We finally got to spend a day in Salida yesterday.  We've gone several times since we've been here, but it's been to pick up something and run back to the trailer.  Yesterday we went into town for a presentation on "What Everyone Should Know About Conservation Easements" sponsored by the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas.  We were glad to see so many people interested in conservation easements, preserving Colorado's wildlife corridors and viewscapes.  After the presentation, we wandered around town, talking to anyone who would talk to us.  Everyone we met did!  Salida has some of the nicest people!  

We stopped at a beer store to check out what microbrews they carried.  We talked to that guy for possibly thirty minutes (we can talk a long time about beer!).  We went by the Salida Steam Plant, a restored historic building that houses the local performing arts group and has a small museum space showing local art.  They've had a host of international talent that the group Roots of the Rockies music association has brought into the small town for culture.  We had plans to see a show next door at Bongo Billy's, kind of a coffee shop and restaurant that turns into a club after 8pm, but we made plans to come back and see some of the shows they offer.  

We stopped in one of the art shops called the Bungled Jungle.  It has some fun, funky creatures that are just too hard to describe.  You'll have to check out the website or see it for yourself next time you're in Salida!

After dinner at Amicas Pizza, a local brewpub that has some great beer and really good food, we wandered over to Bongo Billy's to hear Bruce Hayes.  He's a local guy, but really talented.  He gathered quite the crowd by the end of the night.  He ended the night with a funny song about beer.