Buen Camino, Sister Moon!
I co-led our Full Moon Kayak Tour a couple nights ago, and it was really something.
The full moon coinciding with the summer solstice is a rather rare occurrence; name the Strawberry Moon in the northeast. According to “sources” (the internet), the last occurrence was in 1967, which just happens to be the year I was born. And, it won’t happen again until 2062, according to astronomers.
I had concerns about any moon viewing, and the weather in general, because of the cold front approaching overnight to break the heat of the 90-degree days that we had been experiencing. When the front edge of the cold front was due to come through, it was likely to create strong, gusty winds and the potential for strong thunderstorms.
So, one eye to the sky as we headed out.
We launched around 7:30 p.m. with six participants, on glassy-still water and no breeze whatsoever. Everything was still and peaceful, and it seemed that we had the whole river to ourselves.
We paddled upriver over an hour, to a little river island, with tentsites that our L.L. Bean crew helps maintain, and a wood cabin overseen by the Dartmouth Outing Club. We rested, had snacks, and hiked over to the cabin, and then we prepared to head back to our launch site.
The trip back actually began with a paddle around the island, upriver to where we could view the Ledyard Bridge, connecting Hanover, NH and Norwich, VT, lit up in the dusk of late evening. I still remember hiking across that bridge at a similar time of day on my section hike of the A.T.
Once we came around the island and began downriver, we definitely faced a steady blowing headwind. There was also some haze and cloud cover forming in the east-northeastern skies. And, no moon yet.
People were chatting about their days, and their plans for the summer. Relaxed conversations, as we made our way downstream. Every few minutes, it seemed, I would hear somebody else point out that the moon had yet to appear.
Josh, my co-leader, pointed out that the timing of these tours often meant that we wouldn’t get a full view of the moon until perhaps the last half hour of the tour. This is a result of the moon rising low on the horizon, combined with the hills that frame and rise up from the river valley.
People shared their past adventures and hopes for future ones, and we caught glimpses of the moon’s brightness peeking above the treeline, only for the ridge to rise again and block the light. With increased effort, we paddled through the headwind, as the darkness grew around us, and stars and planets appeared.
“Still no moon,” people joked, as they chatted about school districts and child-raising. An older couple talked about traveling to visit their grown children, while some younger participants discussed who was watching their kids tonight.
Then – the Full Moon. Clear above the ridge, with one lone pine above all the others, and the Moon framing full behind it, the scene was like a gigantic bonsai.
We paddled that last half hour in silence. Each of us, I believe, holding our own thoughts, and the connection with this powerful moment in time and nature –the Full Moon casting its otherworldly light upon us, and on the river carrying us. Each person perhaps approving and appreciating the choice that s/he made, to put her/himself right here, right now.
Maybe, like me, each was saying thanks for being offered a moment such as this, and being courageous enough, and adventurous enough, to try. Gratitude, Appreciation, and Wonder.
So, here’s a Prompt for you:
Honoring Nature – Have you gone to your “sit spots” at different times of the day, or at night?
If you haven’t yet, perhaps spend a morning watching the dawn sunrise, or an evening just watching the sun set, the stars come out, and the moon rise.
It’s magical!
Cultures have forever celebrated Full Moons and the Summer Solstice, and I feel part of that magical practice and connection, My Dear Guides! With a full heart – Buen Camino!
P.S. Powerful thunderstorms did roll through, a few hours after our trip ended!
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