A break in the recent heat wave provided delightful weather for ten paddlers (Austin, Ginny Q, Glenn D, Gordy L, Hendrick vO, Kathleen S, Laura K, Pam W, Toni B & Wayne McD) on the George Washington Canal at 2.86’ (2,130 cfs). Air temp was noticeably cooler than the water temp. Kayakers were in the majority, as it should be, but only with a slim 6-4 margin. We observed several great blue herons but most of the trip excitement revolved around three new strainers. There is now a bank-to-bank sycamore tree across the left channel below Diagonal located in a mild current just above where the two channels merge back together. And there are two new strainers, also bank-to-bank, on the C&O canal return trip to Violettes Lock. All three can be crossed with difficulty (on the left, left and right, respectively) but bringing a saw and loppers on the next trip would definitely be a good idea. In addition, the debris pile in the right channel below Jacuzzi rapid has collected more wood and is no longer runnable at any level. It seems likely that all of this carnage occurred during Friday evening’s violent thunderstorm.