Month: March 2016

by

The Colorado Traveling Ducks Visit the Mojave Desert

We are driving into the Mojave Desert.

Mojave National Preserve

Mojave National Preserve

Looking around, there is not much vegetation, dry mountains around us, and 57 minutes with no other humans in sight.

Low vegetation in the desert

Low vegetation in the desert

These are Joshua Trees, also known as yucca palms.

Joshua Trees

Joshua Trees

There is a national park featuring Joshua Trees.   Very tall mountains add to the feeling of isolation.

Tall mountains add to isolation

Tall mountains add to isolation

A town on the horizon.   This is Kelso Depot and Visitor’s Center.

Kelso Depot and Visitor's Center

Kelso Depot and Visitor’s Center

The visitor’s center is not open yet this morning, so we just look.   From the mid 1940s until 1985 this was the jail for Kelso.

Kelso Jail with Soapy

Kelso Jail with Soapy

A 2 cell, strap-steel jail to confine drunks and other unruly individuals for a night or two.   The jail was originally west of Kelso Depot on the far side of Kelbaker Road.   That rascal, Soapy Smith Duck, better be careful…he may have to stay in jail in Kelso, California.   Kelso Dunes are the largest field of eolian sand deposits in the Mojave Desert.   They cover 45 sq. miles and reach heights of  600 feet.   Humans can walk to the dunes and climb to the top.  The dunes were formed 25,000 years ago.

A path to the Kelso Dunes

A path to the Kelso Dunes

Well, mom, let’s go.

Let's walk to the Dunes

Let’s walk to the Dunes

OK Ducks.   Let’s walk a little way in the sand, but not to the top of the dunes today.   Leaving Kelso Dunes, we pose for a photo with these wildflowers.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers

Remember, wild flowers in the desert were the reason for this road trip.   We are out of the Mojave National Preserve, but still in the Mojave Desert.   We like these trees with the bright orange.

We like the orange here

We like the orange here

We are not sure, but we think the lower plants turn orange when they die, and blew into the tree.   But it is pretty.   The Mojave Desert does have vegetation, but not very tall.

Mojave Desert. Rather barren

Mojave Desert. Rather barren

We like the harsh look of the desert.

by

We loved lunch at Denver’s oldest Italian Restaurant

Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck anticipate lunch at Patsy’s.

Let's eat at Patsy's

Let’s eat at Patsy’s

Patsy’s, opened in 1921, by Mike and Maggie Aiello, is Denver’s oldest Italian restaurant and is still owned by the same family.   We went into the main restaurant, but there is another section, Patsy’s Pizzeria.

Patsy's Pizzeria. With new patio

Patsy’s Pizzeria. With new patio

Joseph greeted us at the door and let us pick our table.

We can sit where we want

We can sit where we want

Joseph took care of us while we were there.   We like Joseph.

We like Joseph

We like Joseph

He is very friendly and brought us food and lots of beverages.   Our food was delicious.    We ordered cavatelli with original spaghetti sauce.

Yum. Great flavors but not overpowering.

Yum.   Great flavors but not overpowering.

We also ordered Patsy’s speciality of homemade spaghetti with a meatball.   Each human also enjoyed a bowl of homemade minestrone.   Fresh bread was included.   Everything was very tasty, fresh, and the portions were huge.   Along the wall of the dining room, we admired this hand painted mural.

Hand painted mural

Hand painted mural

So many famous scenes from Italy.   After eating, we walked to the bar.   Behind the bar is a bullet hole.

There is a bullet hole in the wall between us

There is a bullet hole in the wall between us

The story says that a married man came to the bar with a woman that was not his wife.   His wife knew.   The wife came into the bar, fired two shots, injuring no one, and walked out.   The husband understood what he needed to do.   We believe actions do speak louder than words.   Recently the patio by Patsy’s Pizzeria was added.   During the work, the owners went into the dirt basement that had been filled with mud.   They found bottles, glasses, photos and other item previously used in the restaurant.   Rumor says that there is also a body buried 8 feet under the restaurant.   We don’t know, but upstairs, we decided not to go through this door.

Door to somewhere

Door to somewhere

You just never know what you may find.   Another dining area?   Stairway to a body?   We stayed upstairs by the bar.   The other patrons talked to us and told us stories about Patsy’s.

Friendly bar

Friendly bar

We really liked Patsy’s and we will come back again.   When you are in Denver, head to 3651 Navajo Street, Denver to enjoy a great meal and a fantastic experience at Patsy’s.   When you visit Patsy’s, tell Joseph we will be back soon.   For more information visit http://www.patsysinn.com

by

China Ranch Date Farm in California with Zeb, Soapy Smith and JB Duck

We are going to a farm today, but a farm in the Death Valley area.   The date farm is 2 miles away.

China Ranch is 2 miles from here.

China Ranch is 2 miles from here.

Look at this road.   This will not be a farm like we usually see.

Is there really a farm down this road?

Is there really a farm down this road?

But even here, we see some cheerful wild flowers.

October rains brought flowers here also

October rains brought flowers here also

In previous years, mines were in these rocks.

Former mine

Former mine

You can see where the miners went in to get silver.   This is a date farm, but what do we, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, know about dates.

We did not know this

We did not know this

This sign tells us that dates are the oldest tree crop.   We did not know that.   These date trees are palm trees.

Date palm trees with Colorado Traveling Ducks in the grassy road

Date palm trees with Colorado Traveling Ducks in the grassy road

We are in the grassy road here.   Can you find us?   There are many types of palm trees.

Now we are sitting in the tree bark

Now we are sitting in the tree bark

We are sitting on the tree trunk, held up by date palm bark.   To move the dates from the date groves to the store, this truck can be used.

To move dates

To move dates

We like this truck.   How did a farm get here in death valley area?   Ah Foo started it.

How did a farm get here?

How did a farm get here?

This farm is possible because there is a river near here, and that is the water source for the farm.   The modest museum has some history and some items used on the farm in the earlier days.

A modest museum

A modest museum

This is a cute museum.   There is a gift shop here and a bakery.

China Ranch gift shop and wonderful bakery

China Ranch gift shop and wonderful bakery

We love bakeries.   We bought date cookies with white chips and date bread.

Let's eat!

Let’s eat!

This is a good place to sit and enjoy our treats.

Sit here and enjoy date treats

Sit here and enjoy date treats

We like China Ranch Date Farm.   For more information visit http://www.chinaranch.com  If you are near Death Valley in Tecopa, California we hope you visit the date farm.

by

It’s Gone

Today only has 23 hours.   What happened?   Mom says Daylight Savings Time began at 2 a.m. today, Sunday March 13.   We will get that hour back November 6.    Humans do strange things. It will not get light so early in the morning now.   The best part though, it will not get dark so early in the evening.   Maybe more cooking dinners outside and eating outside.   Summer will be coming soon.   Of course, there may be more winter first, but it will be light later in the evening, so everything will be good.   Did you remember to change your clocks?

by

The High and Low of Death Valley with Zeb, Soapy Smith and JB Duck

The largest national park south of Alaska reveals more secrets to the Colorado Traveling Ducks.  Driving to Dantes View, we gain elevation.   This, the most breathtaking viewpoint in the park, is 5,475 feet above the floor of Death Valley.   Looking to the floor of Death Valley from Dantes View, the green vegetation is a contrast to the dry earth.

From Dantes View

From Dantes View

The white ground below is a reminder that all minerals that are thrown in the valley, from volcanic activity, earthquakes or rain, will forever remain in Death Valley.   This land, below sea level, has no outlet to the sea, so everything stays here and is further altered by the forces of nature.

From Dantes View

From Dantes View

Not only is the floor of Death Valley covered with minerals, but the mountain walls of the valley exhibit colors and patterns from thousands of years of change.

From Dantes View

From Dantes View

Mom is experimenting with the panorama function on her camera.

Floor of Death Valley from Dantes View

Floor of Death Valley from Dantes View

We like the effect.   From the high point, let’s go to the floor of Death Valley.   We drive to Badwater Basin.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin

This is not only the lowest point in North America, but it is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.   There are not many places in the world where you can stand on dry land, below sea level.    Let’s go on the salt flats.

On the salt flats

On the salt flats

We are careful to only walk where it is allowed.   This environment is fragile and we do not want to destroy any of it.   We are happy to discover our national parks.   Did you know that the National Park Service is 100 years old in 2016?   Now we turn our backs to the salt flats and look at the rock wall.

Standing 282 feet below sea level

Standing 282 feet below sea level

If you look closely you will see a white rectangular sign marking sea level.   The sign is about half way up the wall and 2/3 to the right of this photo.   The information signs say that Death Valley Basin is still dropping.   Today we are 282 feet below sea level.   Hundreds of years from now, these salt flats probably will be further below sea level.     We only spent a couple days in Death Valley National Park, but you could spend a day, a week, or months here and never see everything.   The park is huge and the land is constantly changing.   The rain and flooding from September gave us the wildflowers this spring.   In the park, you can receive wildflower updates.   You may want to view the best flower display.   We loved all the flowers, but our photos are not the best.   You may want to use google to see more pictures.   But we were happy with these flowers.

A few wildflowers by the road

A few wildflowers by the road

We hope you enjoy some national parks this year.

by

Death Valley National Park to Tecopa, California with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

Driving through Death Valley National Park, we spotted the road in 20 Mule Team Canyon.

We want to drive in the canyon

We want to drive in the canyon

Let’s go.   On a dirt road we followed the dried river bed.

Dried river bed in canyon

Dried river bed in canyon

And, yes this is the road.

Dirt road

Dirt road

Let’s hope there is no sudden rain and flash flooding.   There was none.   Just beautiful sunny skies.   Even the mountains look dry.

Even rocks look dry

Even rocks look dry

Remember, Death Valley usually only receives 2 inches of moisture annually.   And the summers are extremely hot.   This was a short 3 mile loop, but we loved it.   The desert mountain landscape fascinates us.   In this area of the park, these are typical rock formations.

Typically Death Vally scenery in this part of park

Typically Death Vally scenery in this part of park

Next turn off for us is Zabriskie Point which overlooks what is referred to as the Badlands.

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point

Within the lake bed are rich layers of Colemanite and Uluxite, minerals often referred to as Borax.   Strip mining was used until a 1976 law close the park to prospecting and gave the National Park Service more control over mining activity.   There is still some private mines in operation in the park, but no strip mining.   Pacific Coast Borax Company was a major mining company, but by the 1920s their mining activity had slowed.

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point

The company turned to tourism by opening the elegant Furnace Creek Inn in 1927, with great success.    Christian B. Zabriskie was vice president and general manager of Pacific Coast Borax Company during the transition from mining to tourism.   This lookout, Zabriskie Point, is named for him.   Aren’t park information signs great?   Much of this landscape was formed by water and earthquakes.   However the black layer here is lava that oozed out onto the ancient lake bed.

Black lava on tops of mountains

Black lava on tops of mountains

Hot water followed the lava, bringing minerals such as borax, gypsum and calcite with it.   Isn’t geology fascinating?   We left the park for the evening, but we will return in the morning.   Driving into Death Valley Junction, we saw the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel.   This is now an historic building and cultural center.

Amargosa Opera House

Amargosa Opera House

Marta Becket was  professional dancer who danced at Radio City Music Hall and performed on Broadway in New York City.   A flat tire on a camping trip led her to Death Valley Junction where she fell in love with the theater.   She renovated it and renamed it Amargosa Opera House.   She remains in Death Valley Junction, performing until she officially retired in 2012.   She still lives there, and live performances are still performed at the Opera House.

Performances scheduled this year

Performances scheduled this year

We thought the doors to the Amargosa Opera House were wonderful.

Beautiful doors to Opera House

Beautiful doors to Opera House

We spent the night at Tecopa, California.   There are many hot springs in the area and we enjoyed soaking in the hot water.    The ground is white from minerals.

Minerals in Tecopa, CA

Minerals in Tecopa, CA

There is a variety of minerals, but salt is in there also.    Yes, mom tasted it.   We liked this wagon in Tecopa.

Wagon in Tecopa

Wagon in Tecopa

The evening sky was so clear, we saw thousands of brilliant stars.   We are enjoying our time in the desert.

by

Wildflowers in Death Valley 2016

We are entering California.

Hello California

Hello California

Where are the beaches?   Mom says we are not going to the beach.   The desert is in bloom.   That means there are wildflowers blooming where usually no flowers bloom.   Entering Death Valley National Park, we will look for wildflowers.

Going into Death Valley National Park

Going into Death Valley National Park

This desert usually receives 2 inches of rain annually and summer temperatures over 120 degrees are normal.   Here are a few flowers.

Purple flowers

Purple flowers

We like purple, and of course yellow is one of our favorite colors.   These white flowers are pretty, also.

White flowers

White flowers

And the flowers are growing in gravel like soil.   Mom buys potting soil for our flowers and needs to water every few days.   The flowers are beautiful this year, but mom did not get very good photos.

Thousands of flowers blooming

Thousands of flowers blooming.   Find yellow ducks in yellow flowers

Looking online you will see better views of flowers.   A fellow traveler we met at dinner one evening, suggested we take Artists Drive to see flowers.

We are in the flowers

We are in the flowers

We did, and also went to Artists Palette.   Artists Palette shows colors of the mountains.

Volcanic rocks of many colors

Volcanic rocks of many colors

Over 5 million years ago repeated volcanic eruptions blanketed the landscape, depositing ash and minerals.    The volcanic minerals were chemically altered by heat and water, with variable amounts of oxygen and other introduced elements.   Chemical analysis have identified iron, aluminum,magnesium and titanium,but no copper.   Some of the colored minerals here include red hematite and green chlorite.   We love the information signs in national parks.   Further along Artists Drive, we admired this  splash of turquoise mountain.

Color of Caribbean in rocks here.

Color of Caribbean in rocks here.

Just like  huge turquoise wave in the Caribbean Sea.   Here are a few more of this years wildflowers.

Different purple flowers

Different purple flowers

This bush is even producing small yellow flowers.

Bush has tiny yellow flowers

Bush has tiny yellow flowers

We especially liked these flowers.

Wildflowers really are growing wild this year.

Wildflowers really are growing wild this year.

This was our first time in Death Valley.    We were fascinated by the entire landscape and we will show you more next time.   You should see Death Valley soon.   You will like it also.

by

Arizona Mountains with Zeb the Duck

Leaving Utah, I Zeb the Duck, entered Arizona.

We are in Arizona

We are in Arizona

Mom said we would only be in Arizona for 30 miles, but to look out the window as the scenery is great.

Great rock formation in rock canyon

Great rock formation in rock canyon

Driving through these mountains was like looking at old western movies.

Feel like we are in an old western movie

Feel like we are in an old western movie

We stopped and I got out of the car, too, but the mountains were too tall to get me in many photos.   Our road, I-15, cut right through the mountains and there were few places to stop.

Road through mountains

Road through mountains

You will notice that there are no houses or people by the highway, in these rugged mountains.

No buildings and people in sight

No buildings and people in sight

OK, we found an exit and now let’s enjoy the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area.   Picnic tables make this a perfect place to spend time, eat, and relax.

Picnic area at Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Picnic area at Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area

Sit by a cactus in the shade of a tree.

Under the shade of a tree

Under the shade of a tree

Admire the barren mountains with color in the rock.

Sitting by cactus with great mountains behind

Sitting by cactus with great mountains behind

Here is the Virgin River.

The Virgin River. Rapids and calm places

The Virgin River. Rapids and calm places

You may want to fish today.   I don’t know where we are going, the signs say Las Vegas, but mom says we are not going to Las Vegas now.   Wherever we are going, I really like this mountain scenery in Arizona.

We like the scenery in this little corner of Arizona

We like the scenery in this little corner of Arizona

When you drive through here, you will like it also.

by

Utah. We are in Utah

In the car and driving west on I-70 from Denver.   We are in Utah.

We are in Utah

We are in Utah

There is a lot of big empty space here.   You know about The Great Salt Lake and Park City, former host of Winter Olympics.   You probably also know about Salt Lake City, with Temple Square, the Mormon Tabernacle and the famous choir.    But that is not the Utah we will show you today.    Our first stop is Green River, Utah.

Green River, Utah

Green River, Utah

These sculptures explain the history of Utah.    I-70 enters Utah mid way between north and south.   On I-70 we will travel south west to I-15 and then into Arizona.   Rock formations like these dominate the landscape near Green River.

Green River landscape

Green River landscape

The highway takes us to the San Rafael Reef, a great rock wall formation.

San Rafael Reef

San Rafael Reef

We will cross the San Rafael Swell.   This is a large anticline where the earth’s crust has been heaved from below to form a great dome of rock layers.

San Rafael Swell

San Rafael Swell

Erosion has sliced and sculpted steeply tilted layers of hard sandstone.    A few miles further and another 1,000 feet in altitude, we stop to view Black Dragon Canyon.

Black Dragon Canyon

Black Dragon Canyon

Some of this sedimentary rock was deposited over 250 million years ago.   Continuing southwest on I-70, we admire the mountains, and the cows.

Contented cows

Contented cows

This photo shows several layers of what we see.

Variety of landscape and rock formations

Variety of landscape and rock formations

The grass, the trees, desert looking mountains and snow capped mountains.   There is so much beauty in the untouched landscape.   Leaving Green River, we saw a couple signs advising us that there were no services for 103 miles.   We have a full gas tank and many bottles of water.   This rugged land of canyons and badlands allowed outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, Elza Lay, Flat Nose George, Kid Curry, Joe Walker and others to elude the lawman.

Perfect for outlaws

Perfect for outlaws

We are fascinated by the changing rocks and colors.

Love the red

Love the red

Red here.   Almost looks like they were carved.   Now white rocks.

Love the white

Love the white

The minerals in the rock determine the color of the rocks and mountains.   These mountains with red and white made us smile.

Various colors on same mountain. Minerals give color to rocks

Various colors on same mountain. Minerals give color to rocks

Utah also has 5 national parks, so plan to stay here awhile to enjoy many wonders.   We will be back to Utah again.   It seems that mom is trying to get somewhere else on this trip, too.