Kayaking the Chicago River

[@stvnnmnn]

That was really cool! What a nice day too. Nice views of the city.

[@Redkayaklady]

I can’t wait to do it again. It was AMAZING!

[@MRod-5]

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

[@Redkayaklady]

Thanks for watching! Very easy rentals right on the river walk for your visit

[@ChuckShiley]

Just found you yesterday. I'm enjoying your travels. Now Subscribed. My son and grandson live on long lake. It might be nice if during your intro you showed a map of your travel in the corner of the screen. I'm a 85 yr bicyclist. Happy Trails.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@ChuckShiley That’s a great idea! Glad you’re enjoying my channel and welcome!

[@markdittbenner9949]

The Dave Matthews band will dump poop on your head paddling around that river..... You will get a free lunch

[@Redkayaklady]

Oh thanks for the memories! I had forgotten all about that incident. It was Kenzie St, right near where I launched. Gross.

[@ZekeBriarcliff]

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.

[@Redkayaklady]

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!

[@ZekeBriarcliff]

@@Redkayaklady That's great for a noob to hear, especially since I have MIlwaukee on my agenda, too.

[@phillyjoejones5161]

It's always nice to see my hometown ♥️. Did you stop and grab an Italian beef & a Chicago dog?

[@Redkayaklady]

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.

[@phillyjoejones5161]

@@Redkayaklady Yummy!!....I sure will😁

[@Discovery_Overland]

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.

[@Redkayaklady]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll put that on my list for next time

[@KeithGrover-o3l]

this has to be the best way to see a city hope to see you soon take care 👍👍

[@Redkayaklady]

For sure it is! Thanks for watching.

[@GonnaRunAmuck]

I may drive up from Decatur and stand up paddle the river.

[@Redkayaklady]

You should! The guy assisting at the Locks told me he’s seen paddle boards go through too!

[@jayburne6825]

Nice city paddle so cool thanks for sharing

[@Redkayaklady]

I love a good urban paddle now and then!

[@jayburne6825]

@Redkayaklady I've paddle in Toronto kinda the same

[@jayburne6825]

When I drive to canoecopia I hope to stop in Chicago see a bit of that channel

[@Redkayaklady]

@@jayburne6825 Oh, that would be a great city to do an urban paddle!

[@scottbaker8120]

My favorite so far!

[@Redkayaklady]

Thanks, Scott!

[@gregoryh4601]

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.🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Redkayaklady]

Midwest winter is the bane of my existence! I’m counting the days til spring. Until then, you’ll see more of 2023 paddles coming up soon.

[@green8718]

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.

[@Redkayaklady]

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.

[@green8718]

@@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.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@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.

[@green8718]

@@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.

[@aus.deutschland]

Hello! I also want to go to the river 😄

[@Redkayaklady]

GREAT way to see the city on a beautiful day!

[@aus.deutschland]

@@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. 😀

[@davesnow]

Does your skin have a burning sensation from touching the liquid posing as water?

[@Redkayaklady]

Fortunately, I did not get wet! (at least not until I was out on Lake Michigan!)

[@norafrommiami]

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?

[@Redkayaklady]

I don’t know of any other launch points but the one I found was just perfect! If you figure another out, let me know.

[@davidstrickler6570]

Just so everyone knows. Thats the sanitary river. Chicago flushes, we get pooped on down river.

[@Redkayaklady]

I’ve paddled dirtier urban rivers. Milwaukee comes to mind.

[@matyasxfulop]

Do you seriously believe that every toilet in Chicago is connected directly to that river?

[@Redkayaklady]

@@matyasxfulop I’m assuming he did not mean that literally.

[@davidstrickler6570]

@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.

[@Redkayaklady]

@@davidstrickler6570 AFTER the wastewater treatment facilities filter out the solids and purify the water….it does end up in rivers, yes.

[@RaoulThomas007]

What’s kayaking like around Catalina Island?

[@Redkayaklady]

Next time I’m in LA I’ll let you know?

[@barry4fish19]

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.

[@Redkayaklady]

Not terribly far - if I’m ever in the area I’ll definitely get that on my list. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mplsmark222]

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.

[@BlindSquirrelRocks-dv9lc]

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!!😄

[@Redkayaklady]

I sure did enjoy it! Thanks!

[@jlcworld91]

Wow, I would love more info on this. I want to come up and kayak fish the river sometime. The parking would be the most intimidating part for me.

[@Redkayaklady]

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.

[@ChicagoMobTrials]

Sooo cool and beautiful !

[@Redkayaklady]

I love an urban paddle! Thanks for watching.

[@watercourse]

This is so awesome!

[@Redkayaklady]

One of my favorites from last year!

[@johnfetzer9637]

not for me ... very chance with all those boats and noise

[@Redkayaklady]

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.

[@albertsteele1101]

Really cool! Thanks

[@Redkayaklady]

Glad you liked it!

[@stephenfisher3554]

Nice!

[@Redkayaklady]

One of my favorite paddles of last year!

[@robertroberson4619]

Back in the day… Chico Canoe & kayak..

[@Redkayaklady]

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.

[@Pappylachia]

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.

[@Redkayaklady]

Not a PIA at all! I’m obviously new at the tech side of this and marketing myself on social media so your feedback is always welcome.

[@Pappylachia]

You are very kind. Thank you.@@Redkayaklady

[@user-ey5nb5dk7m]

your car was gone 30 seconds after you left....locked or not.

[@Redkayaklady]

I was worried! But safe and sound. 😊