September 22, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Celtic Harvest Festival in Edgewater, Colorado

Soapy Smith Duck and I, Zeb the Duck, went to a Celtic Festival.

A Celtic Harvest Festival

Many of the Celtic clans had booths at this festival.

Many clans have their own booths

There was so much information! This booth showed weapons used many years ago.

Old weapons

There are rifles, knives and amour. Humans could learn and practice sword fighting. These people demonstrated how to correctly sword fight.

This is how it is done

These humans are practicing.

Takes a lot of practice

One stage had a sailor dance accompanied by a bagpipe.

Sailor dancing to bagpipe music

We felt so Celtic! The puppet show was fun.

A puppet show!

We like Celtic festivals. Soon another group of bagpipe players and dancers were ready to perform.

Dancing around swords before battle

The entertainers are very good. Walking around the festival grounds,

Mom said we cannot buy everything

we admired the merchandise for sale.

Then we found this American Bald Eagle and a barn owl from HawkQuest Raptor group.

An American Bald Eagle–so close to us

These raptors, or birds of prey, are beautiful birds and fabulous hunters. We were fortunate to see them so close. Zeb and Soapy were fortunate not to be prey for the raptors.

We hope you visit a Celtic Festival near you. The bagpipes have a distinctive sound and the dancers are so agile and energetic. There was also a kid’s corner with inflatable entertainment. And, mom had another funnel cake. We hope to see you at a Celtic festival in the future.

Dancers can jump and kick

September 20, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Hiking in Roxborough State Park

I, Zeb the Duck, went hiking with Soapy Smith Duck and mom. Roxborough State Park is 25 miles south of Denver and we loved it!

Here we are at Roxborough State Park

Mom picked a trail and we started down the path.

Heading down the trail

Then we saw this sign warning us about poison ivy.

Poison Ivy?? Be careful!!

Be careful mom. We don’t want to spend a few days itching. We looked back at the Visitor’s Center.

Last view of the Visitor’s Center

Great view of rock formations don’t you think? Our trail led us through a wooded area with many wild flowers. Of course we ducks think yellow flowers are the best color.

Peaceful with yellow flowers

An employee told us the wild flowers lasted longer this season because we had more rain this year. They are so pretty—we saw yellow, white, blue and purple flowers. At a break in the trees these rock formations came into view.

Beautiful rock formations

WOW!! Roxborough State Park also has lighter colored rock formations.

Lighter rock formations add contrast to the park

We could not pick a favorite. The trail had this bridge to cross the creek.

We like bridges

When we were driving away from the trails, this male was watching us.

We were being watched

This lady has a young deer by her side.

Mom is protecting her young.

We all loved Roxborough State Park and we will be back for more hiking while admiring the beautiful scenery. We would like to meet you on a trail here.

We will be looking for you

September 17, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Mineral, Fossil, and Gem Show

Fossils are cool. I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to the Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show at the Denver Coliseum.

Mineral, Fossil, Gem and Jewelry Show

Before we entered the coliseum, we examined the offerings from Mineralphil Madagascar.

This stuff is great!

These are fantastic. And look at the blue hues in the stones.

We love the blue here

The blue matches Soapy’s tie. From Uruguay Amethyst we admired these trees and other sculptures.

From Uruguay Amethyst

Just look at these fossils.

Huge fossils

They are simply amazing.

Entering the Denver Coliseum, we spotted these fossils from Fossilien Galerie.

Fossils come in many sizes.

Next mom admired some jewelry. She really loves the green malachite.

Mom really likes jewelry

The orange carnelian is beautiful. These were from GLG Gemstone Jewelry. Next we saw a ship. This ship is carved from jade.

A ship of jade

It is really big! Remember I told you mom really likes malachite?

Malachite figures!

Here are malachite animals. As we wandered toward the exit, we discovered this septarian from Madagascar. Some septarian is also found in Southern Utah.

Septarian from Madagascar

The geodes and the turtles were both incredible. We really enjoyed seeing so much at the mineral, fossil and gem show. We went just to look. This is what came home with us.

Pendants and malachite animals now live at our house

The two pendants without boxes are Botswana agates. Mom had never seen these before. There is always something new at these shows. We hope you visit a mineral, fossil and gem show soon.

September 15, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Festival Italiano

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck went to Belmar in Lakewood, Colorado for the 11th annual Festival Italiano.

So many people. A popular festival

There was so much Italian stuff. This booth had art.

Villa Reale in Lucca, Italy by Emi Kanan

I really liked this painting of Villa Reale in Lucca, Italy by Emi Kanan. There were two stages with live performances. The Torino Stage featured Don D’Angelo with a tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Don D’Angelo singing Frank Sinatra songs

Don sang several songs made popular by Frank Sinatra. We liked him! At the other end of the street we found Milano Stage.

Rumble Seat group performing

The featured group was Rumble Seat. They were excellent. Mom liked the old songs and so did we ducks.

Walking through these balloons,

Balloons the colors of the Italian flag

we discovered the children’s area. Our favorite there was the Children’s Grape Stomp.

Such fun!

Young humans, with clean feet, get in the area with grapes and stomp to juice the grapes.

Stomping grapes

When the young ones are finished, they wash their feet here.

Clean up station

This event is sponsored by Balistreri Vineyards,

Balistreri Vineyards sponsored this event

a local, family owned winery.

This display was great. These are real people.

These people are alive

The people stayed here while the flag throwers from Florence, Italy performed. This area was really crowded. Like all festivals, there were many venders. Lots of really good Italian food and gelato. Mouth watering aromas were everywhere. Also we browsed in the craft area. We liked this pottery from Tesori Italian Pottery.

Tesori Italian Pottery available here.

We watched some of the Bocce tournament.

Our first Bocce tournament

You roll the Bocce, a 4 ½ inch ball weighing 3 pounds as close as possible to the pallino, a 1 ¾ inch ball which is rolled down the alley first. The bocce closest to the pallino wins.

This chalk art was good.

We like chalk art

We watched some of it being created. This was a great festival. For more information visit http://www.balistrerivineyards.com

September 10, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Vail Oktoberfest

Our moms, Soapy Smith Duck and I, Zeb the Duck went to Vail, Colorado for Oktoberfest.

Vail Oktoberfest

Soapy’s dog Steve went too. It was wonderful. But, why is Oktoberfest in September? Moms said it’s a German thing??? Many places are having Oktoberfest now, but we decided to visit Vail. In addition to the beer tents and live music, Vail had extra events. Let’s begin with the adult keg-bowling contest. Another first for the ducks. Contestants must be at least 21 years old.

Keg Bowling

Bowler hurls a keg on wheels down the lane at a pyramid of empty kegs with the intention of bringing down the pile.

And they fall

Almost like regular bowling??

Keg on wheels. Use as bowling ball

Also Vail had Klement’s Bratwurst Eating Contests. Eat as many brats as you can in 3 minutes. The moms decided not to watch that. We wandered around and the rascal Soapy grabbed a mug of beer and posed here.

That rascal Soapy with a mug of beer

That duck! We walked by the gondola, on the bike paths so Steve could play too. Coming back down the mountain, this sign made us laugh.

Caution people!!

It is telling bikers to slow down as they enter Lionshead area.

We ate brats. Soapy and Zeb sat on the table watching a bowl of sauerkraut.

Our first bowl of sauerkraut

Lots of typical German food here. Also had big pretzels and schnitzel. And strudel! Of course, lots of German beer is available at Oktoberfest.

German beer for Oktoberfest

The last contest we watched was Stein Lifting. The ladies competed first. The steins, with a pint of beer, are on the platform. When somebody yells start, the ladies pick up a mug and must hold the full stein at shoulder level.

Ladies, lift your steins

Other hand must be at side. These are heavy.

Still holding steady…

The winning time for the ladies was 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Then the men competed.

Men Stein Lifting

This man won.

The champ

Strong arms are needed for this contest.

USA Today says Vail is one of the top ten greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. There was also square dancing, Bavarian music and dancing, yodeling, alpenhorn blowing and a costume contest. To buy food and beverages, money was not accepted. We needed das token.

Zeb and Soapy with Das Token

We had a great time at Vail Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest will be celebrated again this weekend in Vail. We hope you visit Vail sometime during September 12-14, 2014. For more information visit www.vailoktoberfest.com

September 8, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Arvada Harvest Festival

My first parade. I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to the Harvest Festival in Arvada, Colorado on Saturday. We watched a parade. Not just any parade, but the Arvada Harvest Festival parade is the 2^nd longest continuing parade in the State of Colorado. There were 35,000 to 40,000 spectators and over 7,000 participants. We watched for over an hour and it was not finished yet. This is the marching band for Arvada High School.

Arvada High School Marching Band

Many schools participated in the parade. Here are kids on Big Wheels.

Big Wheels

Many participants gave candy to children and information cards to adults. This train is great.

A train in the parade

But no ducks riding today. This young man is in kindergarten.

Our future

He will be in the high school graduating class of 2027. The Model A Ford Club has really old cars and

Model A Fords

they are in really good condition. I liked this tractor.

We love tractors!

Betsy Ross is sewing the first flag of the United States of America.

Betsy Ross

Many military veteran groups were in the parade. This is the U.S. Marines.

U.S. Marines

We saw veteran groups, including those with the Purple Heart, the Viet Nam veterans and submarine veterans. We enjoyed the gymnastic groups, the animal clinic, the Arvada hockey group and the martial arts group. Parades are great!

Then we went to the festival. We watched the small humans in the water spheres.

Ducks not allowed in this water

Must be hard to stand up in there. Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo let humans go in the area to pet animals.

They like the hay

Animal food was also available to feed them. Another area had alpacas.

Young alpacas

They are almost 4 months old and adorable. A military group explained the changes in military equipment from the Civil War to the present.

Changes in military equipment

Mom saw the booth for Palisade Peaches (from Western Colorado orchards). She stopped for pie, but bought an ice cream sundae with warm peach topping. Yummy!

So good with Colorado peaches

Look at this girl. She teaches at Rock Star Pole Fitness in Arvada.

Rock Star Pole Fitness

This looks difficult, but fun! And, this festival was fun, but also educational.

Ready to begin spelling bee

There is a spelling bee. I hope you are enjoying festivals this year.

September 5, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Riding a Gondola in Vail, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck rode on a gondola.

Entrance to Eagle Bahn Gondola in Vail

It was exciting for us. And, we love Vail. The entrance to the Eagle Bahn Gondola had ropes for lines, but it was not crowded. We are on!

The ducks first gondola trip

This is our first gondola. Our moms had ridden before and were with us. From the gondola we saw many bike paths.

Bike paths seen from gondola

People brought their mountain bikes to the top of the mountain on the gondola and rode them down. Soapy’s mom saw one biker fall. A friend was trying to help, but the fallen rider did not get up. When we got to the top of the mountain, Soapy’s mom reported the accident and help was sent.

The day we rode the gondola, the weather was cloudy, cool and quite windy. We went to the restaurant and ordered food.

Sandwiches at the top of the mountain. And a big brownie!

Here is a pulled pork sandwich, California chicken sandwich with avocado, French fries and diet cokes. That huge brownie looks great and it tasted fabulous! Everything was so good. The flowers were so bright, the mountains so magnificent and the sky was deep gray.

Vail is so pretty

We returned to Lionshead Village in Vail on one of the last gondolas of the day.

Going back to Vail

In the winter Vail is a premier ski resort. These ski runs are covered with snow and the skiers have a wonderful time.

Ski run in the summer

We had so much fun. Zeb and Soapy hope to ride again, just like human kids.

September 3, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Duck Races in Vail, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck watched 13,000 of our yellow cousins race down Gore Creek in Vail. It was incredible! Here come some of them.

Ducks racing on Gore Creek

Many cousins got stuck along the bank of Gore Creek.

They can make it!

Humans watched from International Bridge in Vail.

Watching from Vail’s International Bridge

The end of the race got a little congested. Wow, this looks like the traffic jam on I-70.

Some of the 13,000 ducks

So many ducks!

This festival in Vail hosted so many food booths and other venders.

Venders and visitors

This booth is for Macanudo Cigars.

Macanudo Cigars

Didn’t I just see their sponsorship for a televised golf tournament? Here little humans ride the mechanical bull.

He had a good ride

He held on for several seconds. Seems that ducks are the guests of honor. A new game here, Pluck A Duck.

Pluck A Duck Game

We like anything with ducks. This duck cut out is awesome.

Handsome ducks!

Looks just like us!

The Vail Rotary Club sponsors these ducks races. The ducks are the primary fundraiser for this organization. Humans pay $5 to adopt a duck for the race. The first 20 ducks receive a prize. The grand prize is $5,000. There are over 13,000 ducks and more than 10,000 human spectators. That’s more ducks than humans!

Soapy, Zeb, and our moms had a great day in Vail. Vail is about 100 miles west of Denver on I-70, so it is an easy drive to get here. The scenery is stunning. Vail is a great resort, for a day or several weeks. We hope you will experience Vail soon.

We love ducks!

September 1, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

The Great Zucchini Race

I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck went to the Great Zucchini Race.

Wow! The Great Zucchini Race

Boulder Creek Hometown Festival was Labor Day Weekend. We had never seen zucchini races before. They are fun!

Human kids pick a large zucchini. Then they get wheels and decorate the zucchini.

Decorating the zucchini

Here are some; we liked them all.

Work in progress

The completed zucchinis and young owners, start at the top of this slope. At the designated time, the board is lifted and the zucchinis race down the slope.

And the race begins

It is so much fun to decorate a zucchini and also fun to watch the races.

Many decorated zucchinis

The Boulder Creek Hometown Festival hosted the farmer’s market on Saturday.

A Farmers Market in the festival

These vegetables look so good.

Yum

We enjoyed some Saturday night. Very tasty. The flowers were pretty also.

We like flowers

This festival had the regular wonderful stuff: great food, live bands, hula-hoops, face painting and more. But the new thing for these ducks was the zucchini race.

So many huge zucchinis

As summer comes to an end, we hope you visited festivals. If you are near Boulder, Colorado, this festival is going on today, Monday, September 1. Spend some time here and enjoy Colorado festivals. There will be more autumn festivals. Attend a festival near you and you will have a great day.

Zucchini

August 29, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Swing Thai for Dinner

Soapy Smith Duck and I, Zeb the Duck had dinner at Swing Thai.

Great sign

There are 4 locations in Denver; we dined at 845 Colorado Boulevard. These are locally owned restaurants. Our moms went also. First we order a pot of Jasmine tea.

We love Jasmine tea

It was so good. While our dinner was being prepared, we admired this wall.

Tranquil and exotic

Our moms have visited Thailand, before we ducks joined the family. Soapy and I also loved the picture.

Here is our dinner.

We want to try everything

There is Massaman curry with tamarin, coriander, potato, onion and peanuts. The brown rice is added to the curry dish. We have chicken satay with peanut sauce. The chicken spring rolls are rolled in rice paper. Everything was so good. Tasty, but not too spicy. We sat in a booth for dinner, but there is a bar in the front of the restaurant. Soapy and I loved the fish lanterns hanging over the bar.

Great lights for the bar area

The people were so nice here also. If you have dinner at Swing Thai, you will really like it. Check out their website at SwingThai.com

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