National Parks Are for the People and for the Protection of Our Natural Resources.

 

As I stopped in to grab a cold beverage while on my way to Rocky Mountain National Park recently, the clerk behind the counter started talking with me about the park.  At one point he stated, "I don't think you should have to pay to see God's creation." He then shared that he has lived his entire life in a town just outside of the park but has never once entered the park.


At the time, I was a bit caught off guard. Wanting to get this guy to visit the park despite his hang-up, I suggested a couple of locations where I knew he could still be technically "in" the park but without having to pay. He seemed pleased with this news and so I headed on my way.


But his statement has rattled around in my brain for several weeks now.


There are so many things I wish I would have shared with him.


For instance, I do not necessarily enjoy having to pay for entrance either. I have a tight monthly budget and it took a big chunk to pay for my annual park pass.
However, what I wish I would have reminded him of is that each time you and I pay to enter our National Parks (and also State Parks) we are paying to keep them OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Otherwise, they would go the way of the land....and become privatized....no guarantee that people like you and I would be able to enjoy the views, the trails, and the wildlife.


Heck, in the 1800s before RMNP or Estes Park existed as such, people were already trying to buy up all of the land and hunt out all of the wildlife. Well, specifically one man....called the Earl of Dunraven. Were it not for Enos Mills, F.O. Stanley, John Muir, and others....I guarantee you that the area now known as Rocky Mountain National Park would have been sold to the highest bidder and  turned into vacation home property for the wealthy.


But now, everyday of the year, people from all walks of life can enjoy the views and the various flora and fauna.


So, while we would probably all wish that such places of beauty and unspoiled resources were always free......in America it just doesn't seem to work that way.
However,  you can have peace of mind that every time you pay to enter one of our incredible National Parks, you are helping to protect our parks for future generations.


And when you hear on the news or see me posting petitions against the privatization of public lands....this is why....public lands such as National and State Parks are for the benefit of the people. Perhaps someone doesn't want to pay $20 bucks for a day pass.....I can understand.....but the amazing thing is.....for $20 bucks ANYONE can have the chance to hike to Emerald Lake, to drive to the Alpine Visitor Center, to sit beneath a lodgepole pine and watch for grazing elk, etc. Were it not for our public lands (and some ARE actually free) these regions might be bought up and sold for private property.


So, yeah, perhaps we shouldn't have to pay to see God's creation....but at least we get to see it, is the point.

Mesa Verde National Park

I absolutely fell in love with Mesa Verde National Park. Nestled in the middle of nowhere, toward the southwest corner of Colorado, is a time machine composed of rock dwellings. These cliff dwellings are what is left from an ancient civilization. It is believed that they left the region due to some type of possible water supply issues. Most of the sites you see only from a distance but a handful you are able to actually walk up to...or have to climb up, using a ladder. For some of these, you must purchase a tour ticket and schedule a time. But totally worth it!

There was so much history at this park that I felt richly connected to the primitive people's that first inhabited such dwellings. Seeing how dependent upon the earth these people were...made me really wonder if perhaps our society might not get too carried away with our technology-driven way of life. I walked away with a deeper respect for the generations past (even those from my Grandparents generation) who know how to plow the land and till and toil.

Anyway, for a dusty, primitive journey back in time be sure to check out Mesa Verde National Park in your lifetime.

Colorado National Monument

On my way to Moab, Utah I decided to visit the Colorado National Monument. Driving along Rim Rock Drive I witnessed magnificent views of canyons, dessert-looking vistas, and unique red rock formations.

The park is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It offers hiking and biking trails, wildlife encounters, and ranger-guided tours. If you don't have the time or gas to make it to Moab...I think the Colorado National Monument is the next best thing.

Excursion of the week: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

There are redwood trees in Colorado??

That was my first response when a friend invited me to come along with her to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. It turns out there are at least half a dozen PETRIFIED redwood tree stumps in a dusty little town called Florissant, Colorado.

We were told that this area used to be home to a lake many thousands of years ago. Since then, they (read: paleontologists and archaeologists) have found hundreds of fossils of insects, plants, and even a couple of dinosaur fossils.

My friend and I consider ourselves a bit on the geeky side since we actually enjoyed looking at old fossils and tree stumps for a couple of hours. Honestly, this is quite the place for naturalist-minded adventurers. So, if you are into such things as old trees, plant life and digging in the dirt or under rocks--this is the site for you!

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers ranger-guided tours and lectures, several fossil specimen trays to observe, and even a hands-on opportunity to scrape away at your own piece of rock to discover buried fossils.