Don’t miss the biggest and brightest moon of 2014. The National Weather Channel says that tonight, Sunday August 10 will be the best moon of the year. The moon is called a perigee moon, meaning it is closer to the earth. There are three perigee or super moons in 2014. The first was July 12, then tonight, August 10 and the last September 9.
Tonight is the biggest and brightest, so join us and thousands of other humans enjoying this great moon.
Yesterday mom and I, Zeb the Duck, arrived in Steamboat Springs. Today we explored a little more. Let’s go to the Yampa River.
Colorado’s Yampa River
A block from main street the Yampa surges down the mountain. It is so powerful and so refreshing.
From the river I saw these jumps. Almost wish we had snow today.
Fun in the mountains
The lower part of this photo shows the ramps for skate boarders. We watched them and they are talented and having fun. Of course, the Yampa River calls to adventurers. So, the Back Door Sports shop offers many options for everyone. I love this store.
Back Door Sports
It really does operate from the back door of the building. And it is really right on the river.
When not on the river or skateboarding, you may want to ride a bicycle.
I like this
Steamboat Springs has so many options for fun.
The mighty Yampa
But, all that activity could increase appetites in humans and ducks. Here is one opportunity for a break from activities.
This looks very inviting
Or you can relax inside the Cantina,
Food smelled so good
or sit outside while you enjoy a snack and beverage.
Eating outside is always fun
I will tell you more about this town next time. Steamboat Springs is great!
I, Zeb the Duck, am going to Steamboat Springs today. Steamboat Springs is a great mountain town and ski resort in northwest Colorado. Driving west on I-70, we go through the tunnel,
Driving west, under the Continental Divide
exit I-70 and head northwest. Our mountains are beautiful, but here we have mountains, rivers
Enjoying the river
and pasture land.
Fenced pasture
Just perfect!
Colorado is beautiful
Steamboat Springs is on the west side of the Continental Divide. Up and over Rabbit Ears pass
Crossing the Continental Divide again
and on to Steamboat Springs. Approaching town, we encountered Old Town Hot Springs.
Hot Springs are welcome any time
We love the hot springs in our mountains. Warm water for swimming or lounging all year. Ducks and humans love water!
Sitting on the horse in front of the famous F.M. Light and Sons store, I appreciate the old west style buildings.
I think I like riding this horse.
F. M. Light and Sons store was established in Steamboat Springs in 1905. They have been serving the town for more than 100 years and 5 generations. Steamboat Springs feels like a real western town with skiers and cowboys. I like it! Looking down the street, we see ski runs.
Skiing so close to town
Of course there is no snow in the summer, but lots of biking, hiking and river activities.
The names of these stores are fun. Here is Moose Mountain Trading Company.
A great name for this establishment
These flowers are wonderful, but the addition of this yellow duck makes them perfect.
I think I brighten these flowers.
Tomorrow we will see more of Steamboat Springs. This is a great town.
The temperature is in the upper 80’s during the day and tonight football is back in Denver.
You may remember last year the Denver Broncos were soundly defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Well, tonight there is another game between these teams, right here in the mile high city. Yes, football is back and Denver hosts its first preseason game tonight.
We ducks hope for a different outcome tonight! Go Broncos!
WOW! Broncos
I, Zeb the Duck, must leave Baltimore in an hour. Mom and I spotted this sculpture near the Inner Harbor area.
Looks good to me
So pretty.
You will want to spend at least a full day at the Inner Harbor. The body of water here is the Chesapeake Bay. The shops and restaurants are welcoming. The National Aquarium is near. There are four ships to board and tour.
Many people enjoying the Inner Harbor
Don’t miss any of this!
I love water taxis.
I love the water, but I am a duck. You will love water taxis also.
So convenient and so much fun to travel by water. This ship, the USS Constellation served our country, in various capacities, for almost 100 years.
USS Constellation
Take a tour and learn of her time in the Mediterranean. Before the Civil War, the USS Constellation was the flagship of the US African Squadron. The USS Constellation sailed near Africa to capture slave ships and free the Africans headed to North America for slavery. Later, this ship took food and supplies to Ireland during that famine. The USS Constellation transported items across the Atlantic for world fairs.
A great ship
The end of her career was spent training future Navy leaders.
We had less than one hour before our airport pickup, so we just wandered along the dock. Please, spend some time there and enjoy this great place! We want to return to board the ships and visit the National Aquarium.
Visit Baltimore’s Inner Harbor soon.
And so much more!
I, Zeb the Duck, loved the old, historic buildings in Baltimore. And, I thought it was great that the modern businesses used these buildings without changing the exterior.
The Walgreens by my house in Colorado certainly does not look like this one.
Walgreens in Baltimore
Mine is easy to recognize, but this one has history. And look at this 7-11.
7-11 in Baltimore
These buildings are so great.
Preserving historic buildings
Another Baltimore 7-11.
How about this CVS? Impressive to this duck.
Everybody needs CVS
This is one of my favorite places. Love Dunkin’ Donuts.
Love Dunkin’ Donuts
Fed Ex is looking good also.
FedEx is everywhere!
Baltimore is trying to keep the city clean and save energy. These solar compactors were on many streets.
Everybody can do their part
I am glad mom and I went to Baltimore. You will enjoy so many things here. Let me know about your Baltimore experiences.
Zeb the Duck here in Baltimore. Skipping dinner, we walked in a different direction. First we encountered Battle Monument. Honoring those who died in the War of 1812, this 39-foot monument was built in 1815-1825.
Battle Monument with Zeb
Designed by J. Maximilian M. Godefroy notice the Egyptian Revival cenotaph base and Carrara marble statue of a female figure on the top. The lady, wearing a crown of victory and holding a wreath in one hand and ship’s rudder in the other, represents the City of Baltimore. This monument, often called Lady Baltimore, is on the seal and the flag of the City of Baltimore.
Fountains to soothe
Fountains add tranquility near the statue to the Negro Heroes.
Honoring Negro Heroes
I am proud to sit on the boot of an American hero.
Monument to heroes
Across the park is the War Memorial.
Baltimore’s War Memorial
This is a “place of meeting for all veteran, patriotic and civic organizations, a depository for trophies of wars in which our country has engaged, and a tribute to those citizens of Maryland who gave their lives and services to their country in World War I.” On the terrace in front of the War Memorial we saw the two sculptured sea horses. These sea horses represent the “Might of America crossing the seas to aid our allies.” One horse represents the Navy
Sea horse with osprey for Navy
and the other represents the army.
Sea horse with eagle representing the army
Looking ahead, I spotted the Phoenix Shot Tower, sometimes called the Old Baltimore Shot Tower. It is 215 feet tall and used about 1.1 million bricks (manufactured by Burns and Russell Company of Baltimore.) The Shot Tower was built in 1828.
Phoenix Shot Tower in Baltimore
Molten led was dropped from a platform at the top of the tower, through a sieve-like device, into a vat of cold water at the bottom of the tower. Both “drop shot” for pistols and rifles and “moulded shot” for larger weapons such as cannons were produced. Production stopped in 1892 when new methods of shot production were introduced. This information is from www.carrollmuseums.org and from Wikipedia. Again, mom and I had no more time. Next session of our conference starts soon. You will enjoy your visit to Baltimore. Summer is a great time to explore the area.
I, Zeb the Duck, love Baltimore. Mom and I were here for a weekend conference so we didn’t have much time to explore. However, this what we found. The former headquarters of the B & O Railroad is now the Hotel Monaco Baltimore.
Historic building and great hotel
Also, the hotel hosting our conference. Love the red carpet for this white limo.
Long limo
A bridal party arrived here Friday evening. The ladies were beautiful!
Ducks are very curious animals and I love to learn. John Hopkins University was a great place for this duck.
I could learn a lot here.
Fountains and water are important to ducks also.
We love fountains
North Charles Street provided me with much to see.
In front of Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse I saw Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.,
Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.
large and metal, greeting all visitors.
Further along the street, the New Unity Church Ministries caught my eye.
New Unity Church Ministries. Appealing building.
Beyond the Baltimore Basilica (see previous post),
Visit the Baltimore Basilica soon.
I saw a very ornate steeple. This steeple is on the Mt. Vernon Place Methodist Church.
Steeple of Mt. Vernon Place Methodist Church
This church, designed by Thomas Dixon, a Baltimore architect, has been here since 1872. We were out of time, so did not enter the church. I hope you can.
The banners for the Baltimore Orioles are very colorful.
Second only to Colorado Rockies for this duck
I think Baltimore will be my favorite baseball team, unless they play our Colorado Rockies.
Flowers are so cheerful. I just loved these flowers in the sidewalk of Baltimore.
Flowers are so beautiful and cheerful
You will love visiting Baltimore. There is something interesting everywhere. Next time I will tell you about Saturday’s short walk. We took an outside break for dinner, before Saturday’s last session.
Colorado Traveling Ducks 