Let me preface this story by saying that paddling a kayak, taking notes, and snapping photos roughly all at the same time, is a bad idea.
Given that the sun was setting quickly and this is supposed to be a story about kayaking under a full moon--and well, you really can't take a picture of the moon from a moving kayak--I had limited time to document the experience.
But just so you know, your correspondent-of-fun attempted to do it all and nearly capsized while heading straight into a bunch of mangroves. (The things I do for you people!)
The sun was almost at its magic hour, beginning to sketch its light orange rays in the sky, when our group launched kayaks from the Marine Discovery Center. The organization, a non - profit based in New Smyrna Beach, is dedicated to environmental education and provides lots of "hands-on, feet wet" activities like the monthly full moon journey and other cool adult field trips.
Our diverse crew included a young couple visiting from Buffalo, N.Y., center volunteers and staff, and one of the most interesting kayakers I've ever met, Snookie DeMarce. We were all of various experience levels, but Snookie is especially notable for her trip a few years ago, when she went down the Indian River alone for about a month, camping on spoil islands.
She's got neat gear like her special life jacket. Rather than wear a bulky PFD like mine, she uses an inflatable jacket that's tucked into what looks like a fanny pack.
"It's great for kayaking topless!" Snookie said, making me wonder just how serious she is. Of course, it's probably a little chilly for that during the fall.
During our excursion in the Indian River Lagoon, one of our first points of interest is a sea bird rookery near the city marina. Several bird species call this mangrove island home. And it STINKS.
Unfortunately, being the resourceful journalist that I thought I could be, I was trying to snap photos and take notes on the types of the birds, when I nearly crashed into the island. Bird poop dripping everywhere. Very bad.
Upon straightening myself out, I paddled closer to Coralie Gilson, who is a master naturalist with the Marine Discovery Center. "As the sun sets, we'll start getting birds coming in from every direction," she said.
Juvenile pelicans and snowy egrets soared by as it began to get colder and darker. Between
most every mangrove branch there was some type of bird beginning to rest f
or
the night, such as white ibis, great egrets, black crown night herons, cormorants, little blue herons and tri-colored herons.
One of the islands we passed, though, was quiet, which Coralie said happens sometimes for various reasons, such as when fish move out of the area, changes in vegetation, or possibly the fact that the nearby marina expanded closely to the island.
We paddled through the marina, which really wasn't all that scenic considering it was just a bunch of white boats, and into an area that was more secluded from development.
Reaching the backwaters of the river, we searched the sky for what we were all waiting for.
"There it is!" somebody yelled.
Hanging low in the sky and just beyond the palm trees was our massive moon, still a creamy white against a pale blue expanse. We all howled in unison.
The sky finally darkened about an hour into our journey, requiring us to flick the flashlights on to make boaters aware of us.
That phrase, "it's like night and day" definitely applies to a kayak tour like this for obvious reasons, but also because it's just such a completely different experience.
It's quiet and eerie and peaceful as you break the silvery-blue water with your paddle.
Conversations disappear in the serenity of the night as we paddled away from the streetlights and condominiums.
With my pen lost somewhere in my boat, my notebook all wet and my camera useless in the dark, it was finally just me and the moon, rising higher and shining stronger.
Wanna go kayaking under the moon? Your next chance is Thursday, Nov. 13. Kayaks launch from the Marine Discovery Center, 162 N. Causeway, at 5 p.m. Call 386-428-4828 to make a reservation.
IF YOU GO:
The two-hour tour is guided by staff that is trained in rescue, first aid and CPR. If you have your own yak, the tour costs $20 per person. If you don't, it's $30 with the kayak rental, which includes a PFD, emergency whistle and flashlights (headlamp included).
Besides needing a boat, you might want to bring a sweater or jacket, bottled water, some water shoes, and flashlights.