The weather forecast did a 360 on us. It was supposed to be a slight chance of rain, but it rained (well drizzle) throughout the trip -- while getting ready for the paddle, paddling and after the paddle. Luckily, we are a hearty bunch. As many observed, it was rather pleasant compared to a scorching 90-degree hot paddle – rather refreshing, really. Water level was about 2.91.
Participating in the paddle were 16 kayakers/canoers; namely, Alf C, Tony B, Tim T, Jason F, Hugh H, David C. Craig I, Kathleen S, Andrew T, Max K, Dmitry D, Karen D, Sergey G, Ginny Q and Gary Q and your trip coordinator (TC) Hildy F. The canoeists were Gary Q, Ginny Q, Tim T and Max K while all others sported a hardshell kayak.
Alf C headed up the fast (first) group, while I headed the slow/play group (3rd group). Hugh and Cotton formed their own pod (2nd Group) with their neighbor Craig who had a successful first decent. Alf got his 5-member subgroup back home just fine 😉. As often happens, the number two group started to run up into Alf’s group. They scampered down to Slalom Rapid and started playing there. At Attainment Rapid, only Kathleen and Dmitry were able to attain to the top. At Blockhouse Point, almost all traces of Snitzer's and Alf’s measuring the previous weekend were obliterated. They also encountered an unusual sight - a tractor with cutter-bar tipped downward and was clipping the undergrowth between the towpath and the canal.
The 8-member TC subgroup had no incident to report – all paddled well. A log is still protruding out from river right at the first curve of the GW canal, which can be easily avoided by paddling river left. Also, the previously reported wrapped canoe was no longer there. Now for the hardest part of the trip: the mud-fest when exiting the Potomac at Blockhouse Point and carrying the boats up a muddy, steep pathway to the C&O canal. Luckily, we were resourceful with the TC’s throw rope to serve as a pull-robe and aid in the muddy climb to the C&O canal.
No turtles were reported by any group/pod.