Sometimes in the RV life we all hit a bump or two in the road. Crises are no fun, but there’s often a silver lining behind the stress and drama. Like inhaling a breath of fresh air, we unexpectedly discover something new and wonderful. That’s what happened to us in a valley deep in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Our Ram 3500 dually truck suddenly started throwing codes and hissing loudly, and although it could drive, it refused to tow our 32-foot-fifth-wheel trailer over any mountain passes until it was fixed. We were miles from nowhere, surrounded by mountain passes, and every diesel mechanic within 100 miles was booked for weeks. Ugh! Fortunately, a mechanic in Buena Vista, not too far from where we broke down, agreed to look at our truck. His prognosis was bleak. It needed a new exhaust manifold and a new turbo, and the parts wouldn’t arrive for a few weeks. Good grief! Buena Vista wasn’t on our itinerary at all. We were just passing through the area to get to more exciting places. But we soon discovered that “BV” (as the locals affectionately call it) is a truly delightful little town. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to be “stuck” for three weeks! Buena Vista has a population of just 3,000 people and sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet at the base of the towering Collegiate Mountains, several of which have summits more than 14,000 feet. These mountains bear the names of Ivy League universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. Another is named Mt. Oxford in a nod to their British cousin. Further north, the mountains are named for Civil War heroes General Sherman and President Lincoln. Interestingly, despite all these illustrious luminaries and institutions overlooking the valley, Buena Vista’s origins were quite humble. In the 1860s James and Martha Mahon established the town of Mahonville in this spot. They were drawn to the area because water was plentiful and crops grew well. Agriculture has remained an important part of the community ever since, and descendants of the Mahons still live in the area. From 1922 to 1946 Buena Vista, Colorado An Ideal Summer Vacation Destination! Text by Emily Fagan, photos by Emily & Mark Fagan
Buena Vista was the “Head Lettuce Capital of the US,” and fields of emerald green stretched as far as the eye could see. Mining was also important to the area. Back in 1879, nearby Leadville saw a huge silver boom, and two rail lines soon brought tracks through Mahonville. With the arrival of the trains, the residents changed the name to Buena Vista, or “Good View” in Spanish. That name is a huge understatement, though. With sweeping mountain panoramas in every direction, the views around Buena Vista are truly sensational! Although it’s tempting to use the Spanish pronunciation of “Bwayna Vista,” the woman who originally proposed the town’s name change in 1879 wanted the pronunciation to be Americanized as “Byoona Vista” (“byoo” as in “beautiful”). Everyone in town agreed, and that pronunciation has stuck through the generations. So, when you’re talking to a local, don’t be surprised if they say “Byoona Vista!”
The town bridge over the Arkansas River
The river is perfect for tubing or kayaking
BUENA VISTA, COLORADO
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SUMMER 2026 | 9
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