June 30, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Colorado’s Sand Sculptures

Zeb the Duck here to tell you about sand sculptures in Colorado. There is no ocean in Colorado! Mom took Caped Crusader and me to Arvada, Colorado’s Sand in the City Festival.

Arvada Sand Sculpture Festival

What a surprise for us!

Various companies and organizations made sand sculptures. Magnificient! There was a rope to keep people from touching the sand, but the young lady that helped make this one, took us to sit on the top.

We are on top! Sponsored by Sunshare

We loved it and she was a wonderful person. Thank you young lady!!

We were a little nervous about this one mom!

He is watching us Mom. Help!

Water World, a great water park near Denver, sponsored it. Hard to remember that these are made from sand and water.

This is sculpted with sand and water

Colorado Rockies baseball team plays at Coors Field

Needed more time

This is a work in progress.

When the little humans had seen the sand sculptures, they could play here with their shovels and pails.

A huge sand box

This is a huge sand box. Almost like the beach.

There was another part to this festival,

Live music at festivals!

with music and stuff for small humans. These balls look fun. Humans get inside and walk, run or whatever they want to try.

This would be so much fun!

There are bigger humans to help. Face painting is always fun.

Painting his face

This little boy is ready for the climbing wall.

Eager to climb

I think he has done climbing before.

Caped Crusader and I watched the magic show.

We like magicians!

This was our first magician. We liked him and we really liked this Sand in the City Festival. We hope you are visiting festivals this summer. They are so much fun.

June 28, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Colorado’s Interstate 70

Zeb the Duck here and today I want to tell you about one of our highways. I-70 crosses Colorado, east to west. This highway has earned the “Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.”

First, let’s talk about the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels. These two tunnels are 11,158 feet above sea level and go under US 6 and the Continental Divide. The tunnels are 1.69 miles long. They are the highest and longest mountain tunnels in the US interstate system. These tunnels are well lit, ventilated and video monitored at all times.

Driving west, under the Continental Divide

This is the westbound entrance. Still lots of high mountains on top of the tunnels.

Now let’s talk about Glenwood Canyon. Glenwood Canyon is beautiful,

Glenwood Canyon

with the Colorado River and Union Pacific Railroad. This was the last section of I-70 to be completed. The 2 eastbound lanes of I-70 extend cantilevered over the Colorado River. The westbound lanes are suspended on a viaduct several feet above the canyon floor. This allowed a 4 lane interstate highway to be constructed through the canyon with minimal changes to the beautiful Glenwood Canyon.

Highway from the rest area

The rest areas in these 12 miles are beautiful. The are located on the banks of the Colorado River, with picnic tables and hiking trails. There is no stopping on the highway, so photos just didn’t happen.

Glenwood Canyon and Colorado River from rest area

Video cameras and real people constantly monitor this section of I-70.

Colorado, like every mountain state has provisions for runaway trucks. These are trucks with failed brakes. This is a runaway truck ramp.

One of many runaway truck ramps on I-70

The truck drives up this mountain to reduce speed. The middle of the ramp is deep, loose gravel and there are barrels at the end of the runaway ramp. Often trucks will be on these ramps. These ramps save lives in Colorado and elsewhere.

Here are some other photos from I-70. If you are driving through Colorado on this road, you will see small towns,

Georgetown, Colorado from I-70

mountains, and even the ski slopes of Vail, Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek. If you are driving through in your car or truck, passing through in your motorhome or cruising on your motorcycle, you will see some beautiful scenery. Our mountains are beautiful, the rivers are clear and refreshing and if you are east of Denver, the prairie and ranch land is also beautiful. There is a lot of wildlife in Colorado, so deer, elk and moose will see you and you may see them also.

If you have time, stop to hike, fish, zip line, kayak or raft. We have so much to offer you, but if you cannot stop, you will still enjoy your scenic drive across Colorado.

Mountains from I-70

June 25, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Golden Gate Canyon State Park with Zeb and Soapy

Zeb the Duck here with Soapy Smith Duck. From Golden, Colorado, we drove with our moms to Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Beautiful mountain park close to Denver

The paved road winds through forests and climbs into the mountains. Soapy’s mom saw a moose and a couple deer. This park is so peaceful and relaxing.

We love Colorado

We stopped at Kriley Pond. Some people were fishing and others hiked around the lake. If you look on the right side of Kriley Pond, our distant cousin, a black duck, is swimming.

Black duck is floating on the right side of the lake

Doesn’t he look happy?

Our next stop was Slough Pond. Wouldn’t this be a great place for a picnic?

Moms forgot the food

Next time our moms will bring food for us. The creek was moving pretty fast.

Fast water is energizing

We had a lot of snow this winter and the snowmelt combined with recent rain really has this water moving. Crossing the bridge, you could hike through the forest and mountain.

We love hikes

Golden Gate Canyon State Park has this Red Barn.

A real red barn

You can rent this area for your group.

Decorated for an event

Our neighbor, and friend, held a wedding here.

Beautiful wedding

The newly weds look so happy. The groom is handsome and the bride is beautiful.

We wish them a very happy married life. We needed one more photo of Colorado’s beautiful mountains as we left the Red Barn.

We love this park

You will love Golden Gate Canyon State Park. When you are in the Denver area, visit this park near Golden. Our moms say you will feel refreshed and renewed.

June 23, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Frog Rodeo in Empire, Colorado

We went to a frog rodeo! Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck went with their moms to Empire, Colorado Saturday.

First stop was here to purchase frog rodeo t-shirts.

28th annual Frog Rodeo

Mom’s shirt says this is the 28^th annual Frog Rodeo. Stuffed frogs were also available.

Ducks like frogs

So many possibilities for souvenirs to take home.

Many booths, many choices!

There were games and play areas for kids.

Ducks would like this, too

Here humans can throw baseballs at the red square on the right.

Hit the red square and in the water he goes

If the red square is hit, the boy on the seat inside will fall into the water. Money goes to a good cause of course. We like these huge bubbles on the water.

Humans have so much fun

Humans can go inside and try to walk on water.

Humans throw bean bags at these frogs

Toss bean bag in mouth and win!

and win a prize if bean bag goes in frog’s mouth.

One of the main events is a frog race. Humans rent a frog. Little humans sit on this tarp,

Getting ready

put the frog on the tarp in the center circle and place a plastic cup over frog. At the signal, the plastic cup is removed and the frog is to run or hop to the outside circle. If the frog does not willingly race to the outer circle,

Jump frog!

the children may spray water on the frog to encourage frog jumping to the winner circle.

The frog is a winner!

There were several frog races Saturday. This is something we never saw before. You should attend a frog rodeo near you, or come to Empire, Colorado next year.

There is still more. Here humans are using hula-hoops.

Hula-hoop time!

This was a good day. The weather was nice and everybody seemed to have a good time. The bands were good, too. Be sure to visit festivals near you, or come to Colorado and enjoy festivals here.

June 21, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Skiing in June in Colorado

It has been hot in Denver, but skiers and snowboarders are enjoying this last weekend at Arapahoe Basin ski resort.

Ski in June

Arapahoe Basin, or A Basin ski resort is near the top of Loveland Pass.

A Basin is open this weekend for skiing and snowboarding. The resort will close on Sunday, so go there to enjoy the last runs of the season. I, Zeb the Duck, went with mom to see the skiers yesterday. They were having so much fun.

I liked the chair lift going to the top of the mountain.

Black Mountain Express to the top

The skiers and snowboarders were doing a good job and were having a lot of fun.

One more run

If you are hungry eat here.

Here for food and beverage

You can enjoy great food and watch the action on the slopes at 6th Alley Bar and Grill.

Great view from the deck

A Basin is Colorado’s last open ski area, so hurry to A Basin and enjoy one more run on the slopes.

Last weekend

The weather was warm and the blue sky was gorgeous.

June 16, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Highlands Street Fair in Denver, Colorado

Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to a street fair. Our moms took us to the Highland neighborhood in Denver and we loved it.

We are at the Highlands Street Fair in Denver

The weather was perfect and we want to show you what we saw.

The street was lined with venders,

So many choices

over 150 showing clothing, art and accessories. There was a special section for rides, slides and fun for all ages. Here big kids and adults could safely battle each other.

Fun to battle

Kids could fly high here.

Flying high

The slide looks like fun, too.

We like slides

We had never seen this mechanical bull for all ages before. Looks great!

A bull rider

There were many places to eat.

Funnel cakes and more

You may remember we love funnel cakes. Look at all this food.

Yum!

It looks so pretty and makes us hungry. Drinks in coconuts seem refreshing.

Coconut drinks

We posed for beer photos, but ducks do not drink beer.

More beverages

Flower pots here.

Time to plant

Great for summer flowers. So many colorful bags to admire here.

So colorful

This lady is the artist and she just finished this picture. Wow!

She did this piece of art while we watched!

She could produce this while so many people watched her.

This booth features so many bright paintings.

We love bright colors

You would love all the colors at this street fair.

You could even get an airbrush tattoo today.

Airbrush tattoos Which is your favorite?

The street fair is great for people, but dogs like it here also.

Dogs have fun too

And ducks, of course.

As we walked back to our car, we passed this garden.

Vegetables growing

You would love it here. A great street fair and this is a real neighborhood.

You will enjoy festivals and street fairs this summer. Try to visit some and you will have a great day.

June 14, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Flooding in Winter Park, Colorado

Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck spent a few days in Winter Park, Colorado. You might remember that last summer, Zeb, Soapy, and JB Duck and three generations of humans became a family.

Last year we hiked along the Fraser River. That is where our picture at the top of this page was taken. This year was different. Things had flooded. Winter Park is a ski and snowboard area. They had so much snow this winter. So much fun for skiing, snowboarding and all winter sports.

But, the snow melted and Colorado had a lot of rain. The road to our condo complex was closed,

Water still fast and high

part of it washed out by the flooding. We came in another way, but there was a lot of water damage.

This is the path we always took along the Fraser River. You can see part of the path has washed out.

Part of our path is gone

We could not walk on this part of the trail; the flood water was too fast.

We usually walk through here and stay dry

Here Zeb and Soapy are sitting on sand bags.

Our first sand bags. Very close to our condo

Those trees do not belong in the river, just near it.

We did have fun this year; so do visit Winter Park and Fraser. The water is receding, and all the summer activities will open today or in a few days. You will have a great vacation there, but do be careful near the water. It is high and fast now. Be safe in Winter Park and wherever you go.

Have fun but be careful!

We will go back this summer and we hope to see you there.

June 9, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Mount Evans, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, went high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Mom and I drove the highest paved road in North America to the top of Mount Evans. Elevation in the parking lot at the top is 14,130 feet above sea level. That is very high and not so much oxygen in the air. When you go, be careful!

Our first stop on the drive to the top was Summit Lake Park at 12,830 feet.

Still snow in early June

We went a few days ago and the lake was still frozen.

Like a Christmas card in June

It was so pretty.

When we arrived at the top, we saw these Rocky Mountain Sheep.

Love these sheep

My new friends are watching me

Resting

Then we walked up to the former Crest House.

On hand rail of remains of Crest House

When it was built from 1939-1941, it was the highest structure in the world at 14,260 feet above sea level. Mom remembers going there with her parents and drinking hot chocolate. Sadly, in September 1979 a propane explosion destroyed the Crest House. In 1992 the structure was stabilized and is now an observation platform

Nice view of mountain and hikers

and place of contemplation.

It was 44 degrees when we were there, with much snow still on the ground. Driving down the mountain, we were as high as these snow capped mountain peaks.

Seems like we are at the top of the world

We saw this yellowed-bellied marmot enjoying the sun.

Marmot ready for summer

They hibernate during the winter. The climate at the top is alpine tundra, similar to Nome, Alaska. This is the harshest environment that supports life, in the world.

These Mountain Goats enjoy climbing on Mount Evans and we enjoy seeing them.

Mountain goats grazing

We will probably be back here again this summer. Mount Evans is less than an hour from Denver. You will enjoy your day if you visit Mount Evans this summer.

June 6, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Ica and Sacsayhuaman, Peru with JB Duck

More pictures from JB Duck from Peru. JB Duck visited Ica, Peru.

Looking at town from a restaurant

Ica is 300 km south of Lima and is on the edge of the Atacama Desert.

Hot and sandy

This is one the driest climates in the world.

There are sand dunes here. JB’s dad went sand boarding here. He snowboards in Colorado. Sand Boarding?? Wow!

Big sand dunes

JB and his humans traveled around the dunes in a sand buggy.

This Huacachina Oasis is in the middle of the sand dunes.

The Huacachina Oasis

This looks like a place we would all like.

JB and his family also visited Cusco, Peru. These Incan ruins are named Sacsayhuaman. These ruins are on the northern outskirts of Cusco.

The cross at Sacsayhuaman

The huge stones were shaped and put together with human labor.

Built by the Incas

Today, on June 24 the annual Inca Festival of the winter solstice takes place at Sacsayhuaman. Yes, I said winter in June. Cusco, Peru is in the southern hemisphere, so it is winter there now.

JB liked Sacsayhuaman

You would like visiting these places in Peru. JB and his humans are having a great time.

June 2, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Chalk Art Festival in Denver

I, Zeb the Duck, saw so much chalk this weekend.

I was at the Chalk Art Festival in Denver

Mom and I went to Larimer Square in Denver Saturday and Sunday to see chalk art.

Chalk Art

Over 200 artists submitted designs and were chosen for this contest. Saturday, we watched artists work

200 artists at work

and Sunday we returned to view the finished art. This stuff is great. You will be amazed by this art.

Sunday

Saturday

Chalk painting originated in the 16^th century in Italy. Some artists call this a performance art, as they enjoy talking to the spectators.

Saturday

As beautiful as the art is, late Sunday night, a special street sweeper sweeps, or picks up over 175 pounds of chalk and the art is just a memory.

Sunday with Zeb

So much chalk

This chalk is properly disposed of to protect the nearby Cherry Creek. We want to keep Cherry Creek water clean and wildlife safe.

Larimer Square is a great place in Denver. We love the many restaurants, and especially love to eat outside.

We love to eat outside

The small shops have so many things that we don’t see elsewhere. Larimer Square has many festivals, but it is fun just as it is.

At the Chalk Art Festival there were vendors selling wonderful food. The crepes and these huge pieces of candy caught my attention.

So big. Can I have one mom?

Some are giant Rice Krispy Treats.

All from chalk

It was pretty crowded at the festival, so not many photos of me. Also, artists did not appreciate a duck on their art. I was there and I loved it! I hope you go to a chalk art festival near you. You will have a good time.

Sunday. WOW

Saturday. The entire family can participate

Art, refreshments and stage for performers

	Carl on Tabernash, Colorado with The C…
	Cindy B on Tree Rock in Wyoming
	coloradotravelingduc… on Cathedral of the Plains in Vic…
	Dwan Newhall on Cathedral of the Plains in Vic…
	beautifulbarbadosblo… on Return to Calhan and the Paint…

Colorado Traveling Ducks

Month: June 2014