A Little History     

Beginning as just a city park in 1906, the Royal Gorge, with its mountainous terrain and beautiful geological rock formations, was deeded to the town of Canon City to be used for picnicking which was very popular with families in the 1930s and 40s.

In 1929, the park was approached by a private investor, Juan Piper.  Piper was well known for building toll bridges and extension bridges between Mexico and Texas, and he suggested the construction of the famed bridge.  With no lives lost, no serious injuries, and with just 80 men, the majestic Royal Gorge Bridge was built in less than seven months.

On June 5^th, 1929 the construction was completed and by December 1929 it was time for the grand opening.  Upon completion, it became the highest suspension bridge in the world, and remained so for almost seventy years, until China built a suspension bridge that surpassed its height. The deck of the bridge is a hefty 956 ft. above the gorge, the towers from top to bottom are 150 ft., the cables each have 2,100 galvanized steel wires in them, and there are 100 tons of steel in the floor of the bridge.

 A Few Memories

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park was frequented by my family as I was growing up, along with thousands of other Coloradans.   We joined other travelers who drove many miles from all over the United States to reach this incredible sight.

With an abundance of nostalgia, I recently made the trek from Pueblo to Canon City to see the park again.  It is a place that is personal and close to the heart, and not just for all the childhood memories that ensue. I remember excitedly observing the wildlife: the big horn sheep, buffalo, elk and feeding the deer.

I recall skipping along the bridge to find our Colorado state flag along with Ohio and Michigan where my dad grew up.  I gazed down in wonder and began to realize all the beauty that is the full scope of the Gorge with its flowing landscape of mountains and trees that sprawled out over the land and provided our shade.

There were picnics, train rides, the gondola and ice cream on the sunny patio overlooking the mountains. Then the tram ride where I pressed a much smaller  face against the glass to try and get a better view of the river down under us.

I would drag my dad into those little gift shops, his annoyance never quite noticeable, where he would buy some trinket or knick knack that would help us remember the day.  My brothers would sprint across the way to the theater, and I remember when they got too old for what was, and still is my favorite, the carousel.

As a child, the Royal Gorge held so much amazement; as an adult, it still leaves me in awe.

A Tragic Day

A regional masterpiece of nature, the park is dear to many Colorado hearts, which is why so many felt devastated when wildfires hit northwest of Canon City and why June 11, 2013 was such a grave day for this grand park.

Although firefighters do not know exactly what started the blaze, the fire spread remarkably fast and even jumped the Gorge in two places.  After raging for nearly five days, the fire was finally completely contained, but not before destroying 3,218 acres of land.

Last year the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park proudly hosted thousands of visitors per weekend day and had 52 working buildings, from the visitor’s center to the zip line. Of the multiple buildings, restaurants, gift shops, picnic areas, gondolas, train and wildlife park, only four remained after the fire.

Rediscovery

I arrived at the seemingly deserted park entrance and Peggy Gair, public relations manager at the park greeted me in such a cheerful way that I almost forget my surroundings.  I, Peggy, and my photographer all piled into a sturdy ATV and prepared for the journey up the gorge.  We started up the hill, and our shared reminiscence and lively conversation were abruptly silenced as we approached the places where the fire damage was unmistakably visible and inevitably hard to swallow.

Peggy made a remark that seemed to hang sorrowfully in the mountain air, “I used to love taking this route, now it just makes me sad.”

The fire damage was now becoming real; seeing pictures online or watching the news coverage didn’t compare in the slightest to actually seeing the havoc these fires created in person.  The next few minutes we all rode in a somber silence, taking in the devastation that was all around us.

“You are getting a tour most people don’t get,” Peggy remarked, trying to lighten the mood for all of us. Even in her upbeat tone, there were hints of sadness. It was apparent the fires had taken their toll on her as well as she recounted the events.

“We lost 90 percent of the park; 48 out of 52 buildings, that included 26 shows and attractions, burned to the ground.  It’s easier to tell you what survived. The theater survived and the sky coaster; we lost all major attractions except for those few. The depot was lost, but the train survived.  The carousel, sadly, did not.  All the animals survived, the barns didn’t, and as a matter of fact we had a bull calf born the Saturday after the fire.”

“One of our original attractions in the park, the incline railway, was destroyed; the top parts of the rails were destroyed too.  You can see the burnt trees, the fire jumped right there and started right over here, so it jumped the gorge in two places,” Peggy said.

Moving up higher into the gorge on the ATV, the view from the observation deck was spectacular, and as we move closer to where many attractions once stood, Peggy further recalled the day of the fire.

“We give the firemen credit for saving the theater because when they got there, the fire was raging right behind it.  There was a tree on fire that was right next to the building, and the theater’s stairs were also on fire.  The firemen chopped down the stairs and put out the fire before it was able to reach the theater.”

Through the ruin and tragedy, there was actually positive news: the bridge had survived.  The terrain that surrounds it was barren and burnt, and it was hard to believe that the bridge only withstood minimal damage. Upon inspection, the bridge appeared virtually untouched, a happy twinge of hope for the park.

“The brush was on fire under the bridge,” Peggy explained. “Even when the fire was raging the bridge was saved quickly thanks to firefighters.  We had to replace 100 boards on the bridge; they were all scorched and burned along the sides of them, but other than that, the bridge still stands.”

Once the blaze had cleared and the damage was assessed, the park could finally start to rebuild. This fire has, by no means, shut the park down; Peggy is very adamant about that.

“You can’t burn the view, you know. People are still interested in coming here even in the midst of the damage from the fires. Not even so much to see the construction, but that it is a very unusual geological formation, you know, it follows granite back 500 million years.  We still do weekend tours here; we load them in twenty minute intervals around the Gorge.  That is the only thing that is going on right now, but we have had several hundred people show up on certain days; on the Sunday of Memorial Day we had 700 people.  We have been averaging right around 350 every weekend, and we do also get a few hundred cars that still visit the scenic overlook.”

The Parks and Recreation Department is working diligently to restore the Gorge to its former grandeur.  Construction of new park attractions has been an ongoing process, one that has lasted through the entire summer and is expected to go into the fall season.  The first daunting construction task at hand is rebuilding the visitor’s center. This is because it is expected to be one of the largest buildings at the Gorge.

“We are expected to open late in August or early in the fall, as soon as the Visitor’s Center opens.  Of course this is all depending on construction.  We are in the process of putting in the gondolas and the zip-rider, a big children’s play area, a new carousel, and play equipment for the kids.  The little mini train and the theater should both also be open by mid-October,” said Peggy.

When the park reopens, there will still be construction in its midst.  More attractions will be added over time including the restored Mountain Man Town which is estimated to be completed in 2016.

Not only do the park’s attractions and buildings need to be restored, the surrounding land has to be repaired as well.  Where there are dead trees, the parks and recreation team dropped 23,000 lbs. of seed and then went through and hydraxed the trees, a process that helps the new trees to grow and assists in mulching.

“Scientists say it takes about 100 years for a forest to come back completely and to fully rejuvenate from this kind of a fire.  We are dedicated to taking off a few of those years, as many as we can.  We have been using grass seed and other methods to help Mother Nature restore the forest to its former lush and healthy state,” Peggy explained.

Even though the park is still recovering, guided tours have been very popular this summer at $10 a head and children under three are free.  With the forest rejuvenating and the park steadily being rebuilt, anticipation for the reopening is high.  It won’t be long before the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is back to hosting more than 300,000 visitors a year.

To follow the reconstruction of the park, see more photos and learn about other events at the Royal Gorge Park, visit the website at www.royalgorgebridge.com .

As summer winds down in Pueblo, one of the last festivals left to celebrate before fall rears its chilly head is the Chile and Frijoles Festival, presented by Loaf ‘N Jug and sponsored by the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.

The festival is held every year in the Union Avenue Historic District where the street is shut down, and vendors sell fair-style food, apparel, accessories, housewares, toys, arts and crafts and much more.  Restaurants and bars in the downtown area have drink discounts and specials on food, there are rides for children and most important of all: Pueblo chilies.

Thousands of people come from all over the state and the country each year to purchase bushels of fresh chilies; even the smell is amazing as you approach the festival. You can actually watch your chilies being roasted outside in huge tin barrels.  There are various exciting food competitions like the chili cook-off, the battle of the chilies, and even a jalapeño eating contest.

This year the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival is open Sept. 19-21, and there are plenty of fun-filled activities to pack into the whole weekend.  Friday, the festival kicks off with live entertainment, a farmer’s market and chili roasting.  Saturday features more live entertainment, the Chili and Salsa Showdown (commercial division) and more chili roasting.

Sunday, the festival ends with the Hot to Trot 5k Run in the morning, followed by the farmer’s market, the jalapeño eating contest,  the Chili and Salsa Showdown Food competition results and of course, chili roasting.  There are also art shows and live bands performing over the span of the festival, and you can even take a stroll down the river walk which isn’t far away.

So get out and enjoy the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival next month where you can sample this year’s harvest of the Marisol, which according to the festival’s website, is Pueblo’s most popular variety of pepper, selling about $50,000 worth last year alone.

For information on admission, hours and activities at the festival visit the website at www.pueblochilefestivalinfo.com

Netflix is currently sitting pretty. With original programming already demanding attention from the Emmys, it is starting to look like Netflix might be a big winner when it comes to television awards and at less than $10 a month for a subscription, it’s easily a bargain.

But Netflix isn’t even a television station, it’s a web service, an archive that houses thousands of television shows, documentaries, independent and feature films, all of which were syndicated from various networks until now.  Recently, Netflix set out on a new venture, and in a short period of time, it has proven to be more successful than ever imagined.

Netflix originals are directed, produced, and distributed exclusively for Netflix.  This original programming includes shows like Hemlock Grove, House of Cards, Derek and the widely successful Orange is the New Black.

Decidedly the most popular and most talked about Netflix original, Orange is the New Black or OITNB, released season two in its entirety on June 6 of this year.  This comedy-drama, sometimes called a dramedy, tends to transcend societal guidelines. It explores a whole new sector of life, something that the audience is both intrigued by and fears: prison.  While the show is relentlessly juicy, it still manages to deliver when it comes to comedy.  And rightly so since you might find yourself in need of something light once you completely immerse yourself in the intensity and tragedy.

Binge watching OITNB is nearly impossible to avoid.  Delving into the lives of these inmates, one genuinely becomes emotionally invested in the trials and tribulations of their day to day lives.  The intricate story lines and intense relationships that go on within the confines of the “lock up” are so enticing that it is easy to get caught up.

Created by Jenji Kohan who gave us HBO’s hit WEEDS, OITNB centers around a white, debutante-like, rich girl named Piper played by Taylor Shilling. She has been thrown into prison for her involvement in the international drug trade.  Piper’s ex-girlfriend Alex, played by Laura Prepon, is an integral part of her incarceration.  There are also fan favorites with nicknames like Red, Posseau and Tasty, and some you love to hate like Vee and Pennsatucky.

Race, lesbian relationships, prison abuses, drugs, rape, and considerable amounts of scandal are just a few of the subjects that OITNB has tackled, so be warned, this is not a show for the whole family.  Orange is the New Black has received rave reviews, bypassing criticism for its raunchy exploits and copious amounts of lesbian shower sex.  It continues to be one of the most viewed shows on Netflix.

In addition to its prominent standing on Netflix, OITNB has won the Critic’s Choice Award for best comedy show and is being considered for other, including several Emmys.  Taylor Shilling (Piper) has been nominated for Best Lead Actress in a comedy series, Kate Mulgrew (Red) for Outstanding Supporting Actress and LaVerne Cox (Sophia) and Uzo Aduba (Crazy Eyes) for Outstanding Guest Actress in a comedy series.

If all the controversial subject matter isn’t enough to persuade you to check out OITNB, the stellar cast and multiple Emmy nominations should convince you. Filled with drama, human relationships, comedy and suspense, OITNB could very well become your new guilty pleasure.

Sitting in the center of the City Park, the Pueblo Zoo has entertained and educated children and adults alike since its construction in the 1940s. There are various activities, camps, live feedings, educational workshops and new exhibits, the new species introduced recently and everyone’s favorite part about spring at the zoo, the new arrivals or Zoo babies.

Compared to other zoos in Colorado, Pueblo is small, but what it lacks in size it surely makes up for in charm, novelty, and beauty. According to the Director of Marketing and Communications, Abigail Krause, there are advantages to having a smaller zoo.

“We are the smallest one, but what that offers is a lot more interaction, and the views of a lot of the animals are a lot closer. We have people coming up from Denver, even Cincinnati, coming from these big zoos and they say that they love it because they feel like you can get closer to the animals; you feel like you’re almost in there. They also say our keepers are friendlier, and that the bigger zoos seem just too busy to engage in our up-close and personal style.”

But do not take this zoo lightly and think it’s just a quaint, quirky little attraction; it has an extensive amount of exhibits that are well laid out and older buildings that have been saved and undergone beautiful renovations. During the next few months the Zoo will undergo many changes, and there is a lot of construction that will need to be done in order to get the new exhibits and animal enclosures functional.

Nevertheless, the Zoo is fully operational, and in fact, just started the extended summer hours for this year. The Pueblo Zoo is now open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5p.m., and the list of activities planned for this summer just keeps on growing.

Krause explained, “We are going to open the pioneer cabin. We will have increased numbers of volunteers out there with our animals. We are trying to establish more contact in our farm where the animals can be used to educate. The Zoo Life Kids are kind of teenagers that go through camp. Well, camp on steroids. They are like our junior zookeepers, and they do a lot of intensive training, and they are qualified to handle and talk about the animals. They are very dedicated and volunteer their summer days to take education animals out on the grounds to answer questions and make sure the animals are safe.”

“We are also partnering with the library to do Thursday story times. The Zoo will purchase and take donations for costumes for the kids to dress up. We have completed construction on the Den; it’s like a little stage that was previously very underutilized. It is perfect for stories; it’s also a perfect spot for puppet shows,” Krause said.

The scheduled activities in the Zoo vary daily and include: animal tales with the Pueblo Library, feedings at the ranch, meet a keeper, otter feedings, and penguin feedings. In addition to the Zoo Life camps, overnight camps and interactive time with the animals, the Zoo has several special events coming up. The first, on June 20th, is Zoofari: Safari under the Stars. This is the Zoo’s annual fundraising event which consists of behind the scenes, guided tours, dinner and silent and live auctions. This event is by reservation only.

This summer at the Zoo, there are many new additions; we all love those little baby animals! There have already been a few exciting births.

“We just had a couple babies born. We had two goats born yesterday, and then we have a new llama, a ring-tailed lemur and of course, the otter babies. There are three otter babies. We have had to move to an alternate exhibit time, just until they are more adjusted. They are learning how to swim; mom is teaching them, and they are loving it. We would love for all of the otters to be in the exhibit at the same time, there is the mother Frija, her three babies and three other adult otters, but we are giving Frija more time alone with the babies. Due to the fact that she is a new mom, she is very territorial and protective, and so with time we are working on reintroducing them,” Krause said.

The Zoo is putting a lot of focus on new exhibits and new species to be introduced. Officials were concerned with generating funds to contribute to construction of a Black Rhino exhibit. The overall cost projection reached $1.7 million instead of the $1.1 million which was thought to be enough to cover restrooms, a concession stand and a picnic area. Upon researching the budget further, zoo officials ultimately decided to go with a more efficient and somewhat more entertaining direction.

Krause explained, “We had a capital campaign about rhinos and there was a little bit of a lull. The economy tanked, and we had a change in leadership so we reviewed what we had to do. Construction costs had gone up, and we realized that it was going to be a while before we could do anything. We worked with our architect and our consultants, and they informed us that we could do two exhibits for the price of the one rhino exhibit. We considered that two of our most popular animals were the penguins and otters which are highly social animals. Have you ever seen a rhino? They are amazing animals, and their conservation story is compelling, but they are just not all that exciting.”

“People love interaction, so we decided we would stick with the African theme. We could still tell the African conservation story but bring African painted dogs instead, which are very social. We will also bring in a couple of species of old world monkeys,” said Krause.

If you are considering places to visit for a summer day trip, keep the Pueblo Zoo in mind. With the construction of the new exhibits and the introduction of the African Painted Dog and the old world monkeys, it has never been a better time to visit the Zoo.

Special Days at the Pueblo Zoo

June 20^th Zoofari- call for reservations.

July 19-20^th Overnight camp –Snore and Roar

June 30^th-July 4^th Slide, Slither, and Scurry (Grade K)

August 4- 8^th Zoorific Adventures (Grade K)

Sept, 27^th -28^th– Overnight-Season Celebration

Membership: Individual $45, Couple $55, Family $65

For more information visit pueblozoo.org, https://www.facebook.com/pueblozoo, or contact Abigail Krause via Pueblo Zoo at (719)561-1452.   

Tsunami Japanese Restaurant, located in Pueblo’s historic downtown district, is in a prime setting near the Union Depot at 326 S. Union Ave.

Once home to Mulligan’s, Zippers, CJ’s, and various other now nonexistent businesses, this building has come a long way.  While outside the differences are confined to a fresh paint job, there has been extensive work done to the interior.  In addition to the new floors, furniture, and kitchen amenities, the long, winding drinks bar is now a sushi bar, and it is an excellent utilization of the space.

The atmosphere inside is quite warm, and has a fine dining feel to it without being overly formal or pretentious.    The décor is modern and certainly aesthetically pleasing.

When visiting Tsunami, starting off with the signature Plum Wine is a fine idea; it has a nice, sweet finish and highlights a fruity flavor with a hint of tart.  In addition to Tsunami’s wine selection, there are offerings of Japanese Beer and the traditional rice wine Saki.  Although hot or cold Saki is available, the flavored Sakis are really worth trying.  The peach, in particular, is delightful.   

For appetizers, the Crab blossoms are recommended along with the Salt and Pepper Calamari. The blossoms, which are crispy, deep-fried triangular shells stuffed with a delectably creamy hot crab, are delicious.  The same can be said for the Calamari.  It is apparent that the Calamari is of superb quality because the texture is not rubbery or chewy at all.  The breading isn’t heavy or greasy, but perfectly light and flaky.

The Miso soup, usually standard at Japanese restaurants, and the garden side salad were nothing to get excited about, so make sure to keep sufficient room for the actual entrée, because the sushi rolls at Tsunami are well worth the wait and by far the main attraction. 

You should sample a few of the Chef’s Specialty Rolls, even if you are a first timer to sushi.  The DJ roll is exceptionally tasty with fresh crab, avocado, and cream cheese inside and spicy tuna and shrimp on the outside.  The Philadelphia roll is simple yet satisfies with a savory mixture of smoked salmon, asparagus, and cream cheese.  The calamari in the Tempura roll is excellent, as is the breading, and although one of the more plain choices off of the regular sushi menu, it doesn’t disappoint. 

The real show stealer, though, is the King Roll.  This chef’s specialty triumphs with a savory crab and lobster filling and a deliciously rich and creamy lobster sauce.  Juicy chunks of lobster and baby scallops adorn the top of this most flavorful and popular roll. 

Equally enjoyable are the distinctive desserts at Tsunami.  A house favorite, the deep fried cheesecake, is mouthwatering; the outside texture is a crispy and sweet tempura batter which perfectly complements the cool center filled with cheesecake. 

Another dessert selection that might seem a bit different is the Mochi, or ice cream wrapped in a rice paper.  The texture is a bit like bubble gum on the outside, but it pairs well with the velvety ice cream on the inside.   It’s a menu risk you won’t regret. 

When dining out, restaurants sometimes stress how fresh their food is, and how they only buy the highest quality ingredients (vegetables, fish, poultry, beef, seafood etc.), and usually this is stretching the truth.  In the case of Tsunami, the truth is in the impeccable quality and taste of the food. 

This outstanding restaurant offers not only sushi but rice bowls, wok dishes, bento boxes, noodles, and sashimi. By far the finest sushi in Pueblo, Tsunami is definitely a place that deserves a second visit, and a third, and a fourth… you get the idea. 

Jorge’s, a veritable diamond in the ruff, is located in the heart of Bessemer. By Pueblo’s standards, it is not considered the best part of town, but the food is definitely worth awkwardly avoiding a few gangsters lingering on the street.

Despite the despondent location, the exterior of Jorge’s is actually painted quite exquisitely, exhibiting bright colors and intricate artwork; images of folklorico Mexican dancers adorn the entrance. Upon entering the Cantina and restaurant, there is a certain cultural beauty to the many pieces of Latino art hanging on the walls, and the “adobe-esque” feel of the dining room is very inviting.

The bar area is open and airy; there are sizable windows, larger booths, and high tables where people seem to be enjoying themselves with one of Jorge’s signature items, margaritas. Undoubtedly, the best way to start your visit to Jorge’s is with one of these. Hefty when it comes to the tequila, Jorge’s offers (listed in succession of strongest to weakest in alcohol concentration): The Grand Tivo, Jorge’s Pink Cadillac, Horni Presidente, and the Casa, which is basically a house margarita.

If you are a lightweight, I suggest only one of these specialty margaritas; after two you’ll most likely be on the fast road to tipsy. The Pink Cadillac is a smooth blend of rich Hornitos tequila and fruit juices. It has a definite kick, while not overpowering, and the sweetness of the Cadillac helps to balance out the tart tequila taste. Higher up on the list is the Grand Tivo, which some would even say is locally famous. This drink is almost too appealing simply because it tastes so nice you might forget how much alcohol is in it. The Tivo, similar to a regular margarita but with the exception of Jorge’s special blending ingredients, has a tangy flavor and finishes off with a surprisingly pleasant, tart aftertaste.

Opting to sit in the bar was decidedly the right choice, as people started to crowd into the narrow doorway into this bustling restaurant, and the place started really filling up. The bar provided more than sufficient room to “lounge around” and feel comfortable while munching on fresh chips and red salsa and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the main meal. In the dining room things looked more crowded, and people seemed to rush; the bar had a more comfortable appeal to it.

That highly anticipated moment arrives when the food is finally here, and the table is chock-full of steamy goodness; chicken tacos on white and corn, a bowl of menudo (another specialty item at Jorge’s), a tostada, and the standard side dishes: rice and beans.

The chicken tacos on white and corn are exceptionally delicious, particularly because of the way the chicken is prepared. Even a humble restaurant go-er with minimal experience can tell that the chicken at Jorge’s is slow marinated, and non-processed; not any of those weird diced up cubes you might find at an inferior Mexican restaurant.

The tortillas are made in-house, and this makes for a superior taste, as there is a huge difference in quality when comparing house-made to store bought tortillas. Jorge’s also knows its way around a pot of menudo. It was equally delectable, well-seasoned and the hominy was perfectly cooked. Everything was complimented by a slightly spicy broth. For those of the more skittish persuasion, menudo is actually a soup which is popular in Latino culture and consists of tripe, hominy, and broth.

Although the main courses delivered, the side dishes didn’t quite add up. The beans were bland, and the rice was dry and unflavorful. The tostada was also a bit of a disappointment because of the unimpressive beans it was topped with. The beef on the tostada had a satisfying taste to it; sadly this was overpowered by the same tasteless beans.

Aside from the tacos, burritos, menudo, and tostadas, Jorge’s offers a wide variety of Mexican food. Fajitas, carnitas, enchiladas, chili rellenos, sopapillas, flautas, tamales, and desayuno (breakfast). Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina scores high with their chicken tacos, menudo, and specialty margaritas. While the staple side dishes didn’t excite, Jorge’s food and fare are generally favorable. Jorge’s is also a busy place, so heed a solid suggestion to come on a weekday rather than a weekend if you’re one to avoid the crowds.

 *Jorges has three locations: Jorge’s Sombrero 1319 E. Evans Ave. Pueblo, CO.

 Jorge’s Mercado 314 W. Northern Ave. Pueblo, CO.

 Jorge’s O.C.C. 2427 W. Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO.