Golden

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Dogs in Costume Go On Parade

I, Zeb the Duck, went to Toby’s Pet Parade and Fair.   This pet fair is a fundraiser for Foothills Animal Shelter.   We love animals.   We love parades.   We love fairs.   So here we are, in Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver.

Welcome to Golden, Colorado

There were more than 200 dogs in costume in the parade.   Many more at fair, but not in the parade.   This was cute.

Spot on banking from Credit Union of Denver. Main sponsor of parade and fair

Spot on Banking from Credit Union of Denver, a major sponsor of Toby’s Pet Parade and Fair.   One category in the parade was look like your dog.

Hot dog costumes

We liked the hot dog costumes.   And what is this?

Chia pet dog

Shrub dog?  Of course not.   This is Chia Pet dog.  Adorable.  Need to solve a mystery?

Sherlock Holmes dog

Sherlock Holmes dog is here to help.   Camper dog is ready to go out.

Camping dog

So many people camp in and around the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains.  Another matching costume.

Bee costumes

We love the bright bee attire.   It is autumn in Colorado and hunting season is right around the corner.

Hunting dog

Hunting dog is ready.  Toby, an Australian Shepherd, is Foothill Animal Shelter’s official Mascot.

Toby. Mascot for Foothills Animal Shelter

He was found 3 years ago in bad shape, but recovered and now has a loving, forever home.   Another entry in the look like your dog category.

Look like your dog contestant.

They didn’t win, but they sure got our attention.   We love them.   This dog was not in the parade or any contest.

Not in parade, but loved the lion look

But we loved the grooming and the lion appearance.   Here are some winners from the parade.   In the Macho Dog category.

Winner. Macho dog category

Love the leather.   Biker dog?  Next winner will make most dog owners laugh, and groan.

Winner. Fart Factory

This dog is the Fact Factory.   We like this boy and his dog.

Winner. Look like your dog category

Firemen and winner of look like your dog category.   I, Zeb the Duck, was there enjoying the parade, but I don’t get too close to dogs.   Too many times a dog thought I was one of his toys.   So, I look from a distance.   But this is safe.

Dog treats. We bought some!

We like special dog treats for the dogs in our extended family.   We bought treats with apples in them.   Really sounds good.   Since this was a fund raiser, we did give a donation.   All donations will be doubled by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.   We hope a lot of money was raised for our Foothills Animal Shelter.   We had fun and we think the dogs had fun also.   Maybe we will see you there next year.

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Zeb the Duck Visits the Mountaineering Museum

Too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, too rainy in the spring?   Time to explore the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado.

Let’s go inside

This is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to mountaineering history.   This center opened in February, 2008.    Inside we paid our fee and gazed at the many displays before us.

So much to see here

Maybe start with this climber.

Mountain climbing

Then to this model of Mt. Everest, the portion above 18,000 feet (5,486 meters).

Mt. Everest–the tallest portion

Clean climbing now allows climbers to safely climb without destroying the rock they are ascending.

Clean climbing

A piton hammered into a crack makes a solid anchor, but when a piton is hammered out of the crack, bits of rock are eroded.   In the 1960’s, British climbers began picking up machine nuts by railroad tracks and slotting them into tapering cracks to create rock anchors.   These nuts could be removed from the crack without hammering.   Nuts made specifically for climbing began to catch on in the early 1970’s.   This is called clean climbing.   Did you know that 10% of the Earth’s population inhabits mountain slopes, valleys and plateaus. Many diverse cultures learned to live in isolated and often hostile environments.   Food, work and religion are all partly shaped by mountains.   This is a Prayer Wheel, often found in the Himalayas.

Prayer wheel

Prayer wheels have existed for at least 1,600 years in Tibetan culture.   Prayer wheels are inscribed with the ancient symbols for a mantra, a prayer that is also chanted or whispered.   Some mantras symbolize each of the 84,000 sections of the Buddha’s teachings.     I, Zeb the Duck, like them.   Another exhibit providing glimpses of mountain cultures.

Mountain cultures

This mask is part of a traditional religious garment worn during Mani Rimdu, a festival performed at the Tengboche Buddhist Monastery in Nepal.   It seeks to destroy demons that would harm human life.   How high can humans live?   Remember the higher the elevation, the less oxygen available in the air.   People have lived up to 2 years at 19,500 feet (5,944 meters).   The highest known permanent settlement is a mining town in southern Peru at 16,730 feet (5,100 meters).   The 10th Mountain Division was very important during World War II.

The 10th Mountain Division.  So important in World War II

A peek at life in the 10th Mountain Division

10th Mountain Division

These men were excellent skiers and excellent soldiers.   As the above sign said, many returned to the Colorado mountains and were vital to the today’s ski industry.   Present day climbers are conquering sheer rock walls such as this.

Climbing a very steep rock wall

We ducks know that you humans are very curious, so we will tell you.

You wanted to know this

Now about that sleeping…

Satisfying human curiosity

I, Zeb the Duck, am fascinated by these climbers, but I don’t want to try it.   Remember, the higher the altitude, the colder the temperatures.   There is an average decrease of 3.5 degrees F for ever 1,000 feet.  Or decrease of 6.5 degrees C for every 1,000 meters of elevation that you climb.   I am almost embarrassed to say that I like to be warm and I enjoy my comforts.   How about you?  For more information about the Mountaineering Center, visit http://www.MountaineeringMuseum.org

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Golden History Museum with Zeb the Duck

Today is not a sunny day, so we are going inside to explore.   I, Zeb the Duck, arrive at the Golden (Colorado) History Museum.

Let's visit the Golden History Museum

Let’s visit the Golden History Museum

Golden is a town a little west of Denver, between Denver and the Rocky Mountains.   Let’s go inside and learn more about the city and early residents of Golden, Colorado.    First I wander around the section featuring innovators from Golden.   Spyderco, a Golden based company produces knives in 5 countries.

Spyderco knives of Golden, Colorado

Spyderco knives of Golden, Colorado

They produce 6,000 knives per month.   All the US knives are made in Golden, Colorado.   In 1970 Sal and Gail Glesser patented a triangular ceramic knife sharpener.   Soon they were making knives.   Their major innovations include, the trademark round hole, the pocket clip and a serrated folding blade.   Epilog Laser has called Golden home since 1993.   They are one of only 4 companies in the world to produce low wattage CO2 lasers.   Epilog designed these skateboard decks.

Epilog Laser laser cut these snowboard decks

Epilog Laser laser cut these snowboard decks

Boppy Pillow, since 1989 has manufactured this feeding and infant support pillow.   American Baby magazine gave its “Best of the Year” award to Boppy Pillow.

Boppy Pillows and Kong pet toys

Boppy Pillows and Kong pet toys

Kong, a pet toy company was founded in 1976 in Golden.   Joe Markham was inspired by his dog when the dog chewed on a rubber hose from a car he was repairing.   Joe noticed the dog enjoyed chewing on the strong rubber and Kong was started.   Mountainsmith manufactures a Frostfire line of backpacks.

Mountainsmith

Mountainsmith

Patrick Smith, the founder, also produces a Kifaru line of outdoor equipment.   Smith’s first commercial product, an Expedition Sled is still available through the Kifaru line.

Expedition Sled

Expedition Sled

In 1858, David K. Wall, bringing a wagon full of seed from Indiana, became Golden’s first permanent resident.  Other Golden residents were those seeking their fortunes in mining camps.  Within a week, David Wall, had plowed and planted 2 acres.   David dug ditches to divert water from Clear Creek and used this hand held steel seed planter.

Hand held steel seed planter

Hand held steel seed planter

Soon he was making his fortune selling fresh vegetables to the miners.   However, when Golden, Colorado innovative companies are mentioned, Coors Brewery is a real leader.   In the 1950s Coors knew beer cans needed to be redesigned.   The steel cans gave the beer a metallic taste.   The 3 piece cans tended to leak.   Beer needed to be pasteurized to kill bacteria.  And steel cans were too expensive.   Beer cans were Coors biggest single expense.   Soon Coors designed and produced a 2 piece aluminum can.

2 piece aluminum cans, developed by Coors

2 piece aluminum cans, developed by Coors

The new 2 piece aluminum can was lighter, sturdier, and recyclable.   In 1970 Coors started “Cash for Cans” recycling program.   Coors Porcelain, a division of Coors Brewery, produced pottery.

Coors Porcelain

Coors Porcelain

From 1934-1942, they also produced the most popular dinnerware of the time, known as Cook N Serve.

Cook N Serve Dinnerware produced by Coors Porcelain

Cook N Serve Dinnerware produced by Coors Porcelain

This large pink item was developed for the US Military.

Missile Cone by Coors Porcelain, now Coors Tek

Missile Cone by Coors Porcelain, now Coors Tek

It is a missile nose cone which carried complex electronic equipment that guided the missile to the target during the Cold War, after World War II.   Coors also produced porcelain for body armor and items for the US Space Program.   Coors Porcelain is now called Coors Tek.   In 1916 Colorado banned the sale of alcoholic beverages, 4 years before the official Federal Prohibition Laws.   To survive, the company produced a non alcoholic beer and also adjusted the brewing production lines to produce malted milk.

Malted Milk sold to Mars Candy Company

Malted Milk sold to Mars Candy Company

By 1925 Coors was the main supplier of malted milk to Mars Candy Company.   Mars makes Milky Way, Snickers, and other candy bars.  Another part of Golden History Museum showed me items previously used in Golden.   J. J. Thomas Blvd honored a former Golden resident when he won a bronze medal for half pipe snowboarding during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.   Golden’s main street was renamed for his weekend homecoming.

Honoring J J Thomas and stove from Golden Waffle Inn

Honoring J J Thomas and stove from Golden Waffle Inn

This Hotpoint electric stove was used at the Golden Waffle Inn, which opened in 1927.   Golden Waffle Inn was famous for its fried chicken and waffles.   In 1869, you could get a shave, a haircut and a hot bath at the barbershop.

Bath tub and quilt from late 1880s

Bath tub and quilt from late 1880s

Above the tub is a hand made quilt presented to Seth Lake, deacon of the First Baptist Church. Here is a Western Saddle, probably used by a child or teen in Golden in the 1890s.

Western saddle

Western saddle

This Rockwell Clay Mine Ore Cart was donated when the last clay mine closed in 1910.

Rockwell Clay Mine Ore Cart

Rockwell Clay Mine Ore Cart

There was so much more to see at the Golden History Museum.   On an indoor day, we suggest that you visit a nearby museum.   There is so much to see and so much to learn.   We liked it a lot.

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Buffalo Bill is in Colorado’s Lookout Mountain

Buffalo Bill Cody loved Colorado.   He especially love the view from the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.    Let’s go the the top of Lookout Mountain.

Buffalo Bills Museum and Grave

Buffalo Bills Museum and Grave

Buffalo Bill told his wife Louisa, daughter Irma and foster son, Johnny Baker that he wanted to be buried up here.

Final resting place for Buffalo Bill Cody

Final resting place for Buffalo Bill Cody

When he died in 1917, he was buried here.   Later his wife joined him in this final place.

Bill and Louisa rest here

Bill and Louisa rest here

This is a popular area to visit, so the bars protecting the graves are necessary.   Along the path to the graves, this buffalo greets the visitors.

This buffalo is watching

This buffalo is watching

Here is the museum honoring Buffalo Bill and the Old West.

Come this way to visit the mseum

Come this way to visit the museum

As you enter, you are greeted by these early Colorado residents.

Welcoming committee

Welcoming committee

Since this is a popular place for tourists, and locals, you can have your head on Buffalo Bill’s body.   We three Colorado Traveling Ducks all sat on his body.

Three duck heads for Buffalo Bill

Three duck heads for Buffalo Bill

Why did Buffalo Bill love Lookout Mountain?

Beautiful from the top

Beautiful from the top

This view explains a lot.   Looking down to the city of Golden, you will see Coors Brewery.   This brewery, started by Joseph Coors has been famous in Colorado and all over the United States.

Coors Brewery of Golden, Colorado

Coors Brewery of Golden, Colorado

Now Coors has merged with Molson Canadian and Millers Brewery of Wisconsin, but still the original Coors beer formula can only be brewed here in Golden, Colorado.   This beer is made with pure Rocky Mountain Spring Water, that is only found here.   Other Coors beer can be brewed at other locations, but not the original Coors.   Pahaska Tepee is the gift shop here.

Pahaska Tepee

Pahaska Tepee

Pahaska means ‘long hair” and that was the Lakota nickname for Buffalo Bill.   All good gift shops also have snacks.   The fudge here is so smooth and creamy.   Mom and I prefer chocolate pecan, and Soapy Smith and JB Duck prefer chocolate peanut butter.   And, we all love mint chocolate chip ice cream.

So Good

So Good

Such yummy treats.   Well, now we will head down from Lookout Mountain.

Time to head home

Time to head home

We need to go home to cut the grass.

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Zeb the Ducks visits the Colorado Railroad Museum

I, Zeb the Duck, went with mom and a friend to Golden, Colorado.   We went to the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Welcome to the Railroad Museum

Welcome to the Railroad Museum

This is a great museum.   There are lots of things to see and do inside and so many trains outside.   I like train engines.

Zeb is on a train engine!

Zeb is on a train engine!

This is a big engine.   Now let’s go to the kitchen.

Riding trains makes me hungry.

Riding trains makes me hungry.

An special car is needed to prepare the food.   Nice stove,

Can cook lots of food

Can cook lots of food

but don’t turn it on now!    Where should I sleep?   Here is the bunk car.

It would be fun to sleep on a moving train

It would be fun to sleep on a moving train

I like it!    Number 191 is the oldest preserved steam locomotive in Colorado.

191. Large steam locomotive

191. Large steam locomotive

Trains really are a lot bigger than ducks.   What is this?

Truck or train? With a goose?

Truck or train? With a goose?

One of the Galloping Goose trains from the Rio Grande Southern.   A little like a truck and a little like a train.   Very nice.  Here is a park on the museum grounds.

Very nice park

Very nice park

It even has a miniature train.   Moving along to see more train cars, here is the car for the US. Mail.

The mail must go through

The mail must go through

Mail was sorted as the train moved across the country.

Sorting mail quickly

Sorting mail quickly

It needed to be ready to deliver at the next town.   Remember that Colorado has mountains and mountains have snow.

Must keep the train tracks clear of snow drifts

Must keep the train tracks clear of snow drifts

This is a snow fighter.   This rotary plow is similar to a giant snowblower.   You can learn more about this museum at http://www.ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org    You will enjoy a visit to this museum.   I really liked it.

So many trains here. I love it

So many trains here. I love it

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Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum with Zeb the Duck

I, Zeb the Duck, went with mom and her friend to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, Colorado.

Quilt Museum

Quilt Museum

The third biennial quilt challenge took place here and many of the competing quilts were on display.  This quilt, titled Change Begins with a Dream: The Flight of the Magical Lawn Chair won first place.

First place by Bobbi Baugh

First place by Bobbi Baugh

Bobbi Baugh of Deland, Florida, made the quilt.   Second place was awarded to Living Fossils I by Charlotte Bird, of San Diego, California.

Second place by Charlotte Bird

Second place by Charlotte Bird

Charlotte says time, process and change are persistent themes in her work. The third place winner was Amani by Barbara Yates Beasley of Boulder, Colorado.

Third place by Barbara Yates Beasley

Third place by Barbara Yates Beasley

Barbara loves animals and asks, Is this cheetah thinking of dinner?   We liked these other quilts, also.  This is named Tail Feathers.

Tail Feathers by Marcia DeCamp

Tail Feathers by Marcia DeCamp

It represents the bright and layered hues of Pan-American birds against a dark blue sky.   Velvet Shadows was another entry in the contest.

Velvet Shadows by Marianne Williamson

Velvet Shadows by Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson of Miami, Florida created this quilt. She says: “I dyed, discharged, and painted silk, velvet, and cotton for texture so that the shadows on the rocky hill would come alive.”

The quilt museum has a private collection. These older quilts, from the museum’s collection, were on display.   All of these older quilts were hand made.  Many of the newer quilts are sewn on machines.   This is called Kansas Sunflower from 1935.

Kansas Sunflower

Kansas Sunflower

The Kansas Sunflower and other dahlia-style patterns have retained their popularity from the early 1930’s through today, especially in the Midwest. This is New York Beauty from 1896.

New York Beauty

New York Beauty

This quilt shows the work of more than one hand.   The quilters signed their work in the lower portion of this quilt.   We also like Nineteenth Century Tulip from 1897.

Nineteenth Century Tulip

Nineteenth Century Tulip by Mildred Johnson

This quilt was completed my Mildred Johnson of Bethel, Ohio. This quilt called Crown of Thorns is from 1880

Crown of Thorns 1880

Crown of Thorns 1880

Information at the time of purchase gave the quilt’s origins as from “Clarksville, TN, Officer’s family, 1880.   This quilt, Turkey Tracks, is from 1927.

Turkey Tracks quilt

Turkey Tracks quilt

The information posted at the museum “In the nineteenth century, the turkey tracks pattern was a traditional one for “freedom quilts,” given to young men on their twenty-first birthdays.   Great care was taken not to call the block by its other name, Wandering Foot—the recipient might spend his life wandering and never settle down.”

 

For more information visit http://www.rmqm.org

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Golden Gate Canyon State Park with Zeb and Soapy

Zeb the Duck here with Soapy Smith Duck.  From Golden, Colorado, we drove with our moms to Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Beautiful mountain park close to Denver

Beautiful mountain park close to Denver

The paved road winds through forests and climbs into the mountains.  Soapy’s mom saw a moose and a couple deer.  This park is so peaceful and relaxing.

We love Colorado

We love Colorado

We stopped at Kriley Pond.  Some people were fishing and others hiked around the lake.  If you look on the right side of Kriley Pond, our distant cousin, a black duck, is swimming.

Black duck is floating on the right side of the lake

Black duck is floating on the right side of the lake

Doesn’t he look happy?

Our next stop was Slough Pond.  Wouldn’t this be a great place for a picnic?

Moms forgot the food

Moms forgot the food

Next time our moms will bring food for us.  The creek was moving pretty fast.

Fast water sounds soothing

Fast water is energizing

We had a lot of snow this winter and the snowmelt combined with recent rain really has this water moving.  Crossing the bridge, you could hike through the forest and mountain.

We love hikes

We love hikes

Golden Gate Canyon State Park has this Red Barn.

A real red barn

A real red barn

You can rent this area for your group.

Decorated for an event

Decorated for an event

Our neighbor, and friend, held a wedding here.

Beautiful wedding

Beautiful wedding

The newly weds look so happy.  The groom is handsome and the bride is beautiful.

We wish them a very happy married life.  We needed one more photo of Colorado’s beautiful mountains as we left the Red Barn.

We love this park

We love this park

You will love Golden Gate Canyon State Park.  When you are in the Denver area, visit this park near Golden.  Our moms say you will feel refreshed and renewed.

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Kayaking in Golden Colorado

Clear Creek runs through Golden, Colorado.  Brave souls kayak on this water.

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

Clear Creek Whitewater Park

In the spring the water, new snowmelt, is very cold and runs fast.

Kayaking area

Kayaking area

We watched these men prepare and enter Clear Creek with kayaks.

Entering the river

Entering the river

As they waited for the rest of the group, these two ventured into the small rapids.

To the rapids

To the rapids

Practicing rolling over, under water, and then returning to an upright position,

Rolling in the kayak

Rolling in the kayak

these men didn’t seem to mind the cold temperatures.  The water and air were fairly cold this late April day, and the wind was also chilling.  I, Zeb the Duck and my human friends, loved watching these kayakers.

Maybe later???

Maybe later???

We did not kayak today.  Maybe we will on a warmer day, but I’m not too sure about this.  If you want to kayak, Golden, Colorado is a beautiful place to start.

 

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Sherpa House with Zeb

I, Zeb the Duck, and my humans visited the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center in Golden, Colorado.

Sherpa House in Golden, Colorado

Sherpa House in Golden, Colorado

This place is a restaurant in a typical Sherpa house decorated, as it would be in Nepal.  The Buddhist prayer wheel is fantastic.

Prayer wheel outside

Prayer wheel outside

This sign explains some of the culture.

About Sherpa life

About Sherpa life

Ler's go inside

Ler’s go inside

We sat on the enclosed patio and sampled the lunch buffet.

Buffet is labeled so we know what we are trying

Buffet is labeled so we know what we are trying

We tried various kinds of chicken.  We also had yak.  I liked all of these.  We tried a spicy stew, and it was very spicy.  Then we ate naan, tasty fried bread.  The Saag, spinach with a little cream sauce, was very good.  Vegetarian lo mien was great also.

Ready to taste our first plate

Ready to taste our first plate

The humans tried and enjoyed almost all that was offered.  They drank lots of Chai tea.  They smiled and it really smelled good.

In warmer weather we could eat outside on this patio.

We eat here when it is warmer

We eat here when it is warmer

It was too cool today.  After eating, many items in the house fascinated the humans.

Shrine room

Shrine room

Information about a beverage

Information about a beverage

Raksi set

Raksi set

Actually, they were interesting to me; I am a curious duck.

You will enjoy the Sherpa House in Golden, Colorado.  After visiting, eating and looking at the items and photographs, you might even want to visit the Himalayas.

Prayer wheel by main door

Prayer wheel by main door

Mom has been there, but I think she should go again and take me.  For more information visit www.ussherpahouse.com  There is so much to see you will love it and maybe want to return many times.

Visit the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center

Visit the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center

Don’t miss this piece of Nepal in Colorado.