Professional Target ) writes:
Don't know how many have tried this, but if you havn't, I recommend it.
There is a rather heavily wooded area near my home with a small river running
through it. I've had the pleasure of paddling through there after dark a
few times and... if you like being "creeped out", this is the way to do it
Everything changes once the sun goes down. You notice the insect population
seems to increase substantially (bring "juice"), owls start calling, coyotes
howling... you find yourself looking over your shoulder a lot. You hear
things moving through the trees that aren't there in daylight - things you
can't see... *big* things

I get the same feeling sitting in my basement with the lights turned off.


In spite of the creepy feeling you get, it ends up being absolutely peaceful
and quiet with nothing but the light of the moon to guide you back home.
And fortunately for me, I live in an area where the most dangerous animal
you're likely to encounter in the woods at night (besides humans) is a deer.

There is actually a "noise" effect on the nervous system during the day
from solar radiation, probably because humans are so oriented to visual
sensory input. I've been out paddling at night, also cross country
skiing alone in the hills under a full moon, and sensed something like
rapture, senses and judgement become impaired. Came close to dying from
skiing too far. During a night paddle I drifted into a large beaver who
dove, slapping the water, and getting me wet.

My favourite paddling time, however, is dawn when there is no wind and the
water is smooth as glass. But then I'm an introvert who enjoys sensory
deprivation.

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