Las Manos Bed and Breakfast

Winter Wonderland

2011-02-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

For our guests at Las Manos B&B, this has been the very best year for snowshoeing in the Collegiate Peaks and we just have to spread the word while we still have excellent snow conditions. Although we have had an almost snowless year down in the Valley, (which has been great for hiking and biking) , those guests who have ventured into the mountains have come back with with big smiles and good stories. For the very best in up-to-date reports, we always call The Trailhead , our local outdoors store...they have a network of clients who report back after each trip, so we know the conditions are current.

Here is a photo of guests snowshoeing up in the Chalk Creek area above Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.

We're looking forward to hosting you soon.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

William's newest Massage Training Class

2011-01-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

William just completed a 2 day class in "Advanced Myofascial Techniques: Spine, Ribs and Low Back Parts 1 and 2" with Advanced-Trainings.com and The Rolf Institute.

The course-work provided him with many new techniques and insights that have already become part of sessions with virtually all of his clients who have a variety of back and hip pain problems. In addition to providing help with pain and discomfort, the techniques can help with breathing, Range of Motion issues and flexibility.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or talk about this work, please call William at 719 395 7807.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

All the best for 2011 from Las Manos B&B

2011-01-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all our very best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous 2011 to everyone from Las Manos Bed and Breakfast.

The photo shows the new fireplace insert which we had installed in October. It has made the Kiva room a warm, cozy and "snuggly" place to hang out during a winter afternoon or evening...with a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of wine.. the photo was taken by Allison Fleetwood, who took last winter's "snowy window" photo, and so many of the exceptional views of Las Manos in the past few years...there will be more added in 2011 as well. The photos were taken by the light of the fire, so we had to hold our poses for 15-30 seconds...on one amazing shot, Sasha our cat jumped into the scene, and stayed still for the required time....then promptly vanished....

This year we had our first garden, a small raised-bed with a major defense fence around it to keep out the deer, rabbits and other hungry critters...We had tomatoes, snow peas, beets and zucchini.....delicious....

In November to took a road trip to Chimayo, New Mexico to buy chili, blue corn meal and to visit friends. We now serve blue corn pancakes as a new breakfast entree...yum...Here we are at the Santuario de Chimayo

William has continued to run this year, completing 3 trail marathons, 2 halfs and a fun 5K here in Buena Vista on July 4th....

As in previous years, our guests amazed and entertained us with wonderful stories of the home towns, their travels and their occupations. Our "distance" champions this year were a family from Manila, Phillipines....We also hosted couples and families from Europe and most of the States.....

Buena Vista attracts many people in the summer for rafting and the outdoor activities, but we're very pleased that many of our guests come here for special events like "Paddlefest" in May ,the "Collegiate Peaks Music Festival" in July and "Gold Rush Days" in August.

Our two newest restaurants, which opened in 2009, are doing well and still getting excellent reviews from our guests. The Asian Palate serves Thai, Asian and Sushi at a level equivalent to any big city, and The Eddyline Restaurant and Brewpub serves up award-winning beers and ales, as well as excellent pizzas, steaks and salads...most of which are sourced locally....delicious and healthy. And don't forget The Buena Vista Roastery where Las Manos gets it's excellent coffee....it's worth taking a pound or two home....If you've been looking at the website, you'll notice two new sidebars..."What are those rocks" and " Guests' Adventures". If you have any photos of trips you took while at Las Manos, or shots of local scenery, hikes, rafting or anything fun or beautiful....please email them to us....we'd like to keep the website fresh and especially include your special memories.

Our newest rock art..right by the Tracks And a high mountain lake up by Cottonwood Pass

We wish you all the very best wishes of the Season and we hope to see many of you back here at Las Manos in 2011.

Colleen and William

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

Aspen Gold is covering the mountains

2010-09-13T15:51:00.000-06:00

It's that fabulous time of year again when the aspens cover the 14ers and the Arkansas River Valley with gold. They started last week up at tree line about 11,500 ft and each day the color moves a bit further down. We expect that we'll have 2 more good weeks of color, so if you have the chance, get away and see the best the Rockies have to offer. One area between Buena Vista and Salida, Aspen Ridge, is one of the largest Aspen groves in the country, and you can drive right into the midst of all of this golden splendor....

Tomorrow our guests are climbing either Mt. Yale or Mt. Harvard.... both are part of the Collegiate Peaks, right outside our west windows.They'll be hiking through many Aspen groves on their way, and if they get good photos, we'll post them tomorrow night, just before we massage them.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

August Beauty

2010-08-25T20:18:00.000-06:00

August produces much incredible beauty in Buena Vista.... especially at Las Manos B&B

Here is a sunflower on our front lawn and a beautiful Sunset over Mt. Princeton

Our yard is covered in wild sunflowers

Sunset August 25 Mt. Princeton

These sunflowers and the sunsets will continue into September, and then the Aspens will put on an incredible show across the mountains, valleys and rivers.....do come and see us....

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

Athletes are everywhere at Las Manos

2010-08-15T19:37:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone..

As summer turns to fall at Las Manos B&B, we are hosting a plethora (great word) of athletes of varying talents and endeavors. On Thursday August 12, William massaged a couple at our in-town studio who were both riding the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race on Saturday August 14 . And we hosted another couple at the B&B and the husband was also riding in the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race.........BTW all three finished the race in the allowed time...which in itself is an accomplishment

The husband of the couple in Sunrise Suite, who William massaged Saturday night, will be running the Pikes Peak Ascent on August 21. And William's running coach, Amanda McIntosh, will be in town from San Antonio to pace her client who will be running the Leadville 100 Trail Run on Saturday August 21....yes...100 miles of running at altitudes from 9,200 to 12,600 ft.....

On Tuesday August 17, Las Manos B&B will be the altitude training base camp for an Israeli Team who will be participating in the Gore-Tex TransRockies Stage Race from Buena Vista to Beaver Creek, August 22-27...a six day, 113 mile Team trail run that is as beautiful as it is challenging.

And for the rest of the story...William will be running the Breck Crest Trail Marathon on Sunday September 5.....and the local Buena Vista Autumn Color Marathon on September 21....he'll need all the good thoughts you can send his way....

If you're not a runner, fall is still a magical time to be in Buena Vista....beautiful flowers are still enjoying the sun, the leaves aren't turning yet, but will be in mid-September....and fall sunsets are especially beautiful....

We hope to see you here this fall.....or whenever you arrive.

All our best...

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

Summertime !!!!!

2010-06-29T14:14:00.000-06:00

Yes friends, summer is here and Upper Arkansas River Valley is ready for you...the river is running strongly, the wildflowers are beautiful and just about every activity possible is available here this summer.These are Yucca blossoms just outside the back door of Las Manos B&B, and they are there every June, but this year they are particularly beautiful...Enjoy the other wildflower photos throughout this blog.

This year, for the first time, Las Manos has a veggie garden.... we have tomatoes, zucchini, peas, beets, cabbage, lettuce, chilies and rhubarb, and they are strong and very healthy....we expect to be adding fresh garden veggies to our breakfasts starting in late July. Here is a brilliant zucchini blossom to whet your appetite.

On a more personal level, William has taken his running to a more serious level and has completed a marathon and a half-marathon this spring and will be running the Leadville Marathon on July 3. After 2 1/2 years of training, his knees are actually better than they've been for many years.

In March William's daughter and her family spent a week exploring the area and hit just about every highlight...skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, hot springs, shopping, dining and just relaxing....we all had a wonderful family time.

If you can, come up for a summer vacation...but if you can't think about a fall weekend with the aspen colors...or take a few "mental health" days in the middle of the week when we're a bit quieter..... whenever you come, we take extra special care of you....

Colleen Finley and William McQueen Innkeepers Las Manos B&B Buena Vista Colorado

Buena Vista...the Center of the Outdoor Universe

2010-03-20T17:07:00.001-06:00

For those of us who live here, and many who visit, Buena Vista's many and varied outdoor activities have made us feel that this is the perfect place to be...both to live and to visit...and now we have a very special recognition that shows that the world agrees.

Gadling, the online travel magazine, has just published a list of Ten Outdoor Destinations with Everything with Vancouver, Chamonix and Bend Oregon listed. Guess who was #1....yes little old Buena Vista Colorado....

The article lists Peak Bagging 14ers, Skiing and Whitewater Rafting as three top activities.

But we know that Buena Vista also has a world class Whitewater Park for kayakers, exceptional road and mountain biking, fly-fishing in the Arkansas River and high mountain lakes as well as cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Oh yes...I forgot Snowmobiling, ATV's, horseback riding, Trail Running, Adventure Racing and Long-distance hiking on the Continental Divide and Colorado Trails.

Wow..just typing that list made us tired, so we think we'll go soak in the Hot Springs at Cottonwood or Mt. Princeton.

Or...we'll go have a coffee...BV has just been named the first Fair Trade Town in Colorado which includes the Buena Vista Roastery...where Las Manos gets all of its great coffees.

As Mae West said...why don't you come up some time and see us....

Colleen Finley and William McQueen
Innkeepers
Las Manos B&B
Buena Vista Colorado

2010 is on it's way

2009-12-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to Everyone...

Christmas is just a happy memory, with lots of parties and fun with family and friends. And of course, snowshoeing, skiing and just playing in the snow. One of our friends took their kids on a sled ride that went for over half a mile...and they did it twice again.....after Grandpa drove down to the bottom of the hill and took them back up the easy way.

We're looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2010, and we're excited that many of you have started calling or booking on the Las Manos website for spring and summer.

Even though there are three more good months of winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling and tobogganing, we know that lots of you are thinking about summer vacations. Get your plans together with friends, and book both Suites at Las Manos for an extra-special vacation. With our two large suites and huge living room, you will have a private home for the cost of two rooms....and we'll still serve you all a delicious breakfast every morning.

Check out the events calendar at the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau for a list of events that you may want to attend, and build your vacation around one of them, such as the Paddlefest, Fibark, or the Buena Vista Bikefest.

We're ready for your call or booking....and we're looking forward to hosting you soon

All our very best wishes for 2010.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen
Innkeepers
Las Manos B&B
Buena Vista Colorado

Dining and other pleasures in Buena Vista

2009-12-06T14:10:00.001-07:00

Wow...it's December and the Holidays are fast approaching. For those of you who are looking for a winter getaway, Buena Vista Colorado is a great choice. Where else can you enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, while also taking hikes, riding your mountain bike and fly-fishing? The Upper Arkansas River Valley has many sunny days every winter...come up and get one for yourself.

And while you're here, be ready to enjoy some excellent dining and other taste treats. We highly recommend The Eddyline Restaurant and Brewery,a new addition down at South Main, the new urbanism development at the river at the east end of Buena Vista. They have an excellent variety of wood-fired pizzas, calzones, salads and steaks, and delicious beers. The owners care about their food and beer and especially their customers, with great service and a friendly atmosphere.

Another favorite is the Buena Vista Roastery, and we believe it is so good that we get all our coffee from them. They feature organic and fair trade/shade grown coffees from around the world, and roast the beans right here on Main Street in Buena Vista. We buy our coffee weekly so that you get a very fresh cup here at Las Manos, and they can trump that with a "coffee by the cup" program that lets you choose from dozens of great world-wide coffees at the Roastery, and taste just one cup at a time, fresh brewed just for you.

Great dining, excellent activities and choices for both day and evening make a visit to Buena Vista a winner.

Oh yes, we've dropped the rates at Las Manos for December.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen
Innkeepers
Las Manos B&B
Buena Vista Colorado

Dining and other pleasures in Buena Vista

2009-11-22T13:52:00.001-07:00

Las Manos B&B is so very fortunate to be here in Buena Vista Colorado and we are also so delighted that day and nighttime activities up here in the Colorado Rockies include some excellent dining. This blog will focus on one of our favorite restaurants, and tell you about it's story and how it ties into Las Manos B&B.

The Asian Palate opened in early July of this year, and like Las Manos B&B, it is the result of a great dream, a lot of hard work, and a true love of what one does for a living. The full story of the history of the restaurant is on their excellent website, so I won't go into too much detail. But I will say that a visit to The Asian Palate will introduce you to a dining experience that would do well in any big city. But it's right here in Buena Vista and only 4 miles from Las Manos B&B.

Eddie and his crew provide excellent dining, Asian style with delicious sushi, which is flown in directly from Hawaii. And you can tell....all of our guests come back home with rave reviews....

The interesting link with Las Manos B&B is that William was the general contractor and did much of the demolition and rebuilding of the restaurant. Look at the photos of the restaurant story and you'll see how much of a transformation we all accomplished. And that level of hard work and dedication has continued in the daily operation of the restaurant.

Come to Las Manos B&B, dine at The Asian Palate, and enjoy all that Buena Vista Colorado has to offer. And check on our blog regularly...we'll have more on Buena Vista activities, dining, galleries, shopping and concerts....

Colleen Finley and William McQueen
Innkeepers
Las Manos B&B
Buena Vista Colorado

Saving our Land and Ranching Heritage

2009-11-13T19:47:00.002-07:00

Last night Las Manos B & B had the honor and pleasure of attending one of John Fielder's photo presentations highlighting his newest book " Ranches of Colorado" We have been familiar with John's work since we first saw his amazing "Colorado 1870-2000" project in which John took the classic 1870's photographs of W.H. Jackson, and matched them with his own photos taken at exactly the same spot 130 years later. Many show huge growth, and many show nothing where a booming mining town once stood. His newest book, which we now proudly own a copy, features John's wonderful and heartfelt photos of 50 Colorado Ranches, many of which have been run by the same family since the 1870's and all of which are now protected by Conservation Easements which guarantee that each ranch will stay a ranch, and can never be developed.

Featured during the show was the Cogan Ranch , which is situated right here in Buena Vista and recently became a part of the family of Conservation Easements managed by the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas, our local Land Trust. Joe Cogan's grandfather started ranching on this ranch is 1892, and Joe and his son Bruce are continuing the tradition.

The stories of the ranchers, the ranches, and the amazing Fielder photographs are well worth the time it will take to browse the pages...but better still, attend one of the dozens of shows and autograph sessions John is offering for the next several weeks. Check out his website and look at the events page. On the evenings where the event is hosted by a Land Trust, a percentage of all book sales will be donated to the local Land Trust as part of John's ongoing commitment to helping preserve these magical places for posterity.

Colleen Finley and William McQueen
Innkeepers
Las Manos B&B
Buena Vista Colorado

Winter Activities in Buena Vista Colorado

2009-11-10T07:53:00.004-07:00

Winter activities in Buena Vista Colorado, especially here at Las Manos Bed and Breakfast are many and varied. Buena Vista is up in the Rocky Mountains, and our "Banana Belt" clear, crisp and dry weather most of the winter allows most summer activities to continue, along with many others you would expect in the winter. Las Manos is about an hours drive from Monarch Mountain and Copper Mountain and is a budget option if you want to ski part of your vacation and then enjoy sunnier and snow-free days as well. You can still hike, mountain bike, fly-fish in the Arkansas River and sit in wonderful hot springs like Cottonwood and Mt. Princeton. During the winter Las Manos guests can also cross-country ski, snowshoe, tele-ski, and snowmobile on miles of groomed and unbroken trails. And after all of it, there is still great dining, shopping and many cultural activities in our area.

Next week we'll talk in detail about our new and excellent restaurants here in Buena Vista.

William McQueen and Colleen Finley
Innkeepers
Las Manos Bed & Breakfast

Eco-Friendly Buena Vista Bed and Breakfast

2009-10-29T11:22:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Las Manos Bed & Breakfast, a Buena Vista lodging accommodation.

Las Manos is a Green home which has been awarded "2008 Best in Off-Grid Category" by the Colorado Renewable Energy Society Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design in Buildings competition.

The Inn's green designation is due to design decisions like using strawbale because it is a low-cost, high insulation renewable resource, along with recycled newspaper ceiling insulation. The home was designed to be a passive solar home, with south-facing windows. All of the homes windows that open were re-sourced, as well as headboards, a chandelier and other furniture.

A very impressive part of the home's sustainable design is a 1400 watt solar panel and a wind generator. These items allow the inn the generate all its own electricity.

Join us at Las Manos for a luxurious stay with all of the amenities that you expect from a quality bed and breakfast, while knowing that your vacation destination is environmentally responsible.

William McQueen, Innkeeper
Las Manos Bed & Breakfast