The Open Road

Exploring Colorado With Friends

The land that is now Rocky Mountain National Park sits on the ancestral homeland of several Indigenous communities including the Ute, Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, Apache, Comanche, and Cheyenne peoples. We honor the generations past, present, and future and their inextricable connection to the land.

 

Something about autumn is inherently reflective. The entire season is an invitation to slow down, gather, and savor. Between packed summer days and winter’s forced pause is a liminal space where adventure and ease walk hand in hand.

To honor fall’s arrival, we loaded up a 1983 Volkswagen Westfalia—affectionately named Deloris—with a few friends and a whole lot of Faherty. 

 

Destination? Each other. (By way of Colorado.)

Because let’s face it. If you want to rediscover yourself and those you love, there’s nothing like losing yourself on the open road. 

Who you journey with is just as important as where you go. We won the lottery with Ben, Angelica, and Skye, a family of three from NYC.

Angelica Nelson: Fashion Stylist

Ben Vescovi: Musician, Model, and Sociology Professor

Skye: Son & Aspiring Jazz Pianist 

We hope Ben’s travel log makes you feel like you’re right in the passenger seat. (Yes, you can have the aux.) 

 

 Day 1: Lyons

 

With the sun low in the sky, our adventure through the mountain roads of Colorado begins. I’m stoked to spend the next week tapping out of the day-to-day to tap back into ourselves,  connecting with nature, our family, and the people we meet along the way. Deloris’ wheels have seen many adventures, including a road trip to Patagonia and back more than a decade ago. 

Day 2: Estes Park

Our trip begins in Estes Park, a quaint town and river run at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park and one of many gateways into the best of Colorado. As the cool mountain air enters our lungs, we let go of to-dos and pause to take in the beauty around us.

 Day 3: Conifer

During a special stop, we visited our old friend and ongoing collaborator Doug Good Feather. Introducing our families and getting to see our kids — the next generation — connect felt transformative.  

Day 4: Left Hand Canyon

An unexpected detour down a dusty road brought us to a serene sunset and a trickling mountain stream. We couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty brought by every mile, filled with different cultures, ideas, beliefs, and history, reminding us to take a chance with the detours of life and explore beyond our understanding. I was reminded to hold on to my curiosity, to keep an open mind, and to see that our connection with people and nature are at the center of our humanity.

 

“I was reminded to hold on to my curiosity, to keep an open mind, and to see that our connection with people and nature are at the center of our humanity.” - Ben 

 

Day 5: MacGregor Ranch Museum

 The MacGregor Ranch, just a 5-minute drive from the center of Estes Park, is a time capsule of Colorado’s past. It’s been a significant part of the community for many years and even offers programs for kids to get a taste of Colorado ranching life.

While searching for a place to picnic, we met Morgan, a steward to the MacGregor Ranch and our serendipitous host. Parked under a giant spruce tree with a backdrop of mountain views, it was a lunch to remember. Not just because of the delicious sandwich, but thanks to the kindness of a stranger.

 

 

Day 6: Colorado Cherry Company

If you think it’s impossible to dedicate an entire travel day to one bakery, you’ve never been to a place like this. 

Down a beautiful canyon, the words “Fresh Baked Cherry Pie” lept off of a sign & beckoned our grumbling stomachs to make a worthwhile pitstop. This family bakery was as fresh as it gets, connected to a riverside orchard that stems back a hundred years. Nature and the unique stories embedded within it are all around us. It’s just waiting for us to notice.

 Day 7: Lyons

This beautiful region has inspired so many great stories. Colorado has endless skies and rugged nature in every direction, grounded by beauty and spirit. This adventure took us out of our day-to-day lives and connected us to the generations before. Colorado’s landscape opened itself to us, introducing new sights and people. While we are each unique, we are united by our shared quest for beauty, discovery, love, and deep connection.

 

Colorado’s landscape opened itself to us, introducing new sights and people. While we are each unique, we are united by our shared quest for beauty, discovery, love, and deep connection.