I heart PGH

Category: Outdoors

  • Free Kayaking on Friday

    Sunny days are here again. Okay, I know this week has been a bit chilly but Joe Dinardo says it is going to be 70 on Friday – which is perfect because Friday, May 2nd is opening day for Kayak Pittsburgh. To celebrate the return of warm weather and kayak season – free kayaking all day on Friday. For more info visit KayakPittsburgh.org.

  • Urban Hike is Back – and in search of a 24 hour donut shop

    I am sitting here looking out the window at SUNSHINE. Last saturday was perfect weather – and I enjoyed walking around Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon. See my post about the Slaughterhouse Gallery here. I just checked Weather.com and we are looking at another 70 degree weekend.

    So it is time to get outside and not do yard work. Thankfully Urban Hike is back for the 2008 season. If you are a regular reader of IheartPGH – you will know I heart Urban Hike. I have been on number of their hikes and give it a huge endorsement.

    Please don’t let the word hike scare you – this is a walk, through an urban area – you are almost always on cement so just wear your sneakers and you will be fine. The walk takes about 2 hours and the leaders have lots of fun historical facts to share so the pace is not too fast.

    On Saturday April 26, 2008 – Urban Hike heads to Crafton. They are meeting at the Sharp Edge Creek house which is one of those places I have always wanted to go to but not had a chance to visit yet.

    We’re starting the season in Crafton, the boyhood home of Bill Cowher and the current home of a 24-hour donut shop and much more. Spend a few hours exploring the area with us on Saturday, April 26th beginning at 1:30 pm. We’ll park at the Sharp Edge Creekhouse, 288 W. Steuben Street. Check out their web site to see a map and get a taste for what we’ll be tasting after the hike.

    Our hike will last 2-3 hours. As always, we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and a sunny disposition. If you haven’t hiked with us before, no RSVP needed-but if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at info@urbanhike.org. See you there!

  • Map and compass scavenger hunt at Hartwood Acres

    Scavenger Hunts have been a popular activity so I thought this looked like a good event to post.  I am happy to learn that there is a Western PA Orienteering Club. 

    Grab your compass and some friends, they will give you a map and you will navigate Hartwood Acres using your compass.  Multiple trails will be mapped out for different levels.

    Where: Hartwood Acres Park, Middle Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101
    When: Sunday, April 20, 2008; sign-in 11 AM – 2 PM

    What is Orienteering? Orienteering is a competitive form of land navigation. It is for all ages and degrees of fitness and skill, and all-weather. It provides the suspense and excitement of a treasure hunt. The object of orienteering is to locate control points by using a map and compass to navigate through the woods.

    What to bring? All you will need to bring is a compass (if you do not have one, we can loan you one), and appropriate footwear to walk in the woods.

    Event Details: The courses offered at Hartwood Acres will include four Cross Country courses for beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, advanced (White, Yellow, Orange, Green). In a cross country course, the participant finds a series of flags in a pre-specified sequence. Come early if you plan to do more than one course.
    * Sign In 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
    * Must Finish the course by 3:30 pm
    (more…)

  • Row, Row, Row Your Boat

    Want to learn about rowing, kayaking and dragon boats?  Stop by the Three Rivers Rowing Association’s Spring Fling on Friday to learn about all of the ways they can help you row, row, row down the rivers.

    Please join us on Friday, April 11, 2008 for our annual Open House. Meet and mingle with members while learning about our 2008 rowing, kayaking and dragon boating programs. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres served.

    Date: 04/11/08
    Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
    Location: Lambert Boathouse on Washington’s Island
    Contact person: Kristi Sparta, 412-231-8772 x23, kristi@threeriversrowing.org
    Three Rivers Rowing – http://www.threeriversrowing.org/

  • Flying Discs are not UFOs

    Schenley Park is home to one of Pittsburgh’s disc golf courses.  Check out this popular sport, which is like golf but with frisbees, with Venture Outdoors this weekend.

    Intro to Disc Golf
    Don’t call it “Frisbee Golf,” and for the love of all that’s good, don’t ever call it “Frolf!” Disk Golf is one of the most rapidly growing sports in the world! Join us for a great day of fun that virtually anyone can enjoy! The activity will be structured to familiarize people with the three main types of golf discs, understand the flight patterns of the various discs within those three categories, and effective methods for gripping and releasing the disc to maximize distance and minimize your score. Sponsored by our friends at the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society.

    Saturday March 29, 1-4pm
    Schenley Park
    $8.00 member/$15.00 non-member
    Click here for more info and to sign up