Beyond Snowstorms and Chicken Wings: Kayaking Part 2: A trip through Buffalo's past

Earlier in the summer I putzed around the area between the inner and outer harbor, past Buffalo's resident naval fleet, and out into Lake Erie. Today I did an about face and headed up river.

I headed up river near the arena down towards Red Jacket River Front Park. While there is plenty of natural beauty to see the real reason to make this trip to see hulking behemoths of Buffalo's industrial past.

Buffalo is the western terminus for the Erie Canal and because of this grew quickly. We were the access point to the great lakes. One form of our industrial past that still lives is the grain elevators. Massive concrete behemoths, they have stood the test of time and remind of us of the industrial juggernaut we once were lifetimes ago. Most are not in use or reused even partially for storage or other businesses. These remnants of better days provide an amazing kayaking experience few places can replicate.

The Buffalo river as a whole is making a comeback. Left to rot like the elevators, people have finally began to take notice of the treasures we have. Millions have been spent to clean up the river through dredging of polluted sediments dumped into the river in the past and well as clean up the shore lines, not just removing garbage and industrial pollutants but removing invasive plant species and bringing back native species.

Father time has been nice to everything along the river. The Erie Freight House has been a point of fierce debate in recent years. Built in 1868 it is the last Freight house still standing but the elements have taken its toll and finally gave way to a major collapse of the structure. I has been condemned and will be demolished. Though historic previous owners have removed much of the historic nature of the building with sheet metal siding. Within the next year a residential structure will takes is place to the fan fair of many and the dismay of some.

I hate to see any historic structure demolished but this won't be missed. The benefits to the area are to great to not be excited about. This project is adding density and might be the signal of the building boom along the Buffalo river.

Once you get into it, it's aw inspiring.

The elevators is massive, some when built held the title as the largest in the world. They all are in different states of repair or disrepair. If the elevator is still in use or the owner cares for the structure. The more remote the elevator the more in disrepair they become. The more distant elevators are very cool but a little sad as they are left to nature some with little hope for a future beyond oblivion by mother nature.

Yet there is something still amazing about them. They stand out as nature continues to reclaim the area around them. They still do have use even if its not for their original function. They become a historical and cultural attraction. A must see on a trip to Buffalo and the cost? $15 dollars an hour to rent a kayak from Bflo Harbor Kayak. Shame is I don;t know much of the individual history of these elevators. Bflo Harbor Kayak does a tour with history that I have been meaning to take but will likely have to wait till next summer.

The largest cluster of silos is in an area dubbed "Silo City". Located fairly close to downtown and the waterfront, they have gained more attention from festivals and art exhibits as well as art installations.

One elevator is finding new life as a indoor rock climbing facility,Silo City Rocks, is currently being built that will not only a massive indoor rock climbing center but other fitness center amenities. It will have the worlds largest indoor rock climb at 190 ft tall.

With improvements to the river adjacent parks, new residential projects in the near future even local youths and schools are getting into the act. A new rowing club building will soon grace the rivers bank. Used by not just the local rowing club but multiple schools have developed rowing teams or clubs bringing activity to the river to go along with the local boaters and kayakers. Call me a dreamer but I one day envision Buffalo river like rivers in Boston full of local schools and clubs training and