Just to be clear, I hate bats. They are like mice that can fly with not just any wings, but those stretched-out membranes of skin (called the patagium, in case anyone asks).

And if you’ve ever seen one crawl, you know the definition of creepy. 

Going kayaking to see a whole colony of them was just a brave idea, an attempt to show off in front of my out-of-state friends and then tell everyone who missed out. 

The Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin houses the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Each night at dusk from March through October, the bats fly out by the thousands to feed on a range of area insects.

Casey Vick was planning to start a kayaking business with his wife, Beverley, even before they went to see the bats from the water. They agreed it was the best way to observe them and thought others might enjoy it, as well. 

Kayaking, as Vick explains, presents a different, more entertaining, active and slightly adventurous way of seeing the Congress Avenue Bridge bats. That concept is what started Live Love Paddle. The Vicks have been taking tourists out on their bat tours since 2009.

Today, the Vicks offer full-day river trips, overnight kayaking trips and team-building activities on top of the bat tours. Live Love Paddle provides families, groups and couples with an outlet for adventure and some great bonding time. The participants meet their instructor at Lady Bird Lake, get a brief “how to” of the paddling process and off they go.

I had never operated a kayak before the bat tour. After contacting Live Love Paddle on the day of the bat tour, I was quickly taught what to do before the big trip. It was one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I can remember.

The water is calm, and the temperature is usually very pleasant for the excursion. Approaching the bridge, you start hearing the bats. You are almost guaranteed to see crowds lining up above your head along Congress Avenue Bridge. 

Vick gathers all of his paddlers to share a bit of the city’s history by sharing stories and answering questions. As the sun nears the horizon, the city’s lights start reflecting in the water. You find yourself in the middle of downtown, yet rocking on the water’s surface.

As romantic as it sounds, gravity works against you here. The bats live under the bridge, which means high above the water and your head. If you stay in the line of fire, guano is bound to hit you. (Though that surely sounds better than any other word you could think of to describe it, right?)

The risks are worth it when the estimated 1.5 million Austin free-tailed bats fly out in huge groups from beneath the bridge. The sight is incredible – more so now because “due to the Texas drought, the bats fly farther out to find their food, so they leave sooner,” according to Vick.

As I watch them leave, I take in the scenery and appreciate the only flying mammals for what they are: amazing little creatures that feed on all those buzzing, blood-sucking insects that spoil my picnics and patio parties. 

I recognize I don’t hate bats, after all. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I thank Live Love Paddle for the experience and new perspective.

For more information on the kayak tours, visit www.livelovepaddle.com.