Twenty-four paddlers showed up to paddle into one of the most spectacular sunsets that could be imagined. Photos do little to convey its beauty especially since color drenched the entire sky in every direction, not just to the west. The cloud formations were wildly various and dramatic. It must have been a moment like this that inspired Michaelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

Dolphins are very often seen near the mouth of the canal where we launched but to our surprise there was a manatee grazing. I have been told that sea grass beds are reviving in that area. Evidently some control is finally being exercised over midnight dredging operations. Pelican flights sillouetted against the colorful sunset were a particularly pleasing part of the whole experience.

The new Angelo's is very nice in many respects. Neither the service nor the food has changed much, (not a compliment), and it is even pricier than before but companionship and atmosphere more than made up for that. The mix of old paddletally friends, newcomers and even visitors from as far away as Pinellas County made it a great party.

It is unfortunate that the same clouds that so intensifyied the sunset obscured the moon which peeked out at us only once or twice on the return trip. That, however, really did not diminish our enjoyment.

I went to some pains in planning with the restaurant and was a bit embarrassed when the numbers came up short of what had been promised. My thanks to those who were considerate enough to inform me that they were bailing rather than just not showing up.

I hope everyone enjoyed this trip as much as I did. If so, we will continue to try to make it an annual fall event.

Some photos:

Michael Lampman

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