We went down to Colorado last weekend to meet up with some friends and just get some time away. Our two families rented a cabin on the edge of the lake, and we got to go canoeing and kayaking on Saturday, and we did some hiking and exploring, too. It was great to get away from the house for a few days and get out where we could see some nature.
We saw deer, ospreys, pelicans, great blue herons, and a bunch of ducks and geese. We didn’t see any moose, though it wasn’t for lack of trying. But on the way home, we tried to go through Rocky Mountain National Park in order to see even more critters. But we got turned away at the entrance gate.
I should have remembered that the national parks are now limiting the numbers of visitors, but I forgot. So when we pulled up to the entrance booth, the ranger asked us if we had a reservation. Since we didn’t, we had to turn around and try to get one. I checked the reservations site on my phone, but they were completely booked.
It was frustrating, but I’m glad they’re limiting the number of people they’re allowing into the national parks at one time. The parks have all experienced record increases in numbers of visitors in the last few months, and some areas are getting overrun. On the one hand, it’s encouraging that so many people are interested in seeing the country’s more natural areas. But on the other hand, it makes it a lot more difficult to just jump in the truck and go head for the wilds, at least if those wilds include the national parks.
If you’re thinking of heading to Yellowstone this weekend, be sure you have your reservation. You’re not going to get in if you wait until you get there.
