Month: July 2014

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Baltimore Basilica

I, Zeb the Duck, visited the first Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States.

First in the USA

First in the USA

Mom and I were in Baltimore for a conference, but did some exploring of the city.  Benjamin Henry Latrobe, America’s first professionally trained architect, designed this Basilica.

Huge cathedral

Huge cathedral

The exterior is impressive. I liked this statue of James Cardinal Gibbons, the ninth Archbishop of Baltimore.

Ninth Archbishop

Ninth Archbishop

The back of the basilica features Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden.

Pope John Paul II was here

Pope John Paul II was here

The garden commemorates Pope John Paul II’s visit to Baltimore in October 1995.

Inside, the basilica is elegant. Upon entering, busts of two cardinals greeted me.

Cardinal William H. Keeler

Cardinal William H. Keeler

Cardinal Lawrence J. Shehan

Cardinal Lawrence J. Shehan

Looking up, we admired this ceiling painting.

Painted on the ceiling

Painted on the ceiling

Looking ahead the altar was beautiful.

Looking forward to the altar

Looking forward to the altar

I love circular stairs.

Love these stairs

Love these stairs.

The inside of the dome is stunning.

Isn't this beautiful??

Isn’t this beautiful??

This statue with candles is so serene.

Magnificent yet so peaceful.

Magnificent yet so peaceful.

The basilica was constructed between 1806 and 1821. It was consecrated May 31, 1821.

When you visit Baltimore, be sure to enter the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Visit the Baltimore Basilica soon.

Visit the Baltimore Basilica soon.

However, it is usually called the Baltimore Basilica.  You will enjoy spending time here.

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Summer Afternoon in Aspen

Another reason to love Colorado!  We can go to Aspen for a few hours.  No need to buy an airline ticket, reserve a hotel, or even plan ahead.  Today I, Zeb the Duck, Soapy Smith Duck and mom spent the afternoon enjoying Aspen.

Lift to ski the famous Aspen Mountain

Lift to ski the famous Aspen Mountain

We could stay longer if we want to, but this was just an afternoon as we were exploring our Colorado Mountains.

The shopping in Aspen is wonderful.  This was mom’s first stop.

Nothing beats a great jewelry store

Nothing beats a great jewelry store

A couple blocks down the street is Aspen Mountain.  After all, Aspen is a first class ski destination.  Always be prepared when going to the top of a mountain.  As you approach the gondola, you can learn the barometric pressure, summit wind speed, summit temperature, and the time at Aspen Mountain.

Love the information

Love the information

Information and knowledge is always good.  Near Aspen Mountain we loved this statue of a 10th Mountain Division soldier.

So proud of the 10th Mountain Division

So proud of the 10th Mountain Division

We learned about the 10th Mountain Division in Leadville.  A proud American unit.

Many people ride bicycles in Aspen.  If you didn’t bring yours, rent bicycles here.

Bicycle friendly city

Bicycle friendly city

Maybe you will pedal to the famous hotel, The St Regis.

The St Regis is beautiful inside

The St Regis is beautiful inside

Aspen is very friendly for pedestrian and bicyclists.

Peaceful pedestrian area

Peaceful pedestrian area

Exploring the area required a snack for us.  So, we stopped at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  This is one of our favorite places.

Yum!

Yum!

Remember to drink plenty of water in the mountains.

Aspen has fountains where children can cool down.  Looks like fun!

Can ducks play?

Can ducks play?

This restaurant is opening and ready for diners.

Time to eat?

Time to eat?

Such a nice setting.  You know Aspen is a world class ski resort; enjoy this summer view of some ski runs.

Summer in Aspen

Summer in Aspen

Visit Aspen soon.  It is breathtaking in any season.  You will like Aspen, we do.

Visit http://www.ColoradoTravelingDucks.com/2014/07/18/heritage-museum-and-gallery-in-leadville-colorado/  to learn more about the 10th Mountain Division.

 

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Steve Helfant of Natural Turnings

I, Zeb the Duck, went to the Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery.

We love arts and crafts

We love arts and crafts

Steve Helfant had an exhibit there. Mom and I learned about him in Denver’s magazine 5280.

Here are examples of Steve’s work.

Great work Steve

Great work Steve

Steve, a high school English teacher, began turning in the school’s woodshop. With the help of the shop teacher, he was soon addicted.

Steve often uses pine from trees that have been killed by the beetles. This pine vase, made from beetle kill pine is really nice.

Beetle kill pine vase and juniper vase with turquoise

Beetle kill pine vase and juniper vase with turquoise

In this juniper vase Steve added turquoise. We like it, Steve.

This Juniper vase is made from local wood

This Juniper vase is made from local wood

Steve’s style of wood turning is a fluid, spontaneous process. Once a raw piece of wood is mounted on the lathe, the piece itself takes over, evolving and taking on a life of its own. These pieces by Steve show his style.

Nice variety

Nice variety

The accompanying page tells about using beetle kill pine in his artwork.

This sculpture, made from beetle kill pine and bocote wood is one of my favorites.

Great piece

Great piece

We really enjoyed our visit to Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery and we think you would like it, too. For more information visit www.boulderartsandcrafts.com You will see works from many artists in this gallery. To learn more about Steve Helfant’s wood pieces visit  http://naturalturnings.tripod.com We hope to see you there soon.

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Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith II

Zeb the Duck here to tell you about Leadville, Colorado in the 1800’s.  Silver mines were profitable, and everybody was looking for fast money.  Prostitutes were plentiful, street merchants and entertainers were everywhere.  Even Doc Holiday was in Leadville; arrested twice in three days for attempted murder.  Con men were also very common on the streets of Leadville.

One of the con men was Jefferson Randolph Smith II.  He began selling soap.  He wrapped a $100 bill around a bar of soap, re-wrapping it with his own label, and placed it in a box with other bars of his “Sapolion” soap.  Walking into a saloon with the soap, his silent partner purchased a bar of soap and opened it in front of the saloon patrons.  What a surprise.  There was a crisp one hundred dollar bill under the wrapping! Needless to say soap sales escalated at a phenomenal rate for “Soapy”.

Soapy soon left town, (a necessary move) relocating in Creede, Colorado and then to Alaska where he was killed in a gunfight on July 8, 1898.  Leadville will always remember “Soapy” Smith.

Now you know why JB Duck, Eider Duck, myself (Zeb the Duck) and the little ducks always have to watch our “Soapy” Smith Duck.  He is quite the scoundrel.

No sapolion soap for our Soapy Smith Duck

No sapolion soap for our Soapy Smith Duck

This information was from http://www.leadville.com/history/soapy.htm

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Rocky Ridge Music Center

Zeb the Duck here and I have to tell you about my neighbor, Greer Ramsey-White.    Greer is a very accomplished violin player.  She went to Rocky Ridge Music Center near Estes Park, Colorado.

A great music camp

A great music camp

This camp is on 17 wooded acres in the Rocky Mountains.  The camp sits at the foot of 14,259 foot Longs Peak.  Rocky Ridge Music Center opened as a music camp in 1942.  This place is beautiful.

The last day of camp featured a concert for parents and friends.  Fantastic!  Greer is playing her violin with a group here.

Greer is playing her violin

Greer is playing her violin

In this piece my neighbor, Greer, is concertmaster.

Concertmaster Greer

Concertmaster Greer

Greer stayed at Rocky Ridge Music Center for two weeks.  She liked this camp.  I liked the concert and the camp was so pretty.

Greer and all the campers stayed in cabins like this one.

Home for 2 weeks

Home for 2 weeks with roommates

Doesn’t this look like fun?

My neighbor, Greer, attends Denver School of the Arts in Denver, Colorado.

Greer studies here

Greer studies here

Denver School of the Arts is a comprehensive secondary arts magnet school (grades 6-12) in the Denver Public School District.   Admittance to this school is by audition only; so all students are very talented.  Of course, I think Greer is one of the most talented.  If you follow music you may know of Greer Ramsey-White.  If you don’t know of her, you will in the future.  Greer is an excellent violin player.

When the concert was over, we returned to Denver.  All that music and camp makes humans and ducks hungry.  The Old Spaghetti Factory is a favorite restaurant.

Makes me hungry

Makes me hungry

This old building has a beautiful front door.

What a door

What a door

You can eat at regular tables or you may decide to eat in this car.

Cable car inside the restaurant

Cable car inside the restaurant

This car is inside the main room of the restaurant.

I hope you eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory soon.  I really hope you visit Rocky Ridge Music Center near Estes Park.  For more information about the camp, visit www.rockyridge.org   For more information about Denver School of the Arts, visit http://dsa.dpsk12.org

Greer is an accomplished violin player, but she is also a normal, happy teenage girl.  And she is one of my favorite neighbors!

Greer Ramsey-White

Greer Ramsey-White

 

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Dragon Boat Festival

I, Zeb the Duck, Soapy Smith Duck and our moms went to Colorado’s 14th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver.

Dragon boats!

Dragon boats!

We had so much fun!

There were 3 stages with live entertainment.  First we saw Saving Avery perform on the Band Stage.

Saving Avery is a great group

Saving Avery is a great group

Then we headed to Sloan’s Lake to watch the dragon boats.  This is where the teams must register for their race.

We are trying to reach the sign

We are trying to reach the sign

We watched the team get on this boat and head to the starting place for the race.

Ready to race

Ready to race

Four boats competed in this race.

Fast rowing

Fast rowing

You can see that it was a close race.  Fans cheer their team during the race.

A new instrument. We liked it

A new instrument. We liked it

When the race ended, the dragon boats head back to shore.

Coming back to shore

Coming back to shore

There were dragon boat races all day Saturday and all day Sunday.  As ducks, we love water activities.

We watched the popular group, Hype 303 on the main stage.

Hype 303

Hype 303

Very talented!  Next was Halau Kalama, a hula group.

Halau Kalama

Halau Kalama

WOW!!  This is a great place for entertainment.

Walking around the park we admired the official poster.

We are here

We are here

These umbrellas were displayed on the grass.

This red one is our favorite

This red one is our favorite

Very colorful.  A lady purchased one while we were there.   Another store was selling these dolls.

Aren't these beautiful?

Aren’t these beautiful?

We liked them also.

Next we enjoyed this group from Filipino-American Community of Colorado.

All the entertainment is great

All the entertainment is great

This is the Explore Asia stage.  This group is preparing for the next act.

Zeb and Soapy can do this!

Zeb and Soapy can do this!

I think they are the duck duo.

We really liked the Dragon Boat Festival.  Great food also!  I hope we see you there next year.

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National Ice Cream Day

Today, July 20, 2014 is National Ice Cream Day!  How exciting for humans and for ducks!

In 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month. He also declared that the third Sunday in July would be National Ice Cream Day.  We’re definitely thankful, because ice cream is a summertime (or anytime!) favorite for people of all ages.  A favorite for ducks also.  With hundreds of flavors and toppings to choose from, you can’t go wrong with ice cream!

Happy National Ice Cream Day!  Enjoy your favorite kind today.

 

Thanks to http://www.punchbowl.com  for this information

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Independence Pass in Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck crossed Independence Pass this summer. In Colorado we have several mountain passes. Independence Pass crosses the Continental Divide.

We are almost at the top of the world

We are almost at the top of the world

Just to remind you, the water that is west of the continental divide flows to the Pacific Ocean. The water that is east of the continental divide flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Of course, all of the water does not reach the oceans as much goes for agriculture, for animal use and for human use.

Independence pass is 12,095 feet above sea level. You can see surrounding mountains are higher. This pass is closed in the winter. Today, in the summer, there is still snow on top of the mountains

This is snow is cold!

This is snow is cold!

and we are on top of the snow.

There are no trees up here. We are above timberline. That means the weather is too severe for trees to grow.

Windswept mountain top with summer snow

Windswept mountain top with summer snow

Timberline is determined by temperature and latitude.  Some times timberline is called tree line.

On either side of the pass, the streams, created by melting snow, are just beautiful. In Colorado we have many mountain passes and several cross the continental divide.

Melting snow gives us these cold streams

Melting snow gives us these cold streams

Zeb and Soapy just wanted to remind you about mountain passes and about the significance of the continental divide. Visit Colorado this summer. You will enjoy traveling through our mountains and passes and over the continental divide.

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Heritage Museum and Gallery in Leadville, Colorado

While in Leadville, Colorado, Soapy Smith Duck and Zeb the Duck visited the Heritage Museum and Gallery.

A great museum

A great museum

We thought this would be a quick trip, but there is so much in this museum.  Remember Leadville was a successful mining town.  Before entering the museum, we saw all this mining equipment.  This is a side dumping ore car.

Side dumping ore cart

Side dumping ore car

This gravity stamp mill helped crush ore.

Difficult to bring this to Leadville

Difficult to bring this to Leadville

Here is a shaker-concentrating table.

Shaking makes sense

Shaking makes sense

Shaft Cages served as elevators to raise and lower men and materials in and out of mine shafts.

So necessary for mining

So necessary for mining

There is so much mining equipment, education and history in the yard of the museum.  You should see this stuff!

When we went inside we learned much about the silver mining in Leadville.  Remember last time you learned that gold was discovered in 1860 and silver was discovered in 1874.  By 1880 Leadville was one of the greatest silver camps in the world, producing $15,000,000 in minerals per year. Two successful mines, the Robert E. Lee and Little Pittsburg had a contest.  Which mine would produce the most silver in a 24-hour period.  Look at the results!

This is fantastic!

This is fantastic!

Another area of the museum was like a house.  This Cycloid Grand Piano (named for rounded sides) was previously owned by Baby Doe Tabor.

The Tabors were very important in Leadville

The Tabors were very important in Leadville

The Rocky Mountains are beautiful, but were also very important defending our way of life.  During World War II Germany had a highly trained elite mountain division.  The United States created the 10th Mountain Division.

Soldiers trained here

Soldiers trained here

These soldiers trained at Camp Hale northwest of Leadville.

Mountain training

Mountain training

This division is credited with help the war end earlier than previously expected.

We are so proud of these soldiers

We are so proud of these soldiers

Leadville is a fascinating city and this museum is wonderful.   For more information about this museum, visit www.leadvilleheritagemuseum.com   We hope you visit soon.

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Leadville, Colorado with Soapy and Zeb Duck

Soapy Smith Duck and I, Zeb the Duck, visited Leadville, Colorado.  Leadville is an old mining town.

First gold in 1860 and silver in 1874

First gold in 1860 and silver in 1874

Leadville, Colorado is North America’s highest incorporated city at 10,430 feet above sea level.   That is almost 2 miles high.  The air is pretty thin up here, so be careful when you visit.  Usual precautions—slow down and drink lots of water.

One of your first stops here should be the visitor’s center.

Beautiful old home and visitor's center

Beautiful old home and visitor’s center

Soapy and I just love these pretty old houses.  There is so much to see and do in Leadville.  A good way to see some of the history is through the self guided walking tour.  You can get directions before you go at www.leadville.com    The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is in Leadville.

National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum

National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum

This statue, Mining:  The Pulse of Civilization, is at the front of the building.

Marble mining statue

Marble mining statue

It is symbolic of Double Jacking.  The marble for this statue is from the Yule Marble Quarry in Marble, Colorado.  Marble from this quarry has been used in the Tomb of the Unknowns and part of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

We love these pretty older homes.

We love these houses. Did you guess?

We love these houses. Did you guess?

Leadville is very high, but even higher mountains surround the town.  Isn’t this a pretty street?

Annunciation Catholic Church with snow capped mountains

Annunciation Catholic Church with snow capped mountains

The Annunciation Catholic Church dates from 1880.   The “Unsinkable Molly Brown” was married here in 1886.  Baby Doe Tabor’s funeral was held here in 1935.  In Leadville, the Colorado and Southern Railroad Station is still in use.

This train station is used every day in the summer

This train station is used every day in the summer

Tourist trains leave here daily during the summer.  This engine has the plow that was used to clear the tracks in winter.

Snow plow on engine

Snow plow on engine

Leadville, Colorado was home to Horace and Augusta Tabor until 1881.  The Tabors were very wealthy and very generous to the city of Leadville.  The Tabors lived in this house

The Tabor home is open to visitors

The Tabor home is open to visitors.  Pretty lace curtains.

until Horace moved out to be with his future second wife, Baby Doe Tabor.

Downtown Leadville is the location of the Tabor Opera House.

Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado

Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado

When this opera house opened in 1879 it was “the finest theater between St. Louis and San Francisco”.

Across the street from the Tabor Opera House is the very popular Silver Dollar Saloon.  First named Board of Trade Saloon; in 1935 it became the Silver Dollar Saloon.

The Silver Dollar Saloon

The Silver Dollar Saloon

Leadville has so much history and so many stories that you could spend several days here and have a great time.  Please visit www.leadville.com to learn more about this fascinating city and then visit Leadville.  You will be glad you came here.

Leadville, Colorado. Isn't this beautiful?

Leadville, Colorado. Isn’t this beautiful?