Embrace the Great Outdoors

Wake up, swipe open your phone, check social media pages and work email, turn on music to get ready for work, sit at your desks and stare at a screen for 8 hours a day, come home and turn on the television to unwind from the day and repeat.

We are submerged in the digital era and have become so accustomed to technology that we often need to be reminded to step away, unplug and give our minds and bodies time to decompress.

National Get Outdoors Day is June 9^th and we highly encourage you to grab your friends and family to get outside, plug into nature and create your own Colorado adventure. One day without turning on your cell phone, iPad, laptop or any other device used to connect with others through the internet is exactly what you, and us at BV Adventure Hub, have been needing. Doesn’t the idea of waking up to nature’s alarm clock of birds chirping and the sun rising sound much more peaceful than your screaming alarm clock that startles you every morning?

Travis Hochard, the general manager of BV Adventure Hub and River Runners, realizes the importance of setting down phones and tablets and creating memories with those around you, in nature. His getaway of choice is packing up a Polaris RZR with snacks and plenty of water and riding through the mountains of Buena Vista with his wife (NAME) to his right and their dog (NAME) in the back. Breathing in the fresh Buena Vista air, listening to nature’s soundtrack and staring out into countless miles of rolling hills, trees, wildlife and mountains is an experience that not even the most advanced technology can recreate.

Spending time in the great outdoors has an abundance of health benefits like giving our lungs clean oxygen, soaking up more vitamin D and reducing stress and anxiety, to name a few. We are advocates for adventure trips, getting lost in nature and exploring our state’s natural playground.

Need help planning your National Get Outdoors Day? Here’s a list of our recommended outdoor adventures in Buena Vista to help you plug into nature:

• Explore more than 30 miles of world-class OHV trails in the Four Mile Recreation Area of the San Isabel National Forest, just minutes from Buena Vista, in one of BV Adventure Hub’s new 2018 fleet of Polaris ATVs and side-by-sides.
• Hike the Harvard Lakes Trail in the San Isabel National Forest. This moderate, 6-mile roundtrip trail winds along the slopes of Mount Columbia and leads you to a pair of lakes. We are going to let you in on a little secret; the lakes are known for their trout fishing so pack a fishing rod if you’re able and spend a few hours wetting a line!
• Bike the Buena Vista River Road, a family-friendly path that you can cruise down with ease while riding next to the Arkansas River. The path takes you along the old Midland Railroad grade and through a series of tunnels, occasionally passing rock climbers on Bob’s Rock and Elephant Rock.
• Camp at Turtle Rock, a free campsite managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There are 29 campsites, all equipped with fire rings and enough space to fit a 35-foot RV! While camping at Turtle Rock, you can go fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
• White water rafting with River Runners is the ideal way to cool off from the heat of the summer. For novice rafters, expert conquerors of the white caps and every skill level in between. Half-day, full-day and overnight trips are all available. Feeling like you want to fly solo and try something new? We recommend renting a stand-up paddle board (SUP) and floating down the Arkansas River, you won’t regret it.
• A simple stroll down Main Street in Buena Vista is also a great choice! There are so many great shops, restaurants and breweries to visit!

We hope you choose to embrace the remarkable outside world around you and keep yourself rooted with nature on June 9. Now turn off your phone or computer and get out there and explore!

Want help planning your Buena Vista adventure? Let us be your guide.