Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Kayak Pittsburgh

I like to see Kayak Pittsburgh not so much as a name but more as a command. As in “come on Pittsburgh, Kayak already!!”

In my completely biased opinion, one of the best new things to arrive in the city since I left has been Kayak Pittsburgh. And every time I’ve visited home, I keep saying I need to get downtown and do that. And of course, every time I’ve come home I’ve been too busy. Well, no longer!

I finally launched my inaugural Kayak Pittsburgh trip accompanied by Your Active Husband and Your Very Active (you’re doing a triathalon?!) Friend. We are all veteran-beginner kayakers, which means we know how to paddle but don’t let us loose on the rapids. No problems here then, because kayaking on the Allegheny is one of the best places for beginners to learn. There is a wide area to move around in, almost no boat traffic (the barges stay mostly on the Mon and Ohio sides), and great scenery. That’s right, great scenery.

The Kayak Pittsburgh launch site for Downtown is directly under the Clemente Bridge, in front of PNC Park. Just head down the steps and turn left under the bridge and you’ll see the cage of kayaks and the launch area. Kayak Pittsburgh has locations in Downtown, Lake Elizabeth, and North Park. For the Downtown location hours are M-F 11 am-dusk, S-S 10 am-dusk and rentals are $15 per hour ($10 per hour for members). These are nice, solid kayaks and the cost is quite reasonable for the quality of the boat and the time.

Although you can paddle wherever your heart desires, we chose to do the Washington’s Landing loop. I can see the attraction of paddling down to Heinz Field and around the Point, but I’ve seen those areas from the water before and I wanted to try something new, with less boat traffic. The paddle from the bridge launch point to Washington’s Landing is about ½ hour, so you’d have an easy 1 hour paddle round trip.

Being the adventurous souls we are, we decided to loop around the island and add some time to our trip (all together we spent about 2.5 hours with the kayak). Ducking into the narrower back channel between the island and the riverbank, you get a nice change from the open water of the river. This channel is shaded by trees on both sides and eventually runs past several rowing club launches. This is also where they launch the Dragon Boats from.

After passing several fishermen and a few crew teams, we rounded the tip of the island and started back home. But wait, what is that we see? Yes, I think a brief stop for food and drink is a great idea!

And so, after a nice hour or so of paddling, we came upon the Redfin Blues on Washington’s Landing and tied up to enjoy some well-deserved rest. I do believe this was among our best choices of the day, as we sat on the deck enjoying beer and steamed shrimp, it felt like a mini-Caribbean holiday. (As an aside, I feel it’s my culinary duty to mention that the steamed shrimp are not steamed in Old Bay, can you imagine! As I learned early on from my Maryland relations that shrimp without Old Bay and beer is like Christmas without Santa; you can do it, but why bother? So I recommend asking for some Old Bay on the side and at least you can sprinkle, or pour, some on before you eat them.) Seasonings aside, the shrimp were excellent and sitting back on the deck, watching the river flow past and the boats bob against the docks, we felt transported to vacationland.

Eventually we did have to leave the deck, recapture our kayaks as they began floating away due to our inexpert dock-tying skills, and return back to the launch. Paddling back past the Strip and the new developments along both banks of the river, you really do get a different sense of what it is to live in Pittsburgh. We are finally beginning to recapture the waterfront for recreation and enjoy activities Downtown because people actually live here now!

If you haven’t Kayak’d Pittburgh yet, take some time out and get down there this summer. The weather is great for kayaking for at least another 2 months. If you want to have a sense of the new Pittsburgh, the green Pittsburgh, this is one of the best ways to experience it. There’s nothing quite like kayaking past your old hometown, seeing it in a whole new light.

NOTE: With all that effort of paddling around the rivers, it only makes sense to add on a quick visit for goodies in the Strip. I can say from personal experience that some macaroons, a crepe, and an iced coffee will help return your strength so that you can continue your day and make it home.

1 comment:

  1. Kayak Pittsburgh-ing was fantastic! Thanks for a fabulous day!

    ReplyDelete