Scarecrows in Colorado with Zeb the Duck

A warm, sunny day, but Olde Town Arvada, Colorado was full of scarecrows.

Scarecrow

I, Zeb the Duck, am sitting on the head of a scarecrow.   There seems to be several scarecrows in the plaza.   And no crows.

Scarecrow

Here is another one.   Arvada Plaza is near the library and signs say the library also has a scarecrow.    Let’s go see it.

Scarecrow with Zeb and crows

Oh, this scarecrow is reading a book, and the crows want to hear the story.  I am on one shoulder and a crow is on the other.   Another crow on the back rim of the hat.   But the crows are friendly.   Perhaps they are trying to understand those shoes.   The humans get to vote here, for their favorite scarecrow.

Vote here

The ladies in the booth said ducks cannot vote.   Darn.   Small humans enter the cone maze here.

Enter Cone Maze

They follow the yellow tape and seem to be having fun.

Cone maze

Oh, if only I could be a human sometimes.   The Arvada Fire Department had a booth here also.

Arvada Fire Department

So many options for humans here.

Many choices

And more.

Painted pumpkins

I love these painted pumpkins.   Humans, large and small, can ride the hay wagon.

Ride on the hay wagon

Humans sit on bales of hay and a tractor pulls the wagon through the streets of Olde Town Arvada.   All this activity makes humans, and ducks, hungry.   This great food truck is from Steuben’s Restaurant.

Steuben’s Food Truck

Steuben’s has a restaurant in Olde Arvada.   Very tasty.   But, my very favorite festival food is here.

Kettle Corn

I love kettle corn.   Of course we bought some.   Across from Olde Town Arvada Plaza, this church, with scarecrow, hay and apple cider, is ready for autumn.

Lounging on bale of hay

Last Saturday, the weather was warm, in the 60’s, sunny and a perfect day for a festival.   The next day, Sunday, the temperature was in the teens and low 20’s with snow all day.   Monday was sunny again and all the snow melted.   That is just how the weather is in Colorado.   Many seasons in a week, and we love it.   We are happy that the 22nd Festival of Scarecrows was here on the warm sunny day.

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Zeb the Duck Visits Clive Cussler’s Automobile Museum

Clive Cussler writes great books, and he owns great cars.   At one time in his life, Clive Cussler, lived in Arvada, Colorado, near Denver.   Mr. Cussler collects and restores classic cars.   At any time,  60-70 of his cars are on display in his museum, near Denver.  Mom and a friend recently accompanied me to the museum.

Entrance to Clive Cusler Automobile Museum

I really liked the first car we saw as we entered.

First car as we entered. 1956 Continental

This 1956 Continental is gorgeous, and huge.

Says it all

Each automobile has a sign to explain the history of the car.   I decided to just show you the sign rather than paraphrase the information.   Look at this bright pink car.

I love this car

This is a 1936 Ford Cabriole Hot Rod.   Mr. Cussler often has a character in his book, Dirk Pitt, drive a car like he owns.

Featured in Atlantis Found

This Cabriole was featured in Atlantis Found.   And this bright red 1953 Allard J2X.

1953 Allard J2X

The 1953 Allard J2X was featured in his book, Shock Wave.

Featured in his book, Shock Wave

This Pierce Arrow was a surprise.

1937 Pierce Arrow Travelodge Trailer

This is a 1937 Pierce Arrow Travelodge Trailer.

Who knew?

And we thought motor homes were relatively new.  This orange car caught my attention.

1929 Duesenberg Model J-140

This 1929 Duesenberg Model J-140 was featured in his book, Flood Tide.   In the 1970s Mattel Toy Company patterned one of its famous “Hot Wheels” on this model.   What is this?   A boat in a car museum?   Of course.

Clive Cussler loves to recover shipwrecks

Clive Cussler has interests beyond writing and cars.   He loves to locate shipwrecks.   With this boat he helped find the H.I. Hunley, a Confederate submarine, the first submarine to ever sink a ship.   This happened during the United States Civil War in 1864.

Numa Survey

NUMA Survey is one of his boats.   You have noticed the popularity of the new electric cars.   But, maybe not really so new.

Detroit Electric Model 97

Here is a 1931 Detroit Electric Model 97.

Did you know this?

Wooden wheels?   Really?

Wooden wheel on 1931 Detroit Electric Model 97

Yes, really.   Here is a photo of the wooden wheel on this 1931 Detroit Electric Model 97.   When you are near Denver, you really would enjoy this museum.   However, it is only opened in the summer.  Check http://www.CusslerMuseum.com for more information.   There is a motorcycle in here.   And so many more cars.   And they are not only clean and shiney, there is not a flake of dust near these cars.   We hope  you visit soon.

Zeb the Duck Brings a Bit of Olde Town Arvada home

I, Zeb the Duck, couldn’t omit these last few things from my Olde Town Arvada tour.   Arvada’s flour mill, constructed from 1925-1926, operated until 1960.

Arvada’s Old Flour Mill

Wheat was grown in the area, so a flour mill was needed.   There are 4 levels here, some for offices, some for equipment, some for processing and bagging flour.   Our flour mill could process 250 pounds of wheat per hour.   That’s a lot of flour.   As the area grew, the railroad and trolley carried people into Denver.   Agriculture thrived also.   Now, the area is still growing.   The train goes through Arvada.   Passengers can take the bus to Denver, and soon we will be able to take the Light Rail into Denver and beyond.

Light rail station for Olde Town Arvada. Agriculture equipment behind sign

There is a little technical problem with the light rail trains and the train gates that come down to stop traffic.   Our light rail line in not operational yet, but they say soon….  The sign is up, the tracks are ready, and there is farm equipment here also.   We ducks like that Arvada is proud of its past and keeps the history.

Light rail, train, farm equipment and flour mill

Our flour mill and agriculture equipment remind us of farming times.   Now that we have all that flour, what should we do with it?   Well, let’s look around Olde Town Arvada and look for something that used flour.   My favorite, the Rheinlander Bakery.

Rheinländer German Bakery

This is a German bakery.   This bakery has been open at this same location since 1963.  It is really good to stay in business that long.   Let’s see what is available today.

They have so many items

So many things to see and taste.   It sure smells good in here.   Today we wanted some of their delicious strudel.

We want the famous strudel

Look at all these strudels.  So hard to decide.   Let’s look closer.

So many types of strudel.

Now we can buy strudel, their signature and most popular item, by the slice.   I couldn’t decide, so here I am at home, with two slices of Olde Town Arvada.

I, Zeb the Duck, with a slice (or two) of Olde Town Arvada at home.

They are both warm, flaky and so full of fruit.   One with cherries and another with apples.  The added sweet touch on the top.   Ahhh  Tastes heavenly.   There are so many more things to see and do in Olde Town Arvada.   The florist shop makes beautiful arrangements.   But if you want the flowers to last, there is another shop that sells only artificial flowers and plants.   They look so real.   The flowers in the vases even have fake water.   It is a great shop, but no photos are allowed inside.   I really hope you take some time this spring or summer to wander around Olde Town Arvada.   The consignments stores are fun.   The antique shops are fascinating and we love the used book store.   And so many small, independently owned restaurants have delicious food.   Next time we will take you on a far away adventure.   We needed our passports, so stop by in a few days and share our latest adventure.

Horses in and Around Denver

Colorado became a state in 1876.   At that time most people traveled by horse.   Today, many people in Colorado own horses.   Every January Denver hosts the National Western Stock Show.  The rodeos at the National Western are among the largest in the country.   We have horse carriages on our pedestrian mall in Denver.   But, we have many statues of horses that just don’t look like the horses I usually see.   Mom says this is artistic interpretation.   What do you think?   This horse statue is in west Arvada, near a beautiful, new housing community.

Horse across from beautiful new housing community

Horse across from beautiful new housing community

What is in its mouth?  And what is it wearing?  Horse shoes or horse boots?  In western Colorado, in the town of Rifle, this statue resembles a horse, but what is the horse standing on?

Balancing horse in Rifle, Colorado

Balancing horse in Rifle, Colorado

Rifle is a great western town.   I like Rifle.   West of Denver and south of Boulder, is the town of Eldorado Springs.   This horse was outside a sculpture studio.

Horse sculptured in Eldorado Springs, Colorado

Horse sculptured in Eldorado Springs, Colorado

Denver encourages public art.   This horse is on the corner with a Wal Mart.

Horse with fancy feet.

Horse with fancy feet.

The prancing horse, created in 2008 by Jim Dolan, is called Montana.   In downtown Denver, the main Denver Public Library is in the Denver Art Museum complex.   Here we have a small horse standing on a big chair in front of the Denver Public Library.

Small horse on big chair

Small horse on big chair

One of Denver’s more famous horse sculpture in at Denver International Airport.   This well known sculpture is also famous for killing its creator.

Blue Horse at Denver International Airport

Blue Horse at Denver International Airport

During the creation, the horse fell and did kill the artist.   The artist’s son finished the blue horse.

Red eyes on blue horse at Denver International Airport

Red eyes on blue horse at Denver International Airport

These red eyes on the horse really are noticeable as night approaches.   Perhaps our most famous, and most loved horse is the white bronco on the stadium where our Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos play football.

The Broncos play here

The Broncos play here

The people of Colorado do love the Denver Broncos football team, and our horse, Bucky.

Bucky. Mom did not take this photo.

Bucky. Mom did not take this photo.

Bucky was moved to his traditional place of honor when a new stadium was built over 20 years ago.   There are many statues with horses in Colorado and in fairness, we wanted to show you some of the more unusual.   But we love our state and our many horses.

Sculpture in the Field

Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck stopped at the Arvada Center in Arvada, Colorado.

Unbound  Sculpture in the Field

Unbound Sculpture in the Field

We walked on paths through the field near Denver looking at sculptures.  Local artists did several of these works and many are for sale.  We want to show you some of what we saw.

Big Love by Vanessa Clarke

Big Love by Vanessa Clarke

Big Love by Vanessa Clarke

Tactile Visual Continuum in cast and fabricated aluminum by Bill Vielehr

Tactile Visual Continuum

Tactile Visual Continuum by Bill Vielehr

Also in aluminum by Bill Vielehr is Metal Response

Metal Response by Bill Vielehr

Metal Response by Bill Vielehr

Kevin Robb used stainless steel to create Chop Sticks

Chop Sticks by Kevin Robb

Chop Sticks by Kevin Robb

Tetrahedralhypersphere is from oxidized steel and created by Robert Mangold

By Robert Mangold

Tetrahedralhypershpere by Robert Mangold

Carl Reed used Limestone and steel to create Braced Ring with Outlier

Braced Ring with Outlier by Carl Reed

Braced Ring with Outlier by Carl Reed

 

Untitled was created by Joe Riche.  He used carbon steel, catalyzed paint coating.

Joe Riche's Untitled

Joe Riche’s Untitled

Fractal Echo is made of carved and sandblasted limestone, concrete and steel foundations.  Nancy Lovendahl is the sculptor.

Fractal Echo by Nancy Lovendahl

Fractal Echo by Nancy Lovendahl

Also by Nancy Lovendahl is Spiral Dance.  She used painted standing dead Aspen trees, rebar and wire for this large piece.

Spiral Dance by Nancy Lovendahl

Spiral Dance by Nancy Lovendahl

Andy Miller used copper and steel to create Cocoon.

Cocoon by Andy Miller

Cocoon by Andy Miller

Second Wind by John Ferguson is made from steel.  There are many more sculptures, but this is the last one I will show you today.

Second Wind by John Ferguson

Second Wind by John Ferguson

There are 27 works exhibited here.  Some artists have more than one piece.  We think they are worth looking at and hope you do also.  The sculptures will be on display until September 2015.  You really should see these. For more information visit www.arvadacenter.org

Arvada Harvest Festival

My first parade.  I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck went to the Harvest Festival in Arvada, Colorado on Saturday.  We watched a parade. Not just any parade, but the Arvada Harvest Festival parade is the 2nd longest continuing parade in the State of Colorado.  There were 35,000 to 40,000 spectators and over 7,000 participants.  We watched for over an hour and it was not finished yet.  This is the marching band for Arvada High School.

Arvada High School Marching Band

Arvada High School Marching Band

Many schools participated in the parade. Here are kids on Big Wheels.

Big Wheels

Big Wheels

Many participants gave candy to children and information cards to adults.   This train is great.

A train in the parade

A train in the parade

But no ducks riding today. This young man is in kindergarten.

Our future

Our future

He will be in the high school graduating class of 2027.   The Model A Ford Club has really old cars and

Model A Fords

Model A Fords

they are in really good condition. I liked this tractor.

We love tractors!

We love tractors!

Betsy Ross is sewing the first flag of the United States of America.

Betsy Ross

Betsy Ross

Many military veteran groups were in the parade. This is the U.S. Marines.

U.S. Marines

U.S. Marines

We saw veteran groups, including those with the Purple Heart, the Viet Nam veterans and submarine veterans. We enjoyed the gymnastic groups, the animal clinic, the Arvada hockey group and the martial arts group. Parades are great!

Then we went to the festival. We watched the small humans in the water spheres.

Ducks not allowed in this water

Ducks not allowed in this water

Must be hard to stand up in there. Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo let humans go in the area to pet animals.

They like the hay

They like the hay

Animal food was also available to feed them. Another area had alpacas.

Young alpacas

Young alpacas

They are almost 4 months old and adorable. A military group explained the changes in military equipment from the Civil War to the present.

Changes in military equipment

Changes in military equipment

Mom saw the booth for Palisade Peaches (from Western Colorado orchards). She stopped for pie, but bought an ice cream sundae with warm peach topping. Yummy!

So good with Colorado peaches

So good with Colorado peaches

Look at this girl. She teaches at Rock Star Pole Fitness in Arvada.

Rock Star Pole Fitness

Rock Star Pole Fitness

This looks difficult, but fun! And, this festival was fun, but also educational.

Ready to begin spelling bee

Ready to begin spelling bee

There is a spelling bee. I hope you are enjoying festivals this year.

FESTIVAL OF SCARECROWS

WOW!  I saw so many scarecrows Saturday.  I didn’t even know what a scarecrow was a few days ago.

I am on a scarecrow

I am on a scarecrow

Olde Arvada had scarecrows all over Olde Arvada Square Saturday. IMG_4356 IMG_4359I learned that scarecrows could be placed in fields to scare the crows away from the fields.  The ones I saw were so cute.  Not at all scary.

Guess the crows didn’t think the scarecrows were scary either.  There was a man walking around with a straw hat and a crow on his shoulder.  Here he is judging the pumpkin pie eating contest.

He has a crow on his shoulder

He has a crow on his shoulder

Contestants cannot use hands to eat.  Quite a messy event.

Pumpkins were on the ground, pumpkins were decorated for HalloweenIMG_4365IMG_4381 and there was a contest for best pumpkin dish.  Ducks were not allowed to judge the food.  Too bad.  It all looked delicious.

Gunnysacks were available for races.  This was new to me.  Kids, and parents, stand in a gunnysack and try to run.

Getting a little help

Getting a little help

Looked crazy, but everybody seemed to be having fun.  As I attend more festivals I am sure I will see more of these games.  Remember, I was only born this summer.

A tractor pulled a hay wagon and the kids and parents could ride on the hay wagon.

This looks fun

This looks fun

We even saw a few alpacas.  The alpacas, similar to llamas, were adorable.  A mom and a young alpaca posed for pictures.

Baby alpaca watching me

Baby alpaca watching me

Mom alpaca had her head in straw

Mom alpaca had her head in straw

They sure have long necks.

Alpaca.  Long neck and so sweet

Alpaca. Long neck and so sweet

Lots of booths at the festival.  Many selling souvenirs and many selling food and beverages.  The pulled pork sure smelled good.  They had mom’s favorite kettle corn booth.  I enjoyed it also.

Barney the Dinosaur

The parade begins

The parade begins

led the parade of children (and adults) in costumes.

I love butterflies

I love butterflies

This was so much fun.  So many costumes.  Mom said this was for Halloween.  I have never experienced Halloween, but I am looking forward to it.  I hope you were there Saturday.  It was a great annual festival.

Festival of Scarecrows

Festival of Scarecrows