Paddle to the sun(set)

With the unseasonably warm temperature this past weekend, and an impromptu date with D+M to go kayaking, we decided to head to Long Island Sound Saturday afternoon.
On an 85 degree day we needed those sea breezes to cool us off!

We met in Old Lyme in the late afternoon...our plan was to paddle around the Lieutenant River and the marshes for a couple of hours, then head to a little island beach for a picnic supper just at the edge of the Sound for sunset views.

We were excited to get out on our kayak again...we had had such a busy summer that this was only the second time this season!



D+M paddling up the Lieutenant River, below.

My essential for the eventual beach picnic was strapped to the front of my
kayak...my beach chair!

There were some gorgeous houses along the river...we saw some interesting birds and cute blue boathouse doors.

The weather was perfect for paddling..windy at first, but it soon died down to a gentle breeze.

We turned into one of the narrow inlets that run parallel and perpendicular (see? I remember geometry ;) to the river.
The marsh grass was crazy beautiful against the blue sky.

We meandered around the inlets for quite some time, and then eventually back out to the river and headed towards the Sound.

We pulled up on some low tide mud/sand flats and moored our boats.

Other than one other couple, we four were the only ones here.

Our kayaks in the distance..

There were tons of shells.

The last time Jim and I came here (last summer) it was packed with people and kayakers.
Ah...the best thing about September....the hordes have vanished.

We sipped wine (that D + M brought), and munched on snacks like chipoltle hummus, cheese, french bread, brownies..(that D+M brought, too..we were food slackers) and settled back to watch the show.


The Sunset Spectacular.

It was breathtaking.

Until, finally, the sun set.

We headed back to gather up our things and paddle back to our cars.

Twilight paddling :0)

We hated to have the evening end...so of course we stretched it out by finding (what else but) a local ice cream store.

Thanks, D and M...we had an unforgettable evening...