Kayaking Part 1: Water water everywhere

         Not the worst thing in the world next to one of the largest freshwater supply in the world. Survivalist say it a great place the wait out the zombie apocalypse. All joking aside this is Western New York's best natural feature. We're are located on Lake Erie and just a short drive from Lake Ontario. We have a few nice rivers connecting vast area in Western NY via personal water vehicle. A boat, though a investment, opens up a whole new world of options on a nice summer day. And for those who can't afford a boat, a nice canoe or kayak will suffice. A couple hundred dollars can get you all you need and watching for the right sale can save you some money.

      I went kayaking in a place I had always wanted to but lacked the motivation. This blog has created the motivation to get out there. First stop: Buffalo Harbor

 

    Buffalo has been looking to reinvest in many different areas. The city and a few groups have been trying to focus on the water. Local, state, and the federal government have spent a lot of time and money to improve water conditions and remove remnants of the industrious past in the water and on the rivers bottom. To get people back to the water is increasing access to the water. River Fest Park was my access point located in the lower right of the picture of the above picture.

What makes the area so interesting is not the natural wonder but the man-made kind. The river leading into the harbor is a testament to Buffalo industrial past.

Located directly across from the park.

     The river goes inland a bit before connecting to the Cazenovia creek but I decided to head towards the harbor and the lake.

Along the Buffalo river and the surrounding area has around 10 grain elevators as well as two more a little farther down the coast. Such large structures have had difficult times finding reuses but recently a few ideas have been thrown around including an indoor rock climbing center. They are also in the early stages of illuminating the elevators as well as having a  light and video show on one located in the harbor.


   One building is especially interesting:

"My city smells like Cheerios"

    The building is still in use and part of a complex that makes General Mills products and Gold Medal flour. It also smells of fresh cooked cheerios that will put a smile on anyone's face.

 

     Getting into the harbor you surrounded by unique buildings; First Niagara Center home to the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and Buffalo Bandits ILL(Indoor Lacrosse League) to the right, a grain elevator to the left, and the Skyway, raised roadway that may have its days numbered, that crosses overhead. Buffalo has been working development on Canalside, an area located on the inner harbor that has seen a furry of new development, that is shaping up to be a year-round hot spot(will be covered in future posts).

  An interesting museum to check out is located here: Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military (the regular website is down so this link has contact info). How this ties into my kayaking adventure is what located on the water.

     The USS Little Rock as well as a submarine. Not many places you can kayak next to a World War II era cruiser. The offer tours but you can get nice view from the outside on the walking path by it. It's a fairly interesting area to float around for a few hours watching for boats of course.

    For those that may not own a kayak, want to try out kayaking before making the investment or a traveling from far away and can't bring their kayak with them they are available for rent at BFLO Harbor Kayak and they also offer tours. Another interesting business I saw in the picture above Water Bikes of Buffalo. They have a few options of some pretty unique vehicles to putz around the harbor in.

   As you exit the harbor you  many options going up along the outer harbor, out onto the lake or south along the Niagara River. The best thing about being out there is the view.

        I would go father out from there but had things to do that day so had to keep an eye on the clock but there are still plenty of days left of the summer.