Look - we had a great trip - but first I want to say that it is sobering as to how much wood is piling up in the normal channels, and how much it changes from week to week - mostly by getting worse. There are several places where trees stretch almost entirely across the river, catching more and more debris, and our figure 8 attainment spot with the three rocks on the left is going to be blocked until the river rises considerably.
It is not a place for novice/rec boaters to be out there by themselves, as evidenced by the recent rescue of 10 by helicopter two weeks ago. And by the canoe twisted under the tree in the left channel below Diagonal Rapid.
(This is also reported in recent Sunday morning trip reports, I'm just adding to it.)
Back to the report: one month after the record run of 27 paddlers we were down to 6: Greg, Bob, Beth, Gordy, Wayne, me (Jackie). Gauge at 3.0, partly sunny, no wind, temps rising from 50s to almost 70 at the takeout. Fall colors starting to come out, one very loud heron in the GW Canal, two more in the C&O Canal, and two turtles. A very nice day on the water.
We missed you regulars!