Guest Post by Megan Jirele, Independent Journalist and Writer

I arrived in Colorado barely knowing the Western Slope existed. Ten days later, I was questioning not just whether Grand Junction checked my boxes, but whether I had been asking the right questions in the first place. 

The 10-Day Grand Junction, Colorado Challenge

“You keep telling me Grand Junction, Colorado is the hidden gem of America. Prove it.”

That was essentially the challenge I gave Paul, whom I’ve known my whole life. I’d heard him talk about Grand Junction plenty of times. But surely everyone thinks their favorite place is special, right? So when Paul challenged me to come experience it for myself, I didn’t expect him to actually send me a plane ticket. But he did.

I was given 240 hours in a place I had barely heard of to answer a much greater question than whether Grand Junction was a nice place to visit:

Could I actually imagine building a life there?

I wasn’t coming as a tourist with a list of attractions to check off. I was coming as someone who might actually have to live there. I needed to experience the ordinary parts along with the extraordinary ones: the people, the community, the weather, the neighborhoods, the work, the pace of life, and everything I might gain or give up by making a move.

So I went in skeptical, curious, and intentionally unbiased.

I had no idea whether I was about to prove Paul right, or prove him wrong. 

So…What Exactly Is Grand Junction? 

How could a place I’d never even heard of before be all that special? That’s how I felt when my plane touched down. I was hesitant, wondering what my experience would be like in a city I’d never been to before, let alone heard of. Now, I’m leaving with a much different question: Why aren’t more people talking about this place?

Let me give you a little recap before we dive in. Mountains. The Denver Broncos. And weed. If you had picked my brain a year ago on what popped into my head when someone said “Colorado,” that would have been my answer in all honesty. Forget asking me about Grand Junction because up until a few months ago it was just another place I’d never heard of. I’ve been to Denver, and Glenwood Springs, but I’d never really ventured into the heart of the Western Slope. In fact, I didn’t even know that was a term used until ten days ago. 

Once I deboarded the plane at GJT, I was consumed by the overwhelming feeling of unfamiliarity. It would be a lie to say I had zero expectations before arriving though. For example, I knew it would be beautiful, I mean you would know that if you’ve ever opened Google before. But the peculiar feeling you get when you’ve completely left your norm was more present than ever. Again, my knowledge and research was minimal to none, so I was stepping into foreign territory.

The Questions I Couldn’t Shake 

Like one of my personal favorite chick flicks, Love, Rosie says, “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling,” so entering this ten-day adventure required me to lead with an open mind. The greatest challenge I gave myself prior to my arrival was determining whether this could actually be a place I’d live. I have always relied heavily on my home and my people to give me the everyday comfort I need. Due to my homebody nature, experiencing a life different from my own would be a challenge, but I knew I had to ask the difficult questions. 

Would this be a place I’d recommend to a stranger or a loved one? The ultimate goal was to determine if Grand Junction offers what I think it takes for someone to stop and reconsider their entire future, or is it just another average town? For me, could someone build roots here or is it just a pit stop on the way to the ultimate destination? The questions were infinite, so curiosity was going to be my biggest ally. I knew I wouldn’t be able to definitively say yes or no right away, but it was absolutely a thought in the back of my mind from sunrise to sunset.

When Does Vacation Start Feeling Like Everyday Life? 

I remember the initial drive to Paul and Michelle’s home and thinking, “Huh, I did not expect it to feel so desert-like.” It was interesting because I always associated the desert with cactus but there were only small sections of them scattered throughout the landscape. The craziest part was I could look over my shoulder and see greenery covering some of the mountains. I quickly realized I could see a completely different landscape in almost every direction. 

One of the most important aspects of my ten-day trial was whether or not the environment around me would ever stop feeling like a vacation. A new atmosphere was initially hard to imagine being anything other than a picturesque getaway. On day two I experienced my first hike ever, climbing the Liberty Cap Trail on the Colorado National Monument. I recall not being able to comprehend my view once we made it to the top. The most insightful thing about it all was seeing the Grand Valley of Fruita, Palisade, and Grand Junction below me, and recognizing this type of view is in the palm of people’s hands any given day.

With my newfound perspective, experiencing the outdoors started to look a little different in the following days. I was no longer viewing the mountains, rivers, and desert as some mind-blowing combination, but rather as an opportunity to wake up and choose what kind of setting I was up for that day. 

I remember my first morning run outside compared to my last run felt completely different. I ran the same path both times, but there were distinct differences. I could now tell my direction solely by looking at what mountain was in front of me, and I knew where to turn because of a cactus patch settled on a corner. These were small factors with a big impact.

Looking back, the defining moment I can say the outdoors turned from feeling like a getaway to everyday life was going to bed the night before a hike to Delicate Arch in Moab. I was on FaceTime with my dad when the discussion about my plans for the following day came up. I let him know I was heading to Utah for the day. He then said, “How crazy is it that you get to wake up, in one state, spend the day in another, and fall asleep back at the one you woke up in.” After so many days went by, it had not even occurred to me how incredible it was that the outdoors in Grand Junction and its proximity to other places offered the lifestyle that most people spend months in advance planning for. At that moment I realized my lens on the setting around me had completely shifted. I was no longer viewing what this place had to offer as a super bloom. I was viewing its offerings like they were an all you can eat buffet. 

So far, Paul had given me some pretty good evidence. But I wasn’t ready to call it yet. 

Could I Find My People Here? 

Market on Main in Grand Junction

Yearning for a sense of belonging is only human nature, which is why I feel it is paramount to describe my experience with the community in Grand Junction. When I say the sense of community in this city is strong, I mean it. Downtown Grand Junction is one of the most lively places I have seen, especially for a Wednesday night. The options on Main Street are endless from restaurants, bars, theaters, shops, and so much more. One of the best parts about this little town was how seriously people take gathering. I got to experience my first ever Grand Junction Farmers Market on Main, where orchards, local wineries, small business owners, and delicious food trucks were set up. The most fascinating thing about it all was every so often, over several blocks, there were kid-friendly play options built into the sidewalk. I’m talking slides, climbing structures, animal statues and more. It became very clear that there is absolutely no sacrificing a date night or friend gathering because there is something for the entire family.

With that said, the community sense streamed much further than just the downtown area. I had the privilege of getting to meet many wonderful people throughout my ten days and have very insightful conversations about life in GJ. A question I asked almost everybody was, “If you could pick one thing that keeps you here, what would it be?” And I kid you not, every single person had the same answer- which was the community they are surrounded by. When I asked them to elaborate further many people said it wasn’t just the village of people around them, but rather the limitless opportunities the location provides. Whether you’re joining a hiking group, signing the kids up for nature camps, or just getting involved in the community, you’re surrounded by people seeking the same experiences you are. 

The final realization I had was how much residents of Grand Junction love Grand Junction. People are genuinely proud of where they live and the lifestyle it offers. It is truly the biggest small town you’ll ever visit. It was enlightening to see people living such a slow and easy pace of life in a place that is surrounded by so much adventure. Coming from metro life, it felt quite refreshing to see this type of culture and now that my ten days have been completed, I’m already reminding myself to channel a little bit of the Grand Junction way everywhere I go.

Just Another Mundane Tuesday

Like I’ve mentioned, I wanted my experience here to be authentic and honest. Part of that was seeing what a normal week day living here was like. My mornings typically start with coffee and scrolling through my phone, but that was not the case this time. I woke up around seven in the morning to get dressed and ready for a five mile hike. I remember first thinking, “I’m not sure this is for me.” This was completely out of my norm and the fact an “average Tuesday,” could start with climbing 1,250 feet of elevation was crazy to me. Of course that activity may not be an everyday thing for most people, but knowing that option is available any given day for locals was actually incredible to learn. It started raining on the way down from the top but the sun was still shining and I recall an overwhelming feeling of joy. Instead of wondering if this was really for me, I started thinking, what a way to start the day. 

On our way back to the house I realized two things. Traffic couldn’t exist if it tried in Grand Junction, and yellow lights are a suggestion at most. Not sure if one causes the other but that’s none of my business… In all seriousness I was completely shocked that getting from point A to point B didn’t require planning for extra time. You can just hop in your car and get to where you need to be. I then showered and had lunch, and spent a few hours working. Something about starting the day the way I did motivated me immensely and I was not feeling overwhelmed with the task in front of me, but rather endorphins were rolling and I was ready to get things done! 

Later on I got to go for a jog through neighborhoods nearby and a few things stuck with me. The streets are clean, cars actually stop at crosswalks, and cookie cutter builds are not the norm. The views were immaculate but I will say, running at a higher elevation is no joke. I consider myself a relatively seasoned runner, but was not prepared for the combination of the hot sun and heavy breathing. Otherwise, the vibe was high in Colorado, no pun intended!

At the end of the day, my group and I drove through the Colorado National Monument, ate at a restaurant downtown called Trail Life Brewing, (which has many vegetarian options by the way), and ended the night with a glass of wine at home as the sun set. As someone who has grown up in a suburb outside of a big city, a lot of this day was out of the ordinary for me. But as I was falling asleep that night, I rolled over and wrote, “My peculiar Tuesday is someone else’s typical Tuesday.” and boy is that the truth.

At this point, I was starting to understand Paul’s argument. But I still had one problem: I was on vacation. 

Who Actually Chooses To Live Here? 

The people I met who live in Grand Junction had chosen it for a reason. Those reasons may vary but the greatest common denominator is the lifestyle offerings. Grand Junction is where the outdoor lover and adventure seeker lives. The hiking, biking, and rafting opportunities seem endless. But Grand Junction is also where the decompressor can call home. Forget hiking a fourteener when you can spend your weekends on the Fruit and Wine Byway, exploring shops and restaurants in Palisade, Fruita or Grand Junction, or breezy walks through parks. This place is for the new families looking to escape big city chaos, those who want to retire in an area that has no shortage of ways to spend your time, and the list goes on. It’s for the person whose favorite hobby is making memories.

Although, it’s not just the activities in or near the city, but the practical parts that make up everyday life. The town is clean and taken care of, I felt it would be a very safe place to raise a family, in fact a mother of a young boy told me how she would feel safe with him biking alone to the park. It’s the lack of traffic and free parking after four p.m. downtown. The city doesn’t treat people like tenants; it treats them like co-owners. The pace of life is slower, and in my experience restorative.

Speaking of restorative, many of the locals like it just the way it is. They embrace the history of the place they call home, and are committed to keeping its integrity and reputation. The kind of people who should live in Grand Junction are people who want to live somewhere that values its roots, and appreciates it just the way it is. I started to understand about half way through my experience that the tightness of the people here felt so powerful because everyone clearly shared something in common. The love for their town.

Collard Lizard photo by Emma Aspelin from EmmaGetsOutside.com

Nobody Warned Me About The Lizards 

Nobody told me how many lizards there are in Grand Junction. Hear me out, I am someone who doesn’t get bothered much by insects and what not, but something about watching a lizard crawl extremely fast right next to your feet made me cringe. I mean, they are everywhere! They aren’t really pesky or aggressive, but they are so tiny and quick. I would suggest to anyone who has the same fear of tiny little creatures crawling up your pant leg, to be prepared for that. Not that that will happen, but again, possibilities seem to be endless in Grand Junction. 

How Far Would You Go to Live Here? 

Aside from the reptile population, I was surprised to learn what employment looks like in the city. A few things stood out to me which were that job opportunities in Grand Junction are harder to find due to its location and size, remote work is fairly common, and the most shocking was that some people commute over an hour to and from work each day. My curiosity was definitely sparked so I followed up with the question, “Why not move to be closer to work?” And a local told me that the drive was worth it in order to live in Grand Junction. That was a very eye opening perspective. 

Homemade peach cobbler

And Then There Were Peaches 

Finally, I’ve only ever known peaches to be associated with the state of Georgia, but peaches are the thing in the Grand Valley. I got to experience my first Palisade peach and peach beer, along with peach cobbler, and even peach coffee! Whether you’re in a grocery store, restaurant or a farmers market, I can confirm you won’t go more than 100 feet without seeing a peach during harvest season. 

The Cold Shower Moment

It was either day eight or nine when I sat down to collect some of my thoughts when I got consumed with somewhat of a reality check. I pondered on if I felt such a liking to this place because it was a break from my reality, or if it really was becoming somewhere that checked boxes. I needed to take a minute and evaluate my non-negotiables and determine if Grand Junction could hypothetically make sense for me or for people considering a change.

The number one question people should consider before moving here would be, How different would your life look if you gave up your current rhythm for the one you would have in Grand Junction? Would you miss the community you have? The climate? The drives? The schools? The favorites list you’ve created in your notes app? Or would you be willing to sacrifice your current norm for one that may just be more fulfilling? I would also tell someone to ask themselves if they would consider a smaller town over a larger metro area? (depending on where they currently live) Would you miss the big city shopping scene or being close to a professional sports team? Would these be deal breakers or deal makers?

All of these questions were no longer theoretical, but real considerations. It had officially dawned on me that my ten day exercise was coming to an end and the final test was about to begin. Could I make this place a home?

Could I Actually Build A Life Here? 

The answer wasn’t a simple one to determine. I was genuinely evaluating up until the very moment I was in the air leaving the Grand Junction Airport. Even there, I was experiencing new things such as being the only person in a security line. I was overwhelmed with everything I had just experienced, but ultimately grateful for what it had given me. As I am sitting here writing this, I can confidently say, yes, I could build a life in Grand Junction, but the why is a lot more profound.

To sum up my response, because it would take pages to write everything I feel, I’ve never felt more challenged and outside of my comfort zone before. But at the same time, I’ve never felt so much peace and tranquility. Some of the biggest drivers for me were the sheer number of new experiences I encountered, the difference the climate made in how I felt day to day, and the lifestyle opportunities Grand Junction has to offer. 

Most of the time, my days on the Western Slope felt like a never-ending series of firsts for me, but trust me, I wasn’t complaining! For example, I’d never gone to the bathroom outdoors before. I would have rather risked peeing my pants than squatting behind a tree, but we were in the middle of nowhere on a 4 x 4 mountain road and my options were limited. I may sound a little dramatic but seriously, when in my life had I ever been in a situation where that was the best and only option. This adventure allowed me to recognize that my capabilities stem a lot further than I know, it all just depends on the kind of environment I permit myself to be in. 

Another first was experiencing the San Juan mountains including Ouray and Telluride. I have never been to Europe, so in a random discussion with Paul he said, “Well, I know a place.” Ouray was literally the Switzerland of America, it was mind blowing. Then we just so happened to visit Telluride on a day when celebrities were in town for a film festival. When would I ever just randomly rub shoulders with an A-lister? Never is the answer. My whole point in saying all of this is that opportunities are completely endless here, and knowing I could experience thrill any given day checked box after box. 

Another driving factor towards my answer was the weather. I often asked people, “Does seasonal depression exist here?” I was given answers such as no, rarely, or my favorite, “I didn’t realize I had experienced it until after a few months of living here.” It was an incredible feeling living with weather that was not only doable but enjoyable. No nasty humidity, flowers everywhere, and a community who thrived outdoors regardless of the time of year. The harshness of winter is bearable, at least compared to what I’m used to, no grey skies for days, or hiding indoors for months. A white Christmas is big for me, but who would I be to not enjoy 300+ days of sunshine a year when I could easily plan a trip back to the Midwest or just drive 45 minutes up to the Grand Mesa to get my winter fix. 

Once I began to understand how much Grand Junction’s mild climate could positively affect me both mentally and physically, another box was checked.

There are so many other things I could touch on, like the amount of time people can spend outdoors here, the potential for a more active lifestyle, or the opportunities at Colorado Mesa University. But one thing that ultimately stood out to me was the neighborhoods. They felt safe, and with the variety of homes and the proximity to parks, it made me start thinking about what it would actually be like to raise a family here. There was something about the overall quality of life that felt different from anything I had experienced before.

If I could sum up Grand Junction in one sentence it would be Paul’s famous words, “Live Your Vacation.” I say that with zero bias and solely from my own experience. I could have spent three more weeks living there and fear I wouldn’t even have touched the surface of its portfolio. Moving to Grand Junction means moving to the Western Slope. Moving to Palisade or Fruita means moving to the Western Slope. Once you move to one, you have them all. This side of the state becomes one large basecamp where a city line means nothing other than crossing over to a new opportunity.

What 10-Days Changed 

My job here isn’t to persuade, it’s to reveal. I learned and navigated something brand new to me, seeing and testing things the internet couldn’t tell you, at least not authentically. Grand Junction is the kind of place where you can’t understand its magic until you’re immersed into it, until you see it for yourself, and truly live it. I’d like to think my experience is the closest thing to a reader feeling that magic for themselves. 

I could continue unpacking so much more but one of the final things I will mention is, sure, I had certain boxes I thought were required to be checked, but now I’m questioning what really are my true non-negotiables? Ten days ago I dove in head first into a world of unknown, and was definitely reminded of the things I typically look for. It’s natural to gravitate towards what reminds you of home or comfort but then experiencing so many firsts, it became extraordinarily apparent that the boxes I thought I wanted to check before have evolved. If I could tell Megan from ten days ago how her journey would play out, the only thing she’d change would be to bring a jar so she could bottle Grand Junction up and every lesson it taught her forever. 

The Part You Can’t Google 

Last but not least, for anyone considering a move, here’s what ten days taught me: research matters, but it can only take you so far. You can build spreadsheets, compare statistics, study neighborhoods, and create a list of dealbreakers, but none of those things can tell you what it actually feels like to live somewhere.

I came to Grand Junction thinking I needed to determine whether it checked all the right boxes. Instead, I left questioning some of the boxes I thought mattered in the first place.

I learned that sometimes, you have to give yourself permission to imagine something different before you can decide whether it’s right for you.

The greatest decision isn’t simply deciding where to live. It’s deciding what kind of life you want that place to make possible.

Thank you to Paul and Michelle Aspelin for guiding me through the experience of a lifetime, or rather, surprising me with each day’s itinerary and saying, “Here’s a life jacket if you need it!”

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

A Note From the Author

I came to Grand Junction as a newcomer, not with the goal of promoting a destination, but with a genuine question: could I actually imagine building a life here? I was given ten days to experience Grand Junction as if I were seriously considering a move, and to be honest about what I discovered along the way. This story is my perspective as an outsider, navigating a place I barely knew and trying to decide whether it could feel like home. 

Megan Jirele

Independent Journalist & Writer
Digital Storytelling & Content Creation
Series: 10-Day Grand Junction, Colorado Challenge

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