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Trip Reports

May 31st, Violettes Lock - GW Canal loop, LF 3.51 ...
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We moved the Sunday paddle to Memorial Day Monday to take advantage of better weather, and what a gorgeous day we had. Seven of us: Bob W., Hendrik vO., Kathleen S., Wayne M., Barb B. and Gary and Ginny Q. 


We had a sunny but cool start, meeting at 9:30, with plenty of parking at Violettes. Water level was moderately high and this group of veterans leisurely made our way down, playing some. The canal was clean of wood and we all decided to go down the right channel below Diagonal Rapid. The huge wood pile has slipped downstream so that the center chute is pretty clear, the left clear after some sticks poking up at the top, and the right is now nearly dry. 


Since we had the slightest majority of open boats, we stopped at the island at the bottom of the canal for a very pleasant snack/lunch/knee break. There was a big group with 5 or 6 canoes that had camped on the island. 


The paddle back up the C&O Canal was quite enjoyable with plenty of water, thank you Alf! We counted 65 turtles.

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