Paddling under the harvest moon

Last night 15 paddlers in 13 kayaks met at St. Philips for a moonlight paddle.  It was a harvest moon paddle; the harvest moon being so named because it is the full moon nearest the autumn equinox.  Farmers used it to extend their harvest time in fall.  We used it as a backdrop to a very enjoyable paddle.

We have tried to do this paddle for three years but up to now weren't lucky enough to have the moon accompany us.  Here is shines on the water with the lights of St. Philips.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Not true on this night.  This shot catches Sue under the moon with its light shimmering on the water.  It was much more surreal than the picture suggests with much more light being actually cast on the water.

We paddled out of the harbour and the first thing Alex and I saw was a meteor.  It blazed a trail across the sky that was almost in slow motion compared to a meteorite.  I thought to myself, the night was off to a good start.

Still in the bay was the oil drill rig Henry Goodridge, just over the bow of the red boat.  We paddled out to it in daylight two weeks ago but in the dark it was lit up like a Christmas tree.

While there was a significant amount of light provided by the moon I till had to get up close in order for the camera flash to capture any detail.  Here, Dean, who always seems to be on the water when I am gets caught by the flash.

We stopped for a break at Topsail Beach.  There was very little wind but a sizeable broad open swell was running.  When it hit the beach it required care in landing.  Dad Alex makes it easy for Sandy.

We all had various arrangements of glow sticks so we could keep track of everyone on the water.

When we landed Dean spotted a campfire that was abandoned but still had hot embers.  We collected what wood was around and got it going again.  Oh but for a bag of marshmellows!

Here's the crew on last night's paddle.

Excellent paddle all around gang, thanks very much for sharing the night.

A moonless moonlight paddle

Sundown

There are four ingredients to a moonlight paddle. Three things that are nice to have and one must have.

Waiting

One: Calm water. Darkness adds a degree of difficulty in itself; no need to add active water into the mix.

Last light

Two: light wind - for the same reason as calm seas.

Dark stranger

Three: fellow paddlers. I'm afraid in the dark *lol*. There were 10 of us, even Stan whom I haven't seen since April was there.

Reflections

Four: Moonlight. Doh! Forgot to arrange for an appearance by the moon.

Dean paddles into the dark

All the ducks seemed to be lining up early Tuesday. Calm wind and seas and a crystal clear blue sky with bright sunshine. Then, later in the afternoon it began to cloud over. I knew then we wouldn't have the moon for company.

What are the probabilities of having all the ingredients on any full moon night? I don't know but not good I suspect. We went for a paddle anyway and still enjoyed the night.

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.