Month: November 2013

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Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion

Tropical flowers, hot humid rainforest, 1600 brightly colored butterflies and in Westminster, Colorado.    This is one room at the butterfly pavilion, the one that gives the complex its name.

Zeb the duck at the Butterfly Pavilion

Zeb the duck at the Butterfly Pavilion

Strolling down the many paths we marveled at the tropical plants, hibiscus, bleeding hearts and a couple hundred more.  The butterflies fly around the 7,200 square foot tropical rainforest, some land on trays of rotting fruit to feed, some fluttering among flowers

Butterfly on tropical flower

Butterfly on tropical flower

and some just soaring and gliding.

Butterfly resting

Butterfly resting

Near the exit are trays of butterfly chrysalids, filled with young butterflies waiting to emerge. The life span of butterflies is only a few weeks; so new butterflies are constantly being added.  Glad I am not a butterfly.

The Crawl-A-See-Em room was unreal.  In glass enclosures we saw tarantulas from many different areas of the world.  They sure can hide from predators.   Rosie is the good will ambassador for tarantulas at the pavilion.  An employee is with Rosie at all times and you, or your child, but NOT your duck, will have the opportunity to touch Rosie the tarantula and have her placed on your hand.

Rosie the tarantuala on a young human hand

Rosie the tarantuala on a young human hand

In the Water’s Edge room we touched and learned about sea stars, horseshoe crabs and other invertebrates.

Exhibit at water's edge

Exhibit at water’s edge

These invertebrates, animals without backbones, are from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Inside the complex children, adults an ducks will enjoy Tropical Odyssey, an interactive area of educational games.  This is the area where I was introduced to the hissing cockroach from Madagascar.  We also learned that in the natural rainforest, only 2% of butterflies survive.

Outside the pavilion the half-mile nature trail loop

One very large grasshopper at beginning to nature trail

One very large grasshopper at beginning to nature trail

highlights native Colorado insects, prairie dogs, rabbits and the occasional heron, hawk and eagle.

Nature Trail and Discovery Garden

Nature Trail and Discovery Garden

This is protected area where Colorado’s native plants and small animals and birds can be observed and enjoyed in their natural environment.  There are picnic areas; so bring your lunch.

The Butterfly Pavilion is located in Westminster, Colorado and is worth seeing.  Visit www.butterflies.org

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Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is really a cool town.  First we went to La Fonda Hotel.  My humans stayed there before we ducks were part of the family.  The dining room has window with small window panes.  The individual panes are hand painted with scenes or items from the southwest.

painted windows at La Fonda

Painted windows at La Fonda

I liked them.  La Fonda is the only hotel on the plaza.  The food was good, too.

We walked to Loretto Chapel.

Loretto Chapel is famous in Santa Fe

Loretto Chapel is famous in Santa Fe

This is a beautiful, old Catholic church, and they have a miracle staircase.  When the church was built, the choir area was in a loft.  In many churches the choir members were all men, so no staircase was built.  The men climbed a ladder.  But this church had a women’s choir.  They could not find a carpenter that could build a staircase for them.  Not enough room.  One day a carpenter came to the door and offered to build the staircase.  He used only a hammer, saw and carpenter square.  There are no supports for the staircase, but it works perfectly.

The Miracle Staircase

The Miracle Staircase

When they tried to pay the man, he had disappeared and left no trace of himself.  Wow!  The stairs are beautiful.  So is the chapel.

Loretto Chapel is beautiful

Loretto Chapel is beautiful

Mom paid $3.00 to see this.  I’m glad we went.  You must see this.

Near Loretto Chapel is the Cathedral Basilica to St Francis of Assisi.

St. Francis of Assisi

Cathedral Basilica to St. Francis of Assisi

This old cathedral is the most decorated and elaborate cathedral in Santa Fe.  Go inside, it is magnificent!

Then we walked to Santa Fe Plaza.  People feed the pigeons here.

So many pigeons eating in the plaza

So many pigeons eating in the plaza

Lots of pigeons!  This plaza marks the end of the Santa Fe Trail.  On one side of the plaza is the Palace of the Governors.  On the sidewalk by the Palace, I saw so much silver!  Many Native Americans bring artwork there to sell.

So many pretty things

So many pretty things

I saw so much silver, much with turquoise, so much jewelry and all beautiful.  I saw some moccasins, and Native American pottery.  So many beautiful things.

Most buildings are made with adobe.  I like adobe and have never seen so much of it.  Santa Fe has many art galleries and art stores.  Also several beautiful leather shops.  So many items relating to the southwest.  They reflect the Native American Indian crafts and the crafts of Mexico.  We even saw ristas of red chilis.

Ristas of red chills

Ristas of red chills

When you visit Santa Fe you will love it.  The adobe, the art galleries, the southwest food and the people were so nice.  If you love history, you will be in heaven.  This is just a little of what we saw and did in Santa Fe.  There are entire books written about Santa Fe activities.  Go soon and often!

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Las Vegas, New Mexico

Las Vegas, New Mexico is a quiet, historical town.  Not the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, Nevada.  We stayed here, in New Mexico.  I learned more about New Mexico towns and the Mexican influence.

This train engine, built in 1902, was used by the Santa Fe Railroad Company for 51 years.

Love trains

Love trains

It was then given to the city of Las Vegas.  In 1956 it was placed here and the sign says it is on one of the shortest railroads.  I like trains.

The Veterans Park had trees, lots of grass and benches.  This monument is dedicated to all who served, preserving our freedoms.

To the heroes

To the heroes

I, Zeb the duck, like honoring our heroes.

The Mexican heritage of Las Vegas is reflected in the old town plaza.  This is a large plaza, with trees, grass and benches.  We walked to the center of the plaza and the gazebo was very nice.

Gazebos are great

Gazebos are great

Near the gazebo was a plaque about the Santa Fe Trail.  The trail came through Las Vegas.  I saw other sculptures.  This one is by Margarito R. Mondragon and dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrow Parish and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

Sculpture in Las Vegas, NM

Sculpture in Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University has been in Las Vegas since 1893.  In 1993 the Centennial Alumni Tower was built.  This tower honors all those that have come through the university in the first 100 years.

New Mexico Highlands Unviersity

New Mexico Highlands University Centennial Alumni Tower

Across from the tower I enjoyed two old churches.  The Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Peace Episcopal – Lutheran Church offer peace and continuity to the city.  For more information on Las Vegas, New Mexico, visit http://www.LasVegasNewMexico.com

While in Las Vegas, we stayed at the #1 Super 8 motel in the World.

WOW! Best in the World

WOW! Best in the World

This motel was very clean and had colored towels instead of the standard white and lots of food.  The staff treated us like very important and valued friends.  After checking in, we enjoyed the complimentary soup (3 different kinds) and fresh vegetable salad.  Very nice for us after traveling all day.  Breakfast was hot Belgium waffles (in a crock pot so we did not make a mess making them), two hot cereals, cold cereal, sliced fruit, juice, tea and coffee.  The men in the breakfast area offered warm cinnamon rolls (I love these) and eggs either boiled or poached.  These hosts were better than most waiters.  They brought our beverages, cleaned the tables and cooked.  They brought things before we even knew we wanted them.  WOW!  These guys are great.  When you are in Las Vegas stay at this Super 8 Motel.  You will be happy.

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Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, New Mexico

From Raton, New Mexico, we drove west towards Taos.  Angel Fire is a ski resort area with lakes, campgrounds, lodges and year round recreation.  We were here in the summer, so no snow.  It also has Victor Westphall’s tribute to his son, killed in Vietnam in 1968.  The Peace and Brotherhood Chapel opened in 1971.  Originally funded by David Westphall’s life insurance money and funds from Dr. and Mrs. Westphall, the memorial is now New Mexico’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, and the only park without an admission fee.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, NM

Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, NM

The wing shaped chapel and memorial rise in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Path to the chapel

Path to the chapel

Within the building is the chapel, a movie room showing an 88-minute documentary featuring letters from Vietnam.  Also visitors may view mementos from the war years, many donated by veterans and their families.  The memorial garden, outside seating for memorials and even Vietnamese soil from the location David Westphall gave his life for his country, encourage reverence for visitors.  This duck proudly sits at the feet of a soldier writing home.

Soldier with letter

Soldier with letter

Also a helicopter from the war rests on grounds.

From the war

From the war

This memorial is a popular stop for Vietnam veterans Run for the Wall motorcycle trip to Washington D.C. and the Vietnam Memorial wall on Memorial Day.  This is also a place for reflection and healing.  Dr. Westphall, before his death on July 22, 2003, spent much time here talking with visiting veterans.  Many sent follow up letters to him, some of which are on display.

As a Colorado traveling duck, I could sense the serenity of this location.  I certainly recommend a visit to all who served, cared about someone that served, or want to learn more of this part of American history.  Half an hour or half a day, any time in this peaceful location will help answer some questions.   Visit http://www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org.    Please visit this memorial.

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Cimarron, New Mexico with Zeb the Duck

Every famous person from the Old West must have taken the Santa Fe Trail to Cimarron, New Mexico.  I believe they all stayed at the St. James Hotel.

St James Hotel, Cimarron, New Mexico

St James Hotel, Cimarron, New Mexico

Wow!  That place is like a living museum of the late 1800s.

Cimarron is on the road between Taos and Raton, New Mexico.  This was once the home of the Anasazi, Jicarilla Apache and Ute Indians.  In the mid to late 1800s the area was the hub of the mining and ranching empire.  Today Cimarron is a quiet, law-abiding town and even is near the Philmont Scout Ranch, for the Boy Scouts of America.

At the center of Cimarron is the St. James Hotel.  Mom and my uncle took forever looking at old photos and reading the history that occurred at the St. James.  Hotel guests included Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Black Jack Ketchum, Billy the Kid and mom’s favorite from her much younger days, Annie Oakley.  Also author Zane Grey began writing “Fighting Caravans” here (in room 22) and Lew Wallace, former New Mexico Governor wrote part of his novel “Ben Hur” during visits to this area.

St. James Hotel is old and famous

St. James Hotel is old and famous

Made me wish I could read.

The hotel is still a real hotel with a restaurant and bar.  Some believe that ghosts of former guests are still in residence.  This haunted hotel has been featured on major television shows, including the Biography channel and A & E Biography channel.  I did not see any ghosts, but they sure could be there.  The place felt friendly to this duck.

We went to the bar for a drink and to relax.

Drink for Alaska uncle, drink for mom but where is my drink?

Drink for Alaska uncle, drink for mom.  Maybe water for me?

There have been many gunfights at the St. James Hotel.  The old wall panels are now on the ceiling, still full of bullet holes.  Ducks didn’t shoot guns inside restaurants.  Just people did that.  Was an exciting place, but glad we were way too late for any shooting in the bar.  When in the area, stop at the St. James for a meal or a drink and you will get a feel of the Old West.  I liked it a lot.