Oct. 7-8 highlights local food, crafts and entertainment. Kids of all ages can join the pie-eating or apple peeling contests. A horseshoe tournament, golf and Saturday night street dance keep everyone entertained. Departing Cedaredge, wise cyclists carry lots of water across the high desert landscape of the North Fork Mesas. Leroux Creek Inn, a Southwestern-style adobe home, provides a tranquil overnight respite near Hotchkiss.
Colorful flowers attract hummingbirds to a peaceful courtyard.
From the back deck the West Elk Mountains are postcard perfect. Sunset aficionados won't want to miss the spectacular colors as the sun eases below the mesas. From the hot tub, with no city lights or haze to interfere, the Milky Way seems to climb right out of the Gunnison River Valley. Those wanting an even more challenging ride can bypass Leroux Creek, descending the mesa into the orchards between Hotchkiss and Paonia. A hammock beneath towering cottonwoods encourages an afternoon nap, or serious gazing across horse pastures to snowcapped peaks.