Hunting The Rugged Yuppie
Across the surprisingly scenic Nebraska panhandle, just over the southern border, the intrepid traveler finds a strange and somewhat elusive prey. Colorado is the natural home of the rare regional specimen known simply as the rugged yuppie.
Not quite a big-city hipster or a small-town redneck, the rugged yuppie is comfortable in both sparsely populated backcountry hiking grounds and a crowded nightclub. Frequently found in various forms of plaid, jeans, and boots (whether fashionable, functional, or Uggs), the rugged yuppie differs from hippies and granolas in large part because of the weather. While he may be found biking to work in the summer months, Denver winters require more capable vehicles and the rugged yuppie is not shy about his SUV.
It was during dinner on Tuesday night -- dollar tacos at a moderately upscale basement cantina in downtown Denver -- that we had our first confirmed sighting of the rugged yuppie.
We had driven down from ranch country, across farming country and into the city. It was no surprise that we were a little out of it, given the miles behind us and knowing what hour we had to get up the following morning. Our first sighting was almost a surprise, but as soon as they started to appear the theory that they travel in packs was confirmed.
Denver is a collection ground for many of these creatures. The city provides both the activity that comes from a high population and the proximity to the challenges of outdoor sports that the true rugged yuppie requires to maintain his sanity. Here, the rugged yuppie is able to snowboard, mountain bike, climb, hike, kayak, outfit himself at one of several REIs, and still be home in time to hit the club circuit that evening.
Unfortunately, our viewing time was limited to a simple safari tour as we were leaving before the sun even rose. It was, however, a good time for observation.
Next time may be a hunting tour. I wouldn't mind catching one of those rugged yuppies myself.
Not quite a big-city hipster or a small-town redneck, the rugged yuppie is comfortable in both sparsely populated backcountry hiking grounds and a crowded nightclub. Frequently found in various forms of plaid, jeans, and boots (whether fashionable, functional, or Uggs), the rugged yuppie differs from hippies and granolas in large part because of the weather. While he may be found biking to work in the summer months, Denver winters require more capable vehicles and the rugged yuppie is not shy about his SUV.
It was during dinner on Tuesday night -- dollar tacos at a moderately upscale basement cantina in downtown Denver -- that we had our first confirmed sighting of the rugged yuppie.
We had driven down from ranch country, across farming country and into the city. It was no surprise that we were a little out of it, given the miles behind us and knowing what hour we had to get up the following morning. Our first sighting was almost a surprise, but as soon as they started to appear the theory that they travel in packs was confirmed.
Denver is a collection ground for many of these creatures. The city provides both the activity that comes from a high population and the proximity to the challenges of outdoor sports that the true rugged yuppie requires to maintain his sanity. Here, the rugged yuppie is able to snowboard, mountain bike, climb, hike, kayak, outfit himself at one of several REIs, and still be home in time to hit the club circuit that evening.
Unfortunately, our viewing time was limited to a simple safari tour as we were leaving before the sun even rose. It was, however, a good time for observation.
Next time may be a hunting tour. I wouldn't mind catching one of those rugged yuppies myself.
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