Meet Rachael Thackston.

Questions:

Q: Are you a Grand County native? If not, where you from, and what brought you to Grand County?

A: I mean, do y’all have a minute or ten? In the summer of 2017, Josh and I were drowning… drowning in debt, drowning in our marriage, and drowning in the race to keep up with the Joneses (no offense, Joneses!) . In short, we were failing at life. Miserably. Mercifully, my brother in law packed us up and brought us on a much-needed vacation to this little place in Colorado called “Grand County.” They had accidentally stumbled upon Winter Park the previous year – and thought it might be nice to come back again. We stayed at a sweet little Air BnB in Fraser, and sipped our coffee on the balcony every morning, overlooking the Safeway. At the end of our ten days, on one of those chilly mornings – after visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and taking the beauty of Grand Lake, we decided we’d be back here one day. Not exactly sure what “one day” meant, we went home. Back to the rat race of suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The traffic, the bills – the crazy. On a wing and a prayer – we found ourselves putting a “For Sale” sign in front of our home and business. They both sold immediately – we paid off every penny of debt we had, gave away everything else (literally, everything), and headed west in our fifth wheel RV. We stopped when we got to Grand Lake. And here we are. That’s the condensed version, anyway, doing all the blood, sweat, and many tears very little justice. What brought us here? The desire to live life in the midst of the Rockies – outdoors – more fully – and together. I think we’ve checked everything off that list pretty successfully. Home is still home – but so is Grand Lake, now. We can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career? What do you love most about what you do?

A: I am the shiny new Event Manager at River Run Resort in Granby. Before this, I was a part of the Granby Ranch family as their Event Coordinator. Hands down, my favorite part of both jobs has been sharing our community and county with our visitors, making sure they leave Grand with memories they’ll want to come back to visit every year. I mean honestly, look at where we live!! How fun is it to share it with so many people who save up all year to stay here for a WEEK? Bring them to me! Showcasing and highlighting all Grand has to offer families and individuals is my passion. I hope I can share just a fraction of what made us fall in love with Grand – and how much this special place has changed our family’s life.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Grand County, and what are your favorite meals there?

A: Overall, my favorite Grand County restaurant is Pepe Osaka’s. I’ll take Spicy Tuna Nachos and Ceviche – and all the margs, please. Is anyone else hungry now? After, you can always head downstairs for a fancy cocktail at Idlewild – and please, sit by the fireplace! Bloody Mary’s from Sharky’s are a MUST! Our new favorite in Granby is Debbie’s Drive-In. Anything Debbie and her family touch seem to be quality and consistent. Debbie’s is our favorite burger & fries go to.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Grand County?

A: Just celebrated our second anniversary in our new zip code – couldn’t be happier or more content in our “new” life.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Grand County? And why?

A: Aghhhhh! How can I choose just one? This town is full of so many interesting, creative, talented souls. Andy Straus is a treasure to this community – with his host of talent and desire to share music with everyone in the Valley. I was so thankful he was willing to work with “the new girl” to put on the Music at Milestone series at Granby Ranch last summer. I learned everything I know about “mountain music” from him…and what a summer, and lesson it was! It worked out that we became great friends in the process. If you get a chance to have a beer with him, do it.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A: Right now? I’d happily trade every Sky Mile for a trip home to Georgia, so I could hug my parents. I’m ready for my dad to cook supper for us – you know, mac and cheese, greens, cornbread…the southern “works” sound better than any five-star restaurant. For the first time in my life, I can say I AM READY FOR MY MOM TO VISIT!

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

A: I am a huge fan of Sons of Anarchy (and anything Kurt Sutter puts his pen to), and This Is Us. And man, if I’m not sure I have ever described myself more perfectly than that. Naturally, like the rest of the free world, we just finished The Tiger King, and I am a firm believer that Carol fed her hubs to the cats. And last but not least, I am anxiously awaiting the newest season of Yellowstone –because Montana, Costner, and cowboy hats, obviously.

Q: What advice would you give someone moving to Grand County?

A: Don’t be afraid! This community is SO welcoming. Put yourself out there and get to know your neighbors. Not only will you find yourself a new family of friends – but you’ll also find people who will hand you the shirt off their back when you happen to need a shirt. I am still blown away every day by the generosity and kindness of the local community here. We definitely take care of each other – and if you’re new here – EMBRACE that!

Also, side notes:

– you will not be the pioneer who “fixes” the post office/mail situation. Don’t try. Embrace that, too, with a quickness.

– Amazon Prime does not mean Prime here.

– Grand County Online Garage Sale is your best friend.

– the closest Walmart is 50+ miles away. We like it that way. (see above)

– Take a deep breath, learn to live on mountain time. It’s here for a reason.

And finally – be humble. You’ve much to learn, and we will teach you if you’ll let us.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: Learn to sail. Matt Brown, I am looking at you. Summer 2020, here we come.

Q: What is your go-to band or favorite music when you can’t decide what to listen to?

A: When I can’t decide what to listen to – I just hit the “shuffle” option and go for whatever the universe tells me. Never fails. On my playlist though – Ryan Bingham, The Ghost of Paul Revere, The Lumineers, and lots of old country. Raised on Saturday Night Gold – what can I say?

Q: What do you like to do during your free time?

A: Moving to Grand County has changed what I do in my free time! I still love to read and watch movies on a dreary day, but I am a huge fan of long walks (they clear the mind and the heart right quick, for FREE!) – and can always be found everywhere looking for the perfect photo for social media. Instagram is the perfect outlet for my photo and writing hobby! I love to cook (though I haven’t mastered high altitude baking just yet) and learned to make one or two (or six) cocktails during the big Quarantine.

Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you take them for lunch?

A: Hard choice between Stevie Nicks and Ruth Bader Ginsburg…how to decide? Either way, we’re hitting up Carvers for brunch…only because some people feel weird about sushi, which would totally be my first choice. So much history and stories; I can only imagine they’d be amazing company for mimosas.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Grand County?

A: I love that this community is still a COMMUNITY. In so many places in the world, the definition and feeling has been lost. When our family moved here two years ago, we were completely embraced by new friends that quickly became family. In the midst of so many losing their jobs recently, and watching how Grand County has responded as a whole – THAT is what makes our place unique to the rest of the world. Feeding people who need a meal or just an uplift – the acts of kindness going on right now…overwhelming to watch, and be a part of. All those special traditions that Grand County holds dear – Christmas Eve at Winter Park, the Granby Trick or Treat downtown, free concerts… even Bingo in Grand Lake… those things are everything Grand. So proud to be a part of all of it. Let’s remember not to take it for granted. We live in a special, special place.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A:  Living my best life, without apology. Doing what makes me happy and spending time with the people I love the most. I think that’s a meme somewhere. Actually, I am sure it’s a meme, but here we are. Mom Memes are a thing, and I celebrate them.

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: I think most people know everything. I invest pretty quickly, and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know—fun fact: before moving to Colorado, I had never been west of Louisiana. I cried when we crossed the Mississippi River. I cry about everything, good or bad (those who know me well are rolling their eyes right now).

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?

A: So cliche, so just get ready for my answer. The most beautiful place I have ever seen is at the top of Trail Ridge Road – that first little place you can pull off to the right, just like any decent tourist for that family photo op – and look out at the Rockies…phew. I cried the first time I saw it and decided I was moving here. I remember standing there and taking it all in and crying for the people that will never have the opportunity to stand there. And for all the beauty of nature. It’s still the most beautiful place I have ever seen for all those deep reasons. John Denver got it right. I was born that summer, looking out at that very view. Is everyone crying right now, or just me? OK, well surprise, I warned y’all I was a crier!

Q: If you were cast in a movie and could choose your co-star, who would it be?

A: I feel like young Robert Redford and I could be a team. Or me and Kevin Costner. Is there a theme here?

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: I’ll have to go with Personal Coach, here. Someone cheering me on every day would definitely ensure that the meals were being cooked, the laundry was done and the children were being raised. GO RACH! YOU CAN DO IT! Yes, please. Hire me a professional cheerleader.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

A: Everyone. Being a good friend, citizen; a mom my kids remember as creative, fun, and driven– everyone inspires me to be better. It’s the only way to be. Inspired by everyone.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?

A: Hay bales, honeysuckle, and sunshine smell like the south to me…I didn’t realize that they were a thing I’d miss until I moved here. Fir trees remind me of home now–I always tell everyone how much the valley smells like Christmas, year-round.

Q: What is that one business that you would like to see in Grand County that currently isn’t here.

A: I think I can get a solid amen on needing a dry cleaning service!

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: Mountains. Oak trees. Snow. (sorry y’all, it’s a house divided around here).

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