Love in all the wrong places

Remember Craigslist’s “Missed Connections?” For that matter, remember Craigslist?

Neither did we, until a search for barstools turned to Missed Connections for a laugh.

For the unacquainted, Missed Connections is where people post messages in hopes of reconnecting with someone they encountered in public but didn’t muster the courage to talk to. In theory, the posts describe the location or circumstances of the encounter, the other person sees it, the two reconnect and live happily ever after. In practice, however, Missed Connections can be a seedy hellhole where people are just trying to solicit sex.

Craiglist declined in popularity in recent years with the rise of social media, as well as scam and safety concerns. So, we were perversely delighted to see Missed Connections is still quite active in Durango. So you don’t have to, we’ve pulled some of our favorites:

• “Looking for a hiking friend with hiking staff.” Oh god.

• “My cat ran out. She is a tabby cat that comes to her name (YUMMI).” Looks like a Boomer clicked the wrong button.

• “I was in front of you in line at City Market, white shirt, let’s meet.” Well that’s descriptive.

• “ISO hot bass player that played last Saturday night. Would love to visit waterfalls and eat lettuce wraps with you this weekend if you’re down, respectfully.” Uhhh…

• “Johnson? You out there?” At least it’s to the point.

Our personal favorites, however, come from our neighbors in Farmington:

• “Red Lobster waitress. Had you as a waitress yesterday.”

• “Speedway. I was parked by u as u were cleaning ur window..i aplogized for just parking there ibwas eating.”

• “Waitress Bdubs. I was there saturday night. Beautiful waitress working in the booth area. Long reddish hair, glasses and beautiful! If you read this and know somew who works at bdubs please help me find her.” Maybe you could find her at … BDubs?

Believe it or not, there are stories online about people meeting through Missed Connections, not getting murdered and actually working out as a couple. It’s a crazy world, and crazier things have happened, so the saying goes. And hey, we get it, it’s hard to meet people these days.

However, we may want to put the waitress at BDubs in a witness protection program or something.

The Pole

Getting soaked: 02/06/2025; Floating the Grand Canyon could get a lot more expensive for private boaters. The National Park Service is seeking public input on a proposal to increase the per-person cost for rafting Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek from $90 to $310. The cost of floating Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry, now free, would increase to $55/person. The $25 lottery permit fee would remain unchanged.

Lockdown: 01/30/2025; For many Durangoans, their bicycles may be their most prized – and only – set of wheels. Which is why bike thieves are among the lowest of the low. But, with bike thefts on the rise, Durango Police are helping residents protect their bikes through a free registration system called “Project 529.”

The end is Sneer: 01/23/2025; If you’re planning on drinking your winter blues away at Snowdown this year, you’ve likely already been to Magpies Newsstand to grab your board games gear to celebrate. As Snowdown merch central, they have t-shirts, hats, buttons, posters and info pamphlets. Get your butt down there if you haven’t already, as supplies are dwindling! However, if you go to Magpie’s in search of the venerable Snowdown Sneer, the satirical newspaper that mysteriously shows up around town (almost) every Snowdown, don't get your hopes up just yet.

So Rando: 01/16/2025; It’s been 10 years since locals Peter Carver and Joe Philpott died in separate avalanche incidents. Since then, the nonprofit organization founded in their memory, Know the Snow Fund, has raised tens of thousands of dollars and handed out hundreds of scholarships for avalanche safety training. In 2024 alone, KTSF supported scholarships for nearly 100 individuals.

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Love in all the wrong places

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