A great river Moonlight Paddle into the Night
A Grand River moonlit paddle offers the opportunity to experience a river at night. There is something mystical about floating through the mist of silence on a moonlit highway of water. People are amazed at how well he can see. And your sense of sound increases sharply. There is something different about looking outside and experiencing darkness.
With the night on a river comes an amazing world of activity. There are fish splashing around while feeding in the dark. There are the wavy lines of beavers swimming and their tails exploding … the snorting of alarmed deer … the gaping dinosaur of blue herons hunting on the shores. Then there is the endless chorus of crickets, frogs and toads that create a symphony in the night. But the highlight is the howl of coyotes or the hooting of owls that echo through the corridors of the valley.
This is a world of silhouettes where a river rowed during the day turns into a totally different place at night … where daytime silence is replaced by sound. The paddling experience is relaxing but haunting … and it does something to the soul.
The best way for the novice paddler to experience moonlight paddling is in the safety of a raft. These guided rafts are stable and dry … allowing anyone of any size, age or agility to participate safely. For those experienced in a canoe or kayak … a guided rowing in the moonlight with local guides is an exhilarating experience in a desert of beauty.
These trips are offered in Paris, Ontario, about an hour west of Toronto, just off Highway 403. Moonlight paddles often start around 8-8: 30 pm and work toward the evening. The trips last 2-3 hours and cover a distance of about 10 kilometers. Rafting costs are $ 40 per person and include guide, all rafting equipment, and transportation. For those who wish to do a guided kayak in the moonlight or a canoe paddle … prices range from $ 30 / person with your own equipment to $ 70 / person for those who require equipment.
For those who wish to spend the night on the Grand River, there is the beautifully restored Arlington Hotel in Paris. For those wanting a country experience, there is the River Ridge Bed & Breakfast with an excellent gourmet breakfast and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the valley. For camping nearby, there are secluded private campsites available right on the river or there are the Pinehurst Grand River Conservation Campgrounds as well as the Brant Park Campgrounds. For more information or reservations about moonlit paddling, lodging, or dining, contact the Grand River Rafting Company near Paris, Ontario.
If you are looking for a unique paddling experience … one that will be remembered … a moonlit paddle on the Grand River will definitely fit the call.