Alamosa, San Luis, Monte Vista, Saguache, Crestone / COME TO LIFE see and even handle some of the more than 300 alligators and other scaly critters; and the UFO Watchtower in Hooper , a quirky roadside attraction providing information on the valley’s surpris-ing number of UFO sightings. Alamosa’s many restaurants. In the evenings, check out what’s playing at Society Hall , evidence of the town’s grass-roots music scene on the rise. For a different sunset adventure, visit Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to view avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis, herons and other wildlife. Thousands flock to the refuge for March’s Monte Vista Crane Festival to admire 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes. Take in a sunset from nearly anywhere in the valley by gazing eastward to the Sangre de Cristo range, which turns crimson as the sun slides below the horizon. Not far is Penitente Canyon (2) , whose 100-foot walls are beloved by rock climbers. There are hiking trails that will take you close to the action. Try to spy one of Colorado’s rarest plants, the neo-parrya, scaling the cliff walls. DAY 2 In Alamosa , stop by the Colorado Welcome Center in the historic train depot and purchase tickets for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad , which zips riders to a mountain-top amphitheater that’s only accessible by train for live music in the summer. To the south, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is an 1880s train that travels from historic depots in Antonito , Colorado, to Chama, New Mexico. The welcome center can also direct you to new hiking/biking trails within the city and along the Rio Grande. Grab a frothy pint at The Colorado Farm Brewery , which produces beer exclusively from ingredients harvested on their family-run farm, then snatch a table at one of downtown Tucked into the base of the Sangre de Cristos, tiny Crestone is a unique blend of spiritual New-Agers who frequent the Hindu temple and Zen center, artists, hikers, campers and birders. Stop into Crestone Brewing Co. for a beer and locally sourced pub grub. 2 DAY 3 Those who love rock climbing, bik-ing, hiking and hunting may want to spend a day in Saguache , an intimate community one hour north of Alamosa surrounded by the Sangres to the east and San Juans to the west. Check out Search for the Saguache Treasure , an online game based on the area’s history. PENITENTE CANYON, KENNAN HARVEY. COLORADO.COM / 179
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