The charm of hummingbirds that once fought over my bird feeder has slowly begun the migratory path towards warmer climates. I wish I could say that I envy them, but I don’t. Well, maybe a little. The things I envy most about them are their beauty and strength.

I thought of this as I watched a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttering across the ground at Sleepy Hollow Park. In case you’re wondering, yes, kaleidoscope is one of the names for a group of butterflies. Charm is a name for a group of hummingbirds.

I’m not sure who created these names, but I will admit that I find them fitting. The same goes for Sleepy Hollow Park, where I pondered about the destination I would go should I feel the need to roam elsewhere.

After the flood of 1976, Sleepy Hollow became one of several Larimer County public parks in the Big Thompson canyon. You can find people fishing, picnicking, hiking, and enjoying other outdoor recreation.

Roughly 22 miles from Loveland and 8.3 miles from Estes Park on US 34, is where you can locate Sleepy Hollow Park. The turn comes up on you pretty quickly and there’s only a small brown sign, facing the highway, with its name on it. Paying attention is vital. Otherwise, it may be easy to pass the only entrance.

Parking spaces are limited and there’s only one trail from the parking lot. The drive is nice during the early morning hours and spending time in nature is always worth it. The park also plays host to several weddings throughout the summer season.

The park is small when compared to others in our amazing state, but it’s soothing and makes for a great place to unwind. I prefer to get there via the Peak to Peak Highway. I always drive the scenic route whenever possible. I like my chances of having a wildlife encounter and there’s a lot less traffic than heading towards Loveland on I-25, US 287, or US 93.

As I sat there listening to the river and watching the butterflies, I found myself overstimulated by my own emotions. I was jealous of the butterflies, craving the river’s strength, and caught my mind questioning a different life. All this filled me with a sense of gratefulness.

Soon, many of our seasonal critters will make their way home elsewhere. The calm before winter, known to me as Autumn, will drown our eyes with the beautiful sights of lime green, gold, oranges, and reds, allowing for new life to begin.

For more information on Sleepy Hollow and other Larimer County Parks check out: https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/big-thompson.