Refueling stations: Where to fill up on apres-activity food and drinks around the state
Colorado residents benefit from almost limitless opportunities for breaking a sweat and burning some serious calories. But all that activity canwork up a powerful appetite.
Fortunately, there’s an IPA around almost every corner and a feast to follow every fourteener.
Here are a few fine places to indulge— on the way back to camp or town— after a strenuous summer day. The Mishawaka
Fourteen miles up the Poudre Canyon Highway (Colorado 14) and 25 miles from Fort Collins, this 101-year old roadhouse has survived floods and fires while remaining one of northern Colorado’s favorite spots for live music at the amphitheatre.
After a day of running whitewater on the Poudre, retire to the expansive riverside deck and dig into some spinach artichoke dip and a buffalo burger. Wash it down with a pint of Odell-crafted Mish Ale while watching the bighorn sheep that graze along the canyon and the overhead eagles eyeing your onion rings.
13714 Poudre Canyon Highway, Bellevue, 970-481-9466, themishawaka.com/restaurant/
Royal Gorge Brewpub
Come for the skydiving, the rafting, the rock climbing, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad or just a heart-pounding 1,000-foot peek over the nation’s highest suspension bridge, but stay for the beer. Right on Main Street in Cañon City’s historic downtown, this classicwestern brewpub has a rotating tap of house and guest brews (try the Mangowheat if they have it) along with solid green chile (great on the traditional slopper), and a savory/ sweet “Sangre Cristo” bursting with turkey, ham and Swiss on housemade bread.
413 Main St., Cañon City, 719345-4141, royalgorgebrewpub.com