From Wikipedia:
Enos Mills, then a 14-year-old boy, moved to Estes Park [Colorado] in 1884. He explored the mountains of the area and wrote many books and articles describing the region. He later supported the creation of Rocky Mountain National Park, and he split his time between the mountains he loved and the cities of the eastern United States, where he lobbied for the legislation to create the park. The legislation was drafted by James Grafton Rogers, a Denver lawyer and avid outdoorsman. Mills’ original proposal for park boundaries went from Wyoming all the way down to the Mount Evans area [west of Denver], including areas such as the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Much of the land was favored for mining, logging, and other operations, however, so the proposed park was reduced to an area approximating the current park borders. The bill passed Congress and was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 26, 1915.
Happy Birthday, Rocky!
Best looking 100-year old around. Now bring back the wolf and grizzly bear as part of the celebration. Thanks for the timely post, PT– you should make a quick run to the visitor center to be part of the day!
Heh, I should look so ageless.
I seriously considered going up there today, just to sit outside the visitor center munching the celebratory cake they’re serving and gazing up at “my” mountains. It’s supposed to be about 60 degrees and sunny. But I was slow getting started this morning and prefer to be up there by 10 or 11 am if I go. (That translates to “was reluctant to set the alarm last night.”)
I’d love to see wolves back in the park, but experts have said the park is too small (compared to, say, Yellowstone and Banff) to sustain a population, the terrain is mostly too high and steep (wolves don’t like that), and urban development is too close by (inevitable human-wolf conflict).
Still, the mountains themselves endure, and that’s what keeps me going back. I consider them the one constant in my life, the one thing in seven decades that hasn’t changed.
Happy birthday indeed my friend. Treasures like that must be protected! š
I couldn’t agree more.
Looks like a new poster for my wall is in order! (We have a couple of signed ones framed, and a park trail map…not as good as being there, though. Road was probably crowded there for the party)
I spent the day trying to alibi my not going: “It’s a gorgeous day. 70 degrees in January? The place will be jammed. Parking will be impossible. Just getting to the park will be tough.”
Magnificent poster, isn’t it?