Last weekend we rented some kayaks and explored the North branch of the Chicago River. It was quite an urban experience! There are several signs posted along the River noting that raw sewage is occassionally dumped there when it rains a lot, and that the water is not suitable for human touch! Does that qualify as a FUN fact? Fortunately we did not have to have any contact with it. The North branch is largely undeveloped (perhaps for that reason), so if you can suspend knowledge of the toxicity, the ride is a fairly pleasant one with a variety of birds and plants of interest along the way. It also has some distinctly urban aspects to it -- the El passes over the River at one point and there is a doggy day care place that sounded more like a dog asylum when we paddled by. There was a strong wind the day we went so we only paddled for a few miles. Luckily the wind, and the current, were at our backs on the way home. Chatting with some fisherman on the banks where we returned, we were horrified to learn that some folks do eat catfish caught out of the river. Ugh! In any case, the rates weren't bad ($14 / hour) and the ride was interesting. We may go back in the fall and head south towards downtown come spring (see picture above -- note tiny kayaks to the left of the ship.)
No comments:
Post a Comment