Wow! Always wanted to go to Chicago but now I feel like the bar has been set high and I'll have to kayak the rover to get that experience!! Amazing! Thanks for sharing
Ok…watched your Chicago river video. Very cool. I learned how to sail on Lake Michigan but never considered kayaking through the locks. You’re a brave lady. That lake can get rough but you seem experienced enough to know to look first🙂. There’s also the north shore canal that spills into the north branch around Foster Ave. it’s a mini waterfall. All the best.
Love it! I'm planning to get an Oru foldable and I can't wait to hit the Chicago River, as well as many other urban rivers/lakes/etc. along my pan-continental road trip. I really appreciated the perspective on Lake Michigan. I'll proceed with lots of caution there. Thankfully, I'm finding loads of other options for paddling in the Chicago area.
I see lots of Oru kayaks in downtown Milwaukee! I’ve paddled them and I was actually impressed for a collapsible. I’m actually thinking about a skin on frame for a portable for those times I cannot bring a hardshell kayak with me. Happy paddling!
Of course! I grew up on Portillo’s! (Actually was served at the event I was in town for.) I paddled the Fox River at St. Charles on the trip that followed. Keep an eye out for that one in coming weeks.
I just discovered your videos. I live in the Chicago suburbs, and I have kayaked on the Chicago River. I know that it is not the cleanest river, but it looks a lot better than the river in the other video that I watched, the Fond du Lac river.
Oh my God, Fond du Lac was disgusting! I’ve only paddled the Chicago River twice, and it would appear that some effort has been put into cleaning it up. It’s also FAR cleaner than the Milwaukee River.
@@Redkayaklady I watched the Fond du Lac video because my late wife had lived in Fond du Lac before we got married. I have kayaked on the DuPage River, the Fox River and the Illinois River, as well as some local lakes. I like your paddle. What kind is it? My paddle has a carbon fiber shaft, but the shaft is straight, and yours looks different.
@@green8718 I absolutely love that paddle! It’s a Cadence made by Lendal. All carbon with a bent shaft. On the advice of the sales rep, I went with a 210 cm. I had used a 220 for years and they convinced me that with my height and my narrow boat that 210 would be better. Sure enough they were right. I will probably be visiting family in the suburbs over the summer once or twice and I was wondering where I should paddle next down there. Have you ever paddled the Skokie lagoons? Was also thinking the DuPage River through Naperville.
@@Redkayaklady I have seen the bent shaft paddles at REI, but I have never tried one. I live in Naperville and have paddled on the DuPage River. I actually capsized once on that river because a tree had fallen across the river and I didn't make it through the narrow gap quick enough where the water was flowing. The current pinned my kayak against the tree, and we had to push it under the tree to free it. It wasn't bad, though, as the water was only waist-deep. I haven't kayaked in the Skokie Lagoons, but I know lots of people who go there regularly.
Wow wow you are ONE BRAVE Lady in Red Kayak. I like to say the Man favor Saying . But you To Sweet of a Lady. Is there anything that Scares you? Wow you are the Best and thanks so Much. How your Winter Doing? Well a few more months and you be Back on the Water. Any Snow kayak shedding? Peace sweet lady in Red Kayak.🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Fantastic video!! I don't know if I've ever seen you smile as much...except out at Tahoe! It was certainly a different look, and a different dynamic, to paddle those waters through Chicago! Props!!😄
I know you can volunteer next door to clean the river on a kayak that they provide you ❤ My goal is to be on the water at least once a week this summer! Do you know of any other launch points on the north side?
Cool to see, a good urban paddle is Duluth-Superior too, lots of places to put in, and during summer a south or west wind is frequent enough where you can avoid the big swells too. Might be a little far for you, but worth it.
If and when you go out on the big water, you should really dress for immersion. That water is cold, even in the summer. Duluth has a channel that goes from the inner harbors to the open water. I once was thrown out of my kayak in the channel beneath the lift bridge. Since this is a popular tourist area, i had people watching me and it was really embarrassing. Crazy current and waves coming in all directions, combine with a kayak with strange issues. I got rid of it long ago. I’ve been thinking about paddling the Chi, river and was planning on launching the same place as you did, so thanks so much for the video, it confirms my plan will work.
@@Redkayaklady Unfortunately, I have a another life, I talk a little about it in my few videos, but in my next life I promise that I'll stop fight for the triumph of justice, because I plan to defeat everything bad in my current life. 😀
Although I grew up in the Chicago area, I’m not as familiar with parking and navigating my way downtown as I should be. I’d highly recommend launching where I did by REI. I absolutely LOVED this paddle. I felt surprisingly safe even with all the tour boats.
@matyasxfulop on line ask. Where does sewage waste go in Chicago? The answer is wastewater combines with the Illinois River which flows into the Mississippi River. And eventually out to the gulf of Mexico. So yes, Chicago flushes, and everyone else gets shit on Down River.
I actually felt much safer there than on Lake Geneva. No wake zone on the whole river and I found everyone to be very respectful of each other. But not a paddle for everyone.
I can hardly imagine a canoe on the Chicago River nowadays. When I started kayaking I’d see as many canoes out there as kayaks but they are getting more rare in most places. Chicago River is the last place I’d expect to see one.
Just a heads-up; Trainrider replied to your comments on Patreon yesterday evening, with a couple more suggestions. I apologize for seeming impatient, and/or being a PIA. I know you've got a lot going on.
