I am a West Denver girl, through and through. I love the lowriders cruising on Federal Boulevard, a steak from Columbine Steakhouse, my Denver Broncos, and the National Western Stock Show.
This annual event is a ceremonial call-back to Denver’s roots as a “cow town” as 700,000 people gather to watch rodeos, attend stock shows, wear their best Western wear, and eat funnel cake. The National Western Stock Show has been held in the same location in Denver since 1906, and I have been lucky to attend it for all of my life. My first attendance at the stock show was with my “Popeye”, my paternal grandfather. He would make a point to attend each year as this event was held in own neighborhood of Swansea (this is the same neighborhood where I spent my summers riding bikes under the I-70 underpasses and tunnels). We would gather at his house, all nine of us varying from ages thirteen to four years old, and we’d begin our yearly pilgrimage to the event. At that time, we wouldn’t pay for rodeos, but instead spent most of our time wandering around and looking at all the animals. It was always a highlight of our year, and we only lost a couple cousins a couple of times.
This year, I attended the Stock Show during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend which highlighted the African-American riders and focused on the history of the American Cowboy.
The rodeo hosted the traditional events, but between rides and challenges the announcers taught about the history of the American Cowboy. They spoke of the diversity that the field has always had even though, cinematically and thematically, the American Cowboy has been portrayed as a blue-eyed man, John Wayne. When in reality, the cowboys of the west consisted of Mexicans from original Mexican land of the southern United States, the African-Americans from the newly emancipated South, and the Native Americans who have always tended to the land. It is stated that, “Latinos, Native Americans, and African Americans consisted of about a third of all cowboys during the “golden age” of the American cowboy [between 1866 and 1895] (Roberts).
I personally love all the educational elements of the National Western Stock Show as they highlight the history of the West, the agricultural trades and practices, and the livestock; however, another element that I love about the Stock Show is the Western Fashion.
As you walk the Western Complex grounds you’ll see working men in carhartt overalls while they groom the cows, riders in bedazzled and fringed chaps signing autographs, women dawning their furs while they haggle for turquoise, and almost everyone in either their cowboy hats or cowboy boots. I love the mingling of aesthetics: working-men with showmen. While walking between the horse stalls you will see someone who looks like they could be walking a runway and on the next pass you’ll see a life-long rancher wearing coveralls for practicality over beauty. I personally chose to dress for the runway in one of my newest vintage purchases from one of my favorite antique stores on Broadway, “The Odditorium”. It is a 1960s leather jacket with fox fur accents. She is a dream come true and I chose the stock show as her first outing. And, she was a hit. I easily received fifteen compliments on the coat alone and I attribute her beauty to our free “gator ride” from the parking lot to the venue (which was much needed since it was zero degrees and it was snowing).
Western wear fashion is currently experiencing a renaissance and we can see this via Louis Vuitton’s latest release at this past week’s fashion week. It was a gorgeous collection and captured the American spirit intertwining together the practicality of the working man with the flamboyant flare of the showman.
Now, I am not saying that Louis Vuitton is the end all be all in fashion (because it's not and I am actually not a fan of the logo-game), but it goes to show that Western wear is receiving a lot of love and I am so hopeful that this niche will explode and bleed into the wear of everyday life. I would love to see more bolo ties, leather, denim, fringe, and turquoise around me instead of Kirkland specials and athleisure laziness. I’d love to hear the click of a cowboy boot instead of the squeak of the borderline geriatric cushioned sneaker. I would love to see men dressing for the day and I feel like "Western Wear" is a authentic avenue that a lot of men can adopt seamlessly and without feeling as if they are being disingenuous to themselves; because lets face it...what man (or woman) hasn't grown up wanting to be a cowboy?
So, this concludes my love letter to “The National Western Stock Show”. She is a Denver gem and if you’ve never been, I hope this blog post encourages you to go. Today is the last day and it is worth every penny and every minute of your time, especially if you were born and raised here. I think this annual event captures the charism of Denver and calls us back to our "cow-town" roots and serves as a reminder of the diversity that this city was built on. It calls us back to nature and reunites us with the cowboy or cowgirl that lives in all of us. It is an opportunity to remember that we were not always domesticated humans running the rat race, but instead we were united with the land and filled with a sense of adventure.
I hope that all of you readers go and get reacquainted with your inner wildness by wandering through cow stalls while dodging “cow-piles”, eat a turkey leg straight off the bone, and then appreciate the sway of some well-laid chaps. Giddy up. P.S. Featured below is music playlist for your listening pleasure. And, a video of my "stock show" experience. P.S.S. DId you know, that the "most beautiful cow" gets to grace the halls of the historical Brown Palace after he/she hs been crowned the "Grand Champion Steer"? Please google it if you haven't seen it. They are so gorgeous and deserving of gracing those halls. I love those fluffy cows.
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 Angelo's Taverna has been dishing out delicious Italian food and their signature oysters in central Denver for close to fifty years. Luckily, Littleton has experienced an upgrade to their rather bland palate by welcoming Angelo's Taverna into the fold. Angelo's Taverna is located on a beautiful piece of property that feels secluded and romantic. The building itself is simple, yet elegant and it is housed in a 10,000 foot space. There are high ceilings, wood beams, brick walls, unique stone decals, classic stained glass, and candles on each table. It is a great place for a date night, but it also is casual enough where families can feel comfortable bringing their small children. It has accomplished setting the mood for all occasions and to all walks of life. At Angelo's Taverna in Littleton, you can pull up to their round bar to watch Monday Night Football or you can make a reservation to celebrate a special anniversary.  Ambience: clean, simple yet elegant, and spacious. The mood was right at Angelo's, but the food was the star of the show. We began our dinner with one of their signature cocktails, "The Italian 75". This is a drink made of "House-made limoncello, Woody Creek Gin, lemon juice, sparkling wine". It came in a martini glass with a maraschino cherry sitting at the pinch of the glass (plus, they leave the stems on so you and your table mate can participate in the age-old challenge of tying a cherry stem with your tongue). The drink was the perfect mix of citrus and sweet; therefore, you should not be surprised that our tab recorded us as both having more than one. During our cocktail hour, we ordered their “Balsamic Glazed Ribs” for an appetizer to share. Angelo’s graciously provided six short ribs that were perfectly tender and glazed without being drowned in too much sauce. The ribs had a crunchy and sweet bark that reminded me of the “world renowned” barbeque that I have had in Texas. To think of it, I think that these ribs were better. Sorry Texas, I think this little Italian joint in Littleton, Colorado does it better.  Best Ribs in Denver Then came our main course (and another round of drinks). I ordered the “Gorgonzola Steak Fettuccine”. It was a hearty portion of homemade fettuccine noodles that were dressed in buttery cream sauce which was accompanied by mushrooms, red onion, roasted peppers, and arugula. It was flawlessly fatty and filling. We ate dinner slowly, talked about various topics, and appreciated all the different walks and eras of life that were around us. Our waitress was attentive, but not overly vigilant. She was cheery and friendly, but also respected the privacy of each table. Let’s just say she got a big tip from us. We eventually finished up our plates and contemplated dessert even though we were both full. Ultimately, we couldn’t pass up the experience of the “ Caramel Chocolate Brownie”. It was decadent and indulgent…as all desserts should be. Our spoons sang sweet songs as they scraped the bottom of the dessert bowl. I surely would come back to Angelo’s just for this dessert.  This fettuccine had me saying, "ohhhh, mama mia!" :)  Imagine: Chile's "Molten Lava Cake"...then multiple that by 1,000. Then, it still wouldn't even be close to this perfection. Angelo’s Taverna in Littleton was appetizing and ambient. The prices were agreeable, especially for the quality of food. It is a great restaurant for any occasion, whether it is to watch sports at the bar or to share a meal with someone you love. Please go and enjoy!
Here is their website and their location.
Being from Colorado, I am a sucker for a Hot Spring experience. I have been to several across the state, and I would argue that SunWater Spa has been my best experience yet.
I booked a 90 minute private tub for the meager price of forty dollars per person. These beautiful cedar tubs are filled with Manitou Springs's infamous "7 minute Spring" water which traveled through deep underground cracks, crevasses, and rock faults which caused the water to be infused with holistic healing minerals. These waters, according to Native American tradition, are a source of healing and rejuvenation of body and soul. Along with our 90 minute private tub, we were also granted access to several other spa features. These included: the infrared sauna, the classic steam room sauna, the cold plunge, and the saline pool. We bounced from feature to feature and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of SunWater Spa. Along with having incredible resources and expeirences for their guests, they also had the friendliest staff. We were greeted kindly and encouraged to treat the space as our own while maintaining the spirit of relaxation and retreat. This spirit was harnessed by the spa's cleanliness and it required "whisper zones". SunWater Spa was tranquil, pristine, and affordable. It is a spa, but it felt more like a retreat house. I fully intend to return back to SunWater Spa and to hopefully indulge in their other services which included a yoga studio and a massage therapist. P.S.: I highly recommend that you book a soak-time here after conquering the Manitou Incline. That is what we did and our tired bones and muscles thanked us! Here is their website for further reference: https://www.sunwaterspa.com/ “When your mind is telling you that you’re done, that you’re exhausted, that you cannot possible go any further, you’re actually 40% done.” – David Goggins
The "Incline'' in Manitou Springs is one hell of a beast. She may only be a mile long, but along that one mile you gain 2,000 feet of elevation. She is steep. She is rough. And, she is relentless.
The "Incline'' wasn't always a haven for athletic punishment; instead, it was originally a cable car system that was used to transport goods and supplies to the top of Pikes Peak. Once its first use was complete, the "Incline'' experienced a second birth when the avid hikers of Colorado decided to make use of its steep grade to test endurance and mental stamina. In 2013, the "Incline '' was formally opened to the public and since then she has welcomed thousands of brave (see insane) souls to climb her staircase. This is an extreme trail and it is not intended to be graced by casual hikers. No, this is a serious endeavor. You will sweat, you will feel your heart pound, and you will question your own sanity. Yes, it is only a mile...but the average attempt-er of this climb will take an hour to do it. As you climb those stairs you will see supremely athletic people doubled over, panting, and the body pulsing from their racing heart rate. I recently met the "Incline" again after an almost four year departure. She was just as beautiful as when I left her, but she was just as heartless. Like I said, she is relentless. And as I climbed my first 1,000 steps I felt my heart pulsing in my throat. I told myself, "Okay, you only got 2,000 more steps to go. You can do these two more times.". I put my head down and turned my music up. However, instead of blasting my upbeat stripper anthems to get me through the workout like I do at the gym, I opted for my mellow 80s jams to help keep my calm as I slowly climbed each railroad tie. Then, the next milestone....2,000 steps. Here, I was utterly gassed and had to rest in the residual shade. Here is where the mental battle really began. My body felt spent. I was pouring sweat even though I had taken off my shirt and was only climbing in my sports bra. I was feeling dehydrated even though I had drank a gallon of water during the one hour drive from Denver. I could feel the lactic acid building in my legs which caused me to worry because the longer I stayed idle then it was more likely that my tree trunk legs would lock up on me. I gasped and panted and could feel the rawness of blood in the back of my throat. I could see my climbing partner shortly ahead of me and I wanted to catch him. It was here, in those three minutes of shade that I gave myself that final pep-talk and remembered good ole David Gogggins who said, "When your mind is telling you that you’re done, that you’re exhausted, that you cannot possible go any further, you’re actually 40% done.”. So, I pressed on. Only 1,000 more steps to go. And, I'd like to say they were blissful and that the “Rocky” movie anthem played in the background....but no, that last ascent utterly sucked and the only anthem I heard was the quick patter of my heartbeat and my rapid panting. But baby, when you jump that last railroad tie you feel the adrenaline and pride greet you in your soul and body. Plus, it is seriously one of the best views in all of Colorado. The “Incline” is a must for all athletes. It is inspiring to see people out there on an early morning challenging themselves. It is by these acts that we prompt growth in ourselves through the medium of suffering. We step out of our comfort zone and into the arena of pain which teaches so much. It teaches us that we are strong, physically and mentally. And, it reminds us that once again, we only have this one wild life and “in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. [So,] Climb that goddamn mountain.” (Jack Kerouac).
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AuthorBrianna is a proud native of West Denver and she is an avid admirer of the arts. Her admiration of the arts is centered around her draw toward the beautiful and good of everyday life. Brianna finds beauty in a well-worn book, in the eclectic colors and textures of a thrift store find, and in the sound of a killer guitar solo whether it be live or through a well thought out Spotify playlist. Her passions are varied and many, but they all center on appreciating the fullness of life. Archives
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