I finally accomplished something I’ve been talking about doing all summer! Along with a bunch of other beginners, I kayaked on the Allegheny River from PNC Park to Herr’s Island and back.
The little excursion — about 4 miles round trip — is organized by Kayak Pittsburgh and a group called Venture Outdoors. I joined VO about a month ago, and this was my first “activity.”
I had tried kayaking a couple of years ago at Moraine State Park. I had a chance to try out a few different styles of kayaks and have had it in my head ever since that I’ll be buying one and spending summer weekend time paddling around Lake Arthur. That hasn’t happened, so I figured a beginners kayaking class might be a good substitute and give me a chance to see how much I like it.
Like any athletic endeavor, kayaking requires a certain about of concentration and attention to technique. I had trouble getting the hang of it, and zig-zagged most of the trip. On the positive side, seeing Pittsburgh from the river casts it in an entirely different light. Water always relaxes me, and this was no different despite the noise from traffic crossing the bridges overhead and the taunts of a nasty bum hiding in the brush along the shore.
A quarter moon hung over the skyline while the sun was setting somewhere beyond the Ohio River, and float down river had its relaxing moments. Sorry I don’t have any photos — I didn’t have the presence of mind to grab my camera and tote it into the kayak.
For a while the paddling seemed pretty effortless, but by the time I hit the beach at the end, I knew I’d had a workout. Most of the soreness was in and around my lower back and torso.
Here’s something neat I noticed while getting ready to board the kayaks and during first leg of our trip. The North Shore Trail, along which Kayak Pittsburgh is headquartered, had a lot of traffic. There were bikers, power walkers and joggers using the trail for an evening workout. It wasn’t quite Central Park, but it was kinda cool to see so many Pittsburghers enjoying the trail.
I’m not sure when I’ll head back to Kayak Pittsburgh, but next up is a day hike at Moraine. Call me Mr. Outdoors!