March 31, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Eider Duck on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada

My cousin, Eider Duck and the humans went downtown Las Vegas to Fremont Street.

Eider Duck with Cindy in Downtown Las Vegas

Cindy is holding Eider. This is a crazy place. This man is really human.

He stands like this on his cane for hours. WOW

He stays in this position, sitting on his cane for hours. He really looks like a statue.

The Fremont casino is big.

Eider with Cindy at Fremont Casino

Eider also visited the Golden Nugget.

Cindy and Eider near Golden Nugget.

They have real gold nuggets in a display case inside. Some are even from Eider’s state of Alaska.

The 4 Queens is real popular and has a nice hotel.

Eider and Cindy at 4 Queens

Binions Casino is pretty famous also.

Binions on Fremont Street

Do you notice the cover over the street? The canopy has lights in it. At night there are light shows on the hour. These are amazing. Here are a couple photos of the show, to give you an idea of what you will see when you visit Fremont Street at night.

Sound and light show on Fremont Street

More of the Fremont Experience.

The Fremont Experience

On the way back to their condo on the strip, or Las Vegas Boulevard, Eider saw the volcano at the Mirage Resort erupting.

The volcano erupting at the Mirage Resort

Las Vegas is quite a town. Thanks for sharing with us, Eider.

March 29, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Chinese New Years in Las Vegas with Eider Duck

My Alaska cousin, Eider Duck was in Las Vegas, Nevada for Chinese New Years. These pictures from Eider and dad show some of the displays in a few resorts. The Venetian is a huge resort. Just look at this, even before entering the building.

Outside the Venetian. I see a gondola there.

This is the year of the horse, so lots of horses in Las Vegas displays this month. I can’t pick a favorite—I like them all. These are in the Palazzo,

Horse with coins and Eider inside the Palazzo

which is connected to the Venetian. Did you know that upon the completion and grand opening of the Palazzo on January 17, 2008, the Palazzo became the largest building in the United States? The Palazzo displaced the Pentagon as the largest building in the United States in terms of floor space. According to Wikipedia, the Palazzo has 6,948,980 square feet of floor space. WOW!!

Inside Palazzo

Now Eider and the humans have entered the Wynn Resort.

Inside Wynn Resort

More magnificent Year of the Horse displays.

Inside Wynn Resort

These photos from inside the Bellagio are great Eider.

Inside the Bellagio

Bellagio display for Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year

The Bellagio has a wonderful outside water show.

Dancing fountains at the Bellagio with Eider Duck

Between the Mirage and Treasure Island, Eider seems to be in trouble. These statues honor Siegfried and Roy and their tigers. Eider, get out of the tiger’s mouth!!

Eider get out of there!!!

Looks like Eider is having a great time in Las Vegas.

Eider Duck…You lucky scoundrel.

More pictures from Eider to come.

March 28, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Eider Duck Goes to Las Vegas

My Alaska cousin, Eider Duck sent us pictures from his trip to Las Vegas. Here is Eider near Plant Hollywood looking toward the Bellagio.

Eider with Bellagio

Look as those palm trees.

Eider is by the flowers near the Arc de Triomphe.

Eider by flowers and Arc de Triomphe at Paris Resort

This monument is 2/3 the size of the original Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The names and dates of Napoleon’s victories are inscribed on this monument.

Now Eider is at the Flamingo. He is visiting the Wildlife Habitat there.

Eider at Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat

How appropriate—there are many flamingos at the Flamingo Resort. Eider is with the fish.

Big fish swimming in here

What a great place.

So beautiful and peaceful.

Eider, what are you doing with the parrots??

Eider and parrot friends

Eider and his humans are entering the Mirage Resort.

Entering Mirage

Looks like Eider found a giant duck relative.

One of our larger relatives

Tomorrow we will look at more pictures from Las Vegas. Thanks Eider.

March 17, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. This day celebrates the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland and the introduction of Christianity to the island. The date, March 17, is the day St. Patrick died.

Today most of the world celebrates the culture and heritage of the Irish. There are many parades and festivities, and much eating and drinking during the celebration. Many people will wear green also. The parade in Denver was advertised as the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi River.

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks and our humans, wish you all a very happy St. Patrick’s Day. Today we all are a little Irish.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 15, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado

Zeb and Eider Duck here. We returned to Nederland, Colorado on Sunday for the last events of Frozen Dead Guy Days of 2014.

Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado

We did not go back Saturday, the main day due to human error. On the way down Friday, one human driver hit ice and slid into the side of the mountain. On Saturday the other human was sick and stuffed up. No injuries, but no Saturday festivities either.

We arrived at the park in Nederland as men were putting up the volleyball net. We watched the remote control trucks race over the snow. They almost fly and sometimes crash.

Remote control truck

We went to the frozen t-shirt contest. New t-shirts, still folded, are soaked in water and then frozen—really frozen! The men, without shirts, must put the new frozen t-shirts on as fast as possible. It required several minutes to unfold the frozen shirts. The shirts are bent, karate chopped, folded, pulled and anything they can think of to break ice and unfold shirts to put them on. We could not see very well, but took a few photos through the crowd.

Trying to unfold frozen t-shirt

We watched videos later on You Tube. This looks very cold.

Putting on a frozen t-shirt. Brrrrr

Then we watched frozen turkey bowling. This was easy to see and fun to watch. Unlike regular bowling, you throw the turkey at the pins.

Frozen turkey bowling

Children threw small game hens and adults had 2 sizes of frozen turkeys. As the bowling progressed, one of the turkeys became unwrapped.

Throwing frozen unwrapped turkey

There were a couple of beer tents with live music and heaters.

Inside warm tent

Next we watched snow volleyball. Some men had no shirts.

No shirt and a bikini top. What a guy!

This girl worn no shoes.

Where are her shoes?? Girl with yellow shirt is barefoot???

Finally she put shoes on. Cold snow and ice here. After the game Zeb and Eider met some volleyball players.

Our new friends are very nice!!

We enjoyed all at various times during the day. Near one of the tents a man had carved wooden animals and one ice sculpture.

Wooden turtle and ice turtle

Soon he had a new block of ice and began carving the ice with a small chain saw. The saw roared, the ice shavings flew and soon this sculpture was in front of us.

Carved from ice with a chainsaw

Beautiful work of art with only ice and a chain saw!

We liked the activities Sunday, so maybe we can see it all next year. You would enjoy Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado. Oh yes…there really is a frozen dead guy in a Tuff Shed in the mountains of Nederland. For more information visit www.frozendeadguy.com or visit Nederland, Colorado the second weekend in March.

March 14, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado

Last Friday Zeb and Eider Duck and two humans went to Nederland, Colorado. We wanted to see where the Frozen Dead Guy Days events would occur and look around this quaint mountain town.

There is a Carousel of Happiness in Nederland and we want to tell you about it.

Carousel of Happiness in Nederland Colorado

This carousel is open year round. The enclosed pavilion contains the carousel, a fully restored 1913 Wurlitzer Band Organ, a puppet theater and a gift shop.

There are a variety of animals on the Carousel of Happiness.

Riding on a peacock

All 58 of these animals were hand carved by Scott Harrison. Zeb and Eider rode on several.

Riding on an ostrich in Colorado

The carousel is a restored 1910 Looff carousel.

We can sit anywhere

There are also paintings of animals on the walls.

Painted pandas on the walls

You have to see this!

When Scott Harrison was a Marine serving in Viet Nam, he envisioned building a carousel in the mountains.

Zeb and Eider with a new friend

And he really did it!! He is still carving and each new addition is wonderful. This is one of the recent additions to the pavilion.

Polar bear and others on and through wall

We don’t know what will be next.

We talked to a nice man named John that explained everything to us and then started the carousel so we could ride.

Riding on a bear followed by a zebra and dog

The rides cost just $1 per person. If you can, give them a little extra to help meet expenses.

The Carousel of Happiness is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading joy to those who visit the carousel. Profits go to charities that benefit children and people with special needs. For more information and more photos visit www.carouselofhappiness.org This place is fantastic and fun!

Carousel of Happiness serves smiles

March 12, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Dinner at The Fort near Denver

Zeb the Duck here and I am very happy. My Alaska cousin, Eider and his dad, are flying to Denver today. Mom and I picked them up at Denver International Airport. This is a very big airport. The design is to represent the high mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Blue horse at Denver International Airport

The blue horse at the airport is an original and well known to travelers using Denver’s airport.

Eider and I and our humans visited The Fort restaurant in nearby Morrison, Colorado for dinner. They specialize in Colorado beef, wild game and fish. We started with warm bread and pumpkin nut rolls.

Let’s get started!

The salads were large, fresh and crisp and very tasty. The humans ordered a featured meal consisting of a buffalo medallion, an elk chop, and quail breast, served with Montana huckleberry sauce.

So much food

It was very tasty and we were all pleasantly full.

After dinner, we explored the restaurant. The bartender was very friendly and invited us to pose on the bar.

Ducks at the bar

Adjoining the bar was an additional lounge. The smaller tables had colorful cloths

Cozy area

where humans, and ducks, can sit, chat and enjoy a beverage and snack. The lounge had a wooden model of Noah’s Ark.

Noah’s Ark at The Fort

Over the door leaving this lounge we saw this jackalope.

What’s a jackalope?

They humans just laughed as we asked where jackalopes live. Must be a human joke. In another room we saw this buffalo mount on a wall.

Buffalo at The Fort

Buffalo sure are big! These are huge horns over the grill.

Huge horns. We feel so small.

It was dark when we left the restaurant. We liked this fire pit.

Fire pit on outdoor patio

Contained fires are very warm and inviting. They even had a statue of a polar bear.

A polar bear in Colorado

After seeing this, Eider and I decided to be good.

We promise to be good!

We liked The Fort and we think you would also. Visit http://www.thefort.com for more information. The food, decor and views are wonderful.

The Fort Restaurant

March 10, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Alaska: At home and beginning The Quest

Last time we saw photos of Eider, my Alaska duck cousin and my human cousin at Chatanika Lodge in Alaska. Today we have photos of Eider at home in North Pole, Alaska. I think there is a gas grill under there.

No cooking outside today

Eider, that is quite a snow hat on the tree behind you.

Snow hat on tree behind Eider

Eider’s dad shoveled snow so the people could deliver propane-heating oil to their house.

Clear a path so heating oil can be delivered

Eider is sitting on a snow bank. Cold duck feathers!!

Snow, snow, snow

Somebody or something is looking in the window at Eider.

He is watching you!

Wow! Eider has a moose in the back yard. Now the moose is enjoying a snack in Eider’s yard.

A moose has to eat

In Alaska there are many dog racing teams. Many people have heard about the Iditarod dog sled race. There is a second famous dog race. Eider and dad went to the beginning of the Quest dog race. They sent these pictures to me and I want to share them with you.

Starting the Quest

The dogs wear boots to protect their feet. The orange boots are easy to see.

Ready to race

Allen Moore. This team won the Quest

Ready to run

This race began in Fairbanks, Alaska and ended in Whitehorse. Whitehorse is in the Yukon Territory of Canada. This is a 1,000 mile international sled dog race. Next year the race will begin in Whitehorse and end in Fairbanks.

We love getting pictures from Eider. Many of the activities in Eider’s life and in Alaska are very different from our life and interesting to us.

Can we have a moose?

March 7, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Chatanika Lodge, Alaska

Hi. Zeb the Duck here and I am so surprised and embarrassed. You all know my Alaska uncle and my Alaska cousin. Today I got a letter and pictures from them and I learned my Alaska cousin has a name. I never knew that. The name is Eider and Eider is also a large sea duck that live and breeds in the Arctic. Eiders can fly at speeds up to 70 mph. I learned that from Wikipedia. My cousin, Eider, is a true Alaskan!

Eider and family went to Chatanika Lodge, about 28 miles from Fairbanks. These are some of the photos we received. The entrance to the lodge has real moose antlers and much natural fur.

Entrance to Chatanika Lodge

The eagles are carved from wood. Here Eider is sitting on a rail made of spruce.

Eider on spruce rail with bumps

The bumps on the cedar are all natural. These carved wooden bears are inviting on this winter day.

Eider on snowy bears

Eider is sitting on a snow bank and looks cold.

Eider on snow bank. Brrr

Take him inside Alaska uncle!

Inside the lodge is a small restaurant.

Eider on lamp shade near bear skin

There are a lot of old Alaskan art and artifacts. Here is Eider on a doll.

Eider on antique doll

Eider is sitting on old sewing machine by a Harley Davidson motorcycle lamp.

Eider on sewing machine by Harley lamp

They visited Chatanika Lodge during Christmas, so we can see some decorations.

Looking at snowy outdoors

This time Eider is sitting on a bear trap.

Eider. You are on a bear trap!

Be careful cousin! This is my cousin Cindy holding Eider by a dall sheep.

Cindy holding Eider near dall sheep

Dall sheep are known for their curled horns. The horns grow in the spring and summer and then in fall and winter the growth slows and stops. The growth pattern forms rings, called annuli, and the age of the dall sheep is determined from the horns.

In March Chatanika Lodge holds Chatanika Days festival. One of the events is outhouse races. Teams build outhouses, a person must be in outhouse and the teams race down a course. This is the original outhouse entered by the lodge for the outhouse races.

Ready for outhouse races

Be careful Eider.

This looks like a great place. To see more visit www.chatanikalodgeak.com Thanks for sending pictures Eider.

March 5, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Today is Ash Wednesday

The Colorado Traveling Ducks and their humans wish you all a very happy Ash Wednesday.

There are 46 days until Easter.

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