November 30, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Chanel the Bear Visits Jamaica

Jamaica! Oh Chanel, that is exciting. This duck has never been to Jamaica. Mom said Jamaica, a Caribbean Island was colonized by the British and the island is beautiful. Jamaica has mountains, rainforests, great scuba diving and wonderful snorkeling. Here you are, entering Konoko Falls and Park.

Let’s go to Konoko Falls

This beautiful area is in the Hills of St. Ann, overlooking the tourist area of Ocho Rios. Your photo of this beautiful fountain shows a turtle in the water.

Turtle in the fountain

We love to see turtles. Jamaica’s first people, the Taino Indians settled in this area. Be careful Chanel, that man has something on his shoulder.

Man with huge iguana

A really huge iguana. The tropical landscape is breathtaking. Thank you Chanel for these photos. Jamaica looks beautiful and it seems that you had a great time there.

November 28, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Curacao, Nederlands Antilles with Chanel the Bear

My friend, Chanel the Bear, just came home from another cruise. She sent me, Zeb the Duck, some colorful photos from Curacao.

Curacao with Channel the Bear

Mom told me Curacao is in the Caribbean Sea, just 40 miles (65 km) north of Venezuela in South America. Things look so tropical and warm here.

Colorful Willemstad, Curacao

And even a huge sign for Vitamin Water, a common beverage in the United States. Curacao still has strong ties to the Kingdom of the Nederlands. Shopping looks like fun, Chanel.

I love these shirts!

We love these souvenir shirts. Mom told me that Curacao is one of the ABC Islands. The ABC Islands are Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Just look at the colorful buildings in Willemstad, the capital of Curacao.

Colorful buildings in Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oh Chanel, thank you for sending these photos. How wonderful that you and your mom went on this cruise.

November 26, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Scenic Hiking in the City

I, Zeb the Duck, hiked around the lake. I saw migratory birds. I enjoyed the mountain backdrop, and I was in the middle of the city. Jefferson County, our home and just west of Denver, has an Open Space Program, which is similar to a park system. Today we went to Crown Hill Park in Jefferson County Open Space.

Crown Hill Park. Jefferson County Open Space Program

Within minutes we found this protected picnic area.

Sheltered picnic area

I love the lake and the mountain views. Humans come here for many reasons. This human is walking a dog.

Dogs like this park also

Dogs must be on a leash here and of course, humans clean up after their dog. These humans are fishing and enjoying the lake.

Fishing and relaxing at Crown Hill Lake

The clouds coming over the mountain verifying the weather forecast. A storm is moving in and we may receive snow tomorrow. There is a 1.2 mile paved trail around the lake.

Paved trail around Crown Hill Lake

Paving makes it wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy this space. Some humans come here to skateboard.

Skateboarding around the lake

Some humans come for exercise.

Running and jogging around the lake

This man is jogging around the lake. He passed me three times. For those that want a little more wilderness feeling, these miles of dirt paths are available.

Unpaved through wilderness areas

Some humans and ducks come to walk and view quiet scenes like this.

Secluded view

Here a human threw a stick in the lake and his dog is enjoying a swim to bring it back.

Fun for dogs also

Humans are not allowed to swim or wade in Crown Hill Lake. The northwest corner of this area is a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife Sanctuary within Crown Hill Park

We eagerly go through the gate and watch many migrating birds on Kestrel Pond, the wetlands.

Kestrel Pond in wetlands area

Following the many paths, we remember that this area is also certified as a National Urban Wildlife Refuge. Kestrel Pond area earned that designation for its value to a variety of migrating waterfowl. There are always so many birds here. The Wildlife Sanctuary is only open to the pubic from July 1 through February 28. It is closed during the mating season to protect the wildlife. We liked all the birds, but the colors here grabbed our attention.

Feeding while feeling protected

Dogs, skateboarders, and bikes are never allowed in this area. These 242 acres contain 10.1 miles of trails and are located between two major streets. But the feeling of peace and serenity is strong. Directly east of Crown Hill Lake, is another huge area of peacefulness. Across the lake, we see the Tower of Memories from Crown Hill Cemetery.

Looking across lake to Tower of Memories in Crown Hill Cemetery

Crown Hill Open Space is a short drive for us, yet it seems so far from the busy lives we all have. We hope you visit Crown Hill Open Space, or enjoy some pretty parks near you, soon and often.

November 24, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States of America. Today is a day for family and friends to be together. We give thanks for our many blessing. For most Americans, we first give thanks for our family and our friends. We believe we are blessed to live in this country.

Thankful for having plenty

Thanksgiving has been celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday. The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 when the pilgrims had their first harvest in the New World. This first Thanksgiving was shared with 90 Native American Indians and 53 pilgrims.

American pilgrims and Native American Indians sharing and celebrating

The Colorado Traveling Ducks and their humans wish you a pleasant day with your family and friends, giving thanks while enjoying a wonderful meal.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone

November 23, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Back to Nederland and The Carousel of Happiness

I, Zeb the Duck, went with mom and a friend to The Carousel of Happiness. I love this place. The Carousel of Happiness is in Nederland, Colorado.

Carousel of Happiness in Nederland Colorado

A couple years ago I told you about this and showed you photos, but it is so great, I want to do it again. It was a snowy day and the roads had more ice under the snow than we expected, but everything was fine and we had fun. Let’s go inside! Tickets to ride are only $1.

Donations are gratefully accepted

But donations are gratefully accepted. We love this carousel, so we donate. Entering the carousel area, we are greeted with a guest book.

Have you ever seen a moose on a carousel? Or a flying pink pig?

I am on the moose, near a pink flying pig.

Here they are. When Scott Harrison was a young US Marine in Viet Nam, he received a music box from a friend. Listening to the music, he visualized a carousel in the mountains. He moved to Nederland, Colorado, a small town in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. He learned how to carve, and look what he carved.

My first dolphin ride

I, Zeb the Duck, am riding a dolphin, next to a mermaid. Scott carved all of these animals. The main carousel animals, the small birds and other animals, the carvings decorating the carousel, and this room, all carved by Scott. The carousel came from Utah. Here I am on a lion.

Riding on a lion

Don’t you love the rooster with pearls? That giraffe has a snake riding on him. Puff the Magic Dragon is also here. The rides cost only $1 so all can ride. See this gorilla?

Gorilla, waiting for a friend

The chair next to him can be removed. Under the chair a ramp can be pulled out to allow wheelchairs on the carousel. Anyone in a wheelchair can sit and ride next to the gorilla. This carousel is suspended from the ceiling, it is not sitting on the floor. When the animals were placed on the carousel, weight and balance factors were important. Scott is still carving.

Scott keeps carving and we are happy!

These animals are just for fun. And I, Zeb the Duck, think they are all fun. While riding the carousel, we enjoy the music from a fully restored 1913 Wurlitzer Organ. This is the first kangaroo I have ever seen on a carousel.

Kangaroo and joey

And she has a baby, a joey, in her pouch. The kangaroo is holding the world in her front feet, and she is showing her home, Australia, to us. Every animal is my favorite.

Frog playing with a ball

A frog with a ball, a zebra and a cow are all together here. This Carousel of Happiness is fabulous, but there is more. John has been telling us about this carousel, and now he says we can see more. We go upstairs. On the stairs we are reminder of normal carousel horses.

Traditional carousel horse

I like the horse, but the other animals have my ducky heart. Wow!

Puppet stage

A puppet theater. And inside is a place for human kids to play.

Play area behind the puppet stage

Humans can reserve this area for kids parties. For more information visit http://www.CarouselOfHappiness.org And, visit Nederland and The Carousel of Happiness, take a ride and have a marvelous time.

November 21, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Touring Denver’s Hammond’s Candy Factory with Zeb the Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, took a tour of Hammond’s Candy factory with mom and her friend.

Hammond Candy of Denver, Colorado

Carl Hammond, Sr. worked as an apprentice in a Denver candy factory. When he was ready, in 1920, he founded Hammond’s Candy. His motto was “Nothing is More Important than Quality.” That may be why Hammond’s is still in business and was even profitable during The Great Depression. When we arrived, Ginnie showed us to the first room where we watched a video about the beginning and growth of Hammond’s Candy.

After video, we watch candy being made.

Next, Nina led our tour. First stop was watching the candy being cooked.

Cooking to 324 degrees F

Candy is cooked to 324 degrees F in copper kettles. One candy maker makes an entire batch of candy. First cooking the candy, then pulling the candy. The filling for candy canes is flavored.

Gray is filling for candy cane

The gray block is flavored filling for candy canes. The colors on the table are the outside of candy canes. Assistants help with cutting and filling candy canes, but the candy maker is the overseer of that batch of candy.

Cutting candy canes

Scissors, not knives, are used to cut the candy canes. The scissors finish the bottom of the candy cane better than a knife could. As this sign reminds us, Hammond’s Candy makes a lot of candy canes.

10 Million!!!

Christmas candy is made many months of the year and kept in climate controlled rooms to keep everything tasting fresh. Hammond’s Candy was owned by the Hammond family until 1999. The company was sold again in 2007 and is now owned by the Andrew Schuman family. Hammond’s now makes peanut brittle.

Peanut brittle

This factory sure smells good! Here are some Christmas tree lollipops being boxed for later distribution.

Christmas tree lollipops

Hammond’s Candy also makes chocolate candy.

Chocolate waterfall? Yum

But, they were not making chocolate candy the day we visited. This was a very nice and very informative tour. Hammond’s Candy is the oldest and largest producer of handmade hard candy in the country. All Hammond Candy is made at this factory, in Denver, Colorado. The candy is shipped all over the United States and into several foreign countries. At the end of the tour, we were offered a complimentary sample.

Pick one after tour

They all look so good, it is difficult to choose. Then we went into the retail store. We love caramel corn.

Love caramel corn

Look at all these candy canes.

Never have I seen so many candy canes

There are so many flavors. And the lollipops.

Lollipops

I love being a kid duck in a candy store. There was a display case of handmade fudge.

We sampled delicious fudge

We sampled chocolate mint swirl fudge. Yum! And the chocolate candy case.

So many choices

We wanted to take some of everything home. We did buy a lot, but we will share with the rest of the Colorado Traveling Duck family. Here are chocolate bars.

Huge variety of chocolate bars

There were crazy flavors. One had bacon and chips in chocolate. Probably tastes great, but we bought a couple different flavors. You know there will be much candy eating at our house for awhile. When you are in Denver, don’t forget to visit Hammond’s Candy and take the tour. You never know what they will be making when you visit, but it will be delicious. For more information visit http://www.HammondsCandies.com

November 18, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Arikaree Breaks in Kansas with Zeb the Duck

Here we are in Kansas.

Entering Kansas

This is the farmland we expect to see in Kansas, but today we are looking for something else. We are looking for the Arikaree Breaks. Driving on US Highway 36 into St. Francis, Kansas, we head north at the courthouse. The humans are following the self driving tour of the area. First stop is the G.A.R. Cemetery.

G A R Cemetery

The east half was to be for Grand Army of the Republic veterans and their families. These are veterans of the United States Civil War.

Civil War Veteran and his wife

The west half was for citizens and their families. No lots were to be sold; only a donation for the deed was taken. The intention was to provide an honorable burial to destitute veterans of the Civil War. This cemetery was established in 1889. Our map led us over 4 creeks, most of which were dry. Next stop was Horse Thief Cave.

Entrance to Horse Thief Cave

Along the side of the road, near the entrance to Horse Thief Cave was this mailbox.

A mailbox for Horse Thief Cave?

Why a mailbox? Who receives mail here? I, Zeb the Duck, have no idea. This is the back of the cave.

Where is the rest of the cave?

Wait a minute. What happened here? Our map tells us most of the cave has caved in, leaving only the entrance. When the cave was last used in 1878, there were 2 rooms back here. The outlaws used the front room as their living quarters. There was a large back chamber where the stolen horses were kept. Looking behind the cave, this is certainly not the flat Kansas farmland we expected.

Not flat Kansas landscape here

Driving further, we find the Lookout Point.

Arikaree Break

This is a canyon. It is beautiful in its own way. These Arikaree Breaks are 36 miles long and two to three miles wide. They are really great to see. Further along, we are reminded that this really is farm country. The cows are grazing in the breaks.

Cows in the breaks

They get in and out of the breaks on their own. Information from the nearby city of St. Francis tells us about this area. The Arikaree Breaks were formed by wind deposited sand, silt, and clay particles, called loess. After deposition, the loess has undergone spectacular processes of head cutting, and sidewall cutting the advancing tributaries of the Arikaree River and the South Fork of the Republican River. This all happened during the Holocene Age, a little less than 9,000 years ago. The humans tell me we will drive through a private farm, with permission from the farmer, to see 3 corners. I really don’t know what that means. But, along the way, I see two new friends watching me.

We are being watched

I love to see deer. We also saw a large flock of wild turkeys. They humans tell me 3 corners is where 3 of our states all meet. This is the sign explaining everything.

3 Corners. Meeting of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado.

We are in Kansas, Nebraska is directly north and Colorado is on the east. Here I am where these three states meet.

Marking the exact meeting of three states

This is a great marker and I, Zeb the Duck, am glad to be here. I wanted to sit on the fence post to gaze over these three states.

Observing 3 states. Getting flatter in all directions.

You can see that the land is getting flatter, the typical land of Western Kansas, Western Nebraska and Eastern Colorado. We are heading back to Colorado now.

Heading back home

It is always good to go home. On the drive back, we reflect on the Kansas landscape we saw.

We really did see this in NW Kansas. Badlands?

This looks more like the Badlands of North and South Dakota, but it is the Arikaree Breaks in Northwest Kansas. We hope you drive around your area and see some surprising features also.

November 16, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb the Duck Travels Across Eastern Colorado

You all know about Colorado and the magnificent Rocky Mountains. We have visited Denver, our capital, mountain towns for festivals, ski resorts, and our National Parks. Today we are driving to Kansas. Eastern Colorado is drier, flatter and less populated. Eastern Colorado has farms and small towns and settlements. Exiting I-70 east of Denver, we enter the town of Byers.

Byers, Colorado

My friend, Tom, is holding me. This restaurant looks inviting, but we are not hungry yet.

Inviting restaurant, but humans not hungry yet.

The Denver Broncos football team is loved all over the state of Colorado. The Golden Spike Lounge in Byers also supports the Broncos.

Golden Spike Lounge supports the Denver Broncos

This prairie dog is the first wild animal we encountered.

Prairie dog

Isn’t he so cute? Mom just loves these prairie dogs. She admits that if they were in our yard she may not like them so much. Leaving Byers, we drive east on US Highway 36 and stop to watch this herd of buffalo.

Herd of buffalo near Highway 36

That is a lot of buffalo. Next sight that stops us is the High Plains Raceway.

High Plains Raceway

We go inside the area and watch the cars driving and racing around the track. This is not a regular race. It seems that the cars are driving, perhaps testing some modifications on the engines, or just pushing the cars to the limit. This is one of the cars.

Race car

My new favorite number is 73. We appreciate a good race car. Here comes another car, racing around the track and speeding right past me, Zeb the Duck.

Racing past me

They are really driving fast. This seems like the rich boys toys. We love this trailer.

Wannabe Ranch trailer

They like Horses and Porsches. And we loved visiting High Plains Raceway. Continuing east, we see this outside corn storage area.

A lot of corn

Looks like there was a good corn crop this year. I, Zeb the Duck, wanted to be sure it really was corn.

It is tasty corn

It is corn, and I am sampling some. Ducks can often eat raw, whole grains. Here is another small town. I am ready to go inside The Grainery Bar and Grill, but the humans do not want to eat yet.

The Grainery Bar and Grill with Zeb on the door handle.

Hey humans, where are we? I guess we are in Idalia, Colorado.

Idalia, Colorado

But, where is Idalia?

152 miles east of Denver

We are 152 miles east of Denver. I like Eastern Colorado, but it is very different from the Colorado I usually see. OK, now we are leaving Colorado and entering Kansas.

Entering Kansas with Tom and mom

Kansas seems very flat and mostly farms. But, next time we will show what we found in Kansas. Not every where is so flat. We hope you will read our next post about Kansas.

November 14, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Mineral, Fossil, Gem and Jewelry Show with Colorado Traveling Ducks 2016

I, Zeb the Duck, eagerly entered the car. Mom mentioned the mineral show. I love these shows.

Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show in Denver, Colorado

Exhibits and booths are in several places in Denver, but we headed to the Denver Coliseum today. Outside I almost flew to this large Rose Quartz.

Rose Quartz with Zeb

Oh, here is another place to sit and view the area.

Amethyst and Citrine Geodes

Resting on large amethyst and citrine geodes is fun for me. This is something new to us. The sign says these are 7 color jade vases.

7 Color Jade Vases

We learned that these vases consist of actinolite (jade) and serpentine, a multi-mineral stone with shades of red, green, yellow, blue, brown, black and white. A block of the stone is cut, hand carved, polished, glazed and heated to make these items. For more information visit http://www.consiliodecor.com I enjoy sitting on this table with hematite.

Zeb with hematite

Now we are going inside the Denver Coliseum, but we will look at more outside displays later. Inside we admire these salt lamps.

Himalayan Salt Lamps

The Himalayan salt products are fun and useful. For more information visit http://www.fantasiamining.com Mom, is this a good idea?

Zeb on alligator head

I seem to be sitting on an alligator skull. There are snake skeletons and other things here also. This is a fossil of an ancient bison from Kansas.

Fossil of ancient bison from Kansas

This exhibit is provided by Hager’s Fossils. They also brought this foot.

Foot of Mammoth–really big!

I am sitting next to a mammoth foot and this one foot is so much larger than me, a small rubber duck. And more.

Tusks of Alaskan female mammoth

We are seeing a matched set of mammoth tusks. These are from a female mammoth, found in our northern state of Alaska. We talked to Lisa Hager at our Denver show, this year. She told us so much about the fossils, and she liked me, Zeb the Duck. For more information on these fossils, visit http://www.hagarsfossilsminerals.com I love seeing all these fossils, but sometimes these ancient items make me a little nervous. I don’t want to break anything, so mom takes me back outside. These fossilized tables are so unusual.

Table with fossils

I especially like this one with pink. These nearby, huge rocks have been carved.

Carvings

Love the dolphins. The iguana makes me smile. Yes, ducks can smile. Blue is a pretty color, so we like this display of the stone, lapis.

Carved Lapis

As we were leaving, I just had to sit among these carved items from Uruguay Amethyst.

Carvings from Uruguay Amethyst

We did purchase and bring home some small carvings, also. I, Zeb the Duck, love purchasing souvenirs of our visits. Ducks love day outings around Denver. There are always exhibits of something and they are so interesting. I hope you visit exhibits and small shows wherever you live. They are fun to see.

November 11, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Happy Veteran’s Day 2016

Today, and every day, we thank those brave men and women that have served, and those currently serving, the United States of America. Today, November 11 is the official holiday to honor all our veterans. Please call and thank a veteran today. Perhaps take a veteran for coffee or a meal. Visit a hospitalized veteran. We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks and our humans, pause to reflect on how much we owe our veterans.

Happy Veteran’s Day

Thank you veterans.

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