What's up with Pueblo?

 I have just returned from a quick spring trip to Pueblo. And as I fell asleep last night I considered that maybe I have some kind of idealized version of Pueblo in my mind and when I'm home that's all I accept. This blog is my way of reconciling myself to Pueblo, Colorado's reality.

Just a portion of Jackson Park

A good source of information is my brother. He lives near Jackson Park and knows just about everyone who walks down the sidewalk. I have to admit my ignorance in his presence. I saw a man walking around the park with his dog unleashed. David, my brother, knows exactly who it is. This man lives down on Union Street and comes to the park and picks up trash. I saw him do it.

Now Pueblo has some nice parks and big parks. Jackson park is small, but people leave trash. I find this odd. The parks department provides receptacles for trash; so why won't people use them? I have no logical answer. My Grandma and Mom were big anti litterers! I grew up with the famous commercial that ended with the Native American shedding a tear over the trash. I don't understand leaving trash behind for others to see. It ruins a great park.

Me and my brother's dog behind the Jackson Park sign

My family has spent some fun time playing croquet in Jackson Park. I didn't see any litter then, but well, I was there to have some fun. That's why the city spends money on the parks; they want people to enjoy them. Kids and adults can't enjoy them if they are messy. The parks department can't mow them if they are messy. And it's helpful in croquet to have the grass mowed.

There are also lots of people walking along the sidewalks with backpacks. My naivety surfaced once again. Why are these people carrying backpacks? They don't look like they are on the way to school, especially since it's during school hours. I'm pretty sure my brother told me a couple of them live by the river. Well thanks, that tells me a lot. Now I picture a hobo camp set up by the river. NO WAY! I think to myself. I'm pretty sure he told me later, that they have a real place to stay, but the image remained. Are there homeless in Pueblo? Do they have camps under bridges? I grew up in a nurturing family in Pueblo. I can't imagine being there without a home. Sadly, it may be the case according to a Pueblo Chieftain article from January 2014. You can find it here. http://www.chieftain.com/news/breaking/2168858-120/marijuana-chieftain-homeless-mertz

In all truthfulness there are no marijuana distributors in the city limits of Pueblo. A person would have to go to the county to buy weed, just like I've been to the county to buy fresh produce. Gee, I'm bummed. I hope the rest of the states take a long, sober look at Colorado before deciding to legalize marijuana. It's been a different blog. I started with littering and ended with pot. I'd love to hear your opinion. Until next time...

A Rose is a Rose, unless it's Rosemount

Front of Rosemount Museum

For $6.00 I can visit a Pueblo landmark with ghosts, history and who knows what else. What a bargain! I can't believe I've never taken the time to visit this historic mansion. I've drove by it many times heading to Parkview Hospital. I've stopped to take some photos, because it looks cool, But never have I stopped and spent some time viewing the grounds. That lackadaisical attitude must change. The Rosemount Museum boasts 37 rooms that was completed  in 1893.

Side view of Rosemount

This house was built for John and Margaret Thatcher. John was a school teacher turned general store owner in Pueblo. John and a brother opened the First National Bank of Pueblo in 1871. Margaret was also a school teacher. She quit when she got married. I'm glad I didn't do that, but I suppose it was common in 1866. She had her say in the construction of Rosemount.
I've heard from some sources that there's no photography allowed in the museum. I will verify that later. There are reports of benign ghosts at the Rosemount. I'll report my findings as soon as I'm able. I'm excited to see some more history of Pueblo and maybe I'll be scared, too. Now if only I can convince my brother to go with me... Suggestions would be appreciated. Until next time.

I'm Tripping

Mesa Junction view from Rawlings Library

So, I have the opportunity to visit my hometown this spring. The question is, what do I do? Should I visit the historic Colorado Fuel & Iron company where my great-grandfather worked? Should I visit some of the districts that were once towns that formed Pueblo? I have no specific agenda. Well, I do want to visit Walter's Brewery taproom. But aside from that, I'm open to suggestions.

I've been to El Pueblo History Museum. It's on the site of the former fort. I've been to the Pueblo Medal of Honor Memorial. That was cool. I've walked HARP, that's Historic Arkansas River Project. It's a neat trail in the middle of town. I loved it; although some people don't seem to care for it. That's just something I've heard from a couple folks.

Actually taking some time to visit the Rosemount Museum would be new. I've been by the place on 14th Street several times, but I can't remember going inside. It's an old house, I mean castle,  turned museum. The Thatchers used to live there. The Thatcher family plays a prominent part of Pueblos' history going back to 1863.

I've danced outside the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo. This was last summer with my brother's friend, Big Robert. But I've never been inside except to use the restroom. I've never just visited the galleries or whatever they have on display at the arts center.

So what do you think? What ideas do you have for my next visit to Pueblo? I'm ready to read some comments. Post them below. You can be anonymous, if you like. I'll consider all suggestions. #Pueblo

Drinking It In

Right above the levee of the Arkansas River from the Union street bridge sits Union Depot. I find this area interesting. This might be due to the fact I explore this area annually on foot. But it may just be because they are a unique piece of history. Technically this area is called Union Avenue Historic District.

Union Depot July 2014 (View from the Union Street bridge)

The Union Station or Depot, as the owners  like to call it, was completed in 1890. It was erected to support 5 different railroad companies. The first train came through Pueblo in 1872. Eventually it became a union for 5 different railroad companies. I'm sure that's how the name was created. You can still see trains going by, I don't believe any stop now. Currently they have retail offices and apartments. The Pueblo Union Depot is actually located on B Street. Right now the concrete paintings are mostly gone. They had to be destroyed to fix the levee. I was sad to see them gone.

The Patriot Train behind Union Depot

I honestly took this photo because it looked like it was smiling at me. Look carefully at the white part. Later when I toured the History Museum nearby, I found out this train had a name. There are several old trains behind the depot. It's worth a visit if you are in the area.

Walter Brewery wagon outside Union Depot

Walter Brewing Company started brewing in Pueblo in 1889. The company was started by a German  with the surname Walter. It continued with a short break for prohibition through the mid 1970s. Although I just heard about it, Walter's beer has been revived in Pueblo. You can find their tap room at 126 Oneida Street. And you can bet I'm going next time I'm in town. You can find more information here: http://www.waltersbeer.com/

As it turns out, I have a couple Walter's memorabilia. Above is an ashtray from my grandparents.

This is a Walter's tray, also from my grandparents. So that's why I ended up taking a photo of the cart in front of Union Depot. Something about Walter's seemed familiar. And I know that seems like a stretch, mainly because my grandpa used to be a liquor salesman. When I was old enough he let me file his invoices. He used to give us all kinds of neat liquor t-shirts. I'm not sure what my mother thought, but she did let us wear them.

Well, I can't say exactly how I went from Union Depot to Walter's Brewery to my grandparents. I can say that I have a lot of memories from Pueblo. I remember some of when I lived there, but many fond memories come from the visits. I hope I'm still able to visit as the years go by. Until the next post... #Pueblo

A River Runs Through it

Photo of the Arkansas River from Union Street bridge June 2010

Wow! For the last 6 years I've spent several weeks of my summer vacation in Pueblo, Colorado. It's my hometown and more. Five times I went with my mom, but last year I took the trip solo. To be honest, most of my life I've lived in Missouri. But there's something unique about my hometown. Or maybe Pueblo just has some crazy spell over me. I absolutely love visiting!

And the photo above reinforces why I'm entranced by this town. This view can only be seen by someone actually walking the bridge. How do I know? Well, I've taken a photo of the Arkansas River every year I've been back to visit. And once I took a photo from a car. Not the same at all!

I'm going to say you have to see Pueblo from the sidewalks; it's true. I've done both and there are so many neat things you can see when on foot travelling slower than you can in some four-wheel device. Some of these sights I'm going to share with you in later blogs. Today I want to focus on a particular part of the river that runs through Pueblo. That's the Arkansas River. On my drive to Pueblo I see a lot of the Arkansas River. Though I must admit, this one in Pueblo is my favorite.

Photo of the Arkansas River from Union Street bridge July 2011

This section of the Arkansas River is part of the kayak course. I like to float on the river. My family takes inflatable rafts over to the City Park access and rides the river down to a lone fishing dock just past 4th Street bridge. You can see the bridge in the photos. It's an enjoyable trip with great scenery, but we get out before hitting the kayak course. I'd be terrified trying to navigate these rapids in a little raft. I know of people who have done it, though. Their rafts were beaten up pretty bad.

Photo of Arkansas River from Union Street bridge July 2012

This is not one of my favorite photos. I know drought conditions happen often in Pueblo. The river relies on snow melting from the mountains and obviously, rain. Not enough snow means not enough water. The climate in Pueblo is categorized as semi arid which means they get rain, but sometimes not much. What I've experienced in my summer visits are few rain showers. When it does rain, it pours. And I'm not joking. Hard and fast rain that can easily flood the roads. And then it's gone. But I suppose it doesn't happen all that often since Colorado supposedly has over 300 days of sunshine in a year. Water conservation is a hot topic in  the east side of the state.  And if I'm correct, there was a fireworks ban in 2012.

Photo of the Arkansas River from Union Street bridge July 2013

Moving water can be dangerous. Earlier in the summer when the water is higher people not taking precautions actually drown. Rescue crews are kept busy helping people who don't take the river seriously. 

Arkansas River July 2014

There was no drought in 2014. I also heard that the murals were going to be removed. Personally, I find them quirky and unique. They give the river some character, while keeping it in the banks. But if the levees are subpar and needing replacement, I'd rather have them fixed properly. I'm going to miss those murals.

Arkansas River from Union Ave. May 2016

I loved visiting Pueblo this year in May. The cool mornings and warm afternoons were a refreshing treat from the usual July weather. And Missouri had been cloudy and cool for days.  I also loved seeing Pikes Peak with a bigger cap of snow. 

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a history buff when it comes to Pueblo. The river's course was changed long ago; 1921 to be exact. This was 2 years before my Grandma was born. In June of 1921 excess rain caused the river to flood over the levees and changed its course approximately a half a mile south where it currently resides. The water destroyed all the Union Street businesses and many people's homes. There are lots of old photos showing the destruction of the flood; I don't have the copyrights for them, so you can look them up yourself.

I hope my all the citizens of Pueblo are taking time to appreciate the lovely view they can enjoy daily. Thanks for reading this. #Pueblo