mason | Photography by Sorrel Sky Gallery Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s jewelry is not merely pretty—it’s hypnotic. It doesn’t just gleam; it radiates life. Rather than a composition of metals, the medium of his craft seems composed of actual starlight, tapped directly from the source. Inlaid into this silvery syrup are not just gemstones, shells...

Food + Beverage

Jamin' with Bacon

from Chef Walker at Eolus Bar & Dining Article by Denise Leslie | Photography by Eolus Bar and Dining Get ready to meet your new obsession: Bacon Jam—smoky, sweet, tangy, and totally irresistible. This flavor-packed spread is courtesy  of Chef Benjamin Walker at Eolus Bar & Dining in Downtown Durango , and it's here to transform your burgers, grilled cheese, charcuterie boards, and BLTs into something legendary. What You’ll Need: 3 cups diced, house-made bacon (store-bought works, but...

Professional Services

Durango Barbers

Get a fresh cut and travel back in time Article by Kalista Peña | Photography by Andy Wingerd Joe Damonte, the owner of Durango Barbers, was a chef for 35 years before stumbling upon barbering. He catered major events like Super Bowl XXX and taught culinary classes through Colorado Mountain College.  After selling his restaurant, Damonte attended Emily Griffith College and earned his barbering license. The first barbershop he cut at was the Gentleman’s Barber Shop in Frisco, CO. He found that...

Event Planning + Services

Tips to Avoid Wedding Day Regret

A seasoned wedding planner’s guide to creating a day that reflects your love—without stress, pressure, or regrets. Article by Brittney Ahrens | Photography by Andy Wingerd As a local wedding planner with over 17 years of experience, my goal is to help couples create a wedding day they’ll cherish—without regrets. A wedding is more than a celebration; it’s a deeply personal tradition, a gathering of loved ones to witness and honor your commitment. Planning such a significant event can be...