Colorado Springs

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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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Garden of the Gods with Zeb and Soapy Duck

This Colorado Springs park boasts beautiful and unusual rock formations.

Natural rock formation

Natural rock formation

Zeb and Soapy Duck explored Garden of the Gods Saturday with our moms. It was great!

Stopping at the Visitors Center, we appreciated the view of some rock formations and a slightly snow covered Pikes Peak in the background. Some remodeling taking place at the Visitors Center, but everything is open and functional. The 15-minute movie, gift shop, restaurant and the most important park rangers and their vast knowledge were appreciated.

Kissing camels???

Kissing camels???

The rock formation at the right of the photo is called kissing camels.  Also, you can see a man ready for the Segway tour. So much to see and do here.

After driving to the rock formations, we wandered through many areas.

Stunning

Stunning

Each formation is equally breathtaking.

Uprooted tree on rock

Uprooted tree on rock

The children of Charles Elliott Perkins gave this park to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909. Mr. Perkins died before completing the transfer of land to the city, but his children honored his wishes.

Thanks to the Perkins family

Thanks to the Perkins family

The Garden of the Gods is to be forever free for all to enjoy.

Garden of the Gods is home to various animals. You may see these birds or different kinds.

He enjoys living at the Garden of the Gods

He enjoys living at the Garden of the Gods

Most of the rock formations are red,

Variety of rocks here

Variety of rocks here

so this white rock was very noticeable. As was the bird watching over the park.

Guardian of Garden of the Gods

Guardian of Garden of the Gods

This young deer was so close to us.

Our new friend

Our new friend

We think he liked us and he will like you, too. We watched deer at a few places among the rock formations.

He likes us!

He likes us!

This park is so beautiful and peaceful that wedding parties come here for pictures.

Congratulations to these happy newlyweds

Congratulations to these happy newlyweds

Several hiking trails cross through the park. You can hike as long as you wish. Many of the trails are paved, so strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. Horse and Segway tours can be arranged. Technical climbs are permitted with a permit.

Technical rock climbers

Technical rock climbers

You will marvel at balanced rock.

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock

The rock looks like it will fall any time, but it has been balancing there for millions of years. Opposite balanced rock this other formation fascinated our moms.

Massive rock

Massive rock

At the nearby Trading Post, enjoy a muffin and browse the art gallery. You will love both. For more information visit www.gardenofgods.com We will look for you next time we visit the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Visit Garden of the Gods

Visit Garden of the Gods

 

 

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Colorado Duck in Rocky Mountain National Park with Zeb in the summer snow

Living near Denver, a day in the mountains is very common and very enjoyable.   My human calls it a mini vacation.  Since she is retired, we have lots of mini vacations.  We drove to Grand Lake, the western entrance to the national park.  Before entering the park, we visited Quackers Gifts.

Quacker Gift Shop Grand Lake, Colorado

Quacker Gift Shop Grand Lake, Colorado

This is a small gift shop dedicated to my kind.  The shop features many rubber ducks, several smaller than I am, but very cute ducks.  Holiday ducks, specialty ducks and even celebrity ducks.  There is a second store in Manitou Springs, near Colorado Springs.  Definitely go to Quackers Gifts if possible, or visit www.quackergiftshop.com

Entering Rocky Mountain National Park at Grand Lake, we followed Trail Ridge Road to Trail Ridge Store and Café at 11,796 feet above sea level.

Trail Ridge Store in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trail Ridge Store in Rocky Mountain National Park

This is the visitor center, but not the highest point on this road.  Trail Ridge is the highest continuous highway in the United States.  You should drive it, in the summer.  Lots of snow falls here in the winter.

I'm in a 5 foot snow bank in Rocky Mountain National Park

I’m in a 5 foot snow bank in Rocky Mountain National Park

My human put me in this snowdrift.  Snow is cold!

Leaving the visitor center, we saw herds of elk lounging on the Alpine landscape.

Herd of elk lounging at 11,000 feet in Rocky Mt National Park

Herd of elk lounging at 11,000 feet in Rocky Mt National Park

We are above tree line here.  Elk like cooler temperatures in summer, so they go to higher elevations.

Beautiful Elk

Beautiful Elk

Cooler it was.  We needed jackets.  Silly elk, I like warm summer days.

There are many hiking trails in the park.  Some are even paved to accommodate many people, and wheel chairs.  The park has lakes, streams, trails, mountain climbing and camping.  There are hiking trails through the Alpine tundra area.  Normally tundra is found in northern Alaska and areas with similar climates.  The scenery and wild animals are picture perfect.

One more majestic elk

One more majestic elk

This park is wonderful for one-day trips or several weeks camping, hiking, fishing and climbing.  We only spent a few hours here, but it is beautiful.  I, Zeb, will return.

Trail Ridge Road took us to Estes Park where my human rushed to the Taffy Shop.

Pulling Taffy in Estes Park, Colorado

Pulling Taffy in Estes Park, Colorado

The shop has this machine to pull taffy.  There are many flavors and the humans love it.  My mom’s favorite is Texas Pecan.

Rocky Mountain National Park is about 2 hours from Denver.  You can enter from either Estes Park or Grand Lake.  Both are beautiful mountain towns.  Each town has shopping, motels, restaurants, hiking trails, rafting, horse rides and each town has a lake.  I love them both and I think you would also.  Visit in summer or winter, but Trail Ridge Road connecting the two towns is closed in the winter.  Way too much snow.  See you in the park soon.