Despite what the name suggests, Buena Vista is home to far more than breathtaking views! The mountain town boasts a variety of mountain sport hot spots, artistic and cultural attractions, and delicious dining. Pack your vacation with new outdoor adventures, relaxing hot spring evenings, and locally crafted shopping and dining all at Buena Vista this summer!
Hot Spring Paradise
Buena Vista hot springs. Credit: BuenaVistaColorado.Org
Buena Vista is home to all of your new favorite hot spring soak spots. Whether you are looking for a day at the spa, and adventure down the river, or some splashing family fun, Buena Vista has a variety of hot springs locations to choose from. Not only are they a great way to relax and explore, but they also offer prime mountain views. Relax with a ice-cold drink or throw on your adventure hat, Buena Vista’s hots spring’s offer it all!
Hiking, Rafting, and Mountain Play
Rafting down the river in Buena Vista. Credit: Colorado.com
Buena Vista is home to the largest number of 14ers in Colorado, hundreds of hiking and biking trails, and world class rapids for rafting and kayaking. Try your hand at a variety of outdoor sports offered at all experience levels. Whether you and your family are looking for a beginner hike on the Cotton Wood Pass, or you are a lifelong thrill seeker looking to rush down the rapids with Browns Canyon Rafting, Buena Vista holds classic Colorado outdoor adventures for all!
Spectacular Shopping and Dining
Historic Main Street of Buena Vista. Credit: ColorfulColorado.com
At the end of your adventure packed day, wind down with the vibrant shopping, dining, and live music scene on Buena Vista’s historic Main Street. After enjoying a scrumptious locally made meal, you can walk the rustic street to find galleries, gift shops, local craft stores, outdoor gear hubs, and more. Plus, the small town’s famous Brown Dog Coffee Company makes for a great cozy start or finish to any day. The friendly Buena Vista community is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect destination for mountain town tourists!
Thinking back to when times were simpler and the world wasn’t suffering through a pandemic, there I stood so young and care-free. I wasn’t bombarded by assignments or classwork as it was the middle of summer break of junior high. My family and I were off to Cancun, Mexico for the next couple of weeks. This was my first time traveling outside of the country and it will be one I won’t forget.
As we arrived and exited the small aircraft, I was immediately hit with the blazing humidity. I could only bare it for so long as I craved the air conditioning inside the airport. Shortly after grabbing our luggage, we made our way to the Mayan Resort Palace where we would be staying for our trip. I couldn’t contain my excitement as younger Meghan was incessantly talking and starting arguments with my brother about who would get to do what first. Once my parents had just about had enough of us, they dropped us off at the resort pool the next day and we all went our separate ways. The rest of the day we hung around the resort and relaxed as we got used to the time difference.
Although the resort was lovely, we also planned activities that required us to leave and explore. Our first destination was famous Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza. This complex of ruins contained historical architecture and in the middle of it all, an enormous towering step shaped pyramid. The geometric buildings were a sight to see and this landmark is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. I was truly blessed to be standing on such sacred ground and to see these monuments for myself.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
The next day was also filled with adventure as we headed to the cenotes. Cenotes are underground caves that contain fresh water and allow for tourists to go swimming and see its beauty. However, these attractions are very hard to find and must be accessed through a tour guide company. My family and I were a part of a tour group that provided dune buggies to these remote locations that contained the pools. The drive was around 15 minutes through thick, dry bush, and by the time we arrived I looked over at my Mom and she was covered from head to toe in dust. We then took a large flight of steep stairs down into the first opening to the cave of the cenote. We were told not to touch any of the limestone that covered the walls as the oils from our skin could damage the stone and could ruin this beautiful landmark in the future. However, my brother and I had the time of our lives swimming through crevices and deep into the water.
Cenote
Dune Buggies
This was just the start of the many trips to Mexico that my family would eventually embark on. Traveling is an opportunity I never take for granted and being able to experience new cultures and places with the people you love makes it all worth it.
To meet this week’s prompt, I have created a Prezi presentation about visiting Stavanger, Norway. The pictures without image or source credits belong to my family – they’re pictures my parents took when we lived there. I hope you enjoy!
Hey! I’m Zoe, a second year English major with a concentration in creative writing. I love reading and writing (but I guess that’s probably a bit obvious, huh) and I enjoy watching Netflix and hanging out with my English Bulldog, Huggsy. I’m really excited to be a part of this class and I’m looking forward to working with all of you!
In Autumn of 2018, I found myself in the Chalkida province of Greece, traveling alone for the first time in my life. I took the trip to expand my comfort zone and experience a part of the world completely foreign to me. And yeah, to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean. Visiting Greece is not supposed to sound like a chore.
I spent the first two weeks of the volunteering at a refugee camp hosting refugees from the Middle East and Africa. The experience was eye-opening and more emotional than I thought it would be.
After two weeks at the camp, I started to feel worn out. I decided to book a train to Athens and meet my Dad who was coming to visit me. The trip did not get off to a fast start. First, I managed to board the wrong train and started heading in the opposite direction of Athens. That’s when my phone decided it would be a good time to run out of battery. In Athens, tourists can get by without speaking Greek, but this was not the case in Chalkida and I struggled to find someone who understood my situation. I felt alone even though I was surrounded by people.
Embarrassed, I fumbled around the train, trying to build up the courage to ask strangers for help. Eventually, I met a friendly Greek couple who helped me transfer trains at a nearby station. It was late when I finally got to the hotel and all I wanted to do was relax for the next few days. My father’s flight would be getting in later that evening and I was sure he would want to do the same thing, hopefully on his dime.
! His itinerary for the weekend included a guided bike tour of Greece. Our guides were experienced cyclists and were delighted to learn that we had never ridden road bikes before. They were pretty confident that the route my Dad booked would be too challenging. Truth be told, I really had no interest in biking 65km that day, but I wasn’t going to let him know that. Grudgingly I accepted that my relaxation would have to wait.
We then proceeded to ride from Athens to Corinth which was as beautiful as it was agonizing. True fatigue began to set in on the last 10km, we struggled big time. The desire to get off the bikes was strong enough to fuel us into Corinth. We disembarked and hobbled over to the canal, which is a marvel of 19th-century technology.
The Corinth Canal
I was ready to head back to the hotel when I saw someone jump off the bridge transpiring the canal walls. I had never seen a Bungee jump before, but fun was not exactly the first word that came to mind. Unfortunately for me, this trip was about leaving my comfort zone, and I couldn’t think of a better way of doing this than jumping off a bridge.
Two weeks at a refugee camp, the most stressful travel experience of my life, and a 65km bike ride had left me pretty tired. I had not planned on free-falling 45 feet when I woke up that morning. Yet, it just felt like the right thing to do. Sometimes the best adventures are unplanned, unexpected, and even undesired.
Hidden in the magical British Colombia rainforest, the Bowron Canoe Circuit has been providing paddlers with a tripping experience like no other. If diverse wildlife, stunning views, and unique campsites are what you are looking for, Bowron is a great next adventure.
Before you start packing, here are 7 Things to Know About Bowron Lakes.
Getting there
This is one of the best parts, especially if you like road trips. The canoe put-in is an eight-hour drive north from Vancouver. Luckily, the Sea to Sky corridor is the most scenic drive in Canada, passing through famous towns like Squamish, Whistler, and Lillooet. It is also possible to fly into Kamloops BC, which cuts the drive in half.
We choose to drive up from Whistler and stopped by several famous alpine lakes along the way!
2. Permits
Very important to reserve your permits and do it early!!! The beauty of the Bowron is a poorly kept secret and spots in the park are limited. Permits are $60 per person ($30 for the shortened circuit) and can be purchased here.
Once you’ve purchased your permit, you are required to report to the ranger station for a trip briefing and weigh in. The ranger station is located conveniently next to the start of the trip.
Late July to August is the peak season for the canoe circuit, I recommend securing permits at least two months in advance.
3. Outfitters
Northern B.C. does not have a lot of residents but it sure does have my favorite canoe outfitter in Canada. They’ll set you up with paddles, life jackets, packs, stoves, and most importantly canoes. They also rent canoe carts for the portages, which I recommend not renting if you are an experienced canoe tripper. Carrying the canoe is part of the experience!
Expect to pay $100-$300 depending on how much gear you need to rent.
You can park at the outfitters and they will shuttle you to the ranger station where you will begin the trip. Please note: they only have a small selection of food and camping items, so definitely pack these beforehand.
4. Trip Length
The record for the circuit is less than 24 hours, but since that is not recommended, plan for 5-10 days depending on your style. As experienced canoeists, we completed the circuit in six days at a relaxed pace.
Maps can be purchased from outfitters, online, or at the ranger station. They are helpful to identify campsites, wood caches, and portages. Navigation wise, the trip is quite straightforward as it follows a near-perfect parallelogram.
Portages (where you carry your canoe and gear overland between lakes) are well-maintained and moderate in length. There are also a few sections of moving water that can be easily paddled through if water levels are high enough.
5. What to pack
Food and Fuel
Pack extra days worth in case you get delayed.
Water purification system
Filters, chlorine tabs or boiling water are all safe options
Campsite supplies (Tent, sleeping bag, etc)
Bear Spray and Bear Bangers (Essential)
Know what to do in a Bear encounter
Warm clothes (non-cotton)
Cotton clothes will not dry, wool or synthetic material is recommended.
Wet clothes
The clothes you plan to wear throughout the day, they’re supposed to get dirty
Rainjacket (Essential)
Trash bags
Pack out your waste
Duct Tape
6. Food and Bears
Bears are common in the game preserve of Bowron and are closely monitored. Typically only Black Bears are spotted but Grizzly Bears sightings are not unheard of. Pack bear deterrents like mace for safety. Park Rangers will close campsites that have had bear sightings and will notify canoeists of updates. Bear caches are at every campsite and portage to keep food out of reach. Leave no food behind and do your best to leave a small scent trace. Luckily, these preventions and the number of travelers have kept bear encounters low.
7. Weather
Since Bowron is found in Canada’s only temperate rainforest, expect rain often. It can get quite cold during the early summer months, especially when combined with rain. Ensure you have proper rain gear and a good tent to keep you dry at night! On the other hand, Bowron is host to many bluebird sunny days that invite you to go swimming. A hat and sunglasses would not be the worst of ideas.
Lanzai Lake
There is beauty in the uncertainty of a canoe trip, and Bowron will certainly keep you on your toes. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime!
