November 2, 2018 by coloradotravelingducks

Cathedral of the Plains in Victoria, Kansas with Zeb the Duck

We are on another road trip. I just love road trips. Driving through Kansas on I-70 we saw a sign for Cathedral of the Plains. So, of course, we had to see it.

Cathedral of the Plains

This church is beautiful, and big. This church is not a seat for a bishop, so it really is not a Cathedral. In February 2014, the church was declared a minor Basilica. The first Basilica in Kansas and the 78th Basicila in the United States. But it is still called Cathedral of the Plains by many people. We liked the carved Bible verses in front of the church.

Scripture

This Basilica is 220 feet long, 110 feet wide with two towers, each 141 feet tall. From the other side, we can see an additional area for church use.

Basilica of the Plains

The exterior of the Basicila is made from native limesone blocks. We admired this exterior, but I want to see the inside.

St. Fidelis Church in Victoria, Kansas

We are getting closer, and mom said we can go inside.

Interior of Cathedral of the Plains

Wow! Isn’t this beautiful? The ceiling is 44 feet above ground.

Altar of Italian marble

This altar is made from Italian marble. Along both sides of the church there are beautiful stained glass windows.

One of many stained glass windows

I love these big windows. The sun shines through the glass in a perfect way. From the altar, let’s look to the doors and the choir loft.

Looking back to choir loft and circular stained glass window

Isn’t that circular window beautiful? Don’t you just love to visit huge, beautiful churches? I do. Construction on this church began in 1908 and was completed in 1911. The community had outgrown three previous churches. The first 23 pioneer families arrived here April 8, 1876. These pioneers were Volga-Germans. As more pioneers arrived, the town flourished and this church was built. Across from the Basilica, we admired this statue, a tribute to the early pioneers.

Tribute to pioneer families

Victoria, Kansas is a small town that is proud of its history. I, Zeb the Duck, hope you visit St. Fidelis Church, commonly known as the Cathedral of the Plains. It is just a few miles from the highway and I think you will love it.

December 19, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider Continue Touring Australia’s Great Ocean Road

Zeb and Eider Duck and the humans loved this view from our hotel, Beacon Point Ocean View Villas near Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia.

First view of the day

Just before we left, we admired this rainbow.

Morning rainbow

Isn’t that a great sight first thing in the morning? Driving to the Great Ocean Road, Fabian spotted this koala.

Koala. This is not his face

He is sleeping with his back toward us. Walking at the marina at Apollo Bay,

Going on this pier

we admired this clear water.

Really clear water here

We also admired the boats.

Love boats

We loved the waves breaking.

Crashing waves are beautiful

Driving on the Great Ocean Road, the views were beautiful. This was from Cape Patton.

Great coastline from Cape Patton

At the next stop, the humans fed colorful tropical birds. Humans were given a handful of bird seed and this King Parrot knew what to do.

Feeding King Parrot

This Crimson Rosella was also happy to have a snack.

Crimson Rosella also having a snack

The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo were eager to get a share also.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos want some also

This King Parrot found a new place to sit.

Found a new place to sit while eating

Along The Great Ocean Road, we saw many of these Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. We love them, but not everyone is a fan of these beautiful birds.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are plentiful. Considered exotic birds in US and farmers pest here.

They have very strong beaks and cause much damage in a farmer’s field. Along the Great Ocean Road, we stopped at Memorial Arch.

Memorial Arch

The Great Ocean Road was begun in 1918 with 3,000 workers, many returning veterans from World War I, and the project was completed in 1932. The road was built with axes and picks; no explosives were used. This statue commemorates the men that built The Great Ocean Road.

Commemorating men who built The Great Ocean Road

Our last stop of the day was the Anglesea Golf Course where we were greeted y this kangaroo.

Is he saying welcome to our golf course?

Several kangaroos were grazing on the edge of the fairways, but this young kangaroo wasn’t interested in grazing.

Mom is still the best!

Mom is still the favorite. We really enjoyed our tour with Australian Natural Treasures Touring, and the Great Ocean Road is breathtaking. Visit them at http://www.anttouring.com.au Thanks Glenn and Jeremy.

December 12, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider Tour Victoria, Australia’s Great Ocean Road

Zeb and Eider and the humans spent the night in Mount Gambier. This is Blue Lake, a dormant volcano.

Blue Lake at Mount Gambier

It is the water supply for Mount Gambier. And it is a very pretty lake. Shortly after crossing into Victoria, we admired this emu.

First emu sighting after crossing into the state of Victoria

Of course, the kangaroos are always a favorite with humans.

Kangaroos

Logan’s Beach seems to be a whale nursery. We did see a Southern Right Whale in the distance, with her young.

Southern Right Whale and baby swimming far in distance

She was too far away for a good photo. We are in Nullawarre and we are going on the Great Ocean Road.

Colorado Traveling Ducks go to The Great Ocean Road

This is Bay of Martyrs.

Bay of Martyrs

Here we are at Shipwreck Coast.

Shipwreck Coast

Shipwwreck Coast is about 130 km and has 638 known shipwrecks. About 240 of these wrecks have been discovered. A very treacherous coastline. This is Australia’s London Bridge.

London Bridge on Great Ocean Road

There used to be a natural bridge connecting these two stone formations.

London Bridge

In January 1990 it collapsed. No one was injured and no one was on the bridge when it collapsed. However, some people were stranded on the island created when the bridge collapsed. They had to be returned to the main side by helicopter. There is a colony of little (or fairy) penguins that live here.

Area for Little Penguins

They fish and feed during the day. They come in at dusk. To protect them there are no stairs to the beach. The little penguins need to be protected. They grow to be about a foot or less in height. The humans saw them at another location in Australia about 10 years ago. They just love the little penguins. Stopping at Port Campbell, mom loved this seagull with her lipstick matching her shoes.

Lady has matching lipstick and shoes

Next stop was the Twelve Apostles National Park.

Twelve Apostles National Park at Port Campbell

Beautiful! But 12?? Not any more, if ever. These limestone formations have been eroded and worn away by the strong ocean currents.

12 Apostles along Great Ocean Road

Following the boardwalk to the left, these two additional sculptures, or apostles, are visible.

Take path by 12 Apostles, to the end

Further down the path, we saw this structure attached to a main rock.

Naturally formed

This is a great road. We loved the ocean on one side, while the farm and pasture land on the other side is also beautiful. This flock of sheep captured mom’s attention.

Sheep grazing along Great Ocean Road

We are still on our tour, so keep reading our blog to see what we experience next. When in Victoria, Australia, don’t miss the Great Ocean Road.

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