Greeley

On the Wild Side

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peaceI just went on a wild adventure that I don't think many grannies get to experience! But remember, this is Colorado and the beginning of the year brought momentous changes to the state! (As it has in Washington) so you get my drift! A friend of mine (who wishes to remain un-named) suffers from pretty severe arthritis, and having tried numerous remedies and who regularly abuses her liver with ibuprofen, decided it was time to try the age-old fix, marijuana. Coming from Washington, it really wasn't that much of a stretch to go that route, but ACTUALLY going to a weed store was something neither of us have ever done.

After doing a little research online to find a dispensary close by, we found two on the outskirts of Greeley and on the spur of the moment, hopped in the car and headed on over. The first one - with a very green door - was just off the main road. A sticker on said green door said that they weren't doing recreational weed yet but could dispense medical weed, as long as you had your permit. We went in anyway, through a wafting cloud of smoke, and a young hippy girl with a headband and flowers in her hair suggested the other dispensary, "just around the corner." We snagged business cards, including one for a doctor who will write a prescription - no medical records required - and went "around the corner" to the recreational store.

It was very busy!

A tall, young security guard carded us (yep, two old gray haired ladies had to show ID) and we were in. Of course, we were both giggling and so were the other customers who all looked liked teenagers to us. And there was a lot of laughter as my friend talked to the receptionist and said, "We're on a fact finding mission and can't buy anything until Wednesday, when I get my Social Security check!" But we got the information we needed and decided to actually go into the "inner sanctum" to check out the goods.

mediblesWe took a number and waited our turn, then followed a youngster into the back room! It felt very clandestine! In the actual store, the edibles, which is what my friend needs, were displayed in a case, and a charming young Hispanic man told us about the brownies, rice crispie treats, caramels and other candies. He explained the "Jewels" which are small 10mg hard candies of various flavors, and suggested that they might be the way to go, as the active ingredients are absorbed sublingually, so the effects are much quicker than say, eating a brownie. It's also a measured dose. This makes a lot of sense. The blend of active stuff is designed for pain relief and for sleep, exactly what she needs.

We forked over the cash, she chose Kiwi Strawberry flavor, green hard candy Jewels and we headed out the door, feeling very chuffed about the whole thing!

What a fun experience that was - so now I can say I have been into a "head shop," which still feels a little shady, despite it being legal!

Cloud 9 Caregivers LLC

970-352-4119

Exploring Locally

Downtown Greeley, CO As those of you who read this blog know, I believe in exploring and adventuring wherever I happen to be. Recently, I've been moving around a lot, which gives me great opportunities to get out and discover what's happening.

Arriving in Eaton, Colorado ahead of the snow that hit the Rockies the day after I wound my way through them, I quickly got settled at  Susan and Dan's, which is right in Eaton, a small, farming community. That doesn't mean bucolic, pastoral fields of cows grazing, corn growing and vegetable gardens in every yard. This is industrial farming. Miles and miles of flat, cultivated and irrigated land that is just now being turned and will soon be fertilized with heaven knows what! And with the oil and gas boom, just about every field is dotted with fracked wells. Not a pretty sight, but the locals are happy - megabucks pouring into the area and MacMansions popping up in place of corn.

Aaaahhh...progress...

However...

Susan on the patio of Margie's Blue Cup

Nothing is going to stop the exploring, so Susan and my first little adventure was into Greeley, a college town about 10 miles from here. Sunday morning and we got a recommendation for a good coffee shop (NOT Starbucks, or Charbucks, as I call it) and made out way into the University District to The Blue Mug @margies, a charming place that reminded us of Port Townsend. Funky furniture, high ceilings with wonderful old tinned tiles and most importantly...good coffee. It wasn't too crowded, being Sunday and the college students were probably still sleeping off heavy Saturday night parties. It wasn't really warm enough to b out on the delightful patio, though. Once it warms up a bit, that will be the place to enjoy sit out  under the big umbrellas and enjoy the surroundings.

As I mentioned, Eaton is a tiny dot on the map, but one of Susan's favorite places is The French Corner, an antique-y store with some lovely stuff. It smelled so good, too as there are bowls of potpourri strategically places, as well as scented candles to brighten the dark corners. It's in an old building that lends itself to the decor. The prices, for the most part, were reasonable and there is a huge variety of goods. We spent a sensory-filled hour or so wandering, touching, smelling and just enjoying.

Eaton actually has two French Corners and we visited both, the second one appearing to have more of a "sale" appearance, although I don't think that is the intention. Either way, both locations are fun places to go.

Yesterday, we planned to go to Fort Collins, which is half an hour or so away as there is supposedly a Farmers Market right in Old Town. Well, we didn't find it, but Old Town is a place I plan on going back to explore. We found out later that the market was indoors! So no wonder we didn't see it.

We made a circular route back to Eaton, but as I had found a Groupon for a tea place in Greeley, we decided to do that instead.

What fun that was!

Cranford Cove Tea Tavern

For Susan, who lived in the area 30 years ago, it was an eye-opener, as the area has grown up so much, getting gentrified and moving beyond being an agricultural town known for its meatpacking plant (which is still here to handle the animals from the local stockyards). There are lovely old building, many brick ones that are starting to house a lot of restaurants, specialty stores and places like Cranford Cove Tea Tavern.

What a delightful place that turned out to be! The Groupon worked getting us in there and I know we will go back. It's in a storefront location and has a surprising twist to the tea theme. Of course, you can get a cuppa but the specialties are alcoholic drinks made with various teas and spirits! My libation was a hot spiced rum drink made with the special chai blend (I always go for rum) and Susan's was a Lemon Drop made with green tea and ...hmm I forget but it was delicious!

Making the Tea Tavern even more special is that it is not-only-for-profit enterprise, that benefits Love Made Claim, a non-profit with "a mission to reach those in the sex industry with the truth that they are loved and valued." I do like to support social entrepreneurs as I believe this is the way of the future.

 

The Blue Mug

931 16th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631 (970) 356-6364

The French Corner Market

" A Vintage Shop" 108 Oak Ave ( Hwy 85 ) Eaton, Colorado 80615 970-454-2006

Cranford Cove Tea Tavern

823 10th St. Greeley, CO 80631 970-515-5527