Goodnight from the Allegheny...

Always amazes me what a small group of people can accomplish in only a few hours! Tonight a small group of volunteers gathered to scour a small section of Brokenstraw Creek to raise awareness for the upcoming 9th annual Allegheny River Clean-up. (And took in a beautiful sunset along the creek afterward.) Clean-up kicks off Saturday, September 9th on Conewango Creek and runs September 9th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th! Find a complete schedule and online sign-up at www.alleghenyrivercleanup.com. Get up, get out, get involved!

Looking to buy a kayak but not sure which model is right for you? Or maybe you've never kayaked before and just want to see what all the fuss is about. Whatever the case, join us Friday, September 1st, at Breeze Point Landing, (near the base of Hickory Street Bridge, behind Music in the Park) from 5:30-7:30pm for our final Test Drive event of the 2017 paddling season. In addition, AO Store will be open until 8pm with Labor Day sales, and all in-stock kayaks (except Jackson Tupelo LT) 25 to 50% off! Here's the line-up of rec kayaks, fishing kayaks and stand-up paddle boards that'll be available to try: Recreation Kayaks: Jackson Journey Jackson Karma Rock Garden Jackson Tupelo 12 Jackson Traverse Jackson Tripper Necky Manitou 14 Necky Manitou Sport Necky Rip 10 Necky Rip 12 Ocean Banzai Ocean Tetra 12 Old Town Heron 9xt Old Town Heron 11xt Old Town Loon 106 Old Town Loon 126 Old Town NEXT Fishing Kayaks: Jackson Coosa HD Jackson Cruise 12 Jackson Cuda 14 Jackson Kilroy DT Jackson Mayfly Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP): Jackson SUPerNatural

I will never (ever, ever, ever) understand why anyone would find it acceptable to leave their garbage on the river or in the forest. Yesterday's early morning paddle was so beautiful... until we paddled up to this spot where we stopped to pick up several beer cans and a bunch of trash, clearly left from the weekend. Thank you to our fellow paddlers that stopped with us to pick it up. We have zero tolerance for litterbugs. Respect the river and forest, and all the wonderful critters that call it home. Pack it in, pack it out. Leave. No. Trace. #findyouroutsidevoice #dobetter #leavenotrace #packitinpackitout #litterbugs #alleghenyriver

What a relaxing early morning paddle today! We saw bald eagle, great blue heron, woodchuck, merganser, cormorant, and osprey. We didn't get a chance to enjoy the morning with all 25 paddlers that came out, as everyone eventually branched out and went their own direction, but just knowing that many people started their week waking up with the river sure makes us happy! Thanks for joining us, everyone!

A quick shout-out to Kwik Fill and United Refining Company, who chose to shop local for their outdoors package of their "Driving America Sweepstakes"! We've teamed up with them for the past four years to put together a camping package, but this year they came to us for $7,500 worth of everything outdoors - kayaks, backpacks, hammocks, cooking stoves, water filters, sleeping pads and bags, coolers, bikes - the whole outdoor shebang! Really means a lot to the small guy to have them reach out! And I should add, it's probably THE most fun we've ever had putting together an order... a shopping spree of our favorite gear for one lucky winner! Thank you United Refining and Kwik Fill for letting us be a part of the fun, and good luck to all who've entered! (And if you haven't entered, there's still time! Find the details here: https://www.kwikfill.com/details)

Whew! What a summer! You guys have just about cleaned us out of boats! But there are a few left in stock - now on clearance sale at 25% off! (All in-stock boats excluding Jackson Tupelo LT) Come check 'em out and get yourself a sweet deal!

We've been getting a bunch of questions about Big Bend boat launch at the base of Kinzua Dam. We have used it this morning. It is open, but the parking area up top appears to be closed.

Nothing beats paddling through early morning fog as the sun rises... This one's for all the early risers that like to "wake up with the Allegheny". We'll be meeting at Allegheny Outfitters Livery at 6:00 am, loading up boats, and departing by 6:10am to drive up to Kinzua Dam where we'll drop in and paddle roughly 7 miles back to our vehicles (at AO). For those that need to get to work, you can paddle ahead to your vehicle if the group isn't keeping pace. This stretch of river typically takes 2-3 hours with a leisure paddle. Bringing your own kayak is always welcome ($10 shuttle), rentals are available if needed ($40/kayak). Space is limited. Reservations required for logistics, even if you're bringing your own kayak, if you need a shuttle, please let us know. Email piper@alleghenyoutfitters.com, or call (814) 723-3030 for more information. Hope to see you on the river!

What a beautiful morning along the Allegheny! Thick fog to begin, then clearing up to give us a nice view of seven (maybe eight!) bald eagle on a small, quarter-mile stretch of river - just incredible! Also caught a glimpse of deer, several great blue heron, kingfisher and a red-tailed hawk! Next early morning paddle will be Monday, August 28th! Love watching our paddling community grow! Hope you'll join us!