Vernal Express | 1980-04-24 | Page 17 | Dinosaur Travel Drops in March

Dinosaur travel drops in March March visitation to Dinosaur National Monument was 6,218300 less than for March one year ago. Travel figures for the year show that just over 14,000 visitors have been to the national park area in 1980. According to Park Superintendent Joe L. Kennedy, 1980 figures are ahead of last year's by 9.4 percent. Superintendent Kennedy indicated that traditionally travel doubles each month during the springtime as milder weather begins to take hold. "Only time will tell," said Kennedy, "what effect gas prices will have on the summer's travel." Park Service crews have turned on the water at Split Mountain Campground Cam-pground which is now receiving moderate use by both daytime pic-, nickers and hardy campers. According to Superintendent Kennedy, Ken-nedy, it will probably be mid-May before the Harpers Corner Road will be cleared of snow drifts and opened to the public. Prospective visitors are reminded that the Quarry Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. There is no admission fee. When drought hit Kansas in the 1930s, droves of rats departed on every outgoing freight train.