Salida Whitewater Park Improvements

Contractor Ted Seipel Construction’s Colorado Riverworks is on schedule to complete the $375,000 whitewater park by the end of March. The park, designed and engineered by Jason Carey of RiverRestoration.org, will provide exciting whitewater play holes for kayakers interested in executing spectacular stunts and surfing maneuvers…

A grand opening is planned when the park is complete, plus it will get a proper indoctrination during the June 25-26 Whitewater Festival, which will feature some surfing competitions for kayakers. The park will provide a whitewater thrill during high water summer months, but, in addition, the movement of water from upstream reservoirs to Pueblo Reservoir during the winter months will bring, “some very surfable waves all winter long,” Colon said.

From The Pueblo Chieftain

Whitewater Park FAQ

The Bardstown Boaters have been blogging about the Bardstown Whitewater Park ever since we began advocating construction of the river enhancements. With the recent reports from Riverrestoration.org we will be bringing you even more information about what is happening behind the scenes in getting the Bardstown park created and perhaps this information might also serve you in getting your local park built.

In the original Bardstown Whitewater Park report we addressed the various questions about the what the whitewater enhancements at the rubble dam of the Beech Fork would be like. Now that we have a professional opinion from RiverRestoration.org we will revisit these questions with more in-depth answers.

Visit the FAQ here.

New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future

Yesterday I attended a speaking engagement given by Sister Claire McGowan, OP about sustainability and greener living in small rural communities. Sister Claire works with the non-profit group New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future in Washington County. It was fascinating to learn about all of the great things our neighboring county is doing for sustainability. It was also great to learn that because of the Springfield, Ky., curbside pickup program, Bardstown City residents also got a recycling program started.

To learn more about New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future visit their website: www.newpioneersfsf.org

You can also read more about them in University of Kentucky College of Agriculture News

If there's a single driving force in Washington County, it just might be the concept of sustainability. In towns and on farms, people are striving to live up to their own proclamation of being the greenest, most sustainable rural community in Kentucky.

It has taken time. The local government cleaned up 27 illegal dump sites in 2001, resulting in the county being named the first Certified Clean County in Kentucky by then-Governor Paul Patton. Today, the county has a master plan that focuses on farmland preservation but still encourages growth; Springfield residents take advantage of a free curbside-pickup recycling program; farmers participate in study groups about sustainability; children bring home free energy-efficient light bulbs from school; and leaders of a local non-profit organization are focusing their current efforts on local food and making homes more energy efficient.

Big Bend Photos

Jay has posted some photos from his hiking trip to Big Bend National Park. See them all on his Flickr stream here. Read the full trip report here.

Best Adventure Towns: Bardstown, Kentucky

From National Geographic Adventure

Bardstown, Kentucky

Plan a long weekend getaway with our Bardstown adventure guide, featuring great outdoor escapes, where to stay, and where to eat. Then chime in with your picks.

(Pop. 11,242)

(GPS: 37°48'N 85°27'W)

We ain’t gonna lie: Bardstown’s status as the world’s bourbon capital drew us in, but its rivers flow as freely as the whiskey. Paddlers convene at Sympson Lake, and a whitewater park is in the works downtown (bardstownboaters.com/whitewaterpark).

PLAY

Rent a canoe from Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services ($35 a day; horizonhopper.com), and join the Bardstown Boaters on Sympson Lake. Then tackle the whiskey river: Bardstown is a major stop along Kentucky’s famous Bourbon Trail; Heaven Hill and 1792 Ridgemont Reserve distilleries are right in town (kybourbontrail.com).

EAT

The Old Talbott Tavern may have a cheesy gift shop out front (Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone, and Jesse James are rumored to have visited this 1700s-era location) but inside, the food is nothing to scoff at: Spicy Kentucky burgoo stew, fried green tomatoes, and, of course, bourbon (talbotts.com).

SLEEP

The Rosemark Haven historic plantation has a B&B, tea room, and wine bar, all on the grounds (doubles from $109; rosemarkhaven.com).