2024-02-03 42 -78

Location

Buffalo Outer Harbor in the canal

Participants

Pedalpusher

Expedition

I've been looking for one of these hashes since I started playing and was pretty excited to see that not only was this on the weekend, but the weather would also cooperate with extremely mild winds. If this was a typical winter of my childhood, I'd probably have a Walking on Water achievement too, but the last few years, it seem like we just get snowstorms and then it warms right up and all the snow/ice disappears really fast.

On Friday, after the points were posted and given the wind would practically be non-existent, I first asked J if she would be interested in taking the canoe out on the lake. Not even taking a moment to consider it, she responded with the expected 'Heck No!'. So I then called my parents to see if I could borrow one of their kayaks. My mom was going to be busy Saturday afternoon, and my dad thought it would be too cold for him at the moment, so it looked like I would be on my own. I did get permission to borrow a kayak though.

After getting some chores and errands run in the morning, I remembered a few more things I would need before going to my parents to pick up the kayak. Stopping back at home, I ate an early lunch and got the necessary items. Talking with my dad, I chose his kayak since it was a tiny bit shorter and there was a chance I could fit it IN the car instead of ON the car, which would make things infinitely easier. Good fortunes continued as we were able to get it in kitty-corner after reclining the passenger seat.

On my way out to the Outer Harbor, I could see the area off the skyway and saw some ice still in the ship slips. My plan was to go to Wilkinson Point and put the kayak in at the little beach. However, on arriving, the entire area was fenced in and indicated the construction had moved from the Bell Slip area to here. Looking to the beach area, I could also see a large mound of rocks piled up along the beach area with another fence blocking the gap into that area. I could clearly see this was a no-go without even getting out of the car. Turning around, I went and parked at the Bell Slip area and walked out to the bike path that overlooks the mini-cove area. A lot of the inner area was covered with ice but I could see it didn't extend all the way out and I should be able to go down the (shorter) left side and get to the rocky flat 'beach' past the ice.

Luckily, the kayak didn't weigh too much and I was able to carry it slung across my back around the cove. It stuck out pretty far on both sides, and I got a quick alert to that fact when I bumped a light post next to the path. Being more careful, I greeted a guy with his dog halfway down the path. He was surprised I was going for a ride, and warned me it was going to be really cold out there. I told him I'd see how long I'd last, but you gotta take advantage of opportunities when you could (My father had also warned me so I had bundled up pretty good and had multiple layers on both my upper and lower body). Getting to the rocky flat area by the water wasn't too bad and I was able to get the kayak in the water! This was definitely going to happen!

Pushing off, I had a small adjustment as my dad had given me some seat pads which would also help insulate me from the cold, but they also put me a little higher than I'm used to sitting in the kayak. I stayed close to shore for the most part, and nearing the corner by the hash, I got out my phone and opened the HashDroid App. I was surprised I had passed it, thinking it was right off the corner, but I had to backtrack a bit. Getting to the hash area, I had some trouble getting a screenshot and missed the really close reading on the first pass. Negotiating the light breeze and the current, I lined up for a second try and got a couple rapid screenshots with one of them again being very low. Happy with my success, I got some pictures and continued around the corner to the beach area where I initially wanted to get in. I greeted a couple walking their dog on shore as I came around the corner and inspected the beach. It might have been tough even without being blocked by the construction because there was about a meter of ice pushed up onto the beach all along it. I then headed back and kept an eye out for some logs in the water as I wanted to get some interesting pictures. I also saw a couple feathers here and there just floating by so I stopped at one and took a bunch of pics there too hoping something would turn out. My luck continued as I got some really cool shots.

Going past the Bell Slip, I still had some time so I decided to continue a bit further for a few more minutes. I didn't see anything interesting, but I did see a lot of plastic in the water; straws, small pieces of random things, even found a deflated balloon that I grabbed and pulled out. On the way back to exit the water, I saw a giant tray that looked like it might be part of a shelf and a nearly full gallon jug of water. Sad to see all this, but happy to make a small impact and get this plastic out of the water.

The walk back with the kayak was a little tougher as my arms were not as fresh, but I made it back to the car and got loaded up. This was a very cool expedition and I can't wait until I can get another water hash!