Hello mates, Wilson here. Today is the first Friday of August. There are 51 days until the official arrival of autumn and for those of you who enjoy Halloween, 90 days until the fun day. As always, we’re joining those cute little guys over at Adventures of the LLB Gang. So let’s get right to it, shall we?
Elsa: Hey…what are you doing?
Wilson: Mum asked me if I’d host today since she and I took the pictures last Sunday after you had your walk.
Elsa: Oh yeah, right. Ok, Knock yourself out…I’m going back to sleep. You realize it’s still dark outside right now?
Wilson: Righto…but it needs to get done before it gets too hot and there are a bunch of photos which will take some time to load and make ready. Mum has had a busy week and wasn’t able until today to start working on today’s post. I doubt I’ll be able to get it done before we need to leave for our early morning walk-about but am trying to get started. Wish me luck!
Elsa: 💤 💤💤
Wilson: Umm, looks like she was serious about going back to sleep. Oh well. Let’s get started. Last weekend was the annual Dragon Boat Races. We were busy on Saturday and missed the opening which I understand is a big deal with the event being a huge celebration of Asian culture but we decided to check it out on Sunday morning. I must say, I’ve never seen anything quite like it back in Missouri but being devoted to my Mum, I thought, why not. We arrived as the teams were setting up their tents and stretching to get ready for the race. There weren’t many visitors yet which suited Mum just fine. This event draws over 150,000 visitors over the course of a weekend and it gets pretty congested with people, pets, strollers, etc. The northeast entrance to Sloan’s Lake looked quite promising to my stomach with several food trucks greeting us. I wanted to get a closer look but Mum was didn’t want to dally and kept me moving along. The water stations were ready for {yet} another hot day with sunny conditions so we decided to check out the teams and the rest of the festival.
Wilson: We found the team assembly area and it was abuzz. We wandered around watching people stretch, meet for strategy sessions and pep talks and the taking of their team photos. Mum thought the teams were more numerous and bigger this year.
Wilson: Mum giggled about the team name “Blazing Paddles.” Sometimes I don’t understand her sense of humor but Elsa assured me it was ok. I can only rely on her experience for matters like this.
Elsa: Wha…yawn…did you call me? Is it time for us to go on our walk now?
Wilson: Crikey…I actually am beginning to see a spot of sunlight so right, we best start out. I’ll finish this when I get back.
Wilson: Well, we’re back and I’ll try to get this wrapped up now. As you can tell, it was a bright clear day. The recent weather conditions have contributed to a city wide advisory about blue algae blooms on all lakes. It’s was so bad at Sloan’s Lake, there was even a fish die off.
Elsa: Boy I bet all those million dollar homes surrounding the lake were pretty cheesed off with the smell of rotting fish in the area.
Wilson: Well, can you blame them?
Wilson: Mum wouldn’t let me get near the lake to check things out more closely. Even the cattails were out of bounds. A poor bloke can’t even get a sniff, eh, Mum?
Elsa: Yo House Pony, Mom is just keeping your best interests at heart. Be grateful. You do not want the digestive issues that come from being in contact with that stuff!
Wilson: This year the dock the teams use to get into their boats was segregated from visitors. We couldn’t get very close to inspect the boats.
Wilson: After a bit of strategic positioning, Mum was able to capture this view but that was as close as it got.
Elsa: It bears repeating for the umpteenth time, Mom needs to bring her big camera with her for stuff like that.
Wilson: Now that’s ironic, she said the exact same thing! But carrying it and keeping me from squirrel hunting tends to make her rethink that so we’ll see the next time.
Elsa: I’m just saying…
Wilson: Since we couldn’t get close enough to easily see the start of the first race, we decided to head down toward the finish line. Before we got there, we went toward the boat launch to see that view. Not great, but I did get to see a Cormorant bird take off from the launch.
Elsa: Mom calls those guys the aerial submarines of Sloan’s Lake since they dive into the lake to feed and come up yards away. Hope the birds of Sloan’s Lake aren’t impacted by the algae and fish die-off.
Wilson: Me too. I like watching them fly over the lake. Well here’s the winner of the first heat grabbing the flag. Mum is always amazed how they manage to scramble up to the head of the dragon and extend their body to grab the finish flag first.
Elsa: Can’t help but wonder if anyone falls in while reaching?
Wilson: Wait…what? Why in the world would you even contemplate something like that?
Elsa: Hey, it happens!
Wilson: {dubiously shaking his head} I think, dear sister, you are slightly demented.
Elsa: Hey it’s a reasonable thought. Don’t get all sanctimonious on me Land Hippo!
Wilson: {ignoring the pejorative} Mum learned the theme for this year apparently was the Year of the Wooden Dragon. There was a contest for artists to submit their best depiction. This year’s winner was a student from Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Markiey Fantonial. Formerly a premed student, Markiey couldn’t resist the call to satisfy his creative spirit. From his bio at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival website, Mum found this explanation: “His vision for the contest was a fusion of diverse influences, weaving together the intricate beauty of Asian art, using the iconic imagery of Hokusai’s “Great Wave,” the vibrant energy of anime, and the nostalgic essence of his childhood memories. Each stroke of his design reflects a tapestry of cultural resonance and personal expression, drawing viewers into a world where tradition meets innovation, and imagination knows no bounds.” Pretty striking, huh?
Wilson: As we left the park, we came across the Wooden Boat outrigger which Mum really liked but was disappointed the probably uncovered for the opening ceremonies.
Wilson: We walked past the dragon tunnel and headed back home as temperatures began to soar. Mum would have like to found someone to chat about that outrigger but there wasn’t anyone nearby.
Elsa: Whoa, that’s pretty cool. Thanks, House Pony. You ‘done good’ this week and I appreciate the extra beauty sleep. Before we go, I want to ask everyone to keep all those working the wildfire lines around Denver in their thoughts and prayers. You may have heard in the national news that Sunday was the last day we had clear skies as 4 fires broke out beginning on Monday. With hot, dry temperatures, gusty wind conditions and in some cases, steep terrain, those fires quickly expanded to include thousands of acres with the air quality in the metro area reached very unhealthy levels affecting everyone, not just conditions. The fire southwest of Denver is in an area where rattlesnakes have complicated efforts by keeping boots off the ground. They’re only able to use air tankers and helicopters to fight that one. Overall, one person has perished, a couple of firefighters were injured and numerous structures have been destroyed. Please send positive thoughts for all first responders as they work to contain these fires as Colorado burns. Have a good weekend and keep in mind that nature is quite cranky with us these days.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Quite the ‘Tails you have around the ranch’ ~ great Dragon Boat Festival photos ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laugther and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thanks! Appreciate you swinging by. We always love visitors dropping by and leaving comments
Especially love that dragon tunnel, with the cool wooden dragon picture close behind. That’s so bad and sad about the blue algae and the fish dying. If the fish are contaminated, wouldn’t that mean the birds eating the fish are, too? I sure hope not! Does anyone know what started the fires? Wasn’t it the one in CA that was larson? What the H is wrong with people! Agh! Stay safe, stay cool, and Wilson and Elsa, just keep being your wonderful selves! Amy
Thanks, Amy. That tunnel was something very cool. Glad you liked it as well. As for the algae, I hope most of the birds will avoid the fish, but you never know. Sloan’s Lake has no outlet and right now, it needs oxygen to combat the toxic bloom. Windy conditions would help but right now, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. One of the fires near us was started by an electrocuted bird on a powerline who ignited the grass when he fell. I think one of the California fires was started by a human whose car had a fire and he pushed it into some brush. Haven’t heard any other causes but haven’t kept up with causes-just focused on firefighters and the quickness at how much the 4 fires near Denver have grown in such a short period of time. Fire season is always so scary.
That’s crazy!!
Among other things. 😕
Interesting and fun to see all those dragon boats and the dragon itself! I like it on your header, so colorful!
Sending tons of pawyers and hope for those fires to be contained and knocked out. And for better air to breathe, and cooler temps for everyone. Can’t wait for summer and hot humid conditions to be gone. Then we can start grumbling about the cold and dampness, BOL!
Thanks, guys! I thought that post needed a new header to commemorate the festival. At this point, I’m so ready for snow shoveling! Thanks also for the prayers and good vibes for the firefighters. There has been little containment thus far. Learned just a few minutes ago, one fire was caused by a bird that was electrocuted, fell to the ground and ignited the dry grass. Argh.
Between the fire and the heat, this has been a perfectly horrible storm. It needs water and fall temps, but we still have so much summer left
Stay nice to your brother Elsa and stay gold house pony.
Thanks, our Mom checks the countdown clock everyday…just 50 days, which can’t come soon enough as far as we’re all concerned. We all ‘coo,’ Marco for the record (just not temperature wise-it was 100 again today). 😉 {at least it’s a dry heat}
Hugs to you kids. Enjoy your weekend.
Prayers and positive vibes for everyone affected by the fires! God Bless those first responders (and their families)!!
Great photos! Especially the dragon tunnel – that is cool!!
Many thanks for all the positive vibes-we definitely can use them. Glad you enjoyed the photos from the Dragon Boat festival. I thought that tunnel was the coolest thing and it’s nice to see they keep adding new stuff each year. Have a great weekend.
You have a great weekend too! Hope they get those fires contained SOON! At least we only have the heat to deal with here in Greenville SC!
And most likely humidity, for which you have my sincerest condolences. At least our triple digits are “a dry heat.” 😊
Beautiful photos. Very cool dragon boats. Very sad about the fires. XO
Thanks, Ellen. We love the looks of those Dragon Boats and watching the paddlers work together to get the boats across the finish line. The fire season really took a turn for the worse this week.
A great Denver tradition for sure!
It really is and boy has it grown in the past 20+ years. It become quite a madhouse full of people and pets!
I’m very sorry about the fires in Colorado. It seems the whole west is in flames. I would wear a mask in conditions like that. We have Saharan dust and I need a mask since I’m an asthmatic. Great tour of the dragon boat races. I was quite impressed with Markiey’s design for the poster.
Thank you. Yeah, asthmatics are really struggling…between the high ozones and now the smoke particulates. It was dangerously unhealthy yesterday. Markiey’s design was terrific though there really weren’t any that weren’t impressive. Have a good weekend!
I can imagine. Very talented people around these days.
WOW Wilson, that looks like a great festival🐲Insert a timer in your postie made Granny MOL…she was waiting for something spectaculairs….MOL…Double Pawkisses for a Happy Day to all of you🐾😽💞
Many thanks, kitties. It was really something else. 🧭
Looks like a great festival, with quite the following… but a bummer about the algae bloom. And then the fires, ugh. No wonder you countdown to autumn!
With these high temps, algae blooms are inevitable-it’s just a fact of life, especially this summer. It’s great place to enjoy all the Asian cultures, food and just a great venue to watch people. I’ve been counting down since the first of June. Just in case there was any doubt, I’m not a fan of summer. 🤣
All the fires around are so very sad. Mom loves Jaspar Canada and it is burning up. Meanwhile, here in Minnesota we get another inch of rain every couple days and we are so tired of it! Nothing could burn even if it wanted to. It’s hot and humid too from all the water around. Fall and winter are coming, we hang onto that thought. The dragon boats are cool. Mom loves her good camera but carrying it around is so difficult she ends up using her phone a lot and then hates the pics it takes. Geez, humans make their own lives difficult. Have a good weekend friends!
Canada, Washington State, Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, Colorado and New Mexico…all are experiencing a terrible season. I can’t remember the last time we received any rain and we’re just a wee bit envious of you though I know you’re probably sick of it.We hope you have a great weekend and are able to enjoy some outdoor time in nature without getting drenched.
Such beautiful boats, with bright vivid colors!!
We are keeping those fighting the Denver/Rocky Mountain fires in our prayers.
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Thanks, guys! We appreciate all the pawsitive thoughts. Our Mom loves the Dragon Boat races as well as all the cultural dancers and performers. It’s soooo cool to watch them. Have a great weekend-stay cool!
Stay safe from the evil fires. Hey, those dragon boats are pretty interesting, we all need one!
Thanks, Terry. We’re big fans of the dragon boat races and viewing all the cultural events that are held during the races. It’s great fun. Have a great weekend.
WOWZERS! I wonder if we could have a dragon boat festival here – of course we’d need to find some water somewhere first and that’s in short supply due to our significant drought! We have been praying for the firefighters who are doing their best to hold the line with the horrible fires – All the loss of habitat, homes, animals, people even – it’s heartbreaking and becoming a “regular thing” which is even more frightening. Anyway, thanks for sharing the fab photos. We’re happy Fall is finally falling………just wish it wasn’t still 100 degrees out there!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
Amen on the temps right now. As of yesterday there was no containment on any of the fires and think there’s only 5% on one of them as of this morning. It’s all so unbelievable.
If you ever get a chance to see those dragon boat races, check them out. So much fun!
Thank you. Yes, hard enough to battle a wildfire but to have to avoid getting bitten by a rattlesnake…yeesh! We’re contemplating masking when we do our walks until the air clears up a bit. It’s just gross. We hope you are able to enjoy a lovely weekend.
Those fires…hell for everyone, wildlife and people.
Super header!
Thanks, Helen. You’re always so kind about our headers. Yes, this summer has been something else for fires-across the country. Ugh. And yet there are people who still discount climate change. Hope you, Leo and the thugs have a lovely weekend.
I remember that festival from previous years. Really cool! Love the boats. It’s sad about the fires. I worry about the wildlife (if there is any left).
Thanks, it’s a very cool event to watch (just wish it wasn’t so bloody hot when they hold it!). Yes, wildlife is taking a beating this summer with all the wildfires. We hope you have a good weekend.
we send positive vibes to your country…. and maybe some rain too….. 51 days till fall? wow we have to run now…. and oh … 145 days till christmas… do you have all your gifts?
Thanks for the pawsitive vibes-we can definitely use them. Awk, I can’t even begin to wrap my head around Christmas being 145 days away! Eek.
Prayers indeed for all the first responders. I can’t imagine how awful it is trying to fight the fires. And prayers for all who are breathing (or trying not to breathe) that awful air.