Uncategorized

by

Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park 2017

Today Northern Arizona has a desert climate.   But it wasn’t always that way.  During the Triassic Period, 225 million years ago, this was a tropical landscape with abundant vegetation. Also home to early dinosaurs and reptiles while the rivers supported fish, clams, snails and crayfish and giant conifer trees reached 180 feet to the sky.   Trees fell in the rivers.   Soon they became covered with silt, volcanic ash and minerals, which prevented decay.   The wood became saturated with minerals.   Silica crystals replaced the wood.   Now we have petrified logs here, in northern Arizona at the Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest National Park

The is reputed to be one of the best areas for petrified wood in the world.  We visited here in March 2016, but like so many places, it is worth another visit.   The weather is warmer now, but it is still windy and many clouds in the sky.   This year we visited the Painted Desert section of the park first.   The colors of the desert are spectacular.

Painted desert

We stopped at most of the lookout points along the way.   We enter the historic Paint Desert Inn.

Painted Desert Inn

This inn is on the National Historic Landmark List.   The kitchen is still used.

Kitchen

Passing through the kitchen we admire the desert views from a lounging area.   Aren’t these hand painted ceiling tiles beautiful?

These ceiling tiles are beautiful with the old wooden beams.

And the old wooden beams are gorgeous.   This petroglyph look familiar.

Petroglyph

We stopped at the Painted Desert gift shop and information center.   A copy of this petroglyph is proudly displayed in the plaza between the buildings.  The summer tourist season is here, so the ice cream shop is open.

Ice cream. Always good

We love ice cream.   And, yes, those are gummy worms on the ice cream.   We probably won’t do that again.   Cold gummy worms were interesting, but once might be enough.   This is the view from the ice cream shop.

Painted desert from Painted Desert Inn

America’s historic Route 66 separates the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest.   Route 66 connected Chicago and Los Angeles.   Americans were buying cars, gasoline was inexpensive, and people wanted to drive across the United States.   Route 66 was the most famous road of the time.   This 1932 Studebaker is a reminder and tribute to all who traveled this road.

1932 Studebaker on Route 66

As the landscape changes from desert to desert with petrified wood, we want to show you what we saw.

Those are not rocks. They are petrified logs

The hills is the distance appear to have large boulders; they are petrified logs.   The colors in the logs are produced by minerals.   Red and pink show a presence of hematite.   Yellow, brown and orange have a presence of goethite, derived by weathering from iron bearing minerals.   Green is from pure reduced iron.   White is pure silica.   Black results from either organic carbon or pyrite.   Purple and blue are produced by manganese dioxide.    This information was provided by the gift shop at the park.

This really is wood.

Agate Bridge is a fossilized tree, 110 feet long.   This tree grew in the tropical forest 217 million years ago while dinosaurs roamed the area.

Agate Bridge

This bridge was once used by humans, but now humans and traveling ducks are not allowed to be on the bridge.   In 1917 (a hundred years ago), the concrete supports were built.   Even though we know this is petrified wood, we are still amazed how much it looks like rock.

Love the colors of the wood

This log is great also and we see so many more in the background.

Petrified log with many more in the background

We are in a National Park so it is not allowed to take anything, including petrified wood from the park.  We are happy about that.   We hiked on some of the trails and enjoyed the wood laying around.   We were here last year also and would love to return again.   We ducks, and humans, love our National Parks.   You will enjoy a visit also.

 

by

Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck Take a Road Trip to an Ice Cave and Volcano

Road trip!   We love road trips.   I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck are in the car, waiting for our moms.   Like many road trips, there is no rigid schedule.   We are not sure where we are going or when we will return.   Heading in the general direction of the Grand Canyon, but wanting to see things much different also, from Denver we head south on I-25.   Along the way we see several pronghorn, or American antelope.

Pronghorn or American antelope

We often just call these animals antelope.   They are the second fastest animal in the world, behind the cheetah.   Of course, they are the fastest animal in North America.   These animals appear so delicate and graceful.   We love them.   In Albuquerque we leave I-25, heading west on I-40.   This is still rather high in elevation and somewhat mountainous, so the heat is not a problem.   We are near Grants, New Mexico.   Let’s go to the ice cave.   We were here in March 2016, but we want to see it again.  The ice cave is located on the Continental Divide.

Inside we pay our fee, get our map and look at the museum stuff.

There are several dormant volcanos in this area of New Mexico, and the ice cave is inside a partially collapsed  lava tube.   As we walk to the cave, we admire this old, twisted tree.

Ducks sitting on twisted tree with old lava behind and to the right.

And we rest for a moment here.   Ducks have short legs you know.   Last year we showed you some of the things along the way, so we won’t repeat it.   Now, down 70 stairs to the ice cave.

Down the stairs to the ice cave.  And still more stairs!

Photos are difficult here for mom, but this ice is deep and old.

This is really old ice

The temperature dropped as we reached the bottom of the stairs.   There are two levels to see the ice, probably less than 10 feet apart, but the lower level is much colder.   This ice is about 20 feet deep.   The blue-green tint is from the natural Arctic algae.  The oldest ice is on the bottom, and is from 1100 A.D.  That is old!  New ice is added each year from rain and melting snow.   We love icicles.

Permanent icicles

Especially in the summer.   I don’t remember this sign from last year, but it explains a little about the ice never melting.   The temperature here on the ice never gets above freezing.

Inside a lava tube this ice does not melt

The lava tube is partially collapsed, so we can see outside.   We like this place.   If we are in the area again, we will probably stop again.   March 2016 was colder and windy when we were here, so we did not hike to the top of Bandera Volcano.   But today is nicer, so up the hill we go. We pass this lava formation.

Lava Arch

Continue climbing on the path, we reach the top of Bandera Volcano.

At the top looking into Banderas Volcano

The elevation here is 8,122 feet.   This volcano erupted about 10,000 years ago.   The crater is well preserved.

Looking into Banderas Volcano

It is about 1,400 feet wide and 800 feet deep.   This is considered a fragile environment as rocks and other items slide into the crater.   On mom’s phone it indicates we climbed 18 flights of stairs to reach the top of the volcano.   The path was gentle so we enjoyed the climb.   Back down near the tourist store, I liked this cactus growing by the old shed.

Cactus near old shed

And look at this gas pump.

Old gas pump. They sure look different now.

Today’s gas stations and gas pumps certainly look different.   This is great place to hike and see different things.   For more information visit http://www.IceCaves.com  We think you would enjoy stopping here when you are in the area.  We continue driving west on I-40.   Stay with us to see where we stop next.

 

 

 

by

Today is National Chocolate with Almonds Day

Chocolate with almonds!   This is a great day.   We enjoy Hershey Kisses with almonds slivers, we enjoy whole almonds covered with chocolate, but this is our favorite.

Celebrate National Chocolate with Almonds Day–July 8

We will share this Hershey chocolate bar with almonds with our newest duck family members.   Just so you know, this chocolate bar will not last long.   Neither will the other one mom doesn’t think we know about.   Enjoy this tasty day.   Celebrate July 8, National Chocolate with Almonds Day.   Again, our holiday information comes from http://www.NationalDayCalendar.com

by

Zeb the Duck Visits the Mountaineering Museum

Too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, too rainy in the spring?   Time to explore the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado.

Let’s go inside

This is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to mountaineering history.   This center opened in February, 2008.    Inside we paid our fee and gazed at the many displays before us.

So much to see here

Maybe start with this climber.

Mountain climbing

Then to this model of Mt. Everest, the portion above 18,000 feet (5,486 meters).

Mt. Everest–the tallest portion

Clean climbing now allows climbers to safely climb without destroying the rock they are ascending.

Clean climbing

A piton hammered into a crack makes a solid anchor, but when a piton is hammered out of the crack, bits of rock are eroded.   In the 1960’s, British climbers began picking up machine nuts by railroad tracks and slotting them into tapering cracks to create rock anchors.   These nuts could be removed from the crack without hammering.   Nuts made specifically for climbing began to catch on in the early 1970’s.   This is called clean climbing.   Did you know that 10% of the Earth’s population inhabits mountain slopes, valleys and plateaus. Many diverse cultures learned to live in isolated and often hostile environments.   Food, work and religion are all partly shaped by mountains.   This is a Prayer Wheel, often found in the Himalayas.

Prayer wheel

Prayer wheels have existed for at least 1,600 years in Tibetan culture.   Prayer wheels are inscribed with the ancient symbols for a mantra, a prayer that is also chanted or whispered.   Some mantras symbolize each of the 84,000 sections of the Buddha’s teachings.     I, Zeb the Duck, like them.   Another exhibit providing glimpses of mountain cultures.

Mountain cultures

This mask is part of a traditional religious garment worn during Mani Rimdu, a festival performed at the Tengboche Buddhist Monastery in Nepal.   It seeks to destroy demons that would harm human life.   How high can humans live?   Remember the higher the elevation, the less oxygen available in the air.   People have lived up to 2 years at 19,500 feet (5,944 meters).   The highest known permanent settlement is a mining town in southern Peru at 16,730 feet (5,100 meters).   The 10th Mountain Division was very important during World War II.

The 10th Mountain Division.  So important in World War II

A peek at life in the 10th Mountain Division

10th Mountain Division

These men were excellent skiers and excellent soldiers.   As the above sign said, many returned to the Colorado mountains and were vital to the today’s ski industry.   Present day climbers are conquering sheer rock walls such as this.

Climbing a very steep rock wall

We ducks know that you humans are very curious, so we will tell you.

You wanted to know this

Now about that sleeping…

Satisfying human curiosity

I, Zeb the Duck, am fascinated by these climbers, but I don’t want to try it.   Remember, the higher the altitude, the colder the temperatures.   There is an average decrease of 3.5 degrees F for ever 1,000 feet.  Or decrease of 6.5 degrees C for every 1,000 meters of elevation that you climb.   I am almost embarrassed to say that I like to be warm and I enjoy my comforts.   How about you?  For more information about the Mountaineering Center, visit http://www.MountaineeringMuseum.org

by

Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck Visit Grand Lake, Colorado and Quacker Gift Shop

Did we mention that we love our home state of Colorado.   Well, we do.   We even have a special gift shop here.   Grand Lake, Colorado is a lake and a town, located at the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park, west entrance

Let’s visit a little of the park.   We can drive through Rocky Mountain National Park, on the highest continuous paved road in the United States.   Trail Ridge Road connects Grand Lake on the west with Estes Park on the east.   But today, we just go a little way into the park.   We want to see some elk.   Here is one.

elk

Elk on the move.   We really saw several elk today in several places in the park.   Sitting on this fallen tree, we appreciate our Colorado scenery.

In Rocky Mountain National Park

We love our mountains, the meadow, the stream and the elk resting.   But mom, what about our store?   Back in the resort town of Grand Lake, we find The Quacker Gift Shop.

The Quacker Gift Shop.

While there are other items available, the main focus of this gift shop is us–rubber ducks!   From the vantage point on the large duck’s bill, we can see much of the available merchandise.

View from a duck bill

And there is a lot!   Let’s sit on the top shelf by duck caps and the Jumbo Ducks.

Sitting by duck caps and Jumbo Ducks

And still more.

Dreaming of wonderful jam

We enjoy this shelf, sitting by locally made jams.   Yummy!  And Celebrity Ducks.

Celebrity Ducks, and us

So many.   Sitting by the pink flamingo, we are near ducks from The Wizard of Oz, a KISS duck and so many more.

Are we celebrity ducks?

Of course some new ducks came home to join our family.

The newest members of our duck family

The moms purchased fresh fudge also.   After lunch at The Hub, the fudge was sampled and appreciated.   Grand Lake is a town located on Grand Lake, the largest natural lake in Colorado.

Grand Lake

Isn’t the lake pretty?  Grand Lake was formed by glaciation about 30,000 years ago.

Grand Lake

Glaciers are gone and we have a beautiful recreation area.   On the beach some children built a sand castle.

Beach at Grand Lake

The swimming area is clearly separated from the boating area for everyone’s safety.   And boats.

Boats available at Grand Lake

Boats can be rented by the hour.   Maybe next time.   We didn’t allow enough time to fully enjoy Grand Lake.   Boat tours are also available.   We will be back here.   Grand Lake has long been known as the headwaters of the Colorado River.   And the mighty Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon, one the top natural wonders of the world.   Grand Lake is about 2 hours from our home near Denver.   We can come for a day, a weekend or a week.   But, we will be back here often.   We ducks must revisit the gift shop dedicated to us and rubber ducks everywhere.

by

Happy Independence Day USA 2017

Today, the 4th of July, is Independence Day in the United States.   We were a British colony, but in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was ratified and the United States of America declared themselves independent.   After a war with Great Britain, and many discussions by the American leaders, our government was formed and the United States of America was an independent country.   Of course, like all countries, we had difficulties, but we Americans are forever grateful to our founding fathers, our freedom, and our way of life.   We introduce you to our newest family member, Independence Duck.

Independence Day Duck

On this day Americans, human and ducks, watch parades, attend fairs, have picnics, cook outside, visit the mountains, visit the beaches, go camping, and enjoy our families, our friends and our freedom.  And when darkness arrives, there will be many magnificent fireworks displays.

Fireworks behind statue of liberty

People across our country will be giving thanks for our way of life and celebrating our independence.

From Shutterstock

by

The Vikings Come to Denver

The Vikings are here.   The Museum of Nature and Science in Denver has a special exhibit on the The Vikings.

Let’s learn about the Vikings

Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to this exhibit.   We learned and saw so much.   We actually went twice.   It really is good.   Who are the Vikings?   The people that lived across Scandinavia were not a unified group.   There were warriors, explorers and merchants, but most were farmers.   The word Viking was used for an activity.   Someone was out on a “viking.”  That could be a commercial trip or a raid.   Much jewelry was on display.

Jewelry

Different styles seemed to be from different regions.  Also many items were brought back from raids or commercial trips.   These items are from afar.

From many places

The cross has Irish origins, the cowrie shells are from the Red Sea while the red and white beads are from the Black Sea area.   The ladle was used during church ceremonies.   As we mentioned most people were farmers and this pig, or boar, was a great source of meat.

Boar living on a farm

These people seemed to care about personal appearance, as these grooming items were found.

Grooming items

Many items were found in graves.

Buried with important items

A male was buried with these favorite items.   The Scandinavia area has very cold winters.   Early ice skates were functional, but much different than those we use today.

Early ice skates

Here is what was found in the tomb of a warrior in Birka.

Preparing for battle

Some people were buried with amulets.

Amulets

Amulets guaranteed the gods’ protection.   Runes were iconic symbols from the Viking age.

Rune tells a story

This one tells a story.

The story

The Vikings expanded their world.   Some wooden figures were brought back.

Brought home

There was much silver.

Silver

Some from raids and some was payment for traded goods.   Much silver was melted for jewelry.   Some was kept for local purchases.   Many merchants had scales so pieces of silver were broken off bracelets or other jewelry for payment.   This is a reconstruction of a small Viking boat.

Smaller Viking boat

After leaving this exhibit, this reproduction of another Viking ship caught our attention.

Viking ship

This exhibit will be at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science from March 10 through August 13, 2017.   We hope you see it here or when it comes to your city.

by

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat–We loved them all!

Back home, we are remembering some of the wonderful experiences we enjoyed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat.   Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was beautiful.

Front of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Photo from Wikipedia.

And we, as non Muslims, were able to go inside to see the largest carpet, largest chandelier and the grandeur of this mosque.   The fish market was fun and I, Zeb the Duck, got a fish.

fish market for a snack

An evening boat ride, dinner included, showed us old and new on the Abu Dhabi sky line.

Abu Dhabi skyline

A common sight, and sound, throughout our Middle East adventure, the minaret of a mosque with a speaker for the call to worship.

Minaret of mosque with speakers

We gave up a free day in Abu Dhabi to experience a little of Muscat, Oman.   Here we saw some old and some new.   Muscat is a few thousand years old.   We loved wandering through the souk.

We explore the souk

Driving through Muscat, we appreciated the absence of too many cars and the accompanying car noises.

Driving through Muscat, Oman

Here, our guide shows some of the new:  The Royal Opera House of Muscat, Oman.

Our guide in Muscat, Oman

Back to the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai we rode a traditional boat, or dhow, to cross Dubai Creek.

Tourists crossing Dubai Creek on Dhow

We admired Dubai Fountain with Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, all connected with Dubai Mall.

Burj Khalifa behind Dubai Fountain

Dubai Marina was bustling, but still relaxing for our lunch stop.

Dubai Marina from Salsa Restaurant

Mall of the Emirates provided indoor snow skiing and tubing on snow, in additional to fabulous dining and shopping.

Skiing and tubing

Souk Madinat Jumeirah was a modern souk.

I love meeting new friends

The narrow alley of Bastakia Heritage Area showed life before oil and oil money forever changed Dubai.

Narrow alley walkways

Aromas from the spice souk will be with us always.

Spice souk

Of course we loved the animals.   The unexpected flock of flamingos were wonderful to see.

Some are looking at me

And riding the desert native, a camel, made our trip even more memorable.

Our camel is friendly

Of course we will never the gold souk with those huge gold necklaces and gold hats.   But our fondest memories are of the kind, welcoming people we met.   Our trip was a tour through http://www.SmarTours.com.   We have taken tours from them previously.   This was Deluxe Dubai and Abu Dhabi.   The day trip to Muscat, Oman, was not connected to SmarTours.   Chanel’s mom made separate reservations for us and we loved our day in Oman.   We hope you visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman soon.   We loved it.

by

To The Desert With Zeb the Duck and Chanel the Bear

Oh no moms!   Really?  We are flying back home tomorrow?   It’s too soon.   But, our moms say, yes, our time here is almost over.   What to do on our last afternoon and evening?   Well, we are surrounded by desert, so let’s go to the desert.   In our tourist vans, looking out the window, Zeb the Duck and Chanel the Bear, watch the desert.

Zeb and Chanel going into the desert

Some plant growth here, but lots of sand.   Further from Dubai, the plants are more sparse.

Further into desert. Fewer plants

Our driver stops the van, slightly deflates the tires, and into the desert we go.   No roads here, just hills of sand, or sand dunes.   This is a crazy ride and we love it.   After parking in the sand, the duck, the bear and the humans get out to wander among the sand dunes.

Huge sand dunes here

It is pretty warm, but this was February, winter in the desert, so it was nice.   None of those horribly hot summer days.

Zeb and Chanel on the desert dunes

Chanel and Zeb look and feel rather small in the desert.   Eventually, back in the 4 wheel drive vans, we continue through the desert, adding a little air to the tires and get on the highway.   Wow!   Look what is waiting for us.

Ready to ride a camel. Camel is close to sand when we get on

Camels.   We are going to ride a camel, with our moms, of course.   When the camel stands up, we feel like we will fall over the camel’s head and into the sand.   But we don’t.  We are on the second camel in this photo.

Riding camel. We are on second camel. A little scary when camel stands up

Is our camel trying to get closer to a camel friend?   Yes, and he does get close.   Chanel’s mom even has a bruise on her leg from this camel encounter.   But we all have fun.   After the camel ride, we progress to the area set for us.   These dates are so good.

Snacks before dinner. Those dates are delicious!

The sweet balls are also wonderful.   The tables are set for us.

Tables are ready for us

We, and other groups of humans, will eat here.   Our buffet is to be wonderful.   We believe it.   All our food has been very good.   Before eating, the humans get henna tattoos.   A beautiful young Arabian lady applies the tattoos.

Humans got henna tattoo.

By morning, the raised henna will fall off, leaving the lines on human hands.   Those tattoos did look good in the morning.   Our moms went home with tattoos!   The birds of prey hunt in the desert.

This bird will soon fly for us.   He has his helmet on.

This guy will soon perform for us.   He flies fast and sees very well at night.

Bird flies and dives. Birds of Prey hunt at night. They are fast.  Great carpets here.

This bird is putting on a show now, but when free, he will hunt for his dinner.   Now it is getting dark.   The human entertainers begin.

Entertainer

This man twirled very fast and for a very long time.   Most humans would get dizzy and fall down, but not this man.   While twirling, he unwraps yards of cloth making different, flowing articles of clothing.   Next the female dancer begins to dance, with her cape flying in the wind.

Entertainer

Since it is now dark, the photography is finished.   After the dancers, the buffet lines begin.   Everything was so tasty and good.   And there was a lot of different foods to try.   And we sampled many things.   After the buffet, more entertainment and then our drive back to Dubai and the Hyatt Regency.   A wonderful ending to a wonderful trip.

by

Zeb Visits Pink Flamingos in Dubai

As a Colorado Traveling Duck, I am always happy to see other birds.   I took mom to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary to see the migratory pink flamingos that spend the winter in Dubai.   Here we are.

Here we are at the Wildlife Sanctuary

Here we are at the Wildlife Sanctuary

The tide is out, so the flamingos rest rather far from us.   Let’s follow the path to see them.

Let's go

Let’s go

Walls are made of palm fronds.

Walls of palm fronds

Walls of palm fronds

Isn’t that so tropical?   What?  The Flamingo Hide?

Flamingo Hide

Flamingo Hide

Oh, we call this a flamingo blind, where we watch the beautiful pink flamingos without frightening them.   Hundreds of fellow birds waiting to meet me, Zeb the Duck.

Hundreds of distant cousins

Hundreds of distant cousins

Many flamingos sleep; they do not seem comfortable with twisted necks, but that is how they rest.

Some are looking at me

Some are looking at me

Some finished napping and with heads up acknowledge the human and duck visitors.   After much watching, photographs and binocular time, we follow our driver back down the path.

Following our driver

Following our driver

Pretty purple flowers grabbed our attention as we approached the car.

Pretty flowers

Pretty flowers.  And in the desert climate of Dubai.

The flamingos spend the winter very close to downtown Dubai.

Flamingos are close to downtown Dubai

Flamingos are close to downtown Dubai

Through the haze, blowing sand, and ever present construction cranes, we view the many skyscrapers of downtown.   We believe there is a plan for building near the flamingos, to protect the winter visits of flamingos, and continue the development of Dubai.   As a duck, I am concerned about all birds, but I have a faith in everything working out well.   What do you think?