Thursday, March 29, 2007

ANGELO'S PIZZA PARLOR

Just a couple of blocks from the take-out of the Pueblo Whitewater Park (east across the Union Avenue bridge) you can find "Angelo's Pizza Parlor And-A-More'". Located at 223 S. Union Avenue Angelo's is home to New York style pizza, pasta and other Italian entrees as well as a good selection of domestic, imported or microbrew beers.

Owners, Richard and Debby Foresta (in the center of the above photo) welcome paddlers, their families and friends to Angelo's and have been very supportive of events in the Pueblo Whitewater Park. Their wood-floored and brick-walled dining room is a relaxed and comfortable environment for a post-paddling pizza.

Angelo's is open Monday through Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm, and 11am-10pm Sundays. This is one of the few businesses along Union Avenue to have Sunday hours. Angelo's doesn't take checks but they do take all major credit cards and of course cash.

Everything at Angelo's is made-to-order with the attention paid to detail that you would expect from a family that has been in the pizza business since 1956.

An Angelo's employee says, "Angelo's was named after our founders father who absolutely loved his pizza. He couldn't let a day go by without eating a slice and commenting on its taste, and I guess that is the secret of our success. We are always looking to please the Angelo's of this world."

Click here to view a menu
See you at Angelo's!

Friday, March 23, 2007

PWP IN RAPID MAGAZINE



Pueblo kayaker, Jeff Mara, appears in Spring 2007 issue of Rapid Magazine. Rapid is a whitewater publication produced in Palmer Rapids, Ontario north of the border.

The image is displayed "full-page" on the last page of the magazine in a feature entitled "Flushed".
Jeff appears paddling his Jackson kayak through flat water in front of the Bob Marley mural on the levee river left in the Pueblo Whitewater Park.



The artwork on the levee has been declared world record in length by the Guiness Book. This, however, is only one of the many reasons that the Pueblo Whitewater Park is unique and will soon be getting even more attention from both boaters and members of the media.

Stay tuned!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

HAPPY MARCH 15TH!!!

Yes, it is that time of year again. The day the water is turned on through the Pueblo Whitewater Park. Overnight the level shot up from 191 cfs to 471 cfs! There certainly is much bigger water to come, but this sure is a good start. Before today levels hadn't topped 300 cfs.

This should be a good weekend to come out to the park and get in some early season boating/surfing in the park. Temperatures are forcast to be in the 70s by Sunday!

I will have updated photos of the park soon. So stay tuned!

Monday, March 12, 2007

THE EDGE SKI, PADDLE & PACK




The Edge is Pueblo’s local paddle shop. Sure they also do snowboarding and skiing when there is snow in them thar hills, but when things start to thaw owner Bob Walker and his knowledgeable staff focus on boating.

Playboats, creekers, recreational boats, and yes, even sea kayaks are available at The Edge. Bob may not have a large selection in stock but he makes up for that by being very customer friendly and making sure that each customer has the boat and gear that best suits their needs. Plus, if Bob doesn’t have it, and you want it, he’ll get it for you. And it will be the size, color and boat manufacturer of YOUR choice.

I almost forgot, but The Edge also offers introduction to whitewater kayaking lessons. For those new to paddling it is a gret way to find out if this is the sport for you. Classes are taught in local swimming pools, tame stretches of the Arkasas River and of course in the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

The Edge is a small and friendly place where you can stop in to talk paddling while boating videos play on the tv overhead. The shop is located at 107 N. Union Avenue next to the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and just 4 blocks from the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

The Edge doesn’t only have rental and demo boats, but also boogie boards and river boards are available for those who choose an alternative to paddling in the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

Shop hours are from 10am-6pm Mon-Fri and 10am-5pm on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. The phone number for The Edge is 719 583-2021.

When you stop in, tell 'em that you saw this on "Paddle Pueblo". Thanks!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

HOW TO GET TO THE PARK




Pueblo, Colorado is known as the "Steel City" because it is home to Colorado's only steel mill and is located approximately 100 miles south of Denver on Interstate 25. That also makes Pueblo 38 miles south of Colorado Springs along the same interstate on what is commonly referred to as Colorado’s Front Range.

Pueblo is at an elevation of 4,695 feet above sea level. We aren’t in the mountains, but you CAN see them from here. Pueblo is typically 4-10 degrees warmer than Colorado Springs and Denver which can be a bonus or a curse.

In the case of the Pueblo Whitewater Park it is usually a blessing because it also means that the water in Lake Pueblo gets a chance to warm up before it is released into the park. It also gets a couple miles of flow under a warm sun from the dam to the park. Thus the Pueblo Whitewater Park is one of the warmest places to paddle in the state.

DIRECTIONS TO THE PARK




If you are traveling from the North along I-25 to Pueblo you want to look for the 6th Street Exit once you come to town. Take this exit and continue West on 6th Street which is a one way street. Move to the left lane and at the intersection with Elizabeth Street (which is where 6th becomes two-way) turn left (South) onto Elizabeth and immediately move to the far right lane. You want to turn right onto West Fourth Street. Once on Fourth Street continue West, cross the bridge which crosses the Arkansas River after it crosses a rail yard.

As soon as you cross the bridge you will see a Chinese restaurant on your left called the Tea Palace. Turn left at the first street past the restaurant, Chapa Street. The street bends to the left behind the restaurant. Continue on this road and then turn to the right on Pearl Street and the gravel parking lot for the top of the Pueblo Whitewater Park will be on your left.

From here you will have a bit of a hike to the water, but it is worth it.

If you are coming to town from the South, or if you missed the 6th Street exit keep your eyes peeled for the 1st Street exit from I-25. Once you exit I-25 you want to head West (toward the mountains) on 1st Street. Continue on 1st Street past the Marriott Hotel which will be on your left. Move to the left lane. Turn left onto Union Avenue (Quizno’s will be on your right).

As you travel along Union Avenue you will see City Hall on your left and when you see this it means that The Edge Ski, Paddle & Pack (719 583-2021) is located on your right directly across the street. Park behind city hall and stop in and say “Hi” to owner Bob Walker and crew. They can help you out if you forgot your nose plugs, any other items you may have left at home or give you the latest beta on the flows in the park.

Continue West along Union Avenue and as soon as you cross the Union Avenue bridge make a quick right onto Corona Street where you can park along the curb.

If you park here you are at the bottom of the park. There are steps down to the river right next to the bridge. Parking here is for those who would rather do their hike at the beginning of their session instead of at the end. Either way you will find yourself going about 1/2 mile along the park on a pea gravel trail which will is scheduled to be paved this summer (2007).

Corona is a one-way street so you won’t be able to go back the way you arrived. To get back to Union Avenue from here continue on Corona up the hill. Stay straight on Corona at the top of the hill and veer right when you come to a park. Then the next cross street will be Abriendo Avenue. You want to turn left on Abriendo which is actually a boulevard. If you continue on Abriendo this direction it will take you back to I-25 if that is what you want.

If you want to go back along Union and take advantage of the eateries or stop at The Edge you will want to turn left on Union Avenue from Abriendo just before the Library which will be the large building on your left.

I hope that my directions are helpful. You can click on the map and print it out if you like so that you can keep it with you.

See you in the park!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

PWP 2007 EVENT SCHEDULE

The Pueblo Paddlers have announced the schedule of events for the 2007 season in the Pueblo Whitewater Park. The schedule is as follows:

April 21st Ice Breaker Rodeo & Demo
A rodeo for every skill level of paddler will be held with prizes going to the top finishers in each category and additional prizes given to radom boaters just for showing up.





May 12th Arkansas River Festival
Another rodeo with more of a family flavor as the event is being held the Saturday before Mother's Day. Free raft rides through the park, a river dog competition, and a boater-x type race will be among the festivities.






July 7th First Descents Paddle-A-Thon
This is the event that will put the "Fun" back in the word fundraiser! The one-day event will be put together to help raise money for First Descents a kayak camp for young adult cancer survivors. It is a great cause, there should be plenty of water and a lot to do for the entire family.

Sept. 22nd & 23rd Pueblo Chile Fest
The Pueblo Chile Fest is the biggest thing in Pueblo next to the Colorado State Fair. Each year local farmers set up roasters and roast Pueblo and Anaheim chiles for paying customers. There are vendors of every shape and size providing food, music and assorted items for festival attendees. This will be the second year that the Pueblo Paddlers will be a part of the festival. There will be a rodeo, a rubber ducky race, a raft race (rafts are to be home made and built with a pepper theme) as well as other fun family and river activities.

Monday, March 5, 2007

Early Season Surfin'

(Rick Dukes surfs the number one drop in the Pueblo Whitewater Park or the P-Wave as it is coming to to be known.)

The water is flowing through the park. Sure it is not even 300cfs yet (It was flowing at about 293cfs Monday), but that doesn't mean that there isn't fun to be had. Just ask Rick Dukes who make the trip down from Colorado Springs to get into the 38-degree water.

(Water that flows down the first drop from what was once a low-head dam forms the P-Wave a local favorite for surfing.)


Pogies, helmet liners and neoprene were the order of the day. There isn't big water yet, but as I tend to start out slow the water was a good beginning for this young paddling season.

The park looks to be in pretty good shape and there are plans for continued improvements as the spring and summer seasons begin. There are plans to improve the trail that runs the length of the park on river right. As part of the project replacing the W. 4th Street bridge there will be a cement path laid that will be substantially thick allowing heavy trucks to use it during the bridge construction.

More to come...soon.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARK CONTINUE

Waitin’ on the water

It won’t be long before the water starts to flow through the park again. I have been ‘Jonesin’ to get my boat out and into the water. So far we have had a few days where the air temperature has been good, but there just hasn’t been any water yet.

(A small glassy green wave is forming in Drop 5 wetting the appetite of local paddlers.)

I got in on January 1st for a few figid surfs in the P-Wave but that was more because of it being the first day of the year than it was about the water. The flows were about 79cfs that day and that was only about enough to get the bottom of my boat wet.

Work Continues on the Pueblo Whitewater Park

I had a few spare minutes yesterday so I decided to walk the length of the of the park to get an up-close view of the work that has been done and the work that is still in the process of being completed.

Originally the city said that their was no money to make repairs on the park after last seasons high flows caused a great deal of erosion damage. However, this has since changed and crews have been working on the channel and the river right bank for more than a week now.

I am happy to see that things are getting repaired. I think that there are still some things that need to be done, but hey, this is a good start. Hopefully additional repairs and/or improvements will be made in the not-too-distant future. And don’t forget that there is going to be a fair amount of construction going on this coming summer as the work begins to replace the W. 4th Street bridge. (That is the bridge at the top of the course for those of you from out of town.)


THE DROPS

(clicking on the photo makes it bigger)


Drop 1 (The P-Wave) There hasn’t been much done to this feature so far. The erosion on river right has diverted some of the flow from the main channel and will continue to eat away a the bank until some large rock is grouted into place above the drop.
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Drop 2 This feature hasn’t been affected by the high flows. It seems to be in good shape with the exception of the log in the channel which I am sure will be pulled out soon.
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Drop 3 Crews were working to mudjack the seive that appeared as water began flowing under the wing structure. This could have eventually become a very hazardous situation however the Army Corps identified the problem and is working to correct it.
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Drop 4 There was considerable erosion damage to this drop. The contractors hauled rock and dirt in to fill the space left by materials that were washed down stream. I was glad to see this, but I think that it may take some more big rock and grouting to keep from having to do this work after each season.
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Drop 5 More fill was replaced here but the damage to this wing was minimal and little more than a patch-job was necessary here. I did notice that the glassy green wave that makes this drop one of the favorites of locals to surf is showing up already even with the low flows.
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Drop 6 This is one of the favorite playholes of the entire park. Depending on flows it forms a decent foampile and is a very forgiving hole for boaters who want to work on a new trick. The high water did a real numer on the bank of this one as well as just down stream in 7. It appears that some fill was added, but that it could use another truck load or two to finish the job.
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Drop 7 The river right wing in this drop suffered the most pronounced damage of all the drops last season and was in desperate need of repair. The gaping trench has been filled and the runoff culvert has been re-situated. Hopefully this will do the trick. It certainly is an improvement over the erosion damage that caused it to be hazardous to anyone walking in the area.
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Drop 8 A deeper channel was dredged out of the pool in this drop, some stucture was added just above the drop and the wings were extended from both sides. After the work done on 8 last spring number 7 became less sticky and a surf-able drop. 8 also had a fun little wavetrain below it depending on the flows. I look forward to seeing how this round of work affects the way this mini rapid reacts.
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Take out. At the urging of John Zupancic (local boater and a driving force in the construction of the park along with Bob Walker) a boulder was placed near the take out to create an eddie making it easier to exit the park. I am personally very grateful to John for this as I scraped my hands up more than once trying to get my boat into a position where I could get out without losing my boat or paddle in the current. I truly had some less than graceful manuvers at the take out.

Thanks John!
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My friend here, and I will keep an eye on how things progress in the park. I am also planning on presenting beta soon on things like directions, parking, and even local establisments in the area near the park.

So stay tuned this is about to get good (the water I mean)...