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Christmas Decorations at Torres Mazatlan

I, Zeb the Duck, and Eider Duck, loved the Christmas decorations at our resort in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Torres Mazatlan. Our home for the week.

Torres Mazatlan. Our home for the week.

It was great having Christmas decorations to remind us that Christmas is almost here.  We are used to colder weather for Christmas, but we are enjoying the pool, beach and warm, sunny weather.  The Christmas tree and Nativity scene were beautiful.

These decorations were made by Torres Mazatlan employees in 1992

These decorations were made by Torres Mazatlan employees in 1992

We especially liked the story of the Christmas tree.  The employees made the tree from palm fronds and decorated it with coconuts wrapped in colored paper.  Torres Mazatlan has used this tree since 1992 as a symbol of Love and Peace on Earth.

Entering the resort, just past the security station, this festive scene greets us.

Just past security station

Just past security station near the entrance of the resort

The Christmas flowers near the registration desk are very much a sign of Christmas.

Such vivid colors

Such vivid colors

The Santa display with Santa’s mailbox was very popular.

Letters to Santa go in this mailbox

Letters to Santa go in this mailbox

Leaving the registration area, we passed through this decorated arch.

Looks so tropical

Looks so tropical

Wandering through the grounds, we liked this cart of flowers with Christmas decorations on the ground.

Flowers are always nice.

Flowers are always nice.

Near our patio, we enjoyed this cart of Christmas packages.

Presents everywhere

Presents everywhere

It was especially nice at night when the lights were on.

One day we watched the younger human children break a piñata.

He is trying

He is trying

This is a great Mexican custom and the kids had fun.

She is older, so the piñata moves while she tries

She is older, so the piñata moves while she tries

We had fun watching this also.

It won't be long before piñata is broken and candy falls to ground

It won’t be long before piñata is broken and candy falls to ground

Our humans said we were too small to swing the stick and also too small to scramble with the humans picking up the candy.

While enjoying tropical weather it was nice to see the Christmas spirit around us.  We hope you are enjoying seeing Christmas decorations wherever you are during the Christmas season.

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The Rink at Belmar with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

I, Zeb the Duck, have a great idea for you during this Holiday season.   Soapy Smith Duck, our Alaska cousin, Eider Duck, and I, Zeb the Duck, went to Belmar shopping area in Lakewood, Colorado.

Belmar shopping center. The B really is on this sign.

Belmar shopping center.  The B really is on this sign.  Letters change between green and red.

We didn’t come to shop.   We came for The Rink.   The Rink is an outside ice skating area for humans.   Look at the humans having a great time on ice skates.

Ice skating at The Rink in Belmar

Ice skating at The Rink in Belmar

We sat on the table watching the human skaters.

Humans on ice skates

Humans on ice skates

Again, we would love to be humans.   The area is decorated for Christmas.

Big Christmas tree

Big Christmas tree

See the decorations over the street, the Christmas tree and all the magical lights.   The lights are magical when it is dark, but we were there this afternoon, so the lights were not turned on yet.  These white trees decorated some streets here.

White trees for Christmas

White trees for Christmas

During the winter, we still have nice sunny days, so head out to The Rink.   We think it will be open through late January.  This is the sign explaining the hours and rates for skating.

See you at Belmar soon.

See you at Belmar soon.

We hope you come to Belmar to ice skate, or any ice skating rink near you.   Enjoy this winter activity.   We would if we had ice skates to fit our duck feet.

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Welcome to Torres Mazatlan

I, Zeb the Duck, and Alaska cousin Eider Duck, went to Torres Mazatlan resort in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Torres Mazatlan. Our home for the week.

Torres Mazatlan. Our home for the week.

We love Mazatlan.

We thought this Christmas tree made from palm fronds

The employees of Torres Mazatlan created this tree.

The employees of Torres Mazatlan created this tree.

and decorated with wrapped coconuts was great.  The Nativity scene was beautiful also.

Nativity scene to remember the birth of Jesus

Nativity scene to remember the birth of Jesus

There was his big red box labeled Toy Box.

Toys for the children of Mazatlan. This is the season for giving.

Toys for the children of Mazatlan. This is the season for giving.

The staff at Torres Mazatlan donates toys and money to provide Christmas Eve dinners and toys for the people of Mazatlan.  We think this is great.  We will give them money also.  Eider, Zeb and the humans want to help.

We attended the welcome party Monday evening.   They served mango daiquiris and mango margaritas.   We ducks did not try any but the humans seemed to really like the mango daiquiris.  We liked the mariachi band.

Mariachis to welcome us to Mazatlan

Mariachis to welcome us to Mazatlan

The music is so happy.

Let's dance

Let’s dance

Just makes everyone want to dance and be happy.

When it got dark, they had the official lighting of the Christmas tree

Wow!

Wow!

and the Nativity scene.

The lights create magic

The lights create magic

Aren’t they pretty?  We liked the welcome party.  We liked the mariachis.

So typical of Mexico

So typical of Mexico

We liked the popcorn.  And we really liked the Christmas tree being lit while we were there.  As they say in Mexico, Feliz Navidad.   Merry Christmas to you all.  We will tell you more about our time in Mexico soon.

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Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, Colorado with Zeb and Eider Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, and my Alaska cousin, Eider Duck, went to the North Pole.

At the North Pole with Santa

At the North Pole with Santa

We visited Santa’s workshop and outdoor park.   In Colorado, the North Pole is located at the foot of Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs.  This place is great.  First we got on Santa’s sleigh.

Think we can help Santa deliver presents?

Think we can help Santa deliver presents?

Next was the sky ride.

Let's go!

Let’s go!

Everything is so pretty in the mountains.   If anybody gets lost, this reindeer tells the correct direction to walk.

Isn't he helpful. He is our friend

Isn’t he helpful. He is our friend

We liked the snowman.

A big snowman decoration

A big snowman decoration

Entering the glass blower house,

Cute house

Cute house

we met a human relative.  This glass blower talked to us and told us his real name is Bill Duck.

And friend and human relative Bill Duck

And friend and human relative Bill Duck

We liked him!  Mom liked the glass also, so now we have a new glass Christmas tree ornament.   There are many rides for small humans.   This big candy cane with Santa on top has a slide on the outside for humans to ride.

This ride is definitely a sign of Santa's North Pole

This ride is definitely a sign of Santa’s North Pole

This ride looks so much like Christmas.

So much like Christmas.

So much like Christmas.

We think you like it also.   The small ferris wheel is great

For little humans.

For little humans.

and there is also a large one for bigger humans.   Isn’t this candy cane coaster just perfect for Santa’s park?

Definitely a Christmas theme here

Definitely a Christmas theme here

This fire pit was warmer and humans were roasting marshmallows here.

We love roasted marshmallows.

We love roasted marshmallows and the Bronco jacket

Yum!   This picnic table is on the path to the North Pole post office.

It was too cool for a picnic today

It was too cool for a picnic today

We think these decorations are perfect for Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

If you can go to the North Pole before Christmas you will have a lot of fun. This park will close for the winter Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.   It is open most of the summer, so visit when you can. For more information see http://www.northpolecolorado.com

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Happy Winter Solstice 2014

The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will begin today, December 21, 2014 at 6:03 p.m. EST.   This occurs when the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun.  In terms of light, this is the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year.  The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light.

This is also the official first day of winter for us.   Whatever you do today, the Colorado Traveling Ducks and their humans, wish you happiness.

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Christmas Decorations 2014

I, Zeb the Duck, and Eider Duck, drove around admiring Christmas decorations.   We like the snowman,

Cheerful snowman

Cheerful snowman

especially since we do not have snow yet in Denver.   Santa is ready for Christmas Eve with this sleigh.

Ready to fly on Christmas Eve

Ready to fly on Christmas Eve

The Nativity Scene reminds us of the reason for the season.

The birth of Jesus is the reason for Christmas

The birth of Jesus is the reason for Christmas

We ducks are not in any of these photos.  The humans said we could not go into people’s yards and sit on the decorations.   But we did love seeing everything. It’s just difficult to decide which pictures to show you today.   All were special.

We spotted some rather unusual decorations.   Here Mickey Mouse is sending Christmas greetings.

Mickey Mouse loves Christmas also.

Mickey Mouse loves Christmas also.

The Christmas moose is great.

A Colorado Christmas moose.

A Colorado Christmas moose.

This was one of our favorites.

This is a big guy!

This is a big guy!

Santa is a biker when he is not flying in his sleigh.

Santa is biker

Santa is biker

We had dinner at the Buckhorn Exchange in Denver and even this buffalo was in the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas from Denver's oldest restaurant.

Merry Christmas from Denver’s oldest restaurant.

And, lastly, no collection of Denver Christmas photos would be complete without Denver’s City and County Building.

A lighting tradition in Denver.

A lighting tradition in Denver.

We hope you are enjoying Christmas decorations near you.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

We like the Christmas season.

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Georgetown, Colorado with Zeb and Eider Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, and my Alaska cousin, Eider Duck, visited Georgetown, Colorado.

Georgetown, Colorado was an old mining town.

Georgetown, Colorado was an old mining town.

We did not have any snow in our neighborhood near Denver, so we drove to Georgetown to find some.  First stop is the Georgetown Visitor’s Center.

The Visitor Center has great information and a small museum.

The Visitor Center has great information and a small museum.

It was starting to snow in Georgetown, so our photos are missing the bright sunshine and our Colorado blue skies.   But we loved the misty mountains and the light falling snow.   The park in Georgetown has a pretty gazebo and it had evergreen branches for Christmas decorations.

In the park in Georgetown, Colorado

In the park in Georgetown, Colorado

On the main street, this archway leads to a small area with seats.

Misty mountains are pretty

Misty mountains are pretty

The tall tree by the outdoor café was decorated.

Didn't even want hot chocolate out here today. But it is pretty.

Didn’t even want hot chocolate out here today. But it is pretty.

It was too cool today for us to sit outdoors and enjoy refreshments.   Looking down the main street, we liked the Christmas decorations over the street and

Looking down main street at mountains

Looking down main street at mountains

especially liked this view of the mountains, slightly obscured by swirling snow and light fog.   This tree with lights seemed festive to us.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We really like that Georgetown does not cut trees to decorate.   The lights and decorations are placed on growing trees.  We enjoy these trees all year long.   Eider and Zeb liked sitting on these logs.

These logs seemed inviting to ducks.

These logs seemed inviting to ducks.

Georgetown is a nice town located at an altitude of 8,530 feet in the mountains.  It is a nice drive on I-70, about 45 minutes west of Denver.

You will enjoy visiting Georgetown, Colorado.

You will enjoy visiting Georgetown, Colorado.

We will be back here soon.

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Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with Zeb and Eider Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, and my Alaska cousin, Eider Duck went to Estes Park, Colorado.

We love Estes Park, Colorado

We love Estes Park, Colorado

We love Estes Park.  We wandered around town; bought the best taffy at the original Taffy Shop and then our favorite creamy fudge at Laura’s Fudge Shop.  Yum!!

There is some ice on the river now.

Ice means winter is coming

Ice means winter is coming

Christmas will soon be here, and we saw these Christmas decorations.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

The bear with the Christmas hat made us smile.

Everybody is getting the Christmas spirit

Everybody is getting the Christmas spirit

Things are getting so festive.  We saw this snowman and snow woman.

Our new friends

Our new friends

We liked them and they liked us.

Then we drove to Rocky Mountain National Park.

This is one of our favorite parks

This is one of our favorite parks

The park will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015.  This park is beautiful.

So many beautiful views

So many beautiful views

We drove as far as we could on Trail Ridge Road.  It is closed part way up the mountain for winter.  The road is not maintained during the winter.  There was snow here.  The wind was pretty strong also and that makes everything feel cold.  The snow was really swirling around the mountain peaks.

Snow swirling around the mountain peaks.

Snow swirling around the mountain peaks.

Near Bear Lake we got out to sit on this snow bank.

Humans, don't forget us!

Humans, don’t forget us!

It is pretty, but snow is cold for small ducks.

This deer was watching us, just as we liked to watch her.

Isn't she beautiful?

Isn’t she beautiful?

We watched this bird for a while;

We like this bird.

We like this bird.

we like seeing so many animals in the National Park.   And the elk was so close to the road.

Even elks want a snack.

Even elks want a snack.

He is a gorgeous animal.  His huge horns makes him so majestic.  We love to see the elk here.  Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are always beautiful, but they are really special in the winter with snow and the feel of Christmas in the air.  We hope you are enjoying the winter and anticipating Christmas also.

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Zeb the Duck goes to Denver International Airport

I, Zeb the Duck, went to the airport.   My Alaska cousin, Eider Duck, flew from Fairbanks, Alaska to Denver.  Eider is going to visit me for a few days.   I can’t wait to see my cousin!

Mom and I drove to DIA (that’s Denver International Airport).  Driving on the airport property, we saw this big blue horse.

Big Blue Horse at Denver International Airport

Big Blue Horse at Denver International Airport

Many people all over the world have seen and remember this horse.  Eider’s flight was late, so mom and I explored a little.  We were not flying anywhere, so we could not pass through security to enter other parts of the airport.   We saw this statue in an area for arriving passengers.

A pioneer in aviation

A pioneer in aviation

He is Captain Elrey B. Jeppeson, an aviation pioneer.   Denver has lots of art in the airport.  These are some of the paintings near the baggage area.

Points of interest in the United States

Points of interest in the United States

 

Mural near the baggage area

Mural near the baggage area by Leo Tanguma

Also by Leo Tanguma, October 1995

Also by Leo Tanguma, October 1995

Denver will have a hotel in the airport in 2015.

Denver will have an airport hotel

Denver will have an airport hotel

This will be convenient for travelers and for conventions.  I, Zeb the Duck, have stayed at the airport hotel in Miami International Airport.   I liked it and am looking forward to Denver having an airport hotel.

Denver’s airport has many stores and restaurants, as most airports do.   But this is probably only in Denver’s airport.

Relax at Denver's airport while waiting for your flight

Relax at Denver’s airport while waiting for your flight

This market place has many interesting and tasty things.

So much to see and taste here.

So much to see and taste here.

It really is a nice place to spend time waiting for a flight.

Near line for security check

Near line for security check

You may have heard many rumors and strange information about the construction of this airport, but we are ducks, and ducks don’t do drama, so we have nothing to say about that aspect.

La Memoria de la Tierra or Our Land has Memories by Judith Baca

La Memoria de la Tierra or Our Land has Memories by Judith Baca

My cousin, Eider’s plane has arrived and Eider and human are getting luggage. We will have more to tell you about our time with Eider in the future. I want to see my cousin now.

Welcome to Denver, Eider

Welcome to Denver, Eider