Today my friend, Channel the Bear, is sharing pictures from her Alaska cruise. She is lounging on a large cruise ship in Glacier Bay.
Channel relaxing on her cruise ship
This is a great place to relax, Channel.
Channel the Bear
Channel is enjoying her time in Alaska’s Glacier Bay.
Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska
This a beautiful place Channel. It looks cold with all the ice and snow. Happy you stayed warm on the cruise ship. Thanks for sending us these photos. What a wonderful vacation.
My friend, Channel the Bear, took a cruise to Alaska. She stopped in Ketchikan, Alaska for a hike. These pictures are beautiful Channel. Such a beautiful place to hike.
Channel in Ketchikan
Beautiful trees here.
Hiking in Ketchikan with Channel
Be careful Channel. You are a little bear.
Big Bears? Be careful Channel. That fish is bigger than you
Thanks for sharing these pictures Channel. It looks like you had a great time hiking in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Our home state of Colorado is beautiful. The Rocky Mountains are truly majestic. Hiking trails for all activity level are plentiful. The rivers are clear with melted snow. So, as you would expect there are many Colorado State Parks. Today we want to show you Eldorado Canyon State Park.
Eldorado Canyon State Park
This park is located between Denver and Boulder, so it is perfect for a day trip. We love the water and waterfalls.
Water falling
It is still rather early in the summer, so the rivers are running fast with heavy snow melt.
River really moving fast. Winter snow is melting.
Eldorado State Park has many hiking trails. This is the beginning of one that is located near the Visitor’s Center.
Eldorado Canyon Trail head. Ready?
In this park, humans climb these steep rocks.
These rock walls are tall and steep
Ducks do not climb tall, steep rocks. The geology of this canyon is varied. Geologists can study millions of years of the earth’s history here. These large rocks have several colors and minerals in them.
There are some large rocks here. The geology here is fantastic
Oh my, there is a human climbing this rock.
Human is climbing this rock
Yep, there is the human climber.
Human rock climber
This park has something for everyone. You can hike, climb rocks, have picnics, and even camp here. But sometimes we just like to sit by the river, listening to the water and admire the huge steep rock cliffs and bright blue Colorado sky.
Just sit and enjoy this park
We just like to relax and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of nature. We hope you also take time to enjoy the calming effects of nature.
Today, Sunday, June 19, 2016 is Father’s Day in the United States. Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June every year. This is a holiday to honor fathers and male parenting and to recognize the influence of fathers in our society. We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks wish all fathers, brothers, uncles, and grandfathers a Happy Father’s Day. Father’s Day became a national holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the holiday into law. We especially wish a Happy Father’s Day to Eider Duck’s father and to JB Duck’s father.
Happy Father’s Day 2016
We guess everybody makes mistakes sometimes.
What do we believe?
Today, June 14 commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Today, June 14 is also the birthday of the United States Army. We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, hope all Americans proudly and properly display the flag of the United States of America.
Flag Day 2016
Colorado became a state in 1876. At that time most people traveled by horse. Today, many people in Colorado own horses. Every January Denver hosts the National Western Stock Show. The rodeos at the National Western are among the largest in the country. We have horse carriages on our pedestrian mall in Denver. But, we have many statues of horses that just don’t look like the horses I usually see. Mom says this is artistic interpretation. What do you think? This horse statue is in west Arvada, near a beautiful, new housing community.
Horse across from beautiful new housing community
What is in its mouth? And what is it wearing? Horse shoes or horse boots? In western Colorado, in the town of Rifle, this statue resembles a horse, but what is the horse standing on?
Balancing horse in Rifle, Colorado
Rifle is a great western town. I like Rifle. West of Denver and south of Boulder, is the town of Eldorado Springs. This horse was outside a sculpture studio.
Horse sculptured in Eldorado Springs, Colorado
Denver encourages public art. This horse is on the corner with a Wal Mart.
Horse with fancy feet.
The prancing horse, created in 2008 by Jim Dolan, is called Montana. In downtown Denver, the main Denver Public Library is in the Denver Art Museum complex. Here we have a small horse standing on a big chair in front of the Denver Public Library.
Small horse on big chair
One of Denver’s more famous horse sculpture in at Denver International Airport. This well known sculpture is also famous for killing its creator.
Blue Horse at Denver International Airport
During the creation, the horse fell and did kill the artist. The artist’s son finished the blue horse.
Red eyes on blue horse at Denver International Airport
These red eyes on the horse really are noticeable as night approaches. Perhaps our most famous, and most loved horse is the white bronco on the stadium where our Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos play football.
The Broncos play here
The people of Colorado do love the Denver Broncos football team, and our horse, Bucky.
Bucky. Mom did not take this photo.
Bucky was moved to his traditional place of honor when a new stadium was built over 20 years ago. There are many statues with horses in Colorado and in fairness, we wanted to show you some of the more unusual. But we love our state and our many horses.
Today, June 9, is the birthday of our most famous relative. Donald Duck was created in 1934. Donald Duck has appeared in more movies and cartoons than any other Disney character. Happy 82nd Birthday Donald Duck!
Donald Duck
The winter snow has been plowed from North America’s highest paved road. The road opened this week, so Zeb, Soapy Smith, and JB Duck went to the top of Mount Evans. The road begins at Echo Lake.
Echo Lake
This lake is 10,600 feet (3,230 meters) above sea level. Echo Lake has a picnic area, a camping area, great fishing and hiking, and a lodge. We love Echo Lake. Starting our trip up, our first stop is Mount Goliath Natural Area, elevation 11,540 feet (3,517 meters).
Mount Goliath Natural Area
This 160 acres protects the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine tree. These trees can live thousands of years and often grow twisted for a stronger foundation against extreme winds.
Bristlecone pine trees and the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Of course, our rascal duck, Soapy Smith, decided to sit in this young tree.
Soapy sitting in a small Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine
The plowed snow by the side of the road is really piled high in some areas.
Snow was plowed to open road
The highest paved road in North America is two lanes, mostly uphill, with many curves.
Highest paved road in North America
There are no guard rails, so drivers must be alert. These Yellow -bellied Marmots were under a pick up truck.
Yellow-Bellied Marmots
Soon we see more animals.
Rocky Mountain Goats
There are many Bighorn Sheep and Rocky Mountain Goats in this area. The road to Mount Evans and the surrounding land is governed both by the US Forest Service and the City and County of Denver. Part of this area is included in the Denver Mountain Park system. Our next stop is Summit Lake Park.
Summit Lake Park
A lot of snow here at 12,830 feet (3,911 meters) above sea level. Summit Lake is still frozen.
Summit Lake, still frozen
We love the way the mountain was carved by glaciers to form Summit Lake. The Colorado Traveling Ducks have reached the top.
The summit of Mount Evans and the remains of Crest House
The building behind and to the right of us was Crest House. Crest House was completed in 1941 and quickly became a popular gift shop and restaurant. Unfortunately Crest House burned in 1979 and as far as we know there are no plans to rebuild. Near the top, we ducks sat in the snow.
Colorado Traveling Ducks in the snow
The elevation at the summit parking lot is 14,130 feet or 4,307 meters. The elevation is important as the thinner air does not contain as much oxygen. Also, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, the sun is 5% stronger. Remember to go slow as you adjust to less oxygen and to wear sunscreen and a hat. Also driving the 14 miles to the top of Mount Evans, you will see landscape similar to driving through Canada to Nome, Alaska. Returning to Echo Lake we see our friendly goats.
Our friends were waiting for us
Through the car window, this goat gets really close and personal.
He likes us!
He is our favorite friend at Mount Evans.
We love donuts! Today, the first Friday in June, is National Doughnut Day. This holiday was created by the Salvation Army in 1938. The day recognizes the Salvation Army Doughnut Lassies. Those are the ladies that served free donuts to the soldiers during World War I.
Salvation Army Doughnut Lassie of World War I
This holiday began in 1938 as a fund raiser for Chicago’s Salvation Army, to help people during the Great Depression. Today some donut stores are giving free donuts, often asking for a donation for the local Salvation Army. We love donuts and we support the Salvation Army. We will be at our donut shop, eating donuts and donating to the Salvation Army.
After the photo, we ate some donuts at Dunkin’ Donuts
This is a great day for ducks and humans!
Colorado Traveling Ducks 