July 30, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

To Ripple Africa on Lake Malawi

Today I, Zeb the Duck, and the 6 human women are going to our home for the next two weeks. The women are volunteering with the British organization, Ripple Africa. We are riding north in two cars for most of the day. Leaving Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, we will be a little south of Mzuzu, Malawi on the shore of Lake Malawi at Nkhata Bay. Here is the map of Malawi.

Malawi in Southern Africa

While stopping for fuel, we admire this lady and her bright dress.

Pretty lady with colorful dress

Isn’t she pretty? I think she is. While riding, we saw signs announcing that we were in a goat group area. So, we asked what this meant. Our driver told us that Heifer International gave some families a few goats. The families cannot kill and eat the goat. They use the milk, sell the extra and let the goats reproduce. The families then give extra goats to another family.

Many goats.

When the village has enough goats, the extra goats are given to another village. This is a great way to give people a start and let them help themselves and their neighbors. Now we know what a goat group is. We like it. We are now at our new home. This is our building.

Where we live

My room is the door on the left. Each of the rooms is for two women. Inside my room I notice the mosquito netting over the beds.

Our room, with mosquito netting over beds

This is necessary to help prevent malaria, from mosquito bites. There is always the chance of malaria, but this is not the main season for mosquitos. However, we are all taking daily pills to avoid malaria. We will eat our meals here.

This is where we eat

We have a great view of Lake Malawi from our dining area.

Lake Malawi

Of course we want to walk on the beach.

Canoe by our beach on Lake Malawi

I love this canoe. As you remember from yesterday’s map, we are in the tropics, between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, so there are many wonderful green tropical plants.

Love tropical plants

There is no electricity here, so our meals are cooked on a wood burning stove. This is a 3 burner changu changu moto stove.

Three burner changu changu moto stove

We will tell you more about these stoves another day. Ripple Africa helps support this clinic.

The clinic or dispensary

The hospital is hours away from here, so the clinic is very important. Ripple Africa also supports and encourages reforestation. These little black bags of dirt will have tree seedlings inside and will be planted when they are big enough to grow outside.

Bags of dirt to plant tree seedlings

One of the main functions of Ripple Africa is to improve the education. Many schools receive help from Ripple Africa.

Children in uniforms entering school

We will show you more about the schools another day. Today this duck wants to give you a glimpse of what Ripple Africa does, and what we will be doing for the next two weeks. The slogan for Ripple Africa is “giving a hand up, not a hand out.” For more information about Ripple Africa, visit http://www.RippleAfrica.org There is no better way to end our first day on Lake Malawi.

Full moon rising over Lake Malawi

We love the full moon rising over the lake. Without electricity, the skies here are so beautiful.

July 29, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb the Duck Goes to Africa

Look at this!

Safari vehicle at Kiboko Town Hotel in Lilongwe, Malawi

I, Zeb the Duck, am in Africa with 6 human women. We are in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi in southern Africa. Where, you may ask, is Malawi? Many humans ask, so here is a map of Africa showing Malawi in southern Africa.

Map of Africa showing Malawi. From Bradt travel guide to Malawi

Three humans and I take this taxi.

Our taxi and our friendly taxi driver

We arrive at Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary.

Let's explore he Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary

Let’s explore the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary

This is a beautiful, peaceful place in Lilongwe between Old Town and Capital City. These sofas look inviting, but they are made of cement.

May not be too comfortable. They are made of cement

Heading down a trail, I, Zeb the Duck, am fascinated with the twisted trunk on this tree.

Twisted tree trunk

What are these hanging from a tree, over the river?

Nests of Weaver birds

The humans say they are nests of the Weaver Birds. The male Weaver bird builds the nest, and if the female does not like it, she will knock it down. Then the male has to build a new and better nest for her. I love this river.

Love a river

It was so pretty and rivers always sound soothing. We wander around the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary for awhile, enjoying every moment. We decide to walk to the adjoining Lilongwe Wildlife Center. Crossing the river on the road, these monkeys entertained us.

Monkeys are so playful

Here at the Lilongwe Wildlife Center, injured, abused and orphaned animals are cared for.

Lilongwe Wildlife Center is also a rehabilitation center

Some may later be released into the wild, and some will remain at the wildlife center for the remainder of their lives. Let’s follow this bridge, with our guide, and explore.

Let’s go see the Lilongwe Wildlife Center

The diuker resembles the deer we see in Colorado.

Diuker

This orange baboon could be my new friend.

Orange Baboon

Here is a big crocodile.

African crocodile

And it is no surprise that it is an African crocodile. This is Africa, of course. This was a great first day in Lilongwe, Malawi. But there is much more to show you, so check back here soon.

July 27, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Colorado Traveling Ducks Cross the Potomac by Boat

We, Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck, and our humans love traveling by boat. We got on a boat at Georgetown Harbor and headed for Alexandria, Virginia.

Leaving Georgetown Harbor

Our first bridge honors Francis Scott Key, the man responsible for the lyrics to our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

Frances Scott Key Bridge

After docking in Virginia, we left the boat, eager to wander the streets of Alexandria. We soon saw this cute little dog, with his humans. We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, were invited to sit on the table with the cutie and pose for a photo.

We are with this really cute dog.

This was a new experience for us, but we enjoyed being with this dog. Market Square appears to be a very pleasant place to relax, have a snack and watch people.

Market Square in Alexandria, Virginia

At one time this building really was a torpedo factory. It is now an art center.

Former Torpedo Factory

I believe this is the first torpedo factory ever seen by the Colorado Traveling Ducks. We did a little shopping. We really like the store, Ten Thousand Villages. These stores are run by a non profit fair trade organization. They offer unique handmade gifts from disadvantaged artisans from more than 120 artisan groups in over 35 countries. Both moms bought items there. Too soon it was time to leave Alexandria, Virginia. Back on the boat, we will return to Georgetown Harbor.

Cherry Blossom Paddle Wheel Boat

This boat is the Cherry Blossom. It is a working paddle wheel boat on the Potomac River. We believe everyone has heard about the Watergate Scandal in the United States government during the early 1970s. This is where it all started.

Watergate

Riding boats and shopping always makes us hungry, so we enjoyed these great dinners.

This fish was so good. Yum

Our restaurant was right next to the river and we enjoyed seeing these ducks with a baby.

This duck family has a baby duck.

As it got dark, the lights on these fountains were beautiful.

Fountain at Georgetown Harbor

We had a great afternoon and evening visiting Alexandria, Virginia and dining at Georgetown Harbor. We hope you enjoy the sights, shopping and dining in and around Washington D.C. soon. There is so much to see and do here. We showed some of what we experienced, but there is so much more. If you have time, a Segway tour is a fun way to see a town.

Take a Segway tour of Washington D.C.

We love Segways. Our weather was beautiful so we stayed outside, but the museums of Washington D.C. are extraordinary also.

July 25, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

More from Washington DC with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

Today we are still writing about Washington D.C. Again, there is so much here. This memorial honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He, like Gandhi, believed in peaceful protest.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Millions of people followed Dr. King in this peaceful protest. As a result, Congress passed the Civil Rights Laws. This says Out of the Mountain of Despair, A Stone of Hope.

Martin Luther King

Here is a view of the Jefferson Memorial from Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, across the Tidal Basin.

Jefferson Monument from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr monument

A statue of Jefferson is inside the memorial.

Statue of Thomas Jefferson

We bought tickets for the Big Bus Tours.

Big Bus Tours in Washington D.C.

Our driver didn’t seem to follow the advertised route and did not tell us where we were going, but we went to Arlington Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington is the largest National Cemetery in the United States. This arch caught our attention.

At Arlington National Cemetery

Seeing so many neat, orderly tombstones is a very moving experience.

Arlington National Cemetery

It is true that we love all the monuments, but we Colorado Traveling Ducks want to know about everything. So, here we are at George Washington University.

We are learning at Georgetown University

We are learning at George Washington University

We stayed in this area so we visited the university often.

We visited Union Station train station. Such a beautiful, old building.

Inside Union Station

In front of the train station, this statue recognizes Christopher Columbus.

Statue recognizing Columbus’s arrival in the New World

The ball on the top represents Columbus realizing that the world is round, not flat. The old man represents the Old World and the young man represents the New World. The explorer, of course, is Christopher Columbus.

We then took a night tour of Washington DC.

Washington DC night tour. US Capitol Building

This was better as there was a narrative to tell us what we were seeing and give us a little history about the area. The bus tour we continued the following day was also very good. We liked the Washington Monument at night.

Washington Monument at night

And, no tour of Washington DC would be complete without a photo of the White House.

White House and south lawn

Of course, the White House is the home of the president of the United States of America. We did not take this photo, it was available, free, online. We did like this photo better than the ones we took, and we wanted to show you the best. Washington D.C. has so much to see. There just is not enough time to explore everywhere.

July 23, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Colorado Traveling Ducks Visit FDR Memorial

We really liked the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, so we want to dedicate an entire blog post to showing you what we found there. Most memorials dedicated to a person consist of one structure. But not this one. Let’s go.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

This is a famous statement made by President Franklin Roosevelt, or FDR as he was known. The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself.

Fear

That sounds right to these Colorado Traveling Ducks. We love water, waterfalls and fountains, so this was a great view for us.

Pretty waterfall

FDR is sitting in his chair.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his wheel chair

When he was 39 years old, in 1921, he contracted polio, losing the use of his legs. Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the United States during the Great Depression and also during World War II. In the days before television, he talked to the American people on the radio. This man is listening to one of his “fireside chats.”

Listening to FDR’s Fireside Chat

This sign shows President Roosevelt’s definition of progress for the American people.

He said…

This statue illustrates his philosophy.

Progress?

During the Great Depression many Americans were out of work and could not feed themselves or their families.

In line for Soup Kitchen

These people are in line for a meal at what was called a “soup kitchen.” Here is another favorite fountain at this memorial.

Another waterfall

FDR was very fond of his dog, Fala, so here is Fala with President Franklin Roosevelt. Many people wonder if President Franklin Roosevelt was related to President Theodore Roosevelt. They were related, but just barely. They were 5th cousins. FDR was a popular president and guided our country through two very difficult times in our history. FDR was president during the Great Depression, and also during World War II. He was also the only president to run for office 4 times and to be elected 4 times. He was President of the United States from 1933-1945. After he died in office, our laws were changed to only allow a president to have two terms. After President Franklin D Roosevelt’s death, April 12,1945, Eleanor pushed for the US to join the United Nations. Eleanor Roosevelt, the widow of President Franklin Roosevelt, became the first United States delegate to the United Nations.

Eleanor Roosevelt

She also served as the first chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights. This is a great memorial with many areas and a gift shop with a small museum in the center of the memorial. We want to end today with another favorite fountain.

We still love water

We hope you visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial when you are in Washington DC. It is on the Tidal Basin. We think you will like it.

July 22, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

More Washington D.C. Monuments with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

Washington D.C. has so much to see. We could spend months here and not see it all. But, today we will show you a few more things we enjoyed. This is a monument to honor the veterans from Washington D.C.

Remembering Veterans from Washington D.C.

We, Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck, think this is a great idea. In the early days of Washington D.C., the main method of transportation was by canals. During that time, the Lock Keeper lived here.

The Lock Keeper’s House

The canal system was soon replaced by roads, but this is an important part of the Washington D.C. history. Soon we came to a memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Remembering the signers of the Declaration of Independence

As you know, the Declaration of Independence was vital to forming the United States of America as an independent country. Each of the signers has a plaque.

A plaque for each signer

This is the one honoring John Hancock.

John Hancock’s signature in gold.

In the United States when your signature is required, some people say to “put your John Hancock here”. That is a reference to this signature. The memorial for the Vietnam Veterans is referred to as the Vietnam Wall. This simple design lists, in chronological order, the Americans that gave their lives during this war.

Vietnam Wall

Seeing all the names, really emphasizes the number of men and women that died during this time. There 58,272 names on the Vietnam Wall. These visitors seem to be looking for specific names.

Vietnam Wall

Another statue honors the more than 265,000 American women that served in the armed forces during the Vietnam era.

Legacy of Healing and Hope

This is a Legacy of Healing and Hope. We like this statue of Three Soldiers.

Three soldiers–Vietnam Memorial

This bronze statue is also a memorial to those who fought in Vietnam. The statues adds a more traditional combat element to the Vietnam memorial. Here is another monument. It is dedicated to the memory of John Ericsson.

Remembering John Ericsson

This Swedish-born engineer-inventor is best known for his work during the Civil War when he transformed naval warfare through his design of the iron-plated USS Monitor. According to the National Park Service, the movements of Ericsson’s pencil across his drafting board were as crucial to the victory as the movements of Lincoln’s armies across battlefields. Here is the bridge to Arlington, Virginia and to Arlington National Cemetery.

Bridge to Virginia over Potomac River

The first Japanese Cherry Tree was planted March 27, 1912.

Celebrating gift of Japanese Cherry Trees from Japan

The cherry trees were a gift from Japan, symbolizing friendship and goodwill. This tree is leaning over the Tidal Basin.

Leaning over Tidal Basin. Don’t fall

It should be growing straight, but we think it looks nice this way. We hope it does not fall into the water. As you can see, there is so much to see and do in Washington D.C. We hope you visit our nation’s capital soon.

July 21, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

The ColoradoTraveling Ducks Visit Washington D.C.

This is the Washington Monument.

Washington Monument

We are in Washington D.C. This is exciting. We see these monuments on television at home and now we, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck are here. The Lincoln Memorial is big. We are from Colorado, so we want to remind you that there is a town in Colorado named Marble. There is marble there and some of the Colorado marble is used in this Lincoln Memorial. Colorado marble is also used in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Sometimes we Colorado Traveling Ducks, do brag.

Steps to Lincoln Memorial

This is a lot of steps, but our moms say we are climbing all of them. We did it. We ducks are sitting near Lincoln, looking up to him for wisdom.

Learning from President Lincoln

From the top of the Lincoln Memorial, we look over the reflecting pools to the Washington Monument.

Toward Washington Monument over reflecting pool.

From the top of the back of the Lincoln Memorial, we look down the bridge to Arlington Cemetery. The large building is the former Lee Mansion, former home of Robert E. Lee.

From Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery

Lee was a general for the south, or Confederacy, during the U.S. Civil War. After the north won the Civil War and slavery was ended, the property of Robert E.Lee was turned into the largest Federal cemetery in the United States. Washington D.C. has many war memorials and monuments. This is in remembrance those that fought in the Korean War.

Korean War Memorial

The wall behind the soldiers is etched, in remembrance of the Korean War.

Korean Memorial, etched wall

This pool is also at the site of the Korean War Memorial.

Pool at Korean War Memorial

One of the newer memorials was dedicated by President George W. Bush on May 29, 2004, to those 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America that served during World War II. This memorial is huge. We entered the memorial through this arch.

One of two arch entrances to World War II Memorial

The two entrances are Atlantic and Pacific. We admired the fountains in the center.

Fountains in World War II Memorial

Pillars represent each of America’s 48 states, from 1945, and each US territory.

Pillar to Alaska

This is Alaska’s pillar, since Eider, our Alaska cousin was not with us today. There are 24 artistic pieces in bas relief, representing scenes of war experiences.

Bas Relief road vehicles

We liked the road vehicles. But, we also liked the airplanes.

Bas relief airplanes

The first piece shows new soldiers ready for physical exams. The last shows a handshake between American and Russian armies. The Price of Freedom is huge.

The Price of Freedom

There are 4,048 gold stars on this wall. Each gold star represents 100 of our American service personnel that died or remained missing in World War II. The 405,399 lost is second only to the more than 620,000 Americans lost during our Civil War. I have to tell you, that we did not take this last photo, but we really liked it. This is a panorama at night.

Washington Monument from World War II Memorial at night

We are so impressed with all the monuments here. We will show you more next time.

July 20, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Colorado Traveling Ducks Return Home

Today I, Zeb the Duck, and mom are coming home. We have been on vacation for about 6 weeks. We first visited Washington D.C. with Soapy Smith Duck and his mom.

Jefferson Monument across Tidal Basin, Washington DC

Then mom and I, Zeb the Duck, were in the southern part of Africa. First we volunteered for 2 weeks in Malawi, with Ripple Africa.

Ripple Africa–our home for 2 weeks in Malawi

Then a safari in southern Malawi.

Wart hog Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Next mom and I went to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls

A day safari into Botswana was exciting.

Giraffes at Chobe National Park, Botswana

Then a week in Maputo, Mozambique.

Maputo, Mozambique

Another day safari into South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park in South Africa

And a one day cultural tour into the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Dancers performing in Swaziland

We have so much to show you. While we were gone, we did not have very reliable internet service, so if we did not respond to you, we were probably unable to do so. We will be preparing posts and photos this week and trying to catch up with our internet blog friends, and the pile of mail from the post office. Maybe tomorrow we will show you some of what we saw in Washington D.C.

July 17, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

National Ice Cream Day TODAY

It is supposed to be hot in July in the United States, so we want ice cream. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. He also established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday in July. So Americans and friends of Americans, it is your patriotic duty to eat ice cream today. The Colorado Traveling Ducks, with our friend Channel the Bear, took our humans for ice cream to celebrate. We all decided on mint ice cream.

We all love ice cream

We are at Cold Stone Creamery eating ice cream. Some of us have white chocolate chips mixed in our mint ice cream. What flavor ice cream will you enjoy today? Hey humans! Let’s cut and eat that ice cream cake. Yum.

July 11, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Soapy Visit Denver’s Remodeled Union Station

Denver has a lite rail train. Denver also remodeled the old train station. The historic building has been preserved and remodeled. Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck and their moms drove about 50 blocks to reach the nearest light rail station. In the fall of 2016, the station about 10 blocks from our house will open. The lite rail train arrives at the station.

The train is here.

We are anxious to get aboard.

Going on the train

We ride to Union Station, Denver’s train station.

Union Station Train Station in Denver

As you can see, the Crawford Hotel is in Union Station. This is very convenient for travelers. Inside Union Station we saw restaurants, shops and places for travelers to wait or rest.

Remodeled Union Station

Just to be sure, Union Station is still a train station.

California Zephyr stops in Denver

The California Zephyr will take you to Chicago or to California. This an Amtrak train station. Maybe some day moms? All the trains and thoughts of travel make us hungry. We decided to eat at The Kitchen Next Door.

Next Door Restaurant

First we had Happy Hour Appetizers. This was the first time for Colorado Traveling Ducks to eat fried pickles with seasoned ranch dressing.

Fried Pickles and Coca Cola from Mexico

The fried pickles were delicious. And we had Coca Cola from Mexico. Yes, it really does taste different, and the humans love it. For lunch we had grilled chicken with pineapple and Swiss cheese. We also had Carolina pulled pork with mustard BBQ sauce.

Huge Sandwiches

Everything was so good. Zeb and Soapy sat at the bar.

Chatting at the bar

The humans working here talked to us for awhile. We walked around Denver and decided to return to Union Station for dessert. This is the Milkbox Ice Creamery.

The Milkbox Ice Creamery

It was nice outside, so we brought our dessert out here to eat.

Ice Cream for us

This ice cream is really good. We will show you more of downtown Denver during the summer. Denver has a lot of stuff and we like to spend time, and money, here.

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