This warm, late summer evening was the perfect setting for a moonlight paddle on Little Long Lake.   The small group of 8 Tramps put their kayaks in at the public launch site around 6:30 p.m. with Jean Y. as Leader and Diana M. as Co-leader.  After spraying down kayaks with disinfectant to insure nothing foreign was introduced to this beautiful lake, the group paddled into the setting sun circling the island in calm waters.  Although the loons were not in site, a lazy turtle was still lounging on a branch hovering in the water soaking up the last rays of the sun.

As the night sky came upon us, we paddled past beaver dams that showed no activity and through marshy areas of vegetation until the last beaver dam prevented us from further access.  As we headed back from the far end of the lake, we combed the skyline in anticipation of sighting the Full Moon that was scheduled to be up at 7:35 p.m.   In the evening dusk the lake’s surface painted a beautiful scene with it’s mirror-like reflection replicating the sky and trees above it.  Peaking through the tree trunks the bright orange circle was spotted, generating a sense of excitement.  We paddled on leisurely, watching the moon rise above the trees, spotting a beaver swimming along the surface and snapping some pictures.  The moon’s reflective light instilled a sense of quiet and peace among the group allowing one’s spirit to soak up the beauty of the moment.

Hesitantly, we paddled back under starlit skies towards the two beacon lights we left hanging along shore to lead us home.    After cautiously loading the kayak’s in the shadowed darkness, the experience was sweetened with homemade cookies.  It is hoped that all went home with restored souls.

By Jean Y.