When I returned from the land of Japan in late July, I certainly intended to remain in my Colorado cave and rest," said Stegosaurus. "However the afternoon following my return I received a communication from Congresssaurus Tricertatops ( Wy ) ( ret ), who told me of a celebration he was planning, and asked me, with our mammal friend Steve Beaver, to be present. I was informed that Mr. Beaver was to arrive in Colorado that very evening, and Triceratops asked if I could take him the rest of the way, from Colorado to Wyoming. I, of course, readily agreed to do so.
When Steve Beaver arrived, he said he knew all about Congresssaurus Triceratops' celebratory plans, but was asked by Triceratops to keep it secret, so that they could reveal the secret together in due time. The only hint Steve gave was that we had spoken about this secret before, on our way to Canada, but that was so long ago, and my brain so small I could not remember any details. This was okay, as I am very fond of surprises, at least good ones, anyway, and I was assured this was a good one. So, with that, Steve Beaver climbed upon my back, and we set off for the State of Wyoming. Specifically, we stomped to the State capitol, Cheyenne. It was here that we met Congressaurus Triceratops, who heartily welcomed us to his native State, where he had served as representative just over 150 years, till his retirement in the year 2018.
"Friends Stegosaurus, Steve Beaver, please be welcome !" said Congresssaurus Triceratops.
"Before we reveal our surprise, let us take a wonderful tour of the Nation's first National Forest, The Shoshone. You will find this impressive, all 2,500,000 acres. "
Being patient, and naturally intrigued by forests, I naturally agreed, especially as all the travel had made me very hungry.
Congresssaurus Triceratops became tour guide, and impressed us with his oratory skills, perfected over many millions of years in public service in many forms of Government.
"The Shoshone National Forest was declared protected by the mammals' President Benjamin Harrison in 1891, only a couple years after I was discovered; the forest protections were further expanded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The Shoshone forest is named for the Shoshone Indians, just as our State capitol, Cheyenne, is named for Indians; these tribes are native to the area. This forest is part of the Yellowstone Timberland reserve, including the Wind River Range and Gannett Peak, the largest mountain in the State. Within this area lies the Wind River Indian Reservation, where live the Shoshone Tribe, as well as the Arapahoe. Just to the South, lies The Oregon Trail, a passage significant to mammals in the 19th century West, when they traveled by brother Horse and covered wagon. The first European mammals to explore this area were John Coulter and Jim Bridger, around the year 1808. They documented the natural wildlife, which largely remains the same even unto this day. This will include, cougars, Grizzly bears, moose, elk, and of course, myself. I was discovered and classified by Professor O.C. Marsh within this State in the year 1889."
"Mummy cave here within the forest was rediscovered by the mammals in 1957; in this cave lived an early form of mammals, about 9,000 years ago, which is a long time in the lifespan of mammals. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by President Jimmy Carter in 1981. There is a small amount of gold in this area; it was mined with limited success in the late 19th century and though the mine closed up entirely by 1907, panning for gold is still allowed here to this day. in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads, hiking trails and campgrounds, which increased visitation to the area by tourists after World War II.
As vegetarians, Stegosaurus, you and I will take great interest in the many trees native to this area; these include but are not limited to the Pinus contorta; Juniperus scopulorum; Populus tremuloides; Abies lasiocarpa; Picea engelmannii; Pinus albicaulis; and Pinus flexilis. In the lower elevations we may find Populus sect. Aigeiros; and the Salix.
"Well, this sounds wonderful," said Stegosaurus. "Can we eat any of those trees?"
"It would not be a good idea," said Congresssaurus Triceratops. " This IS a National Forest."
"Let's go somewhere where we can eat; I am feeling some appetite for a meal of grass, and there's a nice meadow where I'd like to make my main announcement with Steve Beaver."
"The Shoshone National Forest has been interesting, but I am eager to announce our plans," said Steve, who was still riding on the back of Stegosaurus.
The dinosaurs stomped to a meadow in the State capitol of Wyoming, and when they had grazed and trimmed the meadow Then, Congresssaurus Triceratops declared it was time to make his announcement, and to take part in it, Steve climbed down from Stegosaurus' back and stood beside Triceratops.
"I am here this afternoon in our State capitol of Cheyenne to announce to everyone here and to make it known to the general populace that being retired from politics, I am now a gardener, and have gone into business with my mammal friend Steve Beaver here, to open a greenery; Mr. Beaver is very smart; he told Stegosaurus and myself how we couldn't really extract sunlight from cucumbers, and thereby saved us a lot of effort that would have been ultimately pointless. Without his larger brain, we might have wasted millions upon millions of years !! Mr. Beaver has a great sense for business, which will benefit any dinosaur who wants to do well, since our brains are relatively so small. He is very skilled in growing things, particularly avocado trees, and has an interest in creating hybrid gourds."
"Thank you for your kind words, Triceratops," said Steve Beaver. "I have done many interesting things in my life so far, but I haven't yet tried going into business with a Triceratops so this will be a new adventure for us both; I look forward to working with you."
"I expect we will start by growing the trees found within the Shoshone National Forest, as well as avocados and .... your gourd experiments," said Triceratops.
"I am pleased to attempt these things with you, Triceratops," said Steve. " I am sure our business with thrive. Thank you for your trust in me, and to Stegosaurus for being here today".
And there was much rejoicing.
