It’s been a while since I’ve “reported” on a neat place to go.  In the past, I’ve blogged about state parks that we’ve visited and/or camped at.  I’ve also blogged about RV parks and places that you can just go for a day trip.  Most of them places in Florida.  I don’t really think that we’ve visited any park since we’ve been in Colorado besides the Rocky Mountain National Park - oh, and Devil’s Backbone.  Several months ago, I ran across this beautiful county park, but it was closed for the Winter season.  A few days ago while my husband, one of our sons and I had a little down time,  I suggested that we go check it out.

Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park, in Loveland, CO is just (in a word that my mom uses all the time) lovely!  The beautiful grass, nice shade trees, and flowing river, make it an ideal area for relaxation.  On the day that we visited, we saw a few people picnicking and someone lounging on the grass studying.  Some of the amenities are picnic tables, shore fishing in the Big Thompson River, a playground, hiking, horseshoe pits, two areas which can be reserved – one of them with a shelter, and an environmental education center.  Couples have also had wedding ceremonies here.

The building above is pretty cool.  It’s got two picnic tables and two fireplaces in it.  First come, first served, and fires only permitted if there isn’t a fire ban.  The deck on the outside has a max capacity of 15, so keep that in mind.

My son made the comment that he saw a sign saying “no tree carving”.  All the trees off the deck were carved:

This bridge leads to the shelter that can be reserved.   Only people with reservations for the shelter can cross over it:

And finally, if you keep up with me, you know that I am big into bathrooms!  I learned this from my mom.  Anytime we went anywhere, she’d check them out to make sure that they were clean.  This park offers pit toilets.  The facilities are clean.  Just a warning though, they don’t have “stalls”.  I’m a private person.  I had my husband be the look-out while I “went”.  

I hope to visit this park again, many times over the years.  The next time that we go we will have to take a picnic lunch and do a little hiking!  And I can’t wait to see how it changes with the different seasons.