Cowboy Kisses: Soapstone Prairie Natural Area near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Recently, day-trippin' with Carol and Laura (thank you), we saw the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area located about 25 miles north of Fort Collins. (Almost to the Wyoming border, later we just had to have lunch in Cheyenne!)

Down a 9 mile gravelly road (not too bumpy) you come to this amazing expanse of nearly 19,000 acres or pure prairie where you can picnic, hike, bike, and tailride with equine in specified areas.

Note: This is one of the few Fort Collins natural areas in which dogs are not allowed, including in cars. (service animals that have been trained to assist a person with a disability are allowed).

In 2004, the City of Fort Collins purchased Soapstone Prairie Natural Area with the goal of conserving one of the most beautiful and important natural areas in the nation with a specific focus on plant communities, vegetation and wildlife.

Two types of wildlife were reintroduced to what used to be their natural habitats – the American Bison and the Black Footed Ferret.

By 1979, the Black Footed ferret was believed to be extinct. Their demise was due in large part to the fact that they use abandoned prairie dog holes in which to live and there was a huge push to eradicate by shooting and poisoning the prairie dogs, hence the black footed ferret died too

Today, with fewer than 500 in existence worldwide, Black Footed Ferrets are one of the most endangered mammals in North America.

The bison, due to slaughter in the late 1800's, were soon also brought to the brink of extinction. More than 150 years had passed since Bison roamed the prairie at Soapstone. But in November of 2015, the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd, a genetically pure Bison with a Yellowstone bloodline, was reintroduced to the Soapstone Natural Area.

The American Bison has since been named the national mammal of the United States. The Soapstone Herd has produced the first Bison calves seen on this land in 150 years.

Antelope also range there. They are so pretty!

Mountain lions, bobcats, and bears are occasionally spotted visiting the area. While coyotes, foxes, hawks, and eagles are the more common predator.

Although when viewed from afar, the land appears muted in color, if you look closely you will find a myriad of flora.

Pasque flowers, prairie coneflowers, scarlet globe mallow, wallflowers, Wisk broom...the bounty changes season by season.

The Lindenmeier Site is also located within the preserve. This National Historic Landmark is from the Ice Age. Check with me next month for more details on this 12,000 year old archeological site.

Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins, allow about an hour travel time. From Fort Collins, take Hwy 1/ Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north (towards Waverly). From CR 15, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station.

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Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery.

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart *Promise Me Christmas.

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream

Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence

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