February 6, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Winter Park with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

Winter week in the mountains for Zeb, Soapy Smith and JB Duck. It is after Christmas so the Colorado Traveling Ducks hurry to Winter Park, Colorado for a week. Back to Twin Rivers Condos, we check out this snow pile.

Snow pile and swirling clouds

The clouds swirling in the sky are interesting to us. Let’s head to Winter Park Resort.

We are here!

The skiers and snowboarders test their skills.

Skiers and Snowboarders

We enjoy their fire pit.

To warm your feathers, or hands

Getting warm is always a good idea. Winter Park Resort is a highlight of our week here, but let’s return to town and visit one of our favorite restaurants. Today it is the Smokehouse BBQ for us.

SmokeHouse BBQ

This small locally owned restaurant specializes in smoked meat sandwiches, platters and baskets. Featuring pork shoulder, chopped chicken thighs, homemade hot links, turkey breast, brisket and burnt ends, our taste buds begin to dance. We decided on the Liftie, a sandwich of smoked, pulled pork shoulder, with cole slaw and french fries.

Liftie sandwich on Texas Toast. Delicious pulled pork

On the table we see the six sauces. We try a few, all good, but Bucky’s Mild is the preferred today. This is a really big sandwich. This is one of the best pulled pork sandwiches we ever had. Great pork flavor, mild sauce, warm and fresh. Half of the sandwich comes home with us and our waitress, Bethany, also includes some Bucky’s Mild sauce. Thanks Bethany. Smokehouse, we will return.

Smoke House

Another day we enjoyed dinner at Randi’s. Randi’s served us fresh trout with almonds. Delicious. We also had a turkey sandwich; also delicious. At Twin Rivers Condos, the icicles are removed from the roof as is a couple feet of snow from the edge. Thank you maintenance crew. If the snow or icicles fell on us, it would hurt. Here, in town, people are not usually walking along this building, so the icicles are not removed.

Huge and abundant icicles

There are so many! Beautiful to see and not a danger. We love them. Returning to our condo, we stop at the tubing hill. Here come some people tubing.

Here they come!

This is a group of humans, each with individual tubes, but they hold hands to keep together.

Group of tubing humans

Now Zeb and Soapy Smith try a tube.

We love tubing

Every year we return to Winter Park for a week. Every year we do many of the same things. Every year we love it! We hope you have favorite places which draw you back every year. Familiar and fun are great!

February 5, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Snow Sculptures: Finished and Judged

Freezing my rubber duck feathers with a temperature of only 4 degrees, the snow sculptures in Breckenridge, Colorado were the focus of our trip. I, Zeb the Duck, showed you sculpting in process last week. Now you will see the winners. First place to USA Team Vermont with Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus.

Team Vermont: Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus

My friend, Tom, is holding me. Team Switzerland captured second place with Converse. However, after Saturday’s judging, half of the sculpture fell off.

Team Switzerland: Converse After the fall

Fortunately, it was after the judging. My friend, Tom, is holding me so I don’t become part of a snow sculpture. USA Team Loveland received the third place ribbon with Bolting From Extinction.

Team Loveland: Bolting from Extinction

The elements of nature can destroy the best efforts. Unfortunately Team Germany fell victim this week. The creation, Metanoia, was progressing nicely last week,

Team Germany: Metanoia

but this week, just a pile of snow.

Team Germany: Metanoia, after the crash

That is so sad. We want to show you more snow sculptures. Team Ukraine presents Love Wins.

Team Ukraine: Love Wins

Depicting a fist symbolizing brute force, violence and war, that is stopped by an open palm. The open palm is a metaphor of peace and love. The artists hope that peace and love, with negotiations and compromise, will return peace to Ukraine. Team Breckenridge shows The Widow Maker, referring to the pneumatic drill once used to mine gold.

Team Breckenridge: The Widow Maker

My friend, Tom, is holding me again. Team Great Britain created Tale of Two Dragons.

Team Great Britain: Tale of Two Dragons

Team Mongolia, Bayanmunkh, sculpted the Lion and Butterfly.

Team Mongolia Bayanmunkh: Lion and Butterfly

Thanks again, Tom. The slide and tunnel in this snow sculpture is great for small humans to play and have fun.

This one is for fun and sliding

Remember Budweiser is the sponsor of this competition. This is by Budweiser, not for competition, just for fun.

Busdweiser, the sponsor, presents this mug

Busdweiser, the sponsor, presents this beer stein.

Mom, I hope you know that I, Zeb the Duck, fell in the cold snow. Don’t forget me! Now you know why I am so grateful to my friend Tom. The snow is cold and I could get lost in all this white stuff. All of these are wonderful works of art by very talented artists. And, the Artists’ Choice Award goes to Team Wisconsin for their representation of Dia de Muertos.

Team Wisconsin: Dia de Muertos

The Colorado Traveling Ducks appreciate all the talented artists, and we will eagerly await next year’s creations. These are great! These snow sculptures will be destroyed Saturday evening, so if you have not seen them yet, please hurry!

February 3, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Denver’s Snow Storm February 2016

I, Zeb the Duck, woke up to a foot of snow in my backyard yesterday. Just to be sure, I live very close to Denver, not in the mountains. The snow is to be in the mountains on the ski slopes. I am sitting on a foot of snow here.

Sitting on 12 inches of fresh snow

And the snow is cold. But, it is pretty also. Isn’t this park gorgeous with the fresh white snow?

Park with new snow

Now I know how the humans and ducks in New England experience winter. If you get snow from this storm, have fun with it.

February 2, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Ground Hog Day 2016

Punxsutawney Phil will forecast the arrival of spring today. Punxsutawney Phil, the ground hog, will emerge from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania this morning. If he sees his shadow, we will have six more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, we will have an early spring.

Happy Ground Day.

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, hope it is cloudy this morning and Phil predicts an early spring. Winter and snow are nice for awhile, but we are ready for warm weather and sunshine. Ground Hog Day is a Pennsylvania German tradition from the 18th and 19th centuries. Happy Ground Hog Day to all of you!

February 1, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Tabernash, Colorado with The Colorado Traveling Ducks

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, will show you another small Colorado mountain town today. A few miles from Winter Park, Colorado, a major ski destination, is Tabernash.

Welcome to Tabernash

This is a rural Colorado mountain town. There are no suburbs here.

We love the open spaces here

Just beautiful open space. One of the major gathering places is the Tabernash Tavern.

Tabernash Tavern

Open for Happy Hour and dinner, it is the place to be. We think this store has the perfect name.

The Warm Store

The Warm Store was very inviting last week; it was 9 degrees when we were there. About 2 miles east of Tabernash is Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado

Across from the lodge at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, we noticed these solar panels.

Solar Panels

Colorado has more days of sunshine than Miami, Florida, so solar energy is often used. In addition to the lodge, humans can rent cabins.

Several cabins but much privacy

There are several here. This one even comes with icicles.

Cabin at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Colorado

Guests can head to the stables for horseback rides.

Stables. Want to ride?

Often the horses are pulling sleighs through the snow.

Getting to pull a sleigh

These horses are getting ready for a sleigh. This resort has much flat land and many cross country ski trails.

Cross country skiing

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is a great place to visit and when we were there, it was not very crowded. What a great place for cross country skiing, and only a few minutes from Mary Jane Mountain at Winter Park Resort. You may also snowshoe, ice skate and going tubing here. For more information, visit www.DevilsThumbRanch.com The Colorado Traveling Ducks hope you enjoy much of what Colorado offers.

January 30, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Ms Ducky Visits Ireland

I, Zeb the Duck, was so excited to hear about Ms. Ducky’s trip to Ireland. This is Ms. Ducky’s second trip to Europe this year. I asked her to tell you about it and show you what she did. I, Ms. Ducky, flew to London and then flew to Ireland.

Ready to fly from London to Ireland

When I arrived in Ireland, I took my humans to see this ancient church.

Ancient church in Ireland

Later we toured Guiness.

Going on a tour of Guiness with mom

Guinness produces alcohol, and of course, the Guiness Book of World Records. Today we were more interested in alcohol than books. Let’s go inside. This is a nice place.

Guiness. I like it here.

Next we visited Belfast, Ireland. Ireland has a troubled past. The city of Belfast has 17 peace walls.

Peace Wall in Belfast, Ireland

They were built to protect neighborhoods during times of trouble. These walls are painted by the citizens.

Peace Wall

My humans and I visited the Shankill side where we were encouraged to sign the wall. As a peaceful duck, I eagerly added my signature.

Signing the Peace Wall

Next I take my humans to Northern Ireland’s northeast coast. This is Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea.

Basalt columns make steps at Giant’s Causeway

The tallest columns are about 12 meters (39 feet) high. The solidified lava in the cliffs is 28 meters (92 feet) thick in places.

Tall columns at Giant’s Causeway

Legend says that the columns are remains of a causeway build by a giant. All this exploring makes a duck hungry and thirsty. We enjoyed lunch at The Nook, here at the Giant’s Causeway.

The Nook refreshes after exploring

Soon we returned to Dublin. I, Ms. Ducky, am very smart, so I head for the Book of Kells at Trinity College Library.

Book of Kells Trinity College Library Dublin

Now I am inside the Long Hall in Trinity College.

Long Hall Trinity College Dublin

What a great place.

Long Hall Trinity College. I like Harry Potter.

I sit at the feet of George Salmon, Provost 1888-1904.

George Salmon, Provost. Trinity College Dublin

George Salmon graduated from Trinity College Dublin. He was a highly regarded mathematician, and also an Anglican Theologian. He spent his entire career at Trinity College Dublin. This is my new friend, Molly Malone.

Molly Malone, Dublin

The song “Molly Malone” was based on fictional tale of Molly, a fishmonger by day, and part time prostitute by night. This statue of Molly was unveiled in 1988 on Grafton Street. June 13 is Molly Malone Day. The statue was relocated to Suffolk Street in front of he Tourist Information Office. According to Wikipedia, Molly Malone is also portrayed as one of the few chaste female street hawkers of her day. I certainly find very interesting friends when I travel, don’t I? We visited and supported the Temple Bar Dublin. It was really fun. Of course, I made another new friend.

New friend from Temple Bar Dublin

I really like Ireland. Everyone was so nice, and a new friend came home with me.

Ms. Ducky and her Irish friend. They both live in Colorado now.

January 29, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Sculpting Snow with Zeb the Duck

Let’s sculpt a 20 ton block of snow. January in Breckenridge, Colorado brings the Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

26th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

We usually go to Breckenridge to see the finished sculptures. However, this year mom is not working as a tax preparer, so we can go more often. We watched the artists carve the 20 ton snow blocks.

20 ton block of snow. 12′ x 10′ x 10′

When a team wants to compete here, they must submit a drawing of their sculpture and a description. These are displayed during the competition. Team Germany’s entry, Metanoia, represents the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way life.

Team Germany: Metanoia

Mongolia shows The Happiness of Family.

Team Mongolia: The Happiness of Family

Motherhood is the most invaluable intervention for the personal developments and skills of any animal/person in the world. The sculpture reveals the moment in which a mother teaches her babies how to swim. Estonia sculpts Human Space.

Team Estonia: Human Space

This sculpture from Budweiser is not entered in the competition. There was no drawing or explanation, but maybe… This Bud’s for You.

This Bud’s for You

Mongolia won the position of two sculptures.

Team Mongolia: Lion and Butterfly

The Lion and Butterfly was being created here. Team USA Wisconsin presents Dia de Muertos.

Team USA Wisconsin: Dia de Muertos

The sculpture represents the holiday of Mexican origin from October 31 through November 2, honoring and remembering those who have left this life. Team USA Vermont presents Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus.

Team USA Vermont: Rhonda and her Recycling Robo-Octopus

We loved all of these sculptures. There are many more on display. The judging Saturday, January 30. The sculptures will be on display through Sunday, February 7, weather permitting. We hope you can go to Breckenridge to see these elaborate snow sculptures. While we were in Breckenridge, we saw the horse cart.

Horse team

Also, near the Visitor’s Center, I sat on this wagon.

Historical wagon

Humans cannot climb or sit on the wagon, but I, Zeb the Duck, am small enough that I was allowed to sit here. We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, love Breckenridge and hope to see you there to view the completed snow sculptures of the 26th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships.

January 27, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Channel the Bear in Trinidad, Cuba

Today, I Zeb the Duck, want to show you where my friend, Channel the Bear, has been. You may remember that Channel and her mom go to Cuba frequently. Channel’s mom is a tour guide for Friendly Planet trips to Cuba. Channel sent this photo from Trinidad, Cuba. Often animals from towels are left on the beds, but look at this. Channel also received a rose and more rose petals on her towel.

Trinidad Cuba highlights rose and rose petals for Channel the Bear

Trinidad, Cuba highlights a rose and rose petals for Channel the Bear

This is beautiful, Channel. Thanks for sharing this photo with us. We love to hear and see what you experience in Cuba.

January 26, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Rocky Mountain National Park is 101 Years Old Today

The most visited of Colorado’s four National Parks is 101 years old today. Rocky Mountain National Park came to exist January 26, 1915 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill creating our National Park.

We love Rocky Mountain National Park

This park has many attractions; the most notable is Trail Ridge Road. This road, connecting the towns of Grand Lake on the west and Estes Park on the east, reaches 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide. The road, US 34 is the highest continuous highway in the United States. Trail Ridge Road closes in the winter, due to snow. Rocky Mountain National Park has much wildlife, including large elk herds, prompting Estes Park to hold Elk Fest every fall. Hiking, mountain climbing and camping are just a few activities enjoyed by park visitors.

When in Colorado we hope you visit all of our National Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Mesa Verde National Park.

January 25, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

Lake Granby in Arapaho National Recreation Area with Zeb, Soapy Smith and JB Duck

After stopping at the Visitor Information Center in Granby, Colorado we follow suggestions and take US 34 to County Road 6 to Arapaho National Recreation Area. We pass this tractor, on a sign post.

Great sign

Soon we arrive at Arapaho National Recreation Area. Lake Granby is frozen and there are some snowmobiles on the snow covered frozen lake.

Lake Granby with snowmobile

Many people love to ice fish and this is a great place. These humans are setting up to ice fish.

Getting ready to ice fish

Often humans set up shelters while ice fishing. Here we have three shelters.

Ice fishing shelters

There are several on the lake today. Some people do not use a shelter.

Ice fishing

It is easier for us to see the fishing process without shelters. This weekend there will be 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest. Many humans will fish and compete for cash prizes. For information about this contest visit http://www.Colorado.com Scroll down a little to the Calendar of Events and click on 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest in Granby. There is a lot of snow here. We three ducks are on a snow bank by Lake Granby.

Zeb, Soapy Smith, and JB Duck on cold snow

It was about 10 degrees here when we visited Friday. We did not sit on this snow very long. Near the end of Lake Granby is Arapaho Bay Campground. The section with cabins is closed for the winter.

This camping area closed for winter

There are other campgrounds and picnic areas along the lake also. We want to come back here in the summer. We are on the bridge over the waterway connecting Lake Granby with Lake Monarch.

Bridge over waterway between Lake Granby and Lake Monarch

We hope you visit this very pretty area some time this year. Maybe even this weekend for the 3 Lakes Ice Fishing Contest.

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