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.

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 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

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

A plaque for each signer

This is the one honoring John Hancock.

John Hancock's signature in gold.

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

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

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

Legacy of Healing and Hope

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

Three soldiers--Vietnam Memorial

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

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

Bridge to Virginia over Potomac River

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

Celebrating gift of Japanese Cherry Trees from Japan

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

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.

The ColoradoTraveling Ducks Visit Washington D.C.

This is the Washington Monument.

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

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

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.

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

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

Korean War Memorial

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

Korean Memorial, etched wall

Korean Memorial, etched wall

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

Pool at 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

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

Fountains in World War II Memorial

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

Pillar to Alaska

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

Bas Relief road vehicles

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

Bas relief 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

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

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.

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

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

Ripple Africa–our home for 2 weeks in Malawi

Then a safari in southern Malawi.

Wart hog Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Wart hog Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Next mom and I went to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

A day safari into Botswana was exciting.

Giraffes at Chobe National Park, Botswana

Giraffes at Chobe National Park, Botswana

Then a week in Maputo, Mozambique.

Maputo, Mozambique

Maputo, Mozambique

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

Kruger National Park in South Africa

Kruger National Park in South Africa

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

Dancers performing in 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.

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 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.

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.

The train is here.

We are anxious to get aboard.

Going on the train

Going on the train

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

Union Station Train Station in Denver

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

Remodeled Union Station

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

California Zephyr stops in Denver

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

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

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

Huge Sandwiches

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

Chatting 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

The Milkbox Ice Creamery

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

Ice Cream for us

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.

Buffalo Bill is in Colorado’s Lookout Mountain

Buffalo Bill Cody loved Colorado.   He especially love the view from the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.    Let’s go the the top of Lookout Mountain.

Buffalo Bills Museum and Grave

Buffalo Bills Museum and Grave

Buffalo Bill told his wife Louisa, daughter Irma and foster son, Johnny Baker that he wanted to be buried up here.

Final resting place for Buffalo Bill Cody

Final resting place for Buffalo Bill Cody

When he died in 1917, he was buried here.   Later his wife joined him in this final place.

Bill and Louisa rest here

Bill and Louisa rest here

This is a popular area to visit, so the bars protecting the graves are necessary.   Along the path to the graves, this buffalo greets the visitors.

This buffalo is watching

This buffalo is watching

Here is the museum honoring Buffalo Bill and the Old West.

Come this way to visit the mseum

Come this way to visit the museum

As you enter, you are greeted by these early Colorado residents.

Welcoming committee

Welcoming committee

Since this is a popular place for tourists, and locals, you can have your head on Buffalo Bill’s body.   We three Colorado Traveling Ducks all sat on his body.

Three duck heads for Buffalo Bill

Three duck heads for Buffalo Bill

Why did Buffalo Bill love Lookout Mountain?

Beautiful from the top

Beautiful from the top

This view explains a lot.   Looking down to the city of Golden, you will see Coors Brewery.   This brewery, started by Joseph Coors has been famous in Colorado and all over the United States.

Coors Brewery of Golden, Colorado

Coors Brewery of Golden, Colorado

Now Coors has merged with Molson Canadian and Millers Brewery of Wisconsin, but still the original Coors beer formula can only be brewed here in Golden, Colorado.   This beer is made with pure Rocky Mountain Spring Water, that is only found here.   Other Coors beer can be brewed at other locations, but not the original Coors.   Pahaska Tepee is the gift shop here.

Pahaska Tepee

Pahaska Tepee

Pahaska means ‘long hair” and that was the Lakota nickname for Buffalo Bill.   All good gift shops also have snacks.   The fudge here is so smooth and creamy.   Mom and I prefer chocolate pecan, and Soapy Smith and JB Duck prefer chocolate peanut butter.   And, we all love mint chocolate chip ice cream.

So Good

So Good

Such yummy treats.   Well, now we will head down from Lookout Mountain.

Time to head home

Time to head home

We need to go home to cut the grass.

Happy Independence Day 2016

Today, July 4, we celebrate the birth of the United States of America.   The United States was once a British colony.

Independence of the United States of America

Independence of the United States of America

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.   This day is celebrated across the United States, with parades, picnics, festivals, and when it is dark enough, wonderful displays of fireworks light the sky.

Fireworks behind statue of liberty

Fireworks behind statue of liberty

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July.

Channel the Bear is in Alaska’s Glacier Bay

Today my friend, Channel the Bear, is sharing pictures from her Alaska cruise.   She is lounging on a large cruise ship in Glacier Bay.

Channel relaxing on her cruise ship

Channel relaxing on her cruise ship

This is a great place to relax, Channel.

Channel the Bear

Channel the Bear

Channel is enjoying her time in Alaska’s Glacier Bay.

Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska

This a beautiful place Channel.   It looks cold with all the ice and snow.   Happy you stayed warm on the cruise ship.   Thanks for sending us these photos.   What a wonderful vacation.

Hiking in Ketchikan, Alaska with Channel the Bear

My friend, Channel the Bear, took a cruise to Alaska.   She stopped in Ketchikan, Alaska for a hike.   These pictures are beautiful Channel.    Such a beautiful place to hike.

Channel in Ketchikan

Channel in Ketchikan

Beautiful trees here.

Hiking in Ketchikan with Channel

Hiking in Ketchikan with Channel

Be careful Channel.   You are a little bear.

Big Bears? Be careful Channel.

Big Bears?   Be careful Channel.   That fish is bigger than you

Thanks for sharing these pictures Channel.    It looks like you had a great time hiking in Ketchikan, Alaska.

 

Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

Our home state of Colorado is beautiful.   The Rocky Mountains are truly majestic.   Hiking trails for all activity level are plentiful.    The rivers are clear with melted snow.   So, as you would expect there are many Colorado State Parks.   Today we want to show you Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Eldorado Canyon State Park

This park is located between Denver and Boulder, so it is perfect for a day trip.   We love the water and waterfalls.

Water falling

Water falling

It is still rather early in the summer, so the rivers are running fast with heavy snow melt.

River really moving fast. Winter snow is melting.

River really moving fast. Winter snow is melting.

Eldorado State Park has many hiking trails.   This is the beginning of one that is located near the Visitor’s Center.

Eldorado Canyon Trailhead. Ready?

Eldorado Canyon Trail head.  Ready?

In this park, humans climb these steep rocks.

These rock walls are tall and steep

These rock walls are tall and steep

Ducks do not climb tall, steep rocks.   The geology of this canyon is varied.  Geologists can study millions of years of the earth’s history here.   These large rocks have several colors and minerals in them.

There are some large rocks here. The geology here is fantastic

There are some large rocks here. The geology here is fantastic

Oh my, there is a human climbing this rock.

Human is climbing this rock

Human is climbing this rock

Yep, there is the human climber.

Human rock climber

Human rock climber

This park has something for everyone.   You can hike, climb rocks, have picnics, and even camp here.   But sometimes we just like to sit by the river, listening to the water and admire the huge steep rock cliffs and bright blue Colorado sky.

Just sit and enjoy this park

Just sit and enjoy this park

We just like to relax and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of nature.     We hope you also take time to enjoy the calming effects of nature.