One of the best birthday presents I have ever received. My brother bought me this trip and I couldnâ??t of asked for a better day. It was picture perfect weather and a Friday afternoon, while everyone else was stuck in traffic we were living it up. We met up at Aaronâ??s place where we loaded up and then headed to the lake. We put in downtown Austin and then headed for a short paddle a secret island in the middle of the lake. Aaron helped us out getting in and out of the kayaks each time and then pushing of off. We explored the island which had rope swings and a spot for a bone fire. Aaron himself even hung one of the swings long ago. You could even jump off the docks or hit golf balls from them. We shoved off the island and headed for a little longer paddle over to watch the bats fly out from the congress bridge. Now this was my first time kayaking and I had no trouble with the amount of paddling that we did. We had a good relaxing pace with great conversation and just enjoyed the scenery of downtown Austin. We made it to the bridge with plenty of time to just take in the day and just float the rest of the way. Crowds gathered on the Congress Bridge to watch the bats take flight and we had the best seat in the house right on the water below them. We were able to go under the bridge and see where all the bats come from. When you are on a kayak waiting for the bats you get to see them first before anyone else on the bridge. You get to see the bats start waking up and get ready for their nightly journey. After the bats were done, Aaron helped us to shore and out of the boats. It was of the best thing I have done in Austin and I plan on doing it again real soon. Thanks Aaron. Bryan.
Description
Take a kayak, canoe, or ‘party raft’ to get the best view of Austin’s 1.5 million bats. Bring friends or I can bring mine, either way we’re sure to have a blast. Snacks and sunset provided—the drinks are up to you!
This is one of Austin’s top tourist attractions, but most people miss out on the best view as they look down on the bats from the top of the bridge. When you look up, the blue skies in the background provide the best views of the bats.
What's Included
I’ll bring your choice of a single kayak, double kayak, canoe, or the party raft! I’ll also provide some strawberries and nuetella.
What to bring?
Don’t be late. The bats wont wait!
Additional Info
I take “local guiding” seriously. With any of my tours, you’ll get loads of side benefits. Depending on the day you come, I’ll invite you to whatever my friends are doing after our tour, let you borrow my mountain bike to explore the city on your own, etc. Trust me, you’ll get a lot more than you paid for.
Unless you request a private your, I’ll always invite my friends along with whatever we plan to do. It’s more fun for both of us.
Aaron is a busy guy! Between teaching, traveling the world, finding new and exciting ways to earn a bit of extra cash, hitchhiking and many other various outdoor activites he finds time to provide awesome and unique tours. Me, my wife and a few friends went on the full moon island tour. Aaron paddled us and about 20 other people each way!!! It was a great time! Now I need to do his scooter tour!
I only date Aaron for the adventure—caving, kayaking, cliff jumping, tandem biking, moped riding, rock hopping, hitchhiking, frisbee golfing, camping, night hiking, glow-in-the-dark ultimate frisbee, bonfires, sliding down waterfalls, unicycle football—everyone knows these are essential elements of any successful relationship.
I have known Aaron all his life and am still being amazed at his creativity and ability to see what others do not. He can take you places you’ve never been while doing so safely and thriftily. He truly finds joy in life. You will find joy and adventure with Aaron.
I’ve been friends with Aaron for a couple of years and he is easily the most active, adventure-seeking person I know. Aaron is the poster boy for a GuideHop guide: he’s passionate about the activities he guides, he’s an excellent instructor and experienced guide, and he’s just a good, down-to-earth guy that loves meeting new people and showing them his city. I highly recommend you go on one of Aaron’s (very unique and fun!) activities.
Aaron is a very energetic and extraverted person. he is able to talk or communicate with any nationality from around the world (just look at the pictures). He is always looking for adventure wherever he goes, or plans on going, to include getting there with spending as little a possible while doing it. He is responsible, and knows the limits (whatever they may be). You will be amazed at the things he can find to do when you think there is nothing going on around you. If you are looking for adventure, then you have found your match. Just remember, be careful what you ask for. Aaron will take you to the limit and you will enjoy it for a lifetime.
$25/person
Meet Aaron B
Aaron is a founding member of Guidehop and its first guide. He is an expert on Austin’s outdoor offerings and is willing to give you the keys to his city. He finds adventure in places where others see none, and can discover more about an area’s outdoors in a single week than others find in a lifetime. Aaron is a seasoned world traveler who has been to over 30 countries, mostly via hitchhiking and other forms of ultra-cheap travel. He is passionate about sharing his way of life and bringing people along with him, whether through organizing a massive hitchhiking race from Texas to North Carolina, hosting an island camp out, or convincing his friends to start a scooter gang. Aaron holds the record for the longest field goal ever in the Unicycle Football League where he is a two-time national champion with his team the Hot Dogs. When he’s not traveling, Aaron can be found playing ping pong and teaching Speech at a local high school.
Qualifications & Experience
I’ve done this with friends for years and I have enough boat combinations to carry 22 people.
Languages
English (Fluent)
More by Aaron B
Cliff diving, rock climbing, and rope swinging
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