Is there a full moon? Then it's time to hit the kayaks! By Judy Green -- Bee Staff Writer Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, August 18, 2005
Lapping water and dipping paddles may be the only sounds kayakers hear if they take a full-moon tour this weekend on a lake or along the coast. Away from city lights, they can expect to see the bright lights of Venus, Jupiter, Scorpio and Sagittarius - even by the light of the moon.
Paddlers of all abilities can enjoy nature's monthly bright light on Lake Tahoe through a tour planned by Kevin Hickey of Tahoe Adventure Co. in Tahoe City. The cost is $60 per person.
Company owner Hickey said first-timers often are amazed at how easy the sit-on-top boats are to maneuver after a short lesson. "Ninety-nine percent of people fear it's too hard, and most are surprised and wonder afterward what they were worried about."
Tahoe participants will meet on the beach for outfitting and a short paddling lesson before slipping a single or double kayak into the water and following the guide to make basic turns. Depending on the group, Hickey will guide participants out about a half-mile or farther, paddling a total of about two miles.
"We start out at just before sunset," Hickey said from Truckee. He expects the air will be cool and the sand warm from the day. The water will be calm and quiet as the wind dies down and other boats button up for the night. Kayakers can anticipate watching the sunset's colors glowing and changing as the sky fades to dark.
Although visibility will be fair in the moonlight, Hickey attaches green glow sticks to the bow and stern of guests' boats, and red ones on the guide boats and paddles, for safety.
After about two hours on the water, paddlers go back to shore and warm up with hot drinks and snacks.
Visitors Love To Adventure With Us
"We recently went to Lake Tahoe for R&R. I love to hike and decide to hire a guide for one day. Tahoe Adventure Company was wonderful their customer service and guides are very professional. Our guide Robin new about all the flowers, trees, wildlife and brought a book so we could look up flowers, fish, trees and more. She even brought a picnic along for the day! I would recommend Tahoe Adventure Company for anyone interested in hiking, and water activities. When we return for future summers in Tahoe we will be booking more hikes with Tahoe Adventure Company!" -Tracy M
"This was my first time in Lake Tahoe in the winter, and I was excited to do every kind of activity to enjoy what the area has to offer. Snowshoeing came highly recommended, particularly with the option to do a sunset tour, where you could see the sunset from a ridge on the Castle Peak mountain. The whole experience was great. Eric was a terrific guide who got everybody set up in their snowshoes, and with the poles. Took us up the mountain giving us tidbits of information all along the way, and providing emotional support when it got exhausting due to the elevation." -Trip Advisor Review
"We had a fantastic sunset snow shoe tour with Eric and Michelle today. They were fun and very knowledgeable about snow shoeing, the trail, the area and the plants and animals of the area both past and present. It was a three hour tour at a good pace (we definitely got our workout in). I would totally go on another tour with them. Actually we found out they do kayak tours in the summer so when we come up in the summer we will definitely be giving them a call! Great afternoon! A+ experience!!!" -Trip Advisor Review
"My husband, 15-year-old daughter, and I booked the Friday, December 28 sunset snowshoe tour with Tahoe Adventure Company. It took a while to confirm but once I spoke with Katie we were all set. We were a bit nervous for the tour as the day was a dark 20 degrees with howling winds. We met our guides 30 minute late, but they were kind and patient with us. Once we got geared up and hiked the icy road under the freeway, then we were off. The Pacific trail was in deep snow and out of the wind. We were comfortable the whole time. Our guide spoke about the terrain and glaciers that formed the area. Michelle took some awesome photos of us with the mountain peaks at sunset. All in all, it was a beautiful experience." -Trip Advisor Review
-- Trip Advisor Review
"We had the best time exploring Lake Tahoe with our guide, Will! He was super knowledgeable about the lake, surrounding geography, and local history. Getting to experience the lake by kayak was a no brainer for us. Highly recommend Tahoe Adventure Company. You won't regret it!" -Caitlin W.
-- Caitlin W.
"We recently went to Lake Tahoe for R&R. I love to hike and decide to hire a guide for one day. Tahoe Adventure Company was wonderful their customer service and guides are very professional. Our guide Robin new about all the flowers, trees, wildlife and brought a book so we could look up flowers, fish, trees and more. She even brought a picnic along for the day! I would recommend Tahoe Adventure Company for anyone interested in hiking, and water activities. When we return for future summers in Tahoe we will be booking more hikes with Tahoe Adventure Company!" -Tracy M