Buena Vista (which means beautiful view) is my new favorite place to visit in Colorado during the summer. The town is located between Leadville and Salida, two towns we’ve enjoyed visiting in the past. The area boasts the highest concentration of summits over 14,000-ft. in Colorado and is home to the Arkansas River -- one of state’s most popular whitewater rivers. There are so many nice places to hike, bike ride and tour. We are staying at the Snowy Peaks RV Park and would definitely consider coming back for a week sometime.The weather has been absolutely perfect!  

We drove into Buena Vista and hiked the Barbara Whippel Trail and then crossed over the river and hiked the River Trail.  It was an interesting hike because we were able to watch a few people kayak down the Arkansas River, a person ride the whitewater standing up on a paddle board, and a wedding reception at the Surf Hotel.

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This was not us, but it sure was fun to watch them!

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Look how cute this “living room” set located at the playground in historic Buena Vista is!  All the pieces are decorated in ceramic tile—including the cat and dog.

 

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There were two bridges on the trails about 1 mile apart  to cross the Arkansas River

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Cottonwood Pass and Loss Lake Hike

Eighteen miles from Buena Vista driving up the Collonwood Pass is a beautiful hike called Loss Lake Trail that we hiked today. Between that hike and hiking to the top of the Continental Divide Trail at the Cottowood Pass, we hiked 4.19 miles.

 

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We couldn’t have asked for more spectaucular weather or more beautiful weather.  Clear and 68 degrees!

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Site 20 at the Snowy Peaks RV Park

Comanche Drive in Theatre

We ended the evening with a trip to the  drive in picture show.  We passed the theatre this afternoon on our way back from hiking and decided to go back tonight and give it a try. The movie was the new release of Disney’s The Jungle Book which was underwhelming to sat the least. 

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