Broad Horizons / COME TO LIFE Back in Alamosa, walk to down-town’s restaurants, many of which specialize in Mexican cuisine. For a sunset adventure, head west to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to view avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, herons and other wildlife. Thousands of people flock to the refuge for March’s Monte Vista Crane Festival to admire 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes. From nearly anywhere in the valley, you can take in a beautiful sunset by gazing eastward to the Sangre de Cristo range, which turns crimson as the sun slides below the horizon. 2 DAY 2 In Alamosa , stop by the Colorado Welcome Center in the historic train depot and purchase tickets for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad . In the summer, the railroad zips riders to a mountain-top amphitheater (2) that’s only accessible by train for music, lunch and craft brews. To the south, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a 1880 train that travels from historic depots in Antonito , Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico. 3 Do More Colora do. alamosa.org • 800-BLU-SKYS COLORADO.COM You remember the one. Uncongested, affordable, and beautiful. The glory of a mountain hike, surrounded by 14ers. The thrill of sand boarding a 750-foot dune. The serenity of a hot-spring soak. The warmth of small-town hospitality. Just down the road ... your Colorado is waiting. / 177
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 177
