EAT
The smell of wood-fired pizzas, steaks, burgers and salmon wafts through the air at the Eddyline Restaurant—a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Tantalizingly tasty and unique quinoa concoctions, salads and calzones round out the menu and provide options for everyone. With a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, these dishes are delicious, healthy and filling and the local brews make it go down better. With a range of cleverly-named beers like River Runner Pale Ale, Crank Yanker IPA and Jolly Roger Black Lager, you can drink your dinner if you’d prefer. Feeling adventurous? Try the Innerglow Red Chile Porter—we haven’t tasted anything like it before and we want more. eddylinebrewing.com
SLEEP
This one-stop-light town offers countless opportunities for spectacular camping as well as plenty of vacation rental options. However, for something unique, head nine miles west to Rainbow Lake Resort, a rustic getaway located at the edge of a crystal blue lagoon with sweeping mountain views. Here you can spend hours fishing for trout, explore the lake by rowboat or wander nearby trails. Each cabin (there are 27) serves up a distinct feel and includes a full kitchen and spectacular amenities like a lending library, game room, volleyball court and fire pit. If a cabin isn’t your cup of tea, the resort also offers condos, an apartment and 3 secluded lake homes. rainbowlakeresort.com
PLAY
Snow pummeled the Collegiate Peaks this winter. That means the Arkansas River is the place to be this spring. And, what better way to get ready for river season than CKS Paddlefest, a four-day celebration of the joys of rafting, paddling and stand-up paddle boarding. Over Memorial Day weekend, river lovers flock to BV’s River Park and Town Pond to test the latest gear, learn fresh skills and compete against others. This extremely family-friendly, all-ages event boasts on-water educational classes, free flat water, whitewater and SUP demos, used gear swaps, SUP yoga classes, guest speakers and a pro kayaking competition. If you still have energy, check out sweet after-hours events including film screenings, riverside happy hours and live music. And, it’s all for a good cause: Paddlefest has partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chaffee County and Buena Vista Optimist club to raise funds and awareness for local youth through Paddlefest. ckspaddlefest.com
