Kayak Outing with Burning River Adventures in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Well, I did it! I started my Tuesday Pause journey. All summer long I have paid lip service to the idea of heading out to explore at least one NEO body of water from the vantage point of a kayak and yesterday (which just so happened to be a Tuesday) I finally did just that!
One of the primary reasons I decided to launch Tuesday Pause is that I struggle to break out of my daily routine. As my husband and kids often point out, I tend to struggle just to leave the house to run an errand, even if it’s just to pick up milk at the grocery. “Oh wait, let me quickly send an email and fold the clothes in the dryer before I go.”
Since this is true for a quick trip to the market, imagine the effort needed to get me out to hike or visit a museum. The seemingly urgent tasks always seem to trump the broader, and often more life-giving, alternatives. I can’t really explain why I’m so often trapped by my to-do list but, sadly, it’s too often true.
So putting aside my daily life tasks to get away to enjoy the waning days of summer definitely took intentionality, but I did it!
I chose Burning River Adventures as it’s closer to home and, being midweek, I didn’t need to make it a full-day affair…I still had a few things to get accomplished that day, of course.
I arrived at Water Works Park later than planned… did I mention it’s hard for me to leave my house? The company’s website asks paddlers to arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of departure time to check in and sign release forms but I slipped in around 11:50 am… to an essentially empty parking lot. Having never been to the back of Water Works Park I had no idea where to go. I assumed there would be signage or a building with adjacent kayak storage. Nope, nothing. No sign of a kayak rental company anywhere; so don’t be surprised by this if you decide to go.
There was one car in the entire lot, thankfully with two women prepping their own kayaks. Assuming they were regulars at the park, I asked them if they knew where the kayak rental was located. They were also first time paddlers at this spot and were, in fact, waiting for Burning River Adventures as their transporter (which the company does for $10 per boat).
They were confident that this was the right spot, pointing out the small boat launch nearby, so I parked and waited with them. Moneen (owner) pulled in shortly with the Burning River shuttle van and trailer stocked with kayaks.
She apologized sweetly and quickly checked us in. She knew she had a small group and could process the four of us in no time, which she did. We hopped in the van (clean but a tad hot, lacking A/C) and headed into Kent (Fred Fuller Park) for the launch.
Three noon trips are offered: short, middle and long – all unguided. I planned on taking the middle (4.5 mile trip) as it was my first time kayaking on my own. I changed to the long trip (6.5 miles) because the other three paddlers were all putting in at that distance. Not a bad idea to be around others, just in case.
It wasn’t long before the four of us were on the water paddling. I happened to be the first to launch and decided I’d get a quick head start on the others, feeling safer knowing others were behind me.
Nathaniel was paddling solo and intended to complete the run in good time while Kris and Mo, who brought along packed lunches, were obviously set to make a day of it.
Honestly, I needn’t have worried at all as I felt perfectly safe throughout the trip. I would go alone again, without concern (well…with a cell phone on hand).
What can you expect from the middle Cuyahoga River? A relaxed pace paddle on a gently flowing river that feels fairly removed despite being in the middle of Kent/Cuyahoga Falls.
There are only a few homes along this section of the river, and each boasts a large backyard which pushes the house away from the water’s edge so you don’t feel like your paddling in someone’s backyard.
The banks of the river are almost entirely natural habitat, resulting in a sense of seclusion, of getting away for a while, of spending a few hours with your thoughts and the river wildlife, which was without a doubt, the highlight for me.
Turtles, ducks and geese abound with an occasional squirrel along the bank.
My favorite river companion was the blue heron that played an extended game of hide and seek with me. It would fly just out of my sight, land somewhere along the bank, in the river, or in a tree overhead and seemingly wait for me to catch up and find it. The graceful but shy bird would only let me get so close before it would take flight once again, repeating the cycle.[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”4″ gal_title=”Blue Heron”]
If you want that same sense of just you and the river, go in the middle of the week and you’re likely to see no one other than those that launch with you, if even them. I saw one of my fellow paddlers (Nathaniel) just once. The rest of the trip I was on my own, alone enough to sing aloud as I pushed through the water.
The trip was peaceful but I must share one note of caution for those looking for an audio-visual break from the daily hustle and bustle. It was not particularly quiet.
Road noise was not uncommon (there are a number of roads that cross over the river) and the roar of two trains made clear the tracks were not far off (though visually blocked by foliage and undergrowth).
Finally, the waxing and waning rhythm of small airplane engines served as a reminder that this portion of the river is in close proximity of the Kent State University airport. Low-flying personal planes zigzagged overhead.
How were the river conditions?
I’m not an avid kayaker so I can’t give great details on that. It was not a challenging paddle, for sure. Much more of a relaxing float than an extreme sport outing. That being said, you can chose to make it a bit of a workout by actively paddling. This will of course shorten your time on the river, however. I suppose, you could both lengthen your time and increase your workout by paddling upstream as well as downstream!
You’ll want to note the recent weather pattern when you decide to go. Late summer was dry this year which meant that the water level was low, resulting in a few areas too shallow to pass unencumbered. So be prepared to scoot your way across the shallow spots, using your paddle as a pole or you can simply stand up and walk through these low zones. I scooted the first few times but quickly realized it’s much more difficult and tiring than getting out of the boat and walking.
Owner Moneen commented during the drive to the launch site that new kayaks are in the company’s “near-future” plans. So there’s a chance if you head out next summer, you’ll be paddling on new equipment.
Things to know if you go:
Web: www.paddletheriver.com
Phone: 330-969-BOAT
Hours: Open Seasonally (May – October, weather permitting)
Suggestions: bring a dry bag as your items are subject to getting wet.