June 16, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Highlands Street Fair in Denver, Colorado

Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to a street fair. Our moms took us to the Highland neighborhood in Denver and we loved it.

We are at the Highlands Street Fair in Denver

The weather was perfect and we want to show you what we saw.

The street was lined with venders,

So many choices

over 150 showing clothing, art and accessories. There was a special section for rides, slides and fun for all ages. Here big kids and adults could safely battle each other.

Fun to battle

Kids could fly high here.

Flying high

The slide looks like fun, too.

We like slides

We had never seen this mechanical bull for all ages before. Looks great!

A bull rider

There were many places to eat.

Funnel cakes and more

You may remember we love funnel cakes. Look at all this food.

Yum!

It looks so pretty and makes us hungry. Drinks in coconuts seem refreshing.

Coconut drinks

We posed for beer photos, but ducks do not drink beer.

More beverages

Flower pots here.

Time to plant

Great for summer flowers. So many colorful bags to admire here.

So colorful

This lady is the artist and she just finished this picture. Wow!

She did this piece of art while we watched!

She could produce this while so many people watched her.

This booth features so many bright paintings.

We love bright colors

You would love all the colors at this street fair.

You could even get an airbrush tattoo today.

Airbrush tattoos Which is your favorite?

The street fair is great for people, but dogs like it here also.

Dogs have fun too

And ducks, of course.

As we walked back to our car, we passed this garden.

Vegetables growing

You would love it here. A great street fair and this is a real neighborhood.

You will enjoy festivals and street fairs this summer. Try to visit some and you will have a great day.

June 14, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Flooding in Winter Park, Colorado

Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck spent a few days in Winter Park, Colorado. You might remember that last summer, Zeb, Soapy, and JB Duck and three generations of humans became a family.

Last year we hiked along the Fraser River. That is where our picture at the top of this page was taken. This year was different. Things had flooded. Winter Park is a ski and snowboard area. They had so much snow this winter. So much fun for skiing, snowboarding and all winter sports.

But, the snow melted and Colorado had a lot of rain. The road to our condo complex was closed,

Water still fast and high

part of it washed out by the flooding. We came in another way, but there was a lot of water damage.

This is the path we always took along the Fraser River. You can see part of the path has washed out.

Part of our path is gone

We could not walk on this part of the trail; the flood water was too fast.

We usually walk through here and stay dry

Here Zeb and Soapy are sitting on sand bags.

Our first sand bags. Very close to our condo

Those trees do not belong in the river, just near it.

We did have fun this year; so do visit Winter Park and Fraser. The water is receding, and all the summer activities will open today or in a few days. You will have a great vacation there, but do be careful near the water. It is high and fast now. Be safe in Winter Park and wherever you go.

Have fun but be careful!

We will go back this summer and we hope to see you there.

June 9, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Mount Evans, Colorado

I, Zeb the Duck, went high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Mom and I drove the highest paved road in North America to the top of Mount Evans. Elevation in the parking lot at the top is 14,130 feet above sea level. That is very high and not so much oxygen in the air. When you go, be careful!

Our first stop on the drive to the top was Summit Lake Park at 12,830 feet.

Still snow in early June

We went a few days ago and the lake was still frozen.

Like a Christmas card in June

It was so pretty.

When we arrived at the top, we saw these Rocky Mountain Sheep.

Love these sheep

My new friends are watching me

Resting

Then we walked up to the former Crest House.

On hand rail of remains of Crest House

When it was built from 1939-1941, it was the highest structure in the world at 14,260 feet above sea level. Mom remembers going there with her parents and drinking hot chocolate. Sadly, in September 1979 a propane explosion destroyed the Crest House. In 1992 the structure was stabilized and is now an observation platform

Nice view of mountain and hikers

and place of contemplation.

It was 44 degrees when we were there, with much snow still on the ground. Driving down the mountain, we were as high as these snow capped mountain peaks.

Seems like we are at the top of the world

We saw this yellowed-bellied marmot enjoying the sun.

Marmot ready for summer

They hibernate during the winter. The climate at the top is alpine tundra, similar to Nome, Alaska. This is the harshest environment that supports life, in the world.

These Mountain Goats enjoy climbing on Mount Evans and we enjoy seeing them.

Mountain goats grazing

We will probably be back here again this summer. Mount Evans is less than an hour from Denver. You will enjoy your day if you visit Mount Evans this summer.

June 6, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Ica and Sacsayhuaman, Peru with JB Duck

More pictures from JB Duck from Peru. JB Duck visited Ica, Peru.

Looking at town from a restaurant

Ica is 300 km south of Lima and is on the edge of the Atacama Desert.

Hot and sandy

This is one the driest climates in the world.

There are sand dunes here. JB’s dad went sand boarding here. He snowboards in Colorado. Sand Boarding?? Wow!

Big sand dunes

JB and his humans traveled around the dunes in a sand buggy.

This Huacachina Oasis is in the middle of the sand dunes.

The Huacachina Oasis

This looks like a place we would all like.

JB and his family also visited Cusco, Peru. These Incan ruins are named Sacsayhuaman. These ruins are on the northern outskirts of Cusco.

The cross at Sacsayhuaman

The huge stones were shaped and put together with human labor.

Built by the Incas

Today, on June 24 the annual Inca Festival of the winter solstice takes place at Sacsayhuaman. Yes, I said winter in June. Cusco, Peru is in the southern hemisphere, so it is winter there now.

JB liked Sacsayhuaman

You would like visiting these places in Peru. JB and his humans are having a great time.

June 2, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Chalk Art Festival in Denver

I, Zeb the Duck, saw so much chalk this weekend.

I was at the Chalk Art Festival in Denver

Mom and I went to Larimer Square in Denver Saturday and Sunday to see chalk art.

Chalk Art

Over 200 artists submitted designs and were chosen for this contest. Saturday, we watched artists work

200 artists at work

and Sunday we returned to view the finished art. This stuff is great. You will be amazed by this art.

Sunday

Saturday

Chalk painting originated in the 16^th century in Italy. Some artists call this a performance art, as they enjoy talking to the spectators.

Saturday

As beautiful as the art is, late Sunday night, a special street sweeper sweeps, or picks up over 175 pounds of chalk and the art is just a memory.

Sunday with Zeb

So much chalk

This chalk is properly disposed of to protect the nearby Cherry Creek. We want to keep Cherry Creek water clean and wildlife safe.

Larimer Square is a great place in Denver. We love the many restaurants, and especially love to eat outside.

We love to eat outside

The small shops have so many things that we don’t see elsewhere. Larimer Square has many festivals, but it is fun just as it is.

At the Chalk Art Festival there were vendors selling wonderful food. The crepes and these huge pieces of candy caught my attention.

So big. Can I have one mom?

Some are giant Rice Krispy Treats.

All from chalk

It was pretty crowded at the festival, so not many photos of me. Also, artists did not appreciate a duck on their art. I was there and I loved it! I hope you go to a chalk art festival near you. You will have a good time.

Sunday. WOW

Saturday. The entire family can participate

Art, refreshments and stage for performers

May 31, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Machu Picchu with JB Duck

JB Duck is in Peru. He went with his dad and mom to South America. JB sent us some pictures from Machu Picchu.

JB and his sister at Machu Picchu in Peru

We love them.

Machu Picchu, high in the Andes Mountains, was built by the Incas. These buildings are made from stone.

Inside stone building at Machu Picchu

Lots of climbing to do at Machu Picchu.

climb to the top JB

I know JB can do it.

These clouds are beautiful at Machu Picchu.

JB at Machu Picchu

JB Duck is held by his mom’s father.

JB with grandpa

We hope to have more pictures and information about Peru soon. Thanks for sending these pictures JB!

May 30, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Boulder Creek Festival

Zeb the Duck, and the rascal Soapy Duck, went to the Boulder Creek Festival in Boulder, Colorado with their moms. We first decided to go for the duck races, but last time we told you about that.

Ducks can be so helpful. Creek to dangerous for duck races

Ducks can be so helpful. Creek too dangerous for duck races

This festival had so much!

This is a great place for kids. These kids are inside plastic bubbles that float on water.

Walking on water in a bubble

Try to walk in there. Looks like so much fun!

Zeb and Soapy were on the kayak.

Kayaking today

This is a big pool. We were in the water also.

And more water fun. Kids could slide down this huge water slide.

Fun for a hot day.

Yes, we did get wet sitting on the edge. And we liked it. Again, we wish we were human.

This train is great. We are on the engine.

We love trains

Kids were smiling and having fun here.

The climbing wall is really tall. We look so small on the ground.

Climb high

Don’t think this is for ducks to climb.

These girls have hula-hoops. And they know how to use them.

Hula-hoops!

The section of the festival with rides had this crazy roller coaster. These humans are upside down.

Roller coaster

Scary for ducks and humans. The assortment of carnival games on the midway was fun.

Carnival fun at Boulder Creek Festival

All these people liked it here also.

Festivals always have so many things to see and buy. This booth has a variety.

Great shopping at festivals

We are sitting on the rack of belts.

Walking and laughing makes our moms hungry and thirsty. We had nachos, funnel cakes, and lots of diet pop. So many food choices at festivals. We hope you visit festivals this summer. The music is so nice and they have a great variety of musicians.

Outdoor festival in Boulder. Great music

We like Colorado festivals, but visit some wherever you are. You will have fun!

Visit a festival this summer

May 28, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Duck Races in Boulder, Colorado

We love duck races. But these duck races were changed to a duck event. The ducks were dropped in a plastic pool, without water.

So many rubber ducks!

Then the ducks were scooped out with a net.

Ready to scoop out some winners

I, Zeb the Duck, went to Boulder with Soapy Smith Duck, his mom and my mom. We had a wonderful day at Boulder Creek Festival.

Quacky, the giant duck, supervised this duck event.

Quacky could be my big brother

Quacky helps get ducks out of the pool to determine the winners.

Ducks can be so helpful

Today about 3,500 sponsored ducks competed for 114 prizes.

After this duck event, the pool was removed, the bands played,

Outdoor festival in Boulder

people danced, and a light drizzle began to fall.

Soapy and I and our moms walked along Boulder Creek Trail

Love the fish

to see Boulder Creek. The duck races were to take place in Boulder Creek, but the creek was too dangerous. We decided to look. Boulder Creek is very high.

Close to capacity

Wow! This water is too rough for ducks or humans to navigate and race.

Only May and much snow in mountains

We remember duck races in Estes Park in May

Swim little cousins. Estes Park early in May

and also duck races in Breckenridge last September. Maybe the next duck races will be in the river again. Rivers are fun, but we need to be safe.

Ducks racing in Blue River. Breckenridge Colorado September 2013

May 26, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Happy Memorial Day from Colorado Traveling Ducks

The Colorado Traveling Ducks and their humans wish all of you a Happy Memorial Day.

We thank all who served to defend and enhance our freedoms and we honor all of those that gave their lives for our freedom and way of life.

Thank you, American heroes.

May 26, 2014 by coloradotravelingducks

Burro Race in Georgetown, Colorado

Saturday I, Zeb the Duck, and mom drove to Georgetown, Colorado for the burro race.

I love Georgetown, Colorado

I never saw burros race before. Today the burro weigh-ins started at 10:00 a.m. and the race began at 11:00 a.m.

Pack burro racing is the only sport indigenous to Colorado.

Welcome to pack burro racing.

The burro and a human runner follow the prescribed path, returning to Georgetown. The runner is not allowed to ride the burro, but leads the burro with a 15 foot rope. The burro carries a pack saddle with 33 pounds of traditional mining gear, including a pick, gold pan, and a shovel.

Proud of his Colorado flag

This burro just finished the mountain part and is coming into Georgetown.

8 miles and looking tired

This year we saw 47 burros and runners in the 10^th annual burro race. You have to see these burros. Here comes another at the finish line.

Running for the finish line

Georgetown’s main street is closed to vehicles. Today the street is filled with burros!

No cars today, just burros

After racing some burros graze in the park.

Hungry burro with a shovel

I think I love burros.

Many people came to watch the burros race, so this was a perfect day for the library to have their book sale.

Book sale in Georgetown

We watched several people walk along the street, carrying their books.

One of the smallest burros won the race.

The winner!!

Burro and runner finished in 1 hour 17 minutes and a little more than 30 seconds.

If you missed this burro race, there will be others in Colorado ‘s mining towns. I hope we get to see more burros. Come to a burro race if you are in Colorado this summer. You will like it!

This burro is better than a lawn mower.

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