Miami Living Magazine

Erika Christensen

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OUTDOOR Come kayak with me… – let's kayak away… Schedule your next kayaking trip with Blue Moon Outdoor Center Words by Marta A. Oppenheimer The full moon over Miami has been the subject of musicals, television shows, movies, songs, and even a breakfast sandwich on the menu of a well-known fast food restaurant. Miamians are lucky enough to enjoy, once a month, this subject of inspiration for so many. What better way to appreciate this magical celestial body than from the water? At Blue Moon Outdoor Center, the full moon can be contemplated —from a kayak. Leaving from Oleta River State Park on Biscayne Bay in Miami, this is a magnificent tour that will turn anyone into a kayak (and full moon) aficionado. Oleta River State Park is Florida's largest urban park. It is located between the Oleta River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The river was originally named Big Snake Creek and linked the Everglades with Biscayne Bay. It got its current name in 1922. With 15 miles of biking trails, a man-made beach and cabins, Oleta River State Park is the perfect place for camping, picnics, water sports, and biking. The park has exotic wetland and native plants, and is the perfect home for herons, egrets, storks, and raccoons among its many residents. The park includes a mangrove forest preserve. At these mangroves, the adventure begins. The Blue Moon Full Moon Kayak Tour starts on a clear full moon night. An average of 40 to 100 people, wearing blue lifejackets, navigate bright orange kayaks passed these red mangrove trails toward Biscayne Bay. It is a calm and magnificent experience, kayaking through nature, being guided by the moon. Once at the bay, on a good night, a dolphin or two might swim by the kayaks. Jumping fish make noise splashing on the water's surface. It is an easy, relaxing, evening. 88 MIAMI LIVING The tour covers an average of 3 to 3.5 miles, during which there is a break for a beach bonfire. Marshmallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers, and long sticks await. What a lovely experience it is, sitting on a sandy beach, eating warm S'mores, watching the flames dance and crackle. Blue Moon's friendly tour guy, Tim, wearing his oversized Indiana Jones hat sings "Miss American Pie" and "Margaritaville" while playing his guitar. It is truly a night straight out of a Hollywood movie. The trip on kayaks, back to the center, is a bittersweet good-bye. No need to be sad, there is always the next full moon! If night travel is not appealing, no worries, there are many other Blue Moon Outdoor Center tours. Sun lovers can luxuriate in the Oleta Park Inside Tour through the mangroves trails and Biscayne Bay waters. Need food for the brain as well? The Oleta River Blue Marlin Tour begins at historical Blue Marlin Fish House Interpretive Center and Museum. Paddle through the giant red mangroves and learn all about the Tequesta Indians, the Native American tribe that once occupied the area. This tour provides a great opportunity to spot manatees and exotic birds. The Intra-coastal Tour takes kayakers across the Haulover Inlet. This is the perfect tour for another kind of sighting; the Bal Harbour spectacular mansions, and the famous people that live in them. Check out bluemoonoutdoor.com for the perfect tour. Alas! For those not interested in getting wet, stay on land. There are many Blue Moon Outdoor Center bike tours as well. ML

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