During the summer months there is a large focus on tourism, but the Visitor Center is here for local residents too.
As we enter into holiday season, the VC can be a great place to shop for many people on your Christmas list. We carry maps, books on local information and guides of all sorts. We also have the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card (CORSAR). The cards cost $3 per person for one year or $12 per person for five years. If someone you know enjoys camping, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or just the outdoors but doesn't have a hunting or fishing license, the CORSAR is a valuable and affordable resource. It's a way to prepare for the unexpected and ensures that someone will be there to help you without additional expense. Even if you access search and rescue, it is a way to support Colorado search and rescue volunteers and their team effort to help others.
Every year, the Visitor Center restocks its shelves with useful hiking, biking and fishing maps as well as brochures on survival tips to take along, as you enjoy our region's magnificent mountains, forests and canyons. Think great stocking stuffers!
The San Juan Mountains Association is a partner with the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Center. SJMA provides the VC with a variety of books about wildflowers, birds, mushrooms, hiking trails and even children's books and toys. There's also a collection of excellent books by our local historian, Darrel Ellis, as well as our favorite western author, Louis L'Amour. We carry Louie L'Amour T-shirts, hats, and some DVDs of some of his classic movies.
Christmas is coming
Remember, Old Fashioned Christmas is just around the corner, and we'll be offering our annual sale of all items at 20 percent off starting Dec. 5 during our festival up through Dec. 23. And we'll take credit cards this year. The Mancos Valley Art Council continues their show during the season and into January 2015. Come join us at the Visitor Center, browse the art show and shop a little.
Marie Chiarizia is the executive director of the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 101 E. Bauer Ave. Visit www.mancosvalley.com or contact her at 533-7434. You can also visit chamber@mancosvalley.com for more information.