Back in 2007, en route from Florida to Alaska, we passed through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Just before reaching the formal park, we briefly visited Estes Park — an awesome hammock of a community situated right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Park is a popular tourist town in the region and seems to serve as homebase for a good number of regional visitors. In our case, we simply passed through, had lunch, and continued on our way into the national park itself. Still, the town made quite an impression on us, from the rising upthrusts of the Rockies surrounding downtown to the rambunctious golden-mantled ground squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) standing guard along the edges of the winding mountainous roads.
Callospermophilus lateralis
I have a long list of places I’ve “been” but haven’t really “experienced” — if you know what I mean. Sure, we visited Estes Park, but we really didn’t get to taste the local flavors and to experience what the town had to offer. It was simply a pinpoint on the map, a waypoint in our larger travel plan. It is, however, on my list of Places-to-Return. I’d love to experience more of Rocky Mountain National Park and spending some time in and around Estes Park sounds like a mighty fine idea. It really was quite lovely!
Tomorrow on Dust Tracks: We return to Animal Land! I think…
~ janson
Filed under: Colorado, Landscapes, Mammals Tagged: Callospermophilus lateralis, Spermophilus lateralis
