Kayakers take to the water for 7th annual Loyalhanna Sojourn

Dozens of brightly colored kayaks lined a pathway at Latrobe’s Cardinal Park early Saturday in anticipation of the hundreds of boaters expected to float 9 miles down Loyalhanna Creek, ending their journey in New Alexandria.

In all, about 220 people were registered to participate in the seventh annual Loyalhanna Sojourn, an event that was established to bring awareness to the creek while attracting people to the area, Susan Huba said. Huba is executive director of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, a group founded to address pollution impacts and preserve natural areas.

“So many groups have worked hard to clean up (pollutants). … There’s still some remaining, so it’s a good opportunity for people to see the challenges that we still face,” Huba said. “But just to have a resource like this in our backyards and to attract people to this area is the goal of the event.”

The sojourn — hosted by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation and Keystone State Park — attracted people from across Westmoreland County. Everyone was bundled in jackets and long pants while wearing knit caps. Temperatures hovered in the 30s, and water temperatures ranged from the upper 50s to 60s as registration kicked off at 8 a.m.

“It’s supposed to be a beautiful day, so we’ll be fine,” said Scott Shoff, 65, of Youngwood, referencing the promise of sunny skies and highs reaching the 60s by the afternoon.

Shoff, who attended the event with his brother, Denny, said it was their first time participating in the Loyalhanna Sojourn but added they have attended similar events.

Denny Shoff, 68, said kayaking is a good way to see nature, “because you just kind of creep up. There’s no noise, so you float up on some really nice nature.”

Showing off nature to kayakers was one of the main goals for Jean Keene, 45, of Derry, who is an environmental education specialist with Keystone State Park and was volunteering as a safety boater. Getting on the water gives people a different perspective that can’t be seen from land, she said.

“It’s really great for noticing things, and, when you notice things, you get a better understanding of them,” Keene said. “When you get a better understanding of them, you understand why it’s important to preserve them.”

The event is open to kayakers of all skill levels. Throughout the day, safety boaters are dispatched to ensure participants remain safe during their almost three-hour float down the creek. Mike Moore, 50, of Derry has volunteered as a safety boater for the past five years. He assists kayakers who flip over and is there in case of medical emergencies.

The area, which Moore referred to as a beginners course, is one of the better spots for people wanting to try out kayaking on moving water.

The sojourn ends at Gray Wing Park in New Alexandria, where participants can listen to live music and buy lunch from a food truck.

“It’s just a fun time,” said Linda Sosko, 46, of Greensburg. “It’s a nice day. They have it set up really nice, and there’s a lot of help.”