I, Zeb the Duck, and Eider Duck visited some of our large feathered friends. They are scared. They think today may be their last day.
Our large feathered friend
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we ducks and our humans hope you enjoy your friends, family and a huge dinner.
Another feathered friend
I, Zeb the Duck, and mom met friends at Vincenza’s Italian Restaurant and Bakery, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Vincenza’s
Lunch was wonderful. All the humans ordered Italian Sausage Sandwiches with a small bowl of minestrone. They loved the food. Two ordered the sandwich with white bread and one ordered wheat bread.
Zeb, Channel and Winnie with lunch
They said the soup was really good and had a little spice, but certainly not overpowering. The sandwiches were big and each human lady took half a sandwich home for a later lunch.
This restaurant was part of the Wheat Ridge Dairy but has been Vincenza’s Bakery for 13 years now. The décor was cute and Italian.
Nice picture
The bread is freshly baked here.
We love fresh bread
It is so good. Mom had friends here, and so did I. My friend, Channel the Bear, was here. I also met a new friend, Winnie the Pooh.
This sounds good
Winnie, Channel and I enjoyed the afternoon a lot.
You will like this restaurant, and as I said, it is also a bakery. Look at this stuff.
Yum
So good. Vincenza’s also caters.
Catering? Great idea
You should try this place. We liked it and we think you will also.
About 40 miles from Denver, in Coal Creek Canyon, is the little town of Pinecliffe.
We visited Pinecliffe, Colorado
I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, stopped there. Our first stop was the Pinecliffe Post Office.
We loved this post office and the post mistress was so nice
We went inside for mom to purchase a sheet of stamps. This post office is great for stamp collectors. Mom looked through the book of available stamps. She had not even seen some of them. We left the post office with much more than on e sheet of stamps. And, I think we will be back. Mom saves some of the sheets, but she likes to use different stamps on the mail we send.
This Union Pacific train came through Pinecliffe.
We love trains. Doesn’t everyone?
Mom thinks we had a relative that worked for the railroad and lived in Pinecliffe. We like trains.
Pinecliffe is a pretty little town in the mountains and South Boulder Creek flows through town. This is a view from the road looking upstream, back to town.
Looking back to Pinecliffe
This is South Boulder Creek flowing away from town toward Denver and Boulder.
South Boulder Creek flowing down the mountain
We liked peaceful Pinecliffe, and we like knowing that a relative lived and worked here many years ago. You would enjoy driving in Coal Creek Canyon and visiting Pinecliffe.
We all know and love the incredible mountain scenery of Colorado. We are familiar with the ski areas and the towns of the Front Range. But, I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, want to show you a little more about western Colorado.
Western Colorado
This week we have shown you the town of Marble, the coal mining towns of Somerset and Bowie and the majestic Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
These photos are random scenes in the same area.
Love these bridges
This part of Colorado has valleys and meadows with mountains and rivers. There are fewer people living here than near Denver and Colorado Springs.
Beautiful valley
Some roads are designated scenic, but all go through beautiful country.
Down any road
When you are in western Colorado, just pick a road and drive. You will not be disappointed.
Today we just wanted to remind you that Colorado really is a beautiful state.
Such clear water in streams
Not just a state with a few beautiful places.
Rivers, mountains and beautiful blue skies
You can tell that Zeb, Soapy and all the Colorado Traveling Ducks love living in Colorado and appreciate all it has to offer.
I couldn’t see the bottom. I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck went to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Western Colorado.
National Parks are always spectacular
We went to the north rim of the canyon. Our first stop was The Narrows.
Ready to check it out
We went right to the edge of the canyon and could not see the bottom.
Not too close to the edge, please
This great slit in the Earth is so narrow that sunlight penetrates to the bottom only at midday.
Wow
We were there late afternoon, so no bottom in sight. This place is sheer rock. Amazing to see, but difficult to photograph.
Takes our breath away
You have to see this park.
Next we stopped at Balanced Rock.
Venturing to the rim again
This stop did have a fenced lookout point.
Still scary for ducks
We could see a little more, but still very steep cliffs, very deep and not much light at the bottom.
What a great canyon
From the fenced lookout point, we did see a little of the Gunnison River.
The mighty Gunnison River
Mom read that the south rim has more pull over places and maybe a better view of the Gunnison River. The National Geographic book, Guide to National Parks says sheer walls of dark gray stone rise more than 2,700 feet above the swift and turbulent Gunnison River to create one of the most dramatic canyons in the country. If you like to hike, there are many trails here. Some go from the rim of the canyon to the river far below. Most of these trails are rated difficult, but we think they would be incredible. We did not hike, but we did walk around parts of the north rim. You may see ravens, golden eagles or peregrine falcons. The park is also home to many wild animals including bear and mule deer.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
You will really appreciate seeing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We hope to see you there soon.
You should see this
Driving through Western Colorado, I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, saw coal mines. We were there, but did not get in any photos. Coal mining is big and we ducks are very small.
Inclines to transport coal in Somerset
Coal mining began in Somerset and Bowie, Colorado in 1902. The mining is underground, but it does not appear that the mines are active now.
The first town we entered was Somerset.
Welcome to Somerset
This is some of what we saw there.
To transport coal
Coal mining has been a major source of employment for people since 1902.
Pile of coal in Somerset, Colorado
Further down the road, we found Bowie. In 1902 the King Mine opened.
Photo from roadside sign on West Elk Loop
This mine was owned and managed by three generations of the Bowie family. We liked this sign, the photo and explanation of coal mining in Colorado. Hope you like it, too.
There is a lot of history here.
Bowie coal inclines
Coal mining employed many people in this area of Colorado. The coal was transported from the mines to other areas of Colorado and the country.
These inclines moved coal from mines to railroad cars to be transported
However the outlook for coal mining here does not look very bright. We hope you visit Somerset and Bowie soon.
Western Colorado’s town of Marble should not be missed.
Entering Marble, Colorado
Leaving highway 133 the road to Marble shows bright homes
Really loved the flowers and this home near Marble
and beautiful Colorado scenery.
Beautiful place to fish but no fishing poles with us.
This area was open for fishing. Continuing on the road to Marble you will see marble blocks
Large pieces of marble
waiting to be carved or used in monuments and buildings.
The Marble Gallery has many marble sculptures outside.
The Marble Gallery has so much stuff
This cat looks ready to hunt.
Tell him we are friendly ducks, not tasty ducks
Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck are a little nervous.
Great detail here
This fish is huge.
Zeb and Soapy could never land a fish of this size
These were the only bears we saw today.
Mom and cub
Marble, Colorado is the home of the Yule Marble Quarry. Marble from this quarry was used to construct the Lincoln Memorial in 1914. Also in Washington DC marble from the Yule Marble Quarry was used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1930.
The Crystal River area provides many outdoor activities during the entire year. The river runs clear and the scenery is unsurpassed.
Beaver Lake but we do not have a canoe
Marble is also home to Beaver Lake where many enjoy non-motorized watercraft activities. Marble is a small town, showing the beauty and outdoor wonders of Colorado. We hope you visit this friendly town soon.
We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, and our humans, wish you all a very Happy Veteran’s Day. This day, November 11, 1918, is recognized as the end of the battles of World War I. This holiday was first called Armistice Day, but President Eisenhower changed it to Veteran’s Day.
We thank all of you that have served or are presently servicing. We appreciate and value your sacrifice to preserve our freedom.
Thank you Veterans
Saturday, November 8, 2014 we went to Denver’s Civic Center Park for a festival. This festival was for American veterans.
Veteran’s Day
The parade was in the morning, followed by the festival. It was fun. We like veterans. They protect the freedom we all enjoy.
We saw military vehicles.
We like it!
This one should not drive on the highway.
This soldier was very nice to us, also
It is a M29C Weasel, from 1944, and built by Studebaker. It was used in World War II. Look at these tires.
This is fabulous
We liked all of these.
The people at Rocky Mountain Honor Flight had a great booth. They accept donations to take veterans, mostly World War II Veterans, to Washington D.C. to see the monuments dedicated to themselves, the American heroes. The veterans do not pay for this trip, and if necessary a Guardian companion is provided for them. This poster shows some veterans in Washington D.C. from prior trips.
Rocky Mountain Honor Flight
For more information about Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, visit www.rockymountainhonorflight.org.
More groups help veterans. We like people helping the veterans that preserve our life style. We saw and heard this band.
Almost cut his hat off
The played while many veterans were eating. Of course, I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, and our moms also wanted to eat. We tried one of the food trucks. Look at these sandwiches.
We love big sandwiches
They were delicious. You may have noticed our new duck relatives. Our moms purchased them from another group that helps veterans.
Meet Candy Cane Duck and Gingerbread Duck
We welcome Gingerbread Duck and Candy Cane Duck to the family.
Saturday was a warm, sunny day for a parade and festival. We hope you had a good weekend and attended a Veteran’s Day activity. Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11, but many cities celebrate the Saturday before the holiday.
We love America
I, Zeb the Duck, and Soapy Smith Duck, were in Fort Morgan. We previously told you about the great park there. Yesterday we showed you the famous Rainbow Arch Bridge. Today let’s look at the museum.
Going to the museum in Fort Morgan, Colorado
The eastern plains of Colorado were populated with Native American Indians.
Life of Native American
This museum has many displays about the Native Americans and the buffalo. Then things changed in 1881 and 1882 when the railroad arrived.
The railroad arrives in Fort Morgan
The Union Pacific and the Burlington Route brought people and supplies to the Fort Morgan area. Soon there were towns and a larger military presence.
More people move to Fort Morgan
The citizens of Fort Morgan and vicinity have always been ready to serve the United States. During World War II, Fort Morgan Municipal airport housed one of the US Army’s Glider Schools. Students learned to handle gliders by utilizing small, single engine aircraft and performed dead stick landings.
Fort Morgan is proud of its military past
Student soldiers from across the nation called Fort Morgan home for the 6-week training period.
Like many small towns, the local drug store and soda fountain were a gathering place for all ages.
We would love this soda fountain
One of those teenagers was Glenn Miller. Glenn Miller was born in Iowa but moved to Fort Morgan with his family. He played left end on the Fort Morgan High School football team. In 1920 Glenn was named Best Left End in Colorado. Glenn is probably the most famous graduate of Fort Morgan High School. Glenn loved music.
Fort Morgan is proud of Glenn Miller
The museum has an area dedicated to Glenn Miller.
Tribute to Glenn Miller
Later The Glenn Miller Orchestra became one of the most popular bands of the big band era. This museum shares a building with the Fort Morgan library. We liked this museum and we think you would like it too. When you are on I-76 Fort Morgan would be a great stop for you.
Colorado Traveling Ducks 