BEATING THE HEAT

As the temperature hovered in the mid-90s on Sunday, boats and bathers take advantage of a spot in the Allegheny River opposite the Carnegie Science Center. Story in Local News,

A heat advisory that dogged most of Western Pennsylvania on Sunday didn’t seem to have much effect on those visiting the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and river walk.

Boats, beer and the Buccos seemed to be the main attraction for hundreds who were scattered along the North Shore, but more than a few were getting in a routine exercise session — whether it was on bike or by foot.

And then there were the kayaks.

At one point, 50 kayakers could be seen paddling around the Allegheny River, beginning their journey at Kayak Pittsburgh, a Venture Outdoors project, located just under the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

But why paddle in the heat?

“Yeah, we can’t figure that out for two reasons,” said John Schuck of Kayak Pittsburgh. “You’re still doing all of the physical exertion with the kayaks and you’re out baking in the sun. But we were swamped from about 10 a.m. to noon. We have 76 kayaks, and just about every one of them was out there on the water.”

Regardless of the heat, all sorts of boats were lined up along the North Shore — their captains and crew working on tans or relaxing in the shade.

“You don’t get many of these days in Pittsburgh with the sun. You just have to take precautions in this heat,” said Larry Trantz of Allison Park.

“It’s nice having a big giant swimming pool right next to you so you can just jump right in,” he said, with a nod toward the Allegheny River.

Paula Barciz of Plum, who was out boating for the weekend, said it’s easier to be on the water when the heat is extraordinary like Sunday.

“Today is just about sticking around and having fun. It’s just doing what boaters do,” Ms. Barciz said.

Not everyone was impressed by the heat. As temperatures hit the 90s and the heat index got into triple digits, Gary Lockhart of Lenexa, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City, Mo., took a break from bicycling to gaze at the city’s skyline.

“It doesn’t seem that hot. This is the standard in Kansas City,” Mr. Lockhart said.

Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette photos Kristin Clarke of Point Breeze is joined in her kayak by Delilah, an 8-year-old Boston terrier mix, as she and her husband, Brandon, enjoy Sunday afternoon on the river.

Fiona Ozenich, 12, of Ambridge, performs dance moves next to the fountain at the Point.