Long Southern Colorado Drive - Highway 160

Mount Mestas (R) and Rough Mountain

It was a long drive to Buena Vista today, but I love seeing the different views of Colorado. Fort Collins to Denver, Denver to Pueblo, Pueblo to Walsenburg, Walsenburg to Alamosa, and then Buena Vista. Highway 160 up over North La Veta Pass at 9,300 feet elevation, and down into the San Luis Valley. Southern Colorado Rockie Mountains - Spanish Peaks covered with clouds and snow, as is most of the ground - it is still over 7,300 feet here in Alamosa. When coming up the east side of the pass, a Black-billed Magpie cruised by the opposite direction parallel to the ground with the blanketed white hill slope with snowed-covered trees as background contrast - a perfect photograph in my mind, and if I could paint, it would be staged like one of those Judy Leach hidden horse scenes with Indian ponies camouflaged by their background.

Calvillo's Restaurant

There are not many towns along the way from Walsenburg to Alamosa - watch out for the unmarked police cars in the few towns that are: Fort Garland and Blanca - pay attention to the 35 mph signs that punctuate the otherwise 65 mph highway speed. Alamosa is worth the journey just to sample Calvillo's Mexican Restaurant - many reviews, four stars. Their rojo sauce has a smoky flavor, similar to what I have tasted at a new restaurant we tried and liked in Fort Collins - maybe this is a Colorado style different than we have had in Oregon and Maryland.