DINO THUNDER!

12TH HIKE: DINOSAUR STATE PARK

Facts

Location: Rocky Hill, CT

Park: Dinosaur State Park

Trail: Blue, Orange, Red, & Yellow (2.2 mi)

Attraction: Dinosaur Footprints

Date: 8/4/11


Adventure

I have driven along I-91 to New York, Philly, and so on more than twenty times, in which, I constantly pass the sign that reads dinosaur state park. I was planning on hiking with Jully out in Western Mass, but she ended up at the Cape and I on my pilgrimage back to PA. I decided that today was going to be the day I stopped at this roadside attraction to check it out. I packed two pulled pork sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, and a piece of candy for the trip. It was a smooth hour and a fifteen minute drive my home in Worcester, MA. I am still convinced that the five year old in me pulled over the car...

When I arrived at the park I began roaming through the woods looking for dinosaur footprints, even though I knew damn well the must be inside the dome. I ducked off the main trail congested with small children and parents. I started running up hill and through the woods imagining that dinoaurs were alongside me. I stopped to read various signs about the geology and animals that dominated various eras. I scrunched up my arms and continued jogging around pretending to be an actual dinosaur and imagining life in a land before time (I couldn't resist.) The entire hike I contemplated entering the museum to see the footprints, but I didn't want to drop six bills and be taken for a sucka! I also knew I would never return to the park so I had to do it, I needed evidence that dinosaurs had been here.

The footprints were tiny and coated the floor of the dome. Travelers could view the footprints from 5-10 above depending on which side of the railing you were standing. In addition to being tiny footprints there was also uncertainty about the type of dino. They believed it to be an Eubrontes, but given the area of CT, palentologist claimed that they must have belonged to Dilophosaurus'. Despite the tiny prints, which I was hoping to see one giant one, I was still able to nerd out and enjoy reading all about dinosaurs! I wouldn't recommend it, but if you're really into dinosaurs it might be worth checking out.