Mammas (and Daddies), don't let your babies grow up to be...

Dumb adults. We are at the top of Rocky Mountain National Park, the signs CLEARLY saying "stay on the trail" as you will damage fragile plant life. Also, "pick up your trash" signs...what do we see? Adults and kids tromping all over the tundra. Chip bags, and other assorted trash on the trail sides. Ugh. I had a grumpy National Park experience. Then, down the road a bit; big group of cars pulled off the road. There was a herd of cow and calf elk off the trail. We had been warned in June, stay away from the mamma elk as they are super protective (novel idea, eh?); we see, crossing the tundra, families. Dads and thier small children. Men with cameras 10 feet away from these animals. Moms with babies. Unreal. This makes me not feel bad for the people you see on the animal shows that get too close to wildlife and then get beat up by said creature. Serves you right! I looked at my kids, and asked them them not to be dumb when they grow up.

That might come across fairly harsh; I am all about adventure and seeing cool stuff up close. But common sense rules the day. Good thing those mamma elk were more worried about eating than kicking tourist butt. It reminds me, though, that as a parent my job is to teach my kids to respect the rules and things around us more than our own experience at times. Just some thoughts...