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Colorado Traveling Ducks Visit Aruba

I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Duck are in Aruba with our moms for a week.  This is so exciting for us.   Zeb and Soapy have not visited a Caribbean island together before.  This is a Mother, Daughter, Duck week.  So much fun!

These parrots greeted us as we arrived at our condo.

Official greeters

Official greeters

They are friendly, loud and colorful.  This tree is growing through a fence by one of our gates.

Perfect tree for ColoradoTraveling Ducks

Perfect tree for ColoradoTraveling Ducks

Maybe just for us??  These people are going on a tour in Arikok National Park.

Heading for Arikok National Park

Heading for Arikok National Park

Guides say that these divi divi trees grow only in Aruba.

Ducks in a divi divi tree

Ducks in a divi divi tree

Divi divi tree of Aruba

Divi divi tree of Aruba with Zeb and Soapy in trunk

There are lots of familiar restaurants here

Hard Rock Cafe in Aruba

Hard Rock Cafe in Aruba

and some new ones.

For Gianni's restaurant

For Gianni’s restaurant

Today we will eat on the beach at Gilligan’s.

Gilligan's restaurant on the beach

Gilligan’s restaurant on the beach

Our moms told us about the old TV show Gilligan’s Island and his boat, the Minnow.

The Minnow

The Minnow

The food here is good and we love the water so close.

After eating we walked along the beach and then back to the street.

Gianni's restaurant

Gianni’s restaurant

We stopped at the mall and had beverages at this lounge.

The lights and entertainment were real nice.

So festive here

So festive here

Seems so warm and tropical.

It was a long traveling day, but tomorrow we will experience more of Aruba.   We might go the beach tomorrow.  Moms say the white sand is great.

 

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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

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

More information

Mexican Leaf Frog

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

Zoo information

McGregor's Viper

McGregor’s Viper

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

Cobra information

Cobra information

Thailand' Suphan Cobra

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

Be careful around this snake

West African Green Mamba

West African Green Mamba

Lion fish are graceful while swimming.

Lionfish

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

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.

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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

Tree with spring snow

This snow is beautiful.

Spring snow on our bushes

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

April morning with fresh snow

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

Snow covered golf course

Snow covered golf course

This is about 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Not much snow this 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!

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Oatman Arizona with Eider Duck

Eider and the humans left Las Vegas and arrived in Oatman, Arizona.

Eider and Cindy entering Oatman

Eider and Cindy entering Oatman

This is an old west ghost mining town on the famous Route 66.  Gold was discovered in 1863 and a large gold rush started in 1915.

Oatman

Oatman

Now the population of Oatman, according to their post cards, is 150.

Oatman attracts tourists that travel Route 66.  The turtle ranch has big turtles.

Turtle Ranch in Oatman, Arizona

Turtle Ranch in Oatman, Arizona

Eider is on a post and

Large live turtle approaching building

Large live turtle approaching building

there is a large turtle behind him heading for the building.

A main attraction is the group of wild burros that roam freely through town.

Burro patrol

Burro patrol

Tourists often feed them carrots and burro chow, available in several stores.

Some tourist attractions include Wild West shootouts and on July 4 they cook eggs on the sidewalk, using some solar devices.  This really is an old western town.

Oatman has several photo opportunities.

Oatman road sign

Oatman photo opportunity

There are also many signs

In Oatman

In Oatman

expressing the independent spirit

Be aware

Be aware

of the early residents.

This souvenir store tries to capitalize on the wild burro residents.

Eider is riding a burro!

Eider is riding a burro!

Oatman, Arizona is located in the

Black Mountains of Oatman, Arizona

Black Mountains of Oatman, Arizona

Black Mountains of Arizona.

This is certainly a different type of town.

Street in Oatman

Street in Oatman

So glad you sent the pictures Eider.  Thanks again for sharing with us.

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Eider Duck on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada

My cousin, Eider Duck and the humans went downtown Las Vegas to Fremont Street.

Eider Duck with Cindy in Downtown Las Vegas

Eider Duck with Cindy in Downtown Las Vegas

Cindy is holding Eider.  This is a crazy place.  This man is really human.

He stands like this on his cane for hours. WOW

He stands like this on his cane for hours. WOW

He stays in this position, sitting on his cane for hours.  He really looks like a statue.

The Fremont casino is big.

Eider with Cindy at Fremont Casino

Eider with Cindy at Fremont Casino

Eider also visited the Golden Nugget.

Cindy and Eider near Golden Nugget.

Cindy and Eider near Golden Nugget.

They have real gold nuggets in a display case inside.  Some are even from Eider’s state of Alaska.

The 4 Queens is real popular and has a nice hotel.

Eider and Cindy at 4 Queens

Eider and Cindy at 4 Queens

Binions Casino is pretty famous also.

Binions on Fremont Street

Binions on Fremont Street

Do you notice the cover over the street?  The canopy has lights in it.  At night there are light shows on the hour.  These are amazing.  Here are a couple photos of the show, to give you an idea of what you will see when you visit Fremont Street at night.

Sound and light show on Fremont Street

Sound and light show on Fremont Street

More of the Fremont Experience.

The Fremont Experience

The Fremont Experience

On the way back to their condo on the strip, or Las Vegas Boulevard, Eider saw the volcano at the Mirage Resort erupting.

The volcano erupting at the Mirage Resort

The volcano erupting at the Mirage Resort

Las Vegas is quite a town.  Thanks for sharing with us, Eider.

 

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Chinese New Years in Las Vegas with Eider Duck

My Alaska cousin, Eider Duck was in Las Vegas, Nevada for Chinese New Years.  These pictures from Eider and dad show some of the displays in a few resorts.   The Venetian is a huge resort.  Just look at this, even before entering the building.

Outside the Venetian. I see a gondola there.

Outside the Venetian. I see a gondola there.

This is the year of the horse, so lots of horses in Las Vegas displays this month.  I can’t pick a favorite—I like them all. These are in the Palazzo,

Horse with coins inside the Palazzo

Horse with coins and Eider inside the Palazzo

which is connected to the Venetian.   Did you know that upon the completion and grand opening of the Palazzo on January 17, 2008, the Palazzo became the largest building in the United States?  The Palazzo displaced the Pentagon as the largest building in the United States in terms of floor space.  According to Wikipedia, the Palazzo has 6,948,980 square feet of floor space.  WOW!!

Inside Palazzo

Inside Palazzo

Now Eider and the humans have entered the Wynn Resort.

Inside Wynn Resort

Inside Wynn Resort

More magnificent Year of the Horse displays.

Inside Wynn Resort

Inside Wynn Resort

These photos from inside the Bellagio are great Eider.

Inside the Bellagio

Inside the Bellagio

Bellagio display for Year of the Horse

Bellagio display for Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year

The Bellagio has a wonderful outside water show.

Dancing fountains at the Bellagio with Eider Duck

Dancing fountains at the Bellagio with Eider Duck

Between the Mirage and Treasure Island, Eider seems to be in trouble.  These statues honor Siegfried and Roy and their tigers.   Eider, get out of the tiger’s mouth!!

Eider get out of there!!!

Eider get out of there!!!

Looks like Eider is having a great time in Las Vegas.

Eider Duck…You lucky scoundrel.

Eider Duck…You lucky scoundrel.

More pictures from Eider to come.

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Eider Duck Goes to Las Vegas

My Alaska cousin, Eider Duck sent us pictures from his trip to Las Vegas.  Here is Eider near Plant Hollywood looking toward the Bellagio.

Eider with Bellagio

Eider with Bellagio

Look as those palm trees.

Eider is by the flowers near the Arc de Triomphe.

Eider by flowers and Arc de Triomphe at Paris Resort

Eider by flowers and Arc de Triomphe at Paris Resort

This monument is 2/3 the size of the original Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.  The names and dates of Napoleon’s victories are inscribed on this monument.

Now Eider is at the Flamingo.  He is visiting the Wildlife Habitat there.

Eider at Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat

Eider at Flamingo’s Wildlife Habitat

How appropriate—there are many flamingos at the Flamingo Resort.   Eider is with the fish.

Big fish swimming in here

Big fish swimming in here

What a great place.

So beautiful and peaceful.

So beautiful and peaceful.

Eider, what are you doing with the parrots??

Eider and parrot friends

Eider and parrot friends

Eider and his humans are entering the Mirage Resort.

Entering Mirage

Entering Mirage

Looks like Eider found a giant duck relative.

One of our larger relatives

One of our larger relatives

Tomorrow we will look at more pictures from Las Vegas.  Thanks Eider.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Today is St. Patrick’s Day.  This day celebrates the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland and the introduction of Christianity to the island.  The date, March 17, is the day St. Patrick died.

Today most of the world celebrates the culture and heritage of the Irish.  There are many parades and festivities, and much eating and drinking during the celebration.  Many people will wear green also.   The parade in Denver was advertised as the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi River.

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks and our humans, wish you all a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.  Today we all are a little Irish.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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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

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

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

Trying to unfold frozen t-shirt

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

Putting on a frozen t-shirt. Brrrrr

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

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

Throwing frozen unwrapped turkey

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

Inside warm tent

Inside warm tent

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

No shirt and a bikini top. What a guy!

No shirt and a bikini top. What a guy!

This girl worn no shoes.

Where are her 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!!

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

Riding on an ostrich in Colorado

The carousel is a restored 1910 Looff carousel.

We can sit anywhere

We can sit anywhere

There are also paintings of animals on the walls.

Painted pandas 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

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 wall

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

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

Carousel of Happiness serves smiles