November 10, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Veteran’s Day Festival 2014

Saturday, November 8, 2014 we went to Denver’s Civic Center Park for a festival. This festival was for American veterans.

Veteran’s Day

The parade was in the morning, followed by the festival. It was fun. We like veterans. They protect the freedom we all enjoy.

We saw military vehicles.

We like it!

This one should not drive on the highway.

This soldier was very nice to us, also

It is a M29C Weasel, from 1944, and built by Studebaker. It was used in World War II. Look at these tires.

This is fabulous

We liked all of these.

The people at Rocky Mountain Honor Flight had a great booth. They accept donations to take veterans, mostly World War II Veterans, to Washington D.C. to see the monuments dedicated to themselves, the American heroes. The veterans do not pay for this trip, and if necessary a Guardian companion is provided for them. This poster shows some veterans in Washington D.C. from prior trips.

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

For more information about Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, visit www.rockymountainhonorflight.org.

More groups help veterans. We like people helping the veterans that preserve our life style. We saw and heard this band.

Almost cut his hat off

The played while many veterans were eating. Of course, I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, and our moms also wanted to eat. We tried one of the food trucks. Look at these sandwiches.

We love big sandwiches

They were delicious. You may have noticed our new duck relatives. Our moms purchased them from another group that helps veterans.

Meet Candy Cane Duck and Gingerbread Duck

We welcome Gingerbread Duck and Candy Cane Duck to the family.

Saturday was a warm, sunny day for a parade and festival. We hope you had a good weekend and attended a Veteran’s Day activity. Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11, but many cities celebrate the Saturday before the holiday.

We love America

November 8, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Fort Morgan, Colorado has a Museum

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, were in Fort Morgan. We previously told you about the great park there. Yesterday we showed you the famous Rainbow Arch Bridge. Today let’s look at the museum.

Going to the museum in Fort Morgan, Colorado

The eastern plains of Colorado were populated with Native American Indians.

Life of Native American

This museum has many displays about the Native Americans and the buffalo. Then things changed in 1881 and 1882 when the railroad arrived.

The railroad arrives in Fort Morgan

The Union Pacific and the Burlington Route brought people and supplies to the Fort Morgan area. Soon there were towns and a larger military presence.

More people move to Fort Morgan

The citizens of Fort Morgan and vicinity have always been ready to serve the United States. During World War II, Fort Morgan Municipal airport housed one of the US Army’s Glider Schools. Students learned to handle gliders by utilizing small, single engine aircraft and performed dead stick landings.

Fort Morgan is proud of its military past

Student soldiers from across the nation called Fort Morgan home for the 6-week training period.

Like many small towns, the local drug store and soda fountain were a gathering place for all ages.

We would love this soda fountain

One of those teenagers was Glenn Miller. Glenn Miller was born in Iowa but moved to Fort Morgan with his family. He played left end on the Fort Morgan High School football team. In 1920 Glenn was named Best Left End in Colorado. Glenn is probably the most famous graduate of Fort Morgan High School. Glenn loved music.

Fort Morgan is proud of Glenn Miller

The museum has an area dedicated to Glenn Miller.

Tribute to Glenn Miller

Later The Glenn Miller Orchestra became one of the most popular bands of the big band era. This museum shares a building with the Fort Morgan library. We liked this museum and we think you would like it too. When you are on I-76 Fort Morgan would be a great stop for you.

November 7, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

This is a great bridge.

Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, crossed the Rainbow Arch Bridge over the South Platte River in Fort Morgan. This bridge was built in 1922 and 1923.

Looking through to South Platte River

The bridge was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1984. A few years later, in 1992, Rainbow Arch Bride was designated as a Colorado Civil Engineering Landmark.

One of eleven arches

The eleven arches on this bridge are great. In 1911 James Barney Marsh, an engineer and bridge designer, received the patent for reinforced concrete arch bridges. This bridge is 1100 feet long and 90 feet wide.

You can see all eleven arches here

Rainbow Arch Bridge survived several floods, and now the bridge is open for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Looking through an arch and over the newer road for motorized traffic, to the South Platte River

Another road has been built for automobile and regular traffic.

The Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan is the only bridge of this type in Colorado and one of the longest in the country. This bridge, crossing the South Platt River, is on Colorado Highway 52, less than one mile north of I-76 at exit 80. You should see this bridge. It is really an architectural masterpiece.

Great bridge and love the street lights

November 5, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Heritage Museum in Limon, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, Soapy Smith Duck and little Pumpkin Duck, traveled about 90 miles east of Denver to Limon, Colorado.

Limon on the eastern plains of Colorado

We visited a nice museum. The Heritage Museum is really two museums in one.

Heritage Museum in Limon

The museum is open only during the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We were there this fall, so it was closed, but still interesting. Many outside exhibits seemed permanent.

This stuff is great!

We started at the Limon Heritage Museum where we found old farm equipment. Limon’s local history includes farms and ranches, Native American Indians and the railroad. These tractors show changes over the years.

Tractors through the years

We liked this garden cultivator,

We ducks cannot push this garden cultivator

Walking along the farm and ranch equipment, within a couple blocks we are at the Limon Depot Museum.

Trains are fun

This was a real train depot. Here is the car that rides the train rails,

Moves on train tracks

often used by employees. This train has the snowplow.

Can plow through snow drifts

The Pullman,

Would be fun to sleep on the train

or sleeper car, is probably open in the summer. This picnic or rest area would be great on a warm day. We liked sitting here.

Have a picnic or just relax here.

If you are in or near Limon, stop here to relax and enjoy this museum. Near the museum we saw this mural.

Very large mural

Limon’s history is portrayed here, including farming, Native American Indians and the railroad. Limon is at the junction of US 40 and I-70. Limon is a nice place for a stop of a few hours or a few days. We liked our visit.

November 3, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Whale of a Used Book Sale

I, Zeb the Duck, went to my first used book sale. Our county library has a huge used book sale twice a year.

Whale of a Used Book Sale

We went to the Fall Whale of a Used Book Sale. This is a three-day event. But, Sunday is the bargain day. All the books etc that you can put in a grocery size bag costs only $6. Mom and I went on Sunday.

The sale is held at the County Fairgrounds in the Exhibit Hall.

Entering the County Fairgrounds

This is a hall big enough to display over 100,000 books, CDs, DVDs and more. Entering the exhibit hall,

Entering my first used book sale

I saw the encyclopedias and lots of other stuff. Looking to my right, I observed people shopping in the history area.

There are books and buyers everywhere

At the end of this area is the fiction section. These books are divided between paperback and hardback books.

I did not see children’s books.

Additional area needed for all the books and more for children

They are located downstairs in the exhibit hall.

Special room for children

They have a room for books, puzzles and movies. I don’t think I have ever seen so many books! The money from this sale is used by our library to promote literacy. With all the people buying books, I think we live in a very literate county. There are also sealed boxes of paperback books. You can buy a box for $5, but you are not sure what is inside. Mom always buys a box of these books.

Being polite is important

We like this sign thanking people for coming here and buying books.

These are the books that came home with us.

Lots of reading for this winter

After this photo, the books were removed from our patio and are now downstairs, in our book area. And, when mom is finished with the books, she gives some to friends, but most will be donated to the library for the Spring Whale of a Used Book Sale. This was fun looking at so many books. I hope you go to a library sale near you. You will like it and you will have many new books to read.

November 1, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Day of the Dead

I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck, visited the Mexican Cultural Center on Leetsdale Drive in Denver. We saw ofrentas.

A large ofrenta

This weekend is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. People in Mexico and other parts of the world, welcome the returning spirits of deceased family members and friends.

Preparing for the spirit’s return, many people go to the cemeteries to be sure things are tidy there. At home, the ofrenta is set up.

Preparing for returning spirits

This is a tribute to the deceased. The ofrenta features the four elements of water, fire, wind and earth. Water is often placed in clay pitchers. Fire is represented by candles. The papel picado signifies the wind. Earth is shown through food, usually bread called pan de muerto.

The ofrenta also has things that the deceased enjoyed during their life on earth.

Ofrenta for returning spirits

Other food, other beverages, toys, cigars, tobacco, or cards are usually on the ofrenta. Sometimes photogaphs are displayed. There are bright flowers.

Ofrenta with skeleton person and flowers

The cempasuchitl, a type of marigold that is native to Mexico is the dominant flower of this celebration. This tradition has been carried on for over 2500 years. Some sources say almost 4000 years. This is a very important holiday for many people.

We, Zeb and Soapy, really liked seeing the ofrentas.

Celebrating Day of the Dead

The people are shown as skeletons. The people do not fear death. It is a part of the cycle of life.

Decorations

Typical decorations for this holiday include skeletons, particularly skulls. They make sugar skulls, often with a person’s name on the skull. This is a very festival holiday.

Day of the Dead is very festive time

I hope you can see some events or decorations this weekend for the Day of the Dead holiday.

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Colorado Traveling Ducks

Month: November 2014

Veteran’s Day Festival 2014

Fort Morgan, Colorado has a Museum

Rainbow Arch Bridge in Fort Morgan, Colorado

Heritage Museum in Limon, Colorado

Whale of a Used Book Sale

Day of the Dead