I first fell in love with Colorado’s, Rocky Mountains when I was just a little tyke. My Dad was born in Illinois like I was but his Mother was a descendant of a farming dynasty in the San Luis Valley, located in South-Central Colorado. We made the trip many times in my youth from the Black Earth Prairie, by thy river gently flowing; to the Maternal Homelands in the Mighty Rocky Mountains.
Our clan had a ranch, high in the San Juan Mountains, willed to us by a gold mining clansman. I loved that place; we called it, The Dream Ranch. Never struck any gold but we had three solid log cabins and a fishing pond, with miles of National forest stream, full of beaver ponds out the back door. I learned to fly-fish there and have been infatuated with trout ever since, and the mountains.
We moved to Denver in 1978, just about the time I ventured out into the great wide world on my own. The first stop was Almont, Colorado, where I worked as fishing guide for a summer; living the life in the little resort community between two of Colorado’s most awesome mountain towns; Gunnison and Crested Butte.
Over the next decade I lived in or visited many of Colorado’s Mountain Hamlet’s. I was infatuated with the history and architecture of these little mining towns. I still am but the landscape has changed significantly in the last few decades. The work from anywhere – internet warriors, love these little burgs as much as I do and have descended in droves.
I miss the old days a little; like back when it didn’t require winning a lottery to attend a festival in Telluride but the upside is that with the influx of folks, these old mining towns have become vibrant communities with micro breweries, awesome restaurants and interesting shopping districts.
Recently we went on a little backpack trip, back to the maternal homeland and on the way out, stayed over for a couple days in Salida, Colorado. One of a few mountain towns we hadn’t spent much time in, probably because it’s so close to the San Luis Valley. And we loved it, what a cool little hamlet.
Three or four micro-breweries and a dozen excellent and diverse eating establishments make for some exciting exploration, especially after a few days out in the bush. We were in town during the FIBArk celebration, so there was plenty of action. River Rats from across the west descended on Salida for the celebration.
FIBArk is the oldest whitewater festival in America. It started in 1949 when a couple River Rats made a wager on a race down the Arkansas. They both nearly drowned but it was so much fun they’ve been celebrating the whitewater culture for 73 years, except for 2020 and 2021 which were cancelled due to COVID.
We only stayed for the first day of the four day event and had an awesome time exploring Salida. We’ll be back! It’s a classic “Pole, Peddle, Paddle town. Monarch is just over 20 miles from town with laid back, affordable skiing. There are numerous options for cycling, including MTN, Roadie and Gravel. And of course; “A River Runs Through It.”
Here’s a link to all the images. Salida Photo Walk.