Colorado Dog Parks
Travel Blog 355: Off Leash but On Target
Another easy ride from Lathrop State Park to Chatfield State Park in Littleton, Colorado, in the SW corner of metro Denver.
Family Time
Being close to family, we had several opportunities to spend time together. We had good times with Kelly and AJ, but of course, our focus was their kids. We took granddaughter Natty and a friend fishing and hosted a sleepover. The next morning Jan took the two youngsters to a water park. Here is a fast clip of Natty coming out of the black tunnel.
Another day, Jan took grandson Austie and his friend Ava paddle boarding, and then Jan and I took them to lunch along with Toby and Jackson at the dog-friendly Tailgate Tavern and Grill in downtown Parker.
Has It All
Chatfield State Park is a favorite of ours. It has just about every outdoor activity choice imaginable: swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, off-leash dog walking, prairie dog watching, birding, balloon lift offing, model plane flying, and more. In fact, as I am writing this, Jan and I (and the kids) are sitting outside watching the barrel rolls, lazy eights, forced stalls, and mock battles of the model planes across the way.
Wildflowers
Spring rain kept the grass green and gave the wildflowers the opportunity to show their stuff. Here are just a few varieties.
Morning Routine
We quickly developed an early morning routine during our stay: a little before sunrise, I take Jack and Toby out for their early morning break doing usual business but often sniffing out rabbits and other critters. Then after the family has had breakfast, we all drive the 20 minutes to the off-leash dog park at the north side of Chatfield, sometimes seeing a deer or two (once a coyote) along the way. Often, we see the balloon crews readying gear at their designated sight right off the main drive.
On our return from the dog park, we often spot the balloons cruising above Chatfield.
Ballooning
Just the other day, Jan remarked about the very high speed one was making as it “flew by” us. This was the balloon you may have read about that crashed, leaving three injured. Jan’s photo, above, is that balloon before the mishap.
Dog Park
For $25 you can get an annual off-leash dog park pass that is valid at both Chatfield and Cherry Creek State Parks…what a deal! There are many paths in the dog park, but we often take the two-mile trek around the park perimeter meeting all sorts of canine (tiny to huge) and their masters (all sorts as well). My guess is that in the hour we are there, we see close to 100 pups of all shapes, sizes, colors, altitudes, and attitudes. As a general rule, most are quite happy, many are boisterous, and plenty are inquisitive.
Jackson
Jackson is an old dog park pro who knows the routine.
The Toby Transformation
At first, we were a little leery of letting Toby off leash as he is not the most obedient member of the congregation—I think he must have some cat in him. However, by his third day he was not loitering, not following, but leading the pack, meeting all park participants and sizing them up face to face. He is now fearless of all the canines he encounters, no matter how massive or sinister. Ever watchful, Jack has Toby’s back and runs up for support when Toby needs it. It’s fun to watch when Toby encounters very big dogs, he doesn’t back down but stands up on his hind feet and looks the dog in the eye, attempting the dominance that attitude can bring. Walmart greeters could take a lesson from this proactive pup.
After the dog park our normal routine is to drive back through the park and then continue through the Prairie Dog Town, where we always spot adults, usually with some youngsters.
Jackson and Toby love watching prairie dogs.
If you have a favorite pic from this blog, let me know and I’ll announce the top choice in the next blog.
See you next time.
Family Time
Being close to family, we had several opportunities to spend time together. We had good times with Kelly and AJ, but of course, our focus was their kids. We took granddaughter Natty and a friend fishing and hosted a sleepover. The next morning Jan took the two youngsters to a water park. Here is a fast clip of Natty coming out of the black tunnel.
Another day, Jan took grandson Austie and his friend Ava paddle boarding, and then Jan and I took them to lunch along with Toby and Jackson at the dog-friendly Tailgate Tavern and Grill in downtown Parker.
Has It All
Chatfield State Park is a favorite of ours. It has just about every outdoor activity choice imaginable: swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, off-leash dog walking, prairie dog watching, birding, balloon lift offing, model plane flying, and more. In fact, as I am writing this, Jan and I (and the kids) are sitting outside watching the barrel rolls, lazy eights, forced stalls, and mock battles of the model planes across the way.
Wildflowers
Spring rain kept the grass green and gave the wildflowers the opportunity to show their stuff. Here are just a few varieties.
Morning Routine
We quickly developed an early morning routine during our stay: a little before sunrise, I take Jack and Toby out for their early morning break doing usual business but often sniffing out rabbits and other critters. Then after the family has had breakfast, we all drive the 20 minutes to the off-leash dog park at the north side of Chatfield, sometimes seeing a deer or two (once a coyote) along the way. Often, we see the balloon crews readying gear at their designated sight right off the main drive.
On our return from the dog park, we often spot the balloons cruising above Chatfield.
Ballooning
Just the other day, Jan remarked about the very high speed one was making as it “flew by” us. This was the balloon you may have read about that crashed, leaving three injured. Jan’s photo, above, is that balloon before the mishap.
Dog Park
For $25 you can get an annual off-leash dog park pass that is valid at both Chatfield and Cherry Creek State Parks…what a deal! There are many paths in the dog park, but we often take the two-mile trek around the park perimeter meeting all sorts of canine (tiny to huge) and their masters (all sorts as well). My guess is that in the hour we are there, we see close to 100 pups of all shapes, sizes, colors, altitudes, and attitudes. As a general rule, most are quite happy, many are boisterous, and plenty are inquisitive.
Jackson
Jackson is an old dog park pro who knows the routine.
The Toby Transformation
At first, we were a little leery of letting Toby off leash as he is not the most obedient member of the congregation—I think he must have some cat in him. However, by his third day he was not loitering, not following, but leading the pack, meeting all park participants and sizing them up face to face. He is now fearless of all the canines he encounters, no matter how massive or sinister. Ever watchful, Jack has Toby’s back and runs up for support when Toby needs it. It’s fun to watch when Toby encounters very big dogs, he doesn’t back down but stands up on his hind feet and looks the dog in the eye, attempting the dominance that attitude can bring. Walmart greeters could take a lesson from this proactive pup.
After the dog park our normal routine is to drive back through the park and then continue through the Prairie Dog Town, where we always spot adults, usually with some youngsters.
Jackson and Toby love watching prairie dogs.
If you have a favorite pic from this blog, let me know and I’ll announce the top choice in the next blog.
See you next time.