Bring your kayak to Patoka Lake on Aug. 21 to view the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse from the water.

Southwest Indiana will experience nearly 98 percent darkness for 2.5 minutes. The eclipse will begin at 12:56 p.m.

The kayak trip will last from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Paddlers should meet at the South Lick Fork Boat Ramp off State Road 164 no later than 12:15 p.m. to register.

Special solar glasses will be provided to the first 20 participants.

Participants should bring life jackets and their own snacks. Because of the darkness, night boating laws will be followed. So, participants should also bring a headlamp or flashlight that can be attached to the front of the boat. Participants might want to bring binoculars, too.

Non-motorized launch permits are required and will be sold at the ramp for $5.

For more information, call the nature center at (812) 685-2447.

Patoka Lake (stateparks.IN.gov/2953.htm) is at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.



Media contact: Dana Reckelhoff, interpretive naturalist, Patoka Lake Nature Center, (812) 685-2447.