Who hasn’t visited a new area and been really taken by a first impression? Sometimes when an impression is really favorable, human nature encourages us to imagine making that new locale home. Most of the time, the result is nothing more serious than an entertaining daydream, but on those rare occasions where the lure is great enough, one may be spurred into action.
There’s a funny little similarity between this tendency and the first blushes of romantic infatuation. It is all too easy to initially focus on a new love’s wonderful traits to the exclusion of less-than-appealing things like that odd facial tick that may be an indication that not all is well under the hood.
It would be dishonest to deny that this Guide is intended to shed an appealing light on the North Fork Valley. In fact, we at Raven Rumours Press LOVE this Valley and so presenting it in glowing terms is just natural for us. But in the end, just as with the aforementioned romantic infatuation, it is a good idea to take a look under the hood before sealing the deal. And this Relocation Guide is filled with useful and trivial information designed to help you decide if your daydream is worth pursuing or just keeping tucked away as a pleasant thought.
Certainly, we are in no position to know if the Valley is right for you. The best we can hope to do is let you know what we like about living here and fill you in on some of the things that make other folks say, “no thanks”.
So let’s start with the harsh light of reality… Semi-remote areas like the North Fork Valley are attractive to some people because of that simple fact. Semi-remote, though, means this: While we have several small medical clinics, if you need a hospital, it is not right across town; If you want to rent a movie or pick up bread and milk you can do that, just not at 2am when the urge strikes; While the Valley offers plenty of the goods you may need or desire, if you are used to a land of chain stores and instant access to anything and everything under the sun, well, no need to expound on the fact that you won’t have that experience here; and finally, remote equals rural, and rural means that agriculture and similar “land-based” economic endeavors take precedence. So if you don’t like to have to wait for cattle or sheep on the roadway, if you are turned off by the smells and sounds of the country, or if you can’t accept the sounds of an orchard wind machine on a chilly spring evening, then you are probably not in the right place.
So what I am trying to say is this… What is romantic to some people under some circumstances is invariably a two sided coin. In the end, nobody’s interests are served when a big decision, such as relocating, is taken in haste and without careful consideration of whether the “fit” is right. And we hope, with some of the information in this guide, we can help you make that determination…
So… are you still with us? Okay then. If you still maintain an interest in pursuing this relationship I guess we’d best get to the courting stage…
So, what’s so great about this Valley anyway? Then again that’s a pretty subjective question, but I will answer from my perspective.
Full disclosure requires me to mention that I am not a native. No. I moved to the Valley in a fit of romantic blindness almost a dozen years ago from a flatter, greener, more urban and populated region of the country – a place with its own charms and drawbacks. Initially, I was lured by the attractive landscape, the easy access to the wilds, and by simple adventure and untamed foolishness. Fortunately, for me, despite the fact that I did not do my homework, the gamble paid off as I began to appreciate all of those things that I had initially overlooked.
The truth is that this Valley consists of far more depth than the stunning scenery might lead one to imagine.
Although, as far as scenery goes, the Valley is striking with gorgeous mountain views to the east and North, desolate “dobie” deserts, awe inspiring canyons, endless acres of grazing land and productive expanses of orchard and vineyard. The eye candy is in abundance, but much of the beauty is more subtle still.
Much of the appeal comes disguised in the people who live here and in what they bring to the Valley. Not to be overlooked is the importance of an intricate social fabric. This is an area that consists of probably a greater diversity in culture than most urban areas can boast – certainly per capita. There is a strong, proud and landed contingent of “lifers”, whose love for and dedication to the Valley is something to admire.
There is still a network of old time community clubs with names like The Fruitland Mesa Club, The Rogers Mesa Community Club. These clubs have been in existence since the days when most of one’s social interactions were between neighbors and within the local community. Fortunately, this vestige of social fabric has survived and has served well to make neighbors out of new arrivals.
The pronounced libertarian streak found in this valley makes this a pretty tolerant and less culturally fractured place than many. And new residents will find that mutual respect goes pretty darned far in encouraging acceptance by one’s new neighbors – even if you are retired from a very different life in the big city – or sport blue dreads… I always enjoy seeing the cultural cross-pollination that results. Hippies in cowboy hats… what more needs to be said?
In many ways, this culture, rich in diversity, pays some pretty attractive dividends. The agricultural heritage seems to be a draw to most folks. While old-time ranching and agriculture remains vibrant, if not always lucrative, newer forms have emerged and have been transforming the Valley into a Mecca of agricultural diversity. Many of the orchards which have existed for over a century are converting to “organic”. Organic food producers are now so well established that they have their own trade organization (VOGA – Valley Organic Growers Association). The past dozen years has also seen the establishment of a healthy number of vineyards and the wineries that accompany them. Even cattle ranching has branched out, in many cases, to Elk and Buffalo ranching.
The agricultural energy is paralleled by the huge body of local artistic talent. Artists and craftspeople are becoming ever more numerous and the resultant output is stunning – there are art glass studios where amazing creations are formed right in front of you, there is a casting foundry, several blacksmiths who do more than pound out horseshoes, there are weavers and fiber artist of every description, and a community of fine artists so large that they have had their own formal organization for over fifty years. There are writers, poets, accomplished photographers… the list goes on and on.
This is definitely a haven for “cultural creatives” of every kind and the cultural infrastructure has accommodated. Paonia is home to a fantastically diverse public radio station (KVNF 90.9FM); the Blue Sage Center for the Arts – the location of many and varied art exhibitions, live music performances, lectures, yoga classes, etc.; There is even a small one-screen movie theatre that shows art and foreign films alongside Hollywood blockbusters. Really, an endless variety of activities you wouldn’t expect in a small town.
Hotchkiss has several art galleries including the wonderful, new Creamery Art Center - a community cooperative gallery and art education center that is ever expanding in its scope. A friend once said, “It’s hard to swing a stick in this Valley without hitting an artist, two massage therapists and a yoga instructor”. Certainly an exaggeration, but the kernel of truth therein gives it a bit of Valley-based humor.
So, is the Valley for you? Well, don’t take this article as any more than a primer. You won’t get a better idea until you get out there and experience the local flavor for yourself. Take your time, don’t rush to a conclusion. If you are right for the Valley and visa versa, you can only learn first hand.
