A Mountain Boyhood

by Joe Mills, James H. Pickering (Introduction)

Estes Park was hardly more than a post office in 1899, when young Joe Mills first saw Colorado's Front Range. A would-be Robinson Crusoe, Joe scaled peaks, watched wild animals, hunted and trapped, and generally roughed it in the region that would become Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915. A Mountain Boyhood , the true story of his adventures there, is as rich in human as in natural history. Joe meets a colorful bunch of early settlers, living for a while with a circuit-riding parson who operates a ranch. He learns campcraft and nature lore, crosses Flattop Mountain on snowshoes in midwinter to socialize, and builds a log cabin near Longs Peak (the fireplace still stands). Joe Mills arrived far enough ahead of the sportsmen and tourists to serve them later as a seasoned guide, and, along with his brother, Enos Mills, the naturalist and writer, he was instrumental in establishing the area as a playground for the nation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical

311 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1988

Reviews

[Charles Castell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a definitely a heartwarming, family-friendly series of spectacular travels and events. There is plenty of on going adventures throughout this book to satisfy your every whim and the stories are certainly impressive from beginning to w.

This is a very informative series of events and certainly worthy of the four stars I awarded the book. There were enough ongoing adventures to pacify those of you who are seeking expanding adventures of our old western trials and tribulations.
Mr. Mills is certainly specific in each new adventure and he did his homework before setting down and let the story unfold. The main character is very in-depth in his analysis of his trips and explicitly details his ventures thoroughly. Too, the Author does an excellent job of maintaining his readers undivided attention with many exhilarating believable jaunts of factual trips and explicitly detailed adventures.
I certainly recommend this book to anyone searching for believable American folklore adventures, as the young man will take you on valuable trip of the true old western experiences. Never know where you will find his extraordinary, and visionary, trips will be leading you from beginning to end. I enjoyed this book and believe you will too!

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent history of Estes Park, especially the Introduction and Notes at end of book. Interesting Joe,& Enos Mills fascination with Estes Park and eventually to become in their lifetime Rocky Mountain National Park and their contributions thereto.

[Agilborder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocky Mountain National Park
Great interesting read.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough

Bla blah
Hi xgu car charger he gave if by dog ::) nom bed Zach Boyd off guy mud ::) Bhai

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe is Enos Mills' brother. Here he describes his experiences in Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Estes Park.