It is a truth universally acknowledged by Durangotans that time runs differently here. A combination of sun, uranium-tainted runoff, and excessive mountain biking have created a cultural bubble with a different pace for life. It’s not just minutes and hours, but days, weeks, and even years that drift easily by, measured in adventures and sports injuries.

This almanac oddity even extends to seasons. Though Durango is lucky enough to experience equality for all seasons, a fact that is unique to many high-mountain towns, the seasons are sometimes confused about the proper moment of arrival. December left us disappointed with a Christmas as muddy as the Animas River, whereas Snowdown saw threatening rain drops. April and May more than made up for the early winter sun with hail, rain and snow. 

Not that I’m complaining, mind you, snow is always a welcome preventative cure for summer wildfires; but I had been looking forward to suffering in the Iron Horse mountain bike race last Memorial Day weekend.

With so much conflicting information from the state of the weather, how is one to know if summer has arrived in Durango?

Mexican Logger – the green can synonymous with river season and warmer weather – begins to appear on the shelves right around the time that the entire Animas Valley explodes in its own verdant display of summer. Luckily, tourists generally shy away from the official drink of summer time in favor of a more “Colorado beer,” aka Coors Light, otherwise there might not be enough to get us locals through Labor Day.

Though Mexican Logger initiates seasonal changes, the one true sign of summer is seeing your teacher-friends drinking one. You most likely haven’t seen these buddies more than a few times since last September, but all of a sudden they are released from the class room out into the world with sunglasses and Mexican Logger. They are easily spotted due to an excess of hilarity and an eagerness to socialize with adults. That is, before they begin their summer jobs as servers next Monday. 

The social network of Durango changes in the summer time; City Market becomes a supplier of food and beverages and less the center of socialization. Instead, one is more likely to get stuck chatting at the trailhead or at the put-in; as the weather warms, these become the best places to find your long lost friends. 

In fact, due to the high water levels and the flipping power of the newly constructed whitewater park, one of the best places to socialize is on the banks of the Animas overlooking Smelter.  You may find your friends cheering on boaters, rescuing swimmers, surfing in kayaks or searching for lost paddles. Either way, it’s a good time had by all!

The Durango dress code is updated and lighter, accordingly, although it is still necessary to dress in layers and bring a sweatshirt as armor against evening coolness. Flip-flops are essential, though from scouting the banks of the river I can surmise that many people are traveling with only one shoe after running the river last weekend.

Most activities shift to the outdoors in the summer time, especially eating and drinking. With all this prolonged exposure to the sun comes one of the most obvious signs of summer, the Durango-tan.

 Unless one is extremely careful or extremely fastidious, one cannot help but acquire this unique cocktail of sports bra sunburn, semi-permanent bike shorts tan and (if one is so unfortunate as to be in a swimsuit) the blinding pallor of those areas that never see the sun as consistently as the rest of the body. Luckily, stores in town know this, and the sunscreen and aloe vera are displayed front and center, often at a discounted price.

Town changes in the summer time; in addition to the green scenery, the muddy river and the sunburnt citizens comes the tourist. The tourist is easily spotted and most often confined to five blocks of Main Avenue or clustered around the train station. Suddenly, Durango is overrun by rhinestone cowboys dressed to impress.  Parking becomes the most challenging part of travel (unless your daily route includes the Highway 160 intersection on the south side of town) and townies can easily play the license plate game without having to get on an interstate.

Time in the summer is not kept by the chimes of the court house clock, but by the train whistle. The summer days in Durango, though longer, seem to go by faster than at any other time of year. While there are adventures aplenty, time moves quickly through the months and brings the flame of fall colors and the welcomed cool temperatures. For now, it is 80 degrees and sunny; go crack a Mexican Logger, because summer has arrived.

– Maggie Casey