COLUMN: Find Your Park: Mesa Verde

Statement

The National Park Service celebrates its 100th birthday on August 25, 2016. Although our first National Park was established in 1872, it wasn't until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill that created the National Park Service, charging it with the responsibility to protect the nation's 35 existing national parks and monuments, as well as the parks and monuments that would be established in the years to come.

Growing up in western Colorado, National Parks have been a big part of my life. From hiking and camping on family vacations, to quiet evenings spent fishing and enjoying magnificent views, our National Parks have been the backdrop of countless memories for me and my family.

Mesa Verde National Park has held a particularly special place in my heart for a long time. Growing up in Cortez, I was lucky to be able to visit Mesa Verde often and learn about the Ancestral Pueblo. As a small boy, I could hardly imagine what life in present-day Cortez would have been like 700 years ago. The preserved stone community gave me a real-life glimpse into the ancient culture that so many kids were only able to read about at school.

Our National Parks, and Mesa Verde especially, tell important stories. The Spruce Tree House, one of the largest cliff dwellings in the park, tells the story of a young family that wanted to preserve a moment in time -- a moment that would be marked by the imprint of their baby's feet in the wall.

Every time I've looked at these feet inside of the Spruce Tree House I have wondered about the circumstances surrounding the imprint. Was it the day the baby took his or her first steps? Or perhaps the mark of another special milestone? I'll never know the answer, but I'll always feel the life of that child when I visit the park. This is what our National Parks are all about -- preserving the past, bringing stories to life, and leaving lasting impressions on generations well into the future.

To celebrate the National Park Service's 100th Anniversary, I encourage you to go out and find your park. And if you want to hear more stories or need ideas, visit www.findyourpark.com.

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