May 5, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Cinco de mayo in Denver

I, Zeb the Duck, went to Denver’s Cinco de mayo festival Sunday. Mom and her friend went with me. We listened to music from 3 different stages. The Cinco de mayo celebration is held at Civic Center park in downtown Denver.

Some Denver streets were closed and filled with venders.

Many visitors, many venders

We did a lot of looking,

Like the hat

some shopping

Another hat and whistles

and some eating.

Lots of food and it was good!

But, let me explain a little about cinco de mayo. On May 5, 1862, France was ruled by Napoleon II. About 8,000 French soldiers attacked the city of Puebla, Mexico. The Mexico soldiers were outnumbered, but the Mexican soldiers, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Sequin, defeated Napoleon’s French Army. This French army had not suffered a significant defeat for almost 50 years. That is why cinco de mayo is celebrated today.

However, within one year, Napoleon II sent more soldiers to Mexico and the French captured Mexico City and French Emperor Maximilian I ruled Mexico for three years.

After eating, we watched the Chihuahua races.

Yes! Chihuahua races. Top prize is $500.

These little dogs raced in groups of 4 and were so cute.

Ready to race

It was difficult to get good photos because of the crowds, but you would love seeing these little dogs run. The racing area had glass on each side of race lanes to guide and protect the little dogs.

Racing

The race was sponsored by Jammin 101.5 radio. The radio mascot watches the races.

Radio mascot watching races

Walking around the park I saw more Chihuahuas than I had seen in my whole life.

So cute

This festival was fun.

Chihuahua with hat

I want to go again next year and we hope you will go to a cinco de mayo festival in Denver or wherever you will be next year. It was fun.

Colorado Traveling Ducks and the humans wish you a very happy Cinco do Mayo today and hope you had fun celebrating this weekend.

Happy cinco de mayo

May 3, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Kayaking in Golden Colorado

Clear Creek runs through Golden, Colorado. Brave souls kayak on this water.

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

In the spring the water, new snowmelt, is very cold and runs fast.

Kayaking area

We watched these men prepare and enter Clear Creek with kayaks.

Entering the river

As they waited for the rest of the group, these two ventured into the small rapids.

To the rapids

Practicing rolling over, under water, and then returning to an upright position,

Rolling in the kayak

these men didn’t seem to mind the cold temperatures. The water and air were fairly cold this late April day, and the wind was also chilling. I, Zeb the Duck and my human friends, loved watching these kayakers.

Maybe later???

We did not kayak today. Maybe we will on a warmer day, but I’m not too sure about this. If you want to kayak, Golden, Colorado is a beautiful place to start.

May 2, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Sherpa House with Zeb

I, Zeb the Duck, and my humans visited the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center in Golden, Colorado.

Sherpa House in Golden, Colorado

This place is a restaurant in a typical Sherpa house decorated, as it would be in Nepal. The Buddhist prayer wheel is fantastic.

Prayer wheel outside

This sign explains some of the culture.

About Sherpa life

Ler’s go inside

We sat on the enclosed patio and sampled the lunch buffet.

Buffet is labeled so we know what we are trying

We tried various kinds of chicken. We also had yak. I liked all of these. We tried a spicy stew, and it was very spicy. Then we ate naan, tasty fried bread. The Saag, spinach with a little cream sauce, was very good. Vegetarian lo mien was great also.

Ready to taste our first plate

The humans tried and enjoyed almost all that was offered. They drank lots of Chai tea. They smiled and it really smelled good.

In warmer weather we could eat outside on this patio.

We eat here when it is warmer

It was too cool today. After eating, many items in the house fascinated the humans.

Shrine room

Information about a beverage

Raksi set

Actually, they were interesting to me; I am a curious duck.

You will enjoy the Sherpa House in Golden, Colorado. After visiting, eating and looking at the items and photographs, you might even want to visit the Himalayas.

Prayer wheel by main door

Mom has been there, but I think she should go again and take me. For more information visit www.ussherpahouse.com There is so much to see you will love it and maybe want to return many times.

Visit the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center

Don’t miss this piece of Nepal in Colorado.

April 30, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Garden of the Gods with Zeb and Soapy Duck

This Colorado Springs park boasts beautiful and unusual rock formations.

Natural rock formation

Zeb and Soapy Duck explored Garden of the Gods Saturday with our moms. It was great!

Stopping at the Visitors Center, we appreciated the view of some rock formations and a slightly snow covered Pikes Peak in the background. Some remodeling taking place at the Visitors Center, but everything is open and functional. The 15-minute movie, gift shop, restaurant and the most important park rangers and their vast knowledge were appreciated.

Kissing camels???

The rock formation at the right of the photo is called kissing camels. Also, you can see a man ready for the Segway tour. So much to see and do here.

After driving to the rock formations, we wandered through many areas.

Stunning

Each formation is equally breathtaking.

Uprooted tree on rock

The children of Charles Elliott Perkins gave this park to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909. Mr. Perkins died before completing the transfer of land to the city, but his children honored his wishes.

Thanks to the Perkins family

The Garden of the Gods is to be forever free for all to enjoy.

Garden of the Gods is home to various animals. You may see these birds or different kinds.

He enjoys living at the Garden of the Gods

Most of the rock formations are red,

Variety of rocks here

so this white rock was very noticeable. As was the bird watching over the park.

Guardian of Garden of the Gods

This young deer was so close to us.

Our new friend

We think he liked us and he will like you, too. We watched deer at a few places among the rock formations.

He likes us!

This park is so beautiful and peaceful that wedding parties come here for pictures.

Congratulations to these happy newlyweds

Several hiking trails cross through the park. You can hike as long as you wish. Many of the trails are paved, so strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. Horse and Segway tours can be arranged. Technical climbs are permitted with a permit.

Technical rock climbers

You will marvel at balanced rock.

Balanced Rock

The rock looks like it will fall any time, but it has been balancing there for millions of years. Opposite balanced rock this other formation fascinated our moms.

Massive rock

At the nearby Trading Post, enjoy a muffin and browse the art gallery. You will love both. For more information visit www.gardenofgods.com We will look for you next time we visit the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Visit Garden of the Gods

April 5, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Tropical Discovery at the Denver Zoo

It’s Zeb the Duck here again. Mom and I went back to the Denver Zoo.

Zeb the Duck goes to the zoo

This time we visited Tropical Discovery. This building within the zoo has fish, snakes, frogs, lizards and the huge Komodo Dragons. It is warm inside, like a tropical forest, so it is perfect for those less than perfect days outside.

I like the frogs. Here is a Mexican Leaf Frog.

More information

Mexican Leaf Frog

These frogs only live in Mexico. The yellow banded dart frog lives in northeast South America.

The snakes were very colorful and not slimy. This McGregor’s Viper lived in the rainforest of the Philippine Islands.

Zoo information

McGregor’s Viper

Cobras have hoods on their heads and this suphan cobra thrives in the forests of Thailand.

Cobra information

Thailand’ Suphan Cobra

Be careful if you hike in the forest of West Africa. This green mamba lives there and is deadly.

Be careful around this snake

West African Green Mamba

Lion fish are graceful while swimming.

Lionfish

They appear to have fancy costumes that sway in the water; they are stunning fish.

Before leaving Tropical Discovery, we visited the Komodo dragons, lizards and crocodiles.

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragons often grow 10 feet long. When they are hungry, they are capable of killing and eating just about anything.

Tropical Discovery at the Denver Zoo is a fascinating place. I am glad the glass enclosures are strong. Visit www.denverzoo.org for more information.

April 4, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

We Love Colorado

It is crazy but we love Colorado. Earlier this week we were sitting outside eating ice cream and today we are inside drinking hot chocolate looking at the new snow.

This is what we saw when we got up Thursday morning.

Tree with spring snow

This snow is beautiful.

Spring snow on our bushes

These evergreen bushes are in our back yard.

Here are some trees with a new white coating of snow.

April morning with fresh snow

This golf course does not have golfers this morning, but they will be there soon..

Snow covered golf course

This is about 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Not much snow this afternoon

The snow is almost completely gone. Some times we have all four seasons in a week or sometimes in a day. We love it here!

March 15, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado

Zeb and Eider Duck here. We returned to Nederland, Colorado on Sunday for the last events of Frozen Dead Guy Days of 2014.

Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado

We did not go back Saturday, the main day due to human error. On the way down Friday, one human driver hit ice and slid into the side of the mountain. On Saturday the other human was sick and stuffed up. No injuries, but no Saturday festivities either.

We arrived at the park in Nederland as men were putting up the volleyball net. We watched the remote control trucks race over the snow. They almost fly and sometimes crash.

Remote control truck

We went to the frozen t-shirt contest. New t-shirts, still folded, are soaked in water and then frozen—really frozen! The men, without shirts, must put the new frozen t-shirts on as fast as possible. It required several minutes to unfold the frozen shirts. The shirts are bent, karate chopped, folded, pulled and anything they can think of to break ice and unfold shirts to put them on. We could not see very well, but took a few photos through the crowd.

Trying to unfold frozen t-shirt

We watched videos later on You Tube. This looks very cold.

Putting on a frozen t-shirt. Brrrrr

Then we watched frozen turkey bowling. This was easy to see and fun to watch. Unlike regular bowling, you throw the turkey at the pins.

Frozen turkey bowling

Children threw small game hens and adults had 2 sizes of frozen turkeys. As the bowling progressed, one of the turkeys became unwrapped.

Throwing frozen unwrapped turkey

There were a couple of beer tents with live music and heaters.

Inside warm tent

Next we watched snow volleyball. Some men had no shirts.

No shirt and a bikini top. What a guy!

This girl worn no shoes.

Where are her shoes?? Girl with yellow shirt is barefoot???

Finally she put shoes on. Cold snow and ice here. After the game Zeb and Eider met some volleyball players.

Our new friends are very nice!!

We enjoyed all at various times during the day. Near one of the tents a man had carved wooden animals and one ice sculpture.

Wooden turtle and ice turtle

Soon he had a new block of ice and began carving the ice with a small chain saw. The saw roared, the ice shavings flew and soon this sculpture was in front of us.

Carved from ice with a chainsaw

Beautiful work of art with only ice and a chain saw!

We liked the activities Sunday, so maybe we can see it all next year. You would enjoy Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado. Oh yes…there really is a frozen dead guy in a Tuff Shed in the mountains of Nederland. For more information visit www.frozendeadguy.com or visit Nederland, Colorado the second weekend in March.

March 14, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado

Last Friday Zeb and Eider Duck and two humans went to Nederland, Colorado. We wanted to see where the Frozen Dead Guy Days events would occur and look around this quaint mountain town.

There is a Carousel of Happiness in Nederland and we want to tell you about it.

Carousel of Happiness in Nederland Colorado

This carousel is open year round. The enclosed pavilion contains the carousel, a fully restored 1913 Wurlitzer Band Organ, a puppet theater and a gift shop.

There are a variety of animals on the Carousel of Happiness.

Riding on a peacock

All 58 of these animals were hand carved by Scott Harrison. Zeb and Eider rode on several.

Riding on an ostrich in Colorado

The carousel is a restored 1910 Looff carousel.

We can sit anywhere

There are also paintings of animals on the walls.

Painted pandas on the walls

You have to see this!

When Scott Harrison was a Marine serving in Viet Nam, he envisioned building a carousel in the mountains.

Zeb and Eider with a new friend

And he really did it!! He is still carving and each new addition is wonderful. This is one of the recent additions to the pavilion.

Polar bear and others on and through wall

We don’t know what will be next.

We talked to a nice man named John that explained everything to us and then started the carousel so we could ride.

Riding on a bear followed by a zebra and dog

The rides cost just $1 per person. If you can, give them a little extra to help meet expenses.

The Carousel of Happiness is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading joy to those who visit the carousel. Profits go to charities that benefit children and people with special needs. For more information and more photos visit www.carouselofhappiness.org This place is fantastic and fun!

Carousel of Happiness serves smiles

March 12, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Dinner at The Fort near Denver

Zeb the Duck here and I am very happy. My Alaska cousin, Eider and his dad, are flying to Denver today. Mom and I picked them up at Denver International Airport. This is a very big airport. The design is to represent the high mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Blue horse at Denver International Airport

The blue horse at the airport is an original and well known to travelers using Denver’s airport.

Eider and I and our humans visited The Fort restaurant in nearby Morrison, Colorado for dinner. They specialize in Colorado beef, wild game and fish. We started with warm bread and pumpkin nut rolls.

Let’s get started!

The salads were large, fresh and crisp and very tasty. The humans ordered a featured meal consisting of a buffalo medallion, an elk chop, and quail breast, served with Montana huckleberry sauce.

So much food

It was very tasty and we were all pleasantly full.

After dinner, we explored the restaurant. The bartender was very friendly and invited us to pose on the bar.

Ducks at the bar

Adjoining the bar was an additional lounge. The smaller tables had colorful cloths

Cozy area

where humans, and ducks, can sit, chat and enjoy a beverage and snack. The lounge had a wooden model of Noah’s Ark.

Noah’s Ark at The Fort

Over the door leaving this lounge we saw this jackalope.

What’s a jackalope?

They humans just laughed as we asked where jackalopes live. Must be a human joke. In another room we saw this buffalo mount on a wall.

Buffalo at The Fort

Buffalo sure are big! These are huge horns over the grill.

Huge horns. We feel so small.

It was dark when we left the restaurant. We liked this fire pit.

Fire pit on outdoor patio

Contained fires are very warm and inviting. They even had a statue of a polar bear.

A polar bear in Colorado

After seeing this, Eider and I decided to be good.

We promise to be good!

We liked The Fort and we think you would also. Visit http://www.thefort.com for more information. The food, decor and views are wonderful.

The Fort Restaurant

	coloradotravelingduc… on Grandpa’s in the Tuff Sh…
	Tom Blickhahn on Grandpa’s in the Tuff Sh…
	The Chile Verde At T… on Denver’s Chili Verde for…
	The Mindful Migraine… on Return to Calhan and the Paint…
	Reagan on Eider Duck Heads to Homer,…