The "A Night Of Adventures In The Caribbean"

It was an ordinary day.  The story in the newspaper read: NIGHT ADVENTURES - Adventures abound under the stars, on land, on water and under it, too.  Astrotourism, travel devoid to stargazing and other celestial activities, is booming, spurred on, in part, by DarkSky International, which seeks to protect the night skies from light pollution.  The non-profit organization, based in Tucson, Arizona, has designated 220 dark sky areas around the world since its grassroots founding in 1988, and has recently started the DarkSky Approved Lodging program.  "Viewing our starry night sky has connected humanity throughout the ages nd allowed us to form a deep connection with the cosmos," said Susan Serven, DarkSky's communications director.  "Now it's seen as a growing potential economic driver, as well."  There are 5 nocturnal adventures that will add a strong dose of awe to your next vacation.  FULL MOON GOAT HIKE.  Bradley mountain Farm, in Southington, Connecticut, has been a daily farm for two centuries.  But, it's only in the past five years that the owner, Annelids Dadras, brought goats and humans together under the full moon.  An excursion, about a half mile, meanders along a forest trail, past a pasture where guests can see the rat of the herd, and eventually arrives at a large lake, where participants are rewarded with a view of the full moon bouncing off off its surface.  While it is acknowledged that it might sometimes feel a little spooky traversing the land in the dark, the goats bring a sense of playfulness.  "People have so much fun with the goats, they say, 'Oh, I forgot it wa about the moon.'"  NIGHTTIME RIVER FLOAT.  Across the country, in Sunriveer, Oregon, Suriver Resort, a 3,300-acre property situate within an international dark sky designated area, includes 6 miles of water frontage on the Deschutes River.  This wide, flat body of water is where a fulll moon river float takes guess for a 2.5 hour paddle in a kayak or canoe.  Our skies are so dark at night that it makes stargazing just so impressive." said the resort's director.  Five or six guides ensure safety and point out celestial spectacles overhead.  "The night sky is really the focal point," Borrows said.  "You're going to see shooting stars on a clear night, and you're going to see the Milky Way."  Even though up to 30 people can join, the vibe remains reflective, the sound of paddles hitting the water adding to the serenity of the night sky.  But when the float wraps up buck at the marina, reflective shifts to festive as guests sip hot chocolate, baking in the glow of a fire pit and the moon above.  Dark skies are inherently beautiful,  filled with glittering stars and dusty, spiraling galaxies.  It's spectacles like these that inspire people to journey to Sedona, Arizona, another designated dark sky community.  It's also whine of Enchantment Resort's most popular programs is stargazing.  It's one thing to see the majesty the cosmos, but to be able to take it home with you is also extraordinary. That's the idea of the night sky photography classes offered at Keweenaw Moutain Lodge on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, yet another international dark sky designed area.  NIGHT SNORKELING.  Many travelers book trips to the Caribbean with plans to snorkel through the sea's clear waters.  Travelers to Secret Bay, a secluded 22-villa resort on Dominica, might have the opportunity to see creatures that others don't, by enjoying the experience at night.  Secret Bays boat captain, Don Mitchell, known as Captain Don, takes up to seven guests nightly to a location he has scoped out for optimal conditions.  With divinq lights in hand,  everyone jumps in and explores.  In addition to creatures like lobsters, squid and octopus, guests may see the occasional barracuda or scorpion fish.  After about a half-hour of snorkeling, the show continues when Mitchell and the guests extinguish their lights and behold another spectacle; bioluminescence, tiny underwater plankton that, stirred u  p by the activity, create an ethereal blue glow, mimicking the cosmos about.  It was another extraodinry day in the life of an ordinary guy.