When Halifax couple Jenny and Joe Zerance wanted to do something a little different on a lazy, hot Sunday evening in July, they opted to take a leisurely ride aboard the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat. The sold-out “Blues Cruise” featured the soulful sounds of the Mark Facazio Band.
“My wife and I thought it would be a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday evening, enjoying good music,” said Joe. “And the band is pretty darned good,” his wife added.
If you haven’t enjoyed a Ride on the Pride yet this year, there’s still time left to take advantage of one of the many specialty cruises available.
Three more Blues Cruises are on tap through mid-October where patrons can sip drinks while enjoying the sultry sounds of area musicians. The ship remains docked for the first two hours of the event before culminating in a scenic river cruise.
Or, if you’re a wine lover, why not sign up for an upcoming wine and cheese tasting cruise where you can sip your favorite libation, while enjoying the scenery? If you enjoy crab, they’ve got the cruise for you and you have until the end of October to get crackin’ to partake in an all-you-can eat crab feast onboard.
And if you’re the type of person who doesn’t go anywhere without your beloved Fido, you can treat him to a ride on the Pride on September 17, when the riverboat teams up with the Humane Society for a benefit event.
If passive relaxation isn’t your cup of tea, you can take a more active role and navigate your own boat. Consider kayaking or canoeing on the Susquehanna. Harrisburg resident Gary Andree, who bought his kayak at Gander Mountain, said that his favorite part of kayaking is relaxing and enjoying nature. “And there are many places to launch,” he said.
If you’re hesitant to purchase a kayak outright, you can just head on over to Susquehanna Outfitters on City Island. Steve Oliphant, owner, said, “We rent kayaks and canoes for people and offer guided programs as well. We also provide team-building and physical fitness programs. Kayaking is an aerobic, non-impact sport and the Susquehanna is a lovelier place to work out than in a gym.”
Be sure to make reservations though, cautioned Oliphant, because they sell out quickly. “We’re at the very tip of the island, the most scenic spot in all of Harrisburg. We give you the equipment and a safety talk and we load up the shuttle bus, give people a ride upstream for either a three-hour or a six-hour float back.”
“People can also rent a kayak for an hour, just to paddle around City Island. We just purchased two Stand-Up Paddleboards, otherwise known as SUP Boards. They look like surfboards that you stand on and paddle. It’s a great core workout and just a lot of fun,” said Oliphant. “I don’t know anyone else around the area rents them. It’s sort of a national craze,” he said.
We here in central Pennsylvania have a huge playground right in our backyard, so get out there and enjoy the beauty of the Susquehanna. After all, summer’s still going strong.
For more information on the Pride of the Susquehanna, visit www.harrisburgriverboat.com, and on renting kayaks, canoes, or SUP boards, visit www.susquehannaoutfitters.com.
