Violettes Loop - 4.1 ft - 17 May
Gary having sent out the call, six of us (+ Ginny, Wayne, Hendrik, Gordy, and Alf) put on to a windless Potomac at 9:00 on a cool overcast Sunday to paddle the familiar Loop. At 2" less water this time than last, the eddies and the surfing waves were better defined and allowed more boater play. But returning in the equally lower C&O Canal, we found navigation at the last 200 yards to be approaching zero. Turtle count was but three - where have they gone, those 184 that Gus counted only two weeks back ?? A Great Blue was stalking in the waterway; we saw small purple flowers around Blockhouse Point and a profusion of buttercups up at Violettes.
At 9:00, we got the last parking places at Violettes, though later arrivals were leaving their cars out along VL Road. Several other boaters seen as we took out - and driving out River Road as we returned to town at 11:00. Bicyclists, fishers, and hikers in enhanced numbers along the Canal - We'll have to put in earlier and earlier as the lid comes off of the "stay at home" orders. But it was good to see our friends and enjoy this beautiful and varied circuit.