The bright red lipstick was the first thing that caught my eye.  As I glanced over at the group of people at the next table, I caught the perfectly coiffed hair, styled with just the right amount of curl, despite the strong winds blowing outside.  The other women were similarly made up with black eyeliner, make up and bright shades of lipstick.  Their dress confirmed their outsider status — the fashionable Ugg boots, the designer, faux fur vest, the patent leather Kate Spade tote bag.  The gentleman in the group looked like he came straight out of a GQ magazine, complete with moussed hair that seemed to defy gravity by standing straight up along with his expensive-looking Camel hair dress coat.  Nobody, I mean nobody dresses like that who resides in the town of Nederland.  Vail or Aspen — maybe, Nederland, definitely, NO.

The location of this sighting was equally surprising — the Sundance Cafe here in Nederland, a spot that locals frequent for breakfast year round.  This group that looked like they sprang straight from 5th Avenue in New York City provided a stark contrast to the rest of the faces in the room.  A typical Nederland crowd of young and old — weathered faces typical of living in the harsh mountain weather of Nederland.  Clothes ranged from flannel shirts to down vests and blue jeans.  And nary a speck of lipstick on a single woman in the restaurant.

As the group got up to leave the cafe, another pair of shoes caught my eye — the glossy blue rubber soles and stiff leather uppers of what I refer to as “duck boots.”  Duck boots are the iconic footwear made famous by L.L. Bean, perfect for the foul weather.  These particular pair of duck boots looked like they’d come straight out of the box, purchased expressly for this foray into the mountains of Colorado.  The duck boots instantly reminded me of a co-worker from Florida I worked with last summer, who basically wore them all spring and summer whatever the outdoor activity.  Prior to that, I don’t think I’d seen a pair of duck boots in 20 years, since I had visited the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, Maine.

Duck boots are not part of the usual footwear here in Colorado.  Hiking boots, biking shoes, running shoes, rock climbing shoes and of course, ski boots are all something you’d expect to see, but not duck boots.  I had always thought duck boots were meant for rainy days, but my co-worker seemed to wear them no matter the weather, or the occasion.  I kept waiting for her to don a pair of hiking boots, something that seemed more suitable for hiking or trail work.  I confided in my friend, who hailed from Georgia, about my sense of confusion on this.  “It’s a southern thing.” he stated.  Apparently in the south and/or east coast in general, duck boots are commonly worn and actually cool.

As I mumbled “duck boots” to my husband, the woman at the table over glanced at me, overhearing my comment.  I quickly covered by saying how I thought they were cute.  I asked them where they were from.  “Austin, Texas” she replied perkily.  “It is so beautiful here with the mountains and all.”  Ah, that explained it.  I lived a year in Dallas, Texas and I had never seen so much make up, so much big hair, so much money spent on just the right look.   In my limited experience there, it was anathema to even exit the house to pick up your mail without looking like you jumped off the pages of Cosmo.

I wondered how this intrepid group had ended up eating breakfast at this small town cafe in tiny Nederland.  There’s problem a story there…

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