Begin this culinary adventure as early as 8 a.m. at the San Luis Valley Farmer's Market in downtown Alamosa. Located on Main Street between the blocks of Hunt and State Avenue, this market features produce from all over the region. The market runs every Saturday from July through mid-October and also includes live entertainment, and healthy cooking demonstrations.
While in downtown Alamosa, wander your way through art galleries, gift shops and antique stores. Stop in the Welcome Center just one block from Main Street and grab a Historical Walking Tour brochure to discover the many fascinating buildings throughout the downtown area. And since you are already nearby and have worked up an appetite, plan on lunch at the San Luis Valley Brewing Company (slvbrewco.com) on the corner of Main St and San Juan Avenue. Once the Alamosa Bank, this brewery is located inside one of Alamosa's oldest buildings. All of the beers are locally brewed and there is often a seasonal special on tap.
After enjoying a great meal and a beer sample or two, head west towards Del Norte and the Lazewe 2 Bar Goat Dairy. A family ranch since 1878, LazEwe produces artisan goat cheeses in many gourmet flavors from their lively goat herd. Make sure you call first though for directions and hours, 719-850-9914.
While there is still plenty of time left in the day, head a few miles north to Penitente Canyon. The canyon's 100-foot walls are regularly scaled by scramblers from around the world. If you're not the rock-climbing type, there are manageable hiking trails that will take you close to the action. Try to spy one of Colorado's rarest plants, the neo-parrya, scaling the cliff walls. The canyon is part of the Bureau of Land Management's 7,529-acre recreation area of the same name, and there is a network of single-track trails for bikers and horseback riders, in addition to a campground. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande
Finish your adventurous day in Del Norte at the Three Barrel Brewing Company, (threebarrelbrew.com) who say they are a small brewery but have big beer. One of Colorado's smallest micro-breweries, their hand-crafted ales are made in small batches with the best ingredients they can find. Their menu is Italian inspired and proudly feature gourmet wood fired pizzas.