What better way to end our season in the Midwest than a superb paddle along the Chicago lakefront, with its stunning nighttime skyline and to Navy Pier with a fantastic ‘in-your-face’ fireworks show?! All the while enjoying the company of a really spectacular group of people. I would like to thank the Hispanic community for having Hispanic Heritage Month, which extended the fireworks through the month of September, giving us the opportunity to enjoy a late season (non-crowded!) fireworks show from the lake.
It took some scouting, but we finally figured out where we needed to be at 12 Street Beach to launch our kayaks for our Chicago Lakefront Fireworks paddle. A few of us showed up very early, so we could get out on the water a little before the dusk paddling began. Chad, Christine, Mike, Jerry, and Rachael and I paddled a bit North and around the Adler dome. The water was a bit choppy but was expected to settle down at least some. The weather was absolutely perfect! The water temperature was even tolerable, just ask Chad! He capsized his kayak “on purpose” and went for a swim - a few swims, actually - practicing his Eskimo roll.
Sunset came right on time - around 6:52pm and we waited for another 8 minutes (plus another 10 to get everyone out on the water) before shoving off. The water had settled some. It was quite comfortable. Paddling along the shore provided breathtaking views of the skyline, just after sunset - there was some red and pink in the sky. The lights were incredible. The skyline is going through some fairly major changes as the cranes and half-completed skyscrapers can attest.
We paddled behind the breakwater from the middle portion of the harbor toward Navy Pier - it doesn’t go through. So, we turned around to paddle up on the outside of the breakwater. It was a nice bonus paddle, with calmer water and still a stunning view. As we approached the main throughway for boat traffic to get through the locks, we huddled and made a break when it was clear. There was not a lot of traffic, so it was pretty easy. There was however, the challenge of crossing over or around the old pilings that separate the channel from Navy Pier. We paddled along it until we could sneak through some pilings, saving us only about an extra 5 minutes of going around.
We approached the pier hearing some nice, loud Latin music and a pretty decent crowd at the beer garden near the end of the pier. Many of the people at the edge of the pier were hanging over checking us out. I always like when people think kayaking is cool and take notice. We arrived probably 15 minutes early for the fireworks that started at 9:00pm. They announced the fireworks 5 minutes prior over the PA, then counted down, in Spanish, from 10 to the start. The music was all Latin…and I want to even say that because September 15th (I think) is considered “Independence Day” for many Latin countries, the colors of many of the fireworks displays were of those country flags.
The show was awesome! Right there, in your face, feel the concussion in your body - not quite the warmth from the fire…
The paddle back was good, too. Darker and straight-line Tip of Navy Pier TO Tip of Adler Planetarium - as the crow flies, we were all a bit tired. I spotted a small bright light paddling at our pace, but close to the shore. I wasn’t sure if it was an illusion or someone-something on the water. It turned out to be a late arrival at 12 street beach - one of the meetup members who ended up paddling out on his own.
