MBCKC Paddle Reports

- - - Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon Paddle - - -
Saturday, November 8, 2003

GREAT time had by all. Several new paddlers present, including our youngest club member, Master Reid Johnson, 11 - who carries a mean handshake and paddles a strong stroke.

16 people showed up with a total of 13 boats. Despite the movie equipment and the wreck of the landing at Byrnes Lake, things went smoothly. As the film crew was expecting us, there was an area cleared for us to launch.

The weather was perfect, with a beautiful fall moon rising as we left the launch, and as we were crossing the Tensaw, the eclipse started. We landed at Gravine with about 1/2 moonlight and ate dinner to the darkening moon but a sky full of stars. As there was also a minor meteor shower, we were able to witness more than one astronomical wonder.

Not having planned for music, we were slightly dismayed when the party boat landed near us on Gravine and played their party music; but as it is a public island, nothing much we could do - just a bit surprising on such a night of nights. There are indeed others out in this water world who don't see things the way we kayakers do.

The paddle back was peaceful and calm with the moon coming to full and a slight north breeze keeping the air cool. If you didn't make it, you missed a great night.

Incidentally, Fritz spoke with the location manager of the film and was told that Byrnes Lake Landing will be closed by the county on the 10th for 20 days only. We had previously thought it would be closed until after the first of the year. And, no explosives will be going off under water, only above - so less worry for the fishes of Brynes Lake.

- Harriet King Ingraham