Join us for an evening of paddling magic as we watch the night sky come alive. A terrific way to experience the wonders of night is to paddle under a full moon! If you need a night to get back in touch with nature then this paddle event is the perfect outing for you!
Our glow-stick flotilla departs from the Bay Area Park boat launch and participants will paddle around on the bayou. Bring your kayak, canoe, raft, or other NON-motorized boat, dinghy, or flotation device and let's paddle around on Armand Bayou by Bay Area Park and see what we can find... in the in the moonlight.
We will meet at Bay Area Park at the boat launch area starting around 5:15 p.m. Yes -- 5:30 p.m. Remember, it starts getting pretty dark by this time. (Sunset is at 5:22 and civil twilight ends at 5:48). We will launch at 6:00 p.m. sharp, hiting the water under a nearly full moon! If you're renting from the local rental place, please be sure to get to the rental meetup spot early to do necessary paperwork, etc. so you are at the event on time. (Depending upon the number of renters, sometimes they want you at their place, sometimes at the park. YOU need to coordinate this if you are renting.)
NOTE: Bay Area Park closes at 10:00 p.m. Clear Lake Park closes at 10:00 p.m. The boat launch near Clear Lake Park closes at 10:00 p.m. Thus, you had better be back (or get to wherever you're going) in time to load yourself, you gear, and get out before you're locked in and/or car gets towed!
In that regard, the paddling event group will tend to stay to the south-east of the boat launch at Bay Area Park (see waypoint). We'll return there when done, so parking at Bay Area Park is appropriate. We expect that there will be plenty excitement and places to explore in the nightime (it all looks different in the dark) -- all while ensuring we make a timely return before any deadline(s). Those of you who wish to break off at some point are welcome to do so -- but then you are on your own. ;)
Don't have a boat? Contact me through my geocaching.com profile if you need additional info on how to join us on the water!
Things you need to consider and consider bringing if you attend this event (remember - it ain't summer!):
- You will get wet, and possibly soaked, at this event. If you're out on the water -- you may very well freeze your butt off as a result. Those small, chemical handwarmer bags might be nice.
- Bring a couple gallon-sized ziplock baggies -- for your GPSr (easy to operate in a large bag), camera, cell phone, and anything else you don't want to get wet (wallet). Trap a little air in them and they float should they fall into the water.
- Cotton clothes will suck your body heat away from you if they get wet. Wool and synthetics are your friends in cold and wet. A waterproof jacket or shell is a great idea, as is a hat and gloves. An old junky blanket has proven valuable in prior nighttime paddle events.
- Bring a headlamp to see where you're going. The moon will be pretty FULL, so the bayou will actually be fairly well lit for general paddling (assuming good weather). But you'll also want (dare I say need) a powerful flashlight, which, among other things, will also be great for seeing things. Like gator eyes staring back at you.
- Bring something to drink. This isn't summer where you need lots of bottled water and/or sports drinks, but you may get thirsty, and the bayou water is not recommended. You may wish you had a thermos of something WARM like coffee or hot chocolate.
- Wear a PFD / Lifejacket. Yes, it slows you down when trying to outswim the gators, but they'll likely not be out now. No guarantees, though. There were plenty out last year!
- Bring your camera (remember - ziplock) to document how nuts you and the other attendees of this event are.
- Bring your cell phone... just in case.
- No motors are allowed in the area where we'll be.
- And remember, what happens on the Bayou stays on the Bayou...
There are no geocaching.com attributes for alligators. Watch out for alligators! They are out there... somewhere. You might see some. You might not. They'll likely see YOU, though. I say it's not likely you will encounter a gator due to the temperatures, we certainly found them last year! If you do encounter one DO NOT FEED or pester the alligators - you could get in trouble in more ways than one.
Three useful resources:
Paddle Checklist.pdf
CLAPS - General Information and Resource Guide.pdf
Click here for a Bay Area Park facilities map and directions
This nighttime paddle event hosted by a
member.
Come visit our website.
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ARE YOU NUTS ENOUGH TO PADDLE IN THE DARK WITH US?
EARN YOUR D/T STARS AT THIS EVENT!
~~ LOG YOUR WILL ATTEND NOW! ~~
(And let us know if you're going ON the water or just attending.)
(If you're NOT paddling, you have to get wet to log this event. 
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