Moonlight paddle

Sunset

It was full moon time of the month. Clyde suggested a moonlight paddle so instead of our usual Thursday evening practice we put-in late near sunset. The sunset wasn't spectacular and fog threatened to hide the moon but we were undeterred. If the moon didn't present then we'd just have a night paddle.

The light begins to fail

We left St. Philips around 8:00 and decided on a paddle southerly towards Topsail. To starboard the sky turned to salmon after sunset and gradually night overtook us.

Time to relax

We were in no hurry as we stopped to take in the night. Overhead the stars shone and the planet Venus sparkled in the southwestern sky.

Beached at Topsail

We arrived at Topsail after beating into very gusty winds that were bursting down over Topsail Head. All along the beach people had campfires going. I heard one comment that our kayaks looked "creepy" on the water with our glowsticks. We pulled out and stood around cracking jokes very pleased with the paddle.

Clyde

Paddling back to St. Philips we set sparks racing along the water with some good bioluminescence and near St. Thomas Cove the moon consented to grace us with its presence. It shone through a foggy window but with enough clarity we could pronounce the paddle was indeed a moonlight paddle. Unfortunately, the moon itself wasn't captured as Clyde sat in moonlight. We carried on back the St. Philips where we took out at 10:45. Loading boats was quicker than usual as we all beat it home.