What's there to do in all this open space?

Spaces in the San Luis Valley are quite open. 
You might wonder why some come here.

Some have decided to build small homes on the open plains to live on, 
or just to visit on vacation and get away form the big city stress,

'cause solitude and wide open views is what they seek.

But these hardy souls aren't the only ones who like this valley.
20,000+ Greater Sandhill Cranes come by every year, 
from late February to March or April,
as they make this a rest spot on their 800+ mile trek from NM to Idaho.
So check them out during Monte Vista's Crane Festival from March 7-9 this year,
and avoid the crowds of pro photographers who love to shoot them, down in NM
http://www.cranefest.com/cranes.html 

Something else is happening in this valley.
Some want to keep it representing the way life was here, for future generations.
So, The Nature Conservancy has taken it upon itself to acquire much of this land.

Now they have 100,000 acres as a working ranch of cattle and bison, 
for all to come one see how life was here, back in the good old days. 
Go surf their site:
http://www.zranch.org

But if a "road trip" vacation is what you want, 
perhaps on your way to Mesa Verde or other places further west,
check out a trip National Geographic recommends:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/san-luis-valley-colorado-road-trip/


Yep, there is a lot here to see and do .

PS You might have noticed those deep blue skies. No Photoshop or even polarizing filters are needed here. This is just how bright and blue the sky is here at over 7,000 feet, without pollution to hide it from you.