Here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in Loveland, Colorado to be exact, there is plenty of open grasslands and still flat lands dispersed among the streets and abundance of bike trails. Along the horizon, the mountains begin to rise high into the clouds.
This flat area is a perfect refuge for the thousands of little, adorable creatures called prairie dogs. They are not dogs but belong to the rodent family. And even though they are adorable running in and out of their giant holes, standing on their two back feet looking straight at you, almost as if they are waiting to engage you in conversation, they are really acting as sentries, sent out of their “towns” below ground to assess whether or not you are a threat.
As we rode past them on our bikes, I wanted to stop and wave “hello” and see if they would come closer. Luckily, I kept going, trying to catch up to Gary up ahead. It was later when we got home that I wanted to know more about these cute creatures.
Turns out, as rodents, it is safe to assume they carry diseases, notably rabies and the plague! So, as you drive past these cute colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, remember to wave from the safety of your car or bicycle and keep your distance.
Our campsite here in Loveland is just okay. It’s a bit tight and over-packs the RV’s like many campsites seem to do. But the views of the mountains and the town itself is nice.
Loveland is a historic town, dating back to the early 19th and 20th centuries when the sugar beet industry was booming (who knew). When the railroad came through the area, people came to settle just east of the mountains. The area was also once considered the cherry orchard capital of the country. Again, who knew?
The downtown district is registered as a historical town due to the preservation of over 45 buildings dating back to the late 1880’s. It has a modern mix of coffee shops, arts, and boutiques. There’s also a huge hospital, big box stores, and chain restaurants. And supposedly, they’re big on Valentines Day here in Loveland.
I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting more rural and laid back. It’s nice to still get surprises in your 60’s after traveling as much as we do.