Eight paddlers were undeterred by the chilly weather forecast and paddled the George Washington Canal under cloudy, but rain-free, skies: Alan G (travelling incognito sans beard and with a new canoe), Alf C, Bill MacF (a newcomer to our Sunday trips but not new to the GWC – welcome aboard, Bill), Diane H, Gus A, Hendrik vO, Jackie H & Wayne McD. River level was 2.82’ on the Little Falls gauge which made Diagonal Rapid a bit bony but all traversed it without incident. The debris pile below Jacuzzi Rapid is kinda treacherous at this level so we all ran to the left below Diagonal Rapid. No spills on the trip but that wasn’t for lack of trying on Alan’s part, who found his new Esquif a bit lively. Crossing back over the Potomac Jackie spotted an eagle on the now-dead sycamore tree on the island opposite Sandy Beach, reminiscent of the eagle who visited us during Steve Ettinger’s memorial service. Turtle count on the C&O Canal was a pitiful two.