Full Moon Fever

Finally our mini-heatwave has broken. We had three days of record-setting daily highs here on the We(s)t Coast during the week, with Thursday topping out at 30.9C. We didn't reach the all-time high of 33C that we hit about a year ago, but it was still bloody hot for these parts.
Temps will cool to a more seasonal 20C over the weekend and we might even get some rain in a few days. But Friday was still pleasant and balmy and Richard suggested an evening kayak in The Gorge, and we jumped at the idea.


The conditions were perfect. With nary a ripple on the water, Louise, Richard and I put in.


Paula arrived a bit late in commando mode, so while she pumped up her Advanced Elements Expedition, the rest of us checked out the rapids under the Tillicum Bridge.


The tide had just turned so there were no rapids this time. But the current under the bridge was picking up, and Richard played in it for a few minutes.


We turned around to head back to pick up Paula and saw that we were heading into a glorious sunset.


Louise and Richard met Paula at the shore, but I followed a mama duck and her babies. They crossed my path in the golden glow of the last rays of the setting sun.


At the risk of repeating myself, the sunset was gorgeous....


...and as the sun went down in west...

...the full moon rose in the east.


Soon, darkness replaced the blue sky...

...but even in the dark, nature couldn't hide from us! We found a heron that was fishing for a late night snack....

...and a pair swans and their chicks.


Eventually, we headed back, and this great paddle came to an end.




Trip length: 9.93 km
YTD: 117.89 km
More pictures are here.
The Google Earth kmz is here.