Moonlight Kayaking, Community + Finding a Little Magic on the Water

I’ve been kayaking before, but I had never kayaked at Independence Oaks County Park, and I had definitely never done it at night.

So when I saw Black to the Land Coalition’s Full Moonlight Paddle, I knew this was one I wanted to experience. Not because it sounded extreme or particularly challenging, but because there was something about the idea of being on the water under a full moon that felt completely different from any kayaking experience I’d had before.

And it was.

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt incredibly welcoming. There were so many Black and Brown people there, all coming together to enjoy the outdoors in a way that felt intentional, relaxed and genuinely joyful.

Once we got out onto the water, everything became even more peaceful.

The moon was shining above us, the water was calm and the darkness created this strange little bubble where you could hear people laughing and talking without always being able to see exactly who they were. At some point, the people around us stopped being strangers. We started recognizing voices, laughing with people we had never met and just enjoying the ridiculousness of trying to socialize in the dark while floating around on a lake.

It was such a simple thing, but it felt really special.

Then we gathered together on the water for a sound performance, followed by a moment to set intentions and howl toward the moon. Yes, we were literally out there howling at the moon and idk.. somehow it felt completely natural.

There was something about being surrounded by water, under the moon with so many people that look like me..us all sharing that same moment ..idk that made it feel bigger than just a kayaking event to me.

It felt freeing.

It also happened to come at a pretty meaningful time for me personally.

My birthday is September 10th and I’ve started treating the beginning of Virgo season (August 22nd) as my own personal new year. It’s when I naturally start thinking about what I want the next year of my life to look like, what I want to experience, what I want to accomplish and which parts of my life I’m ready to expand.

With so many new opportunities already presenting themselves, being out on the water setting intentions for what comes next felt almost tooo perfectly timed.

And sharing that experience with two women who have been my friends for more than 15 years made it even better. There is something really beautiful about growing up with people, entering completely different seasons of life together and still finding new experiences to share.

That is also what stood out to me about Black to the Land Coalition.

Their work is centered around creating culturally relevant relationships with nature and expanding outdoor leadership and participation for Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. They offer experiences ranging from hiking and kayaking to camping and other outdoor programming, with the goal of making these spaces feel more accessible and connected to the communities they serve. Their organization notes that about half of their participants are new to activities like hiking, kayaking and camping, which says a lot about the kind of welcoming environment they are creating.

You could feel that spirit at this event.

Nobody seemed concerned with whether you were an experienced kayaker, an outdoorsy person or someone who spends every weekend on a lake. Everyone was simply there to experience something together.

And honestly, I think that’s what made the night so memorable.

I went kayaking. I made new friends. I laughed in the dark.

I listened to music floating in the middle of the water, set intentions under a full moon and howled at the sky with a whole group of beautiful black and brown people.

Now that’s an Adult Play Adventure if I’ve ever seen one.

I’m already looking forward to whatever Black to the Land Coalition puts together next. Because whether it’s another paddle, a hike or camping trip, I’m definitely keeping an eye on what’s coming.

Sometimes you don’t need to go far to experience something completely new.

Sometimes you just need to get on the water, look up at the moon and be willing to see what tf happens🤷🏾‍♀️.

📍 Location: Independence Oaks County Park

🏙️ City: Clarkston, Michigan

💰 Cost: Event ticket required ($35); kayak and life jacket provided with registration

⭐ Difficulty: Beginner Friendly

👤 Solo Friendly: Yes

👥 Group Friendly: Yes

⏱️ Time Needed: 2–4 Hours

🎒 What to Bring: Water, Snacks, Comfortable Clothing, Bug Spray, Phone/Waterproof Bag and a Light Layer for the Night

This episode will drop 9/4.