The Long Goodbye

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart (what, you didn't know this?). Seinfeld had the "Summer of George". Around these parts, we just came to the sad conclusion of the month-ish-plus of Farewell to Jen. From the moment in August that Jen announced that she was leaving us until the truck pulled out this morning every event involving Jen became a farewell event. All well deserved - don't get me wrong.

This past Thursday night was our final finale for Jen, as it was her last opportunity to paddle with the Pirates of Georgetown, the Thursday night paddling group which served as the gateway into many Jen-friendships. The paddle almost didn't happen: the Federal government had shut down days before, forcing closure of our usual launch point (which is a National Park Service concession) as well as just about every other nearby water access point. Fortunately, due to its uncertain title and relationship with the NPS, the Washington Canoe Club remained open. The Pirates of Georgetown outing was cancelled but Cyndi, who is a WCC member, got a select group of FOJs (friends of Jen) into the canoe club to launch. This was in fact a nice accidental piece of nostalgia. The WCC is very close to the site of Jack's Boathouse, which was for many years the home of our Thursday night group and so for our final outing together we got to paddle our traditional section of the river, plus make our traditional post-paddle pilgrimage to the M Street Chipotle.

Jen, Suzanne, and Peter get ready to launch

As the only open boathouse on the river the WCC was buzzing with activity and so we worked quickly to unload our boats and launch. Our group, which included Dave and Cyndi, Nelson and Caroline, Jen, Suzanne, Peter H1 and me headed northward on the nearly empty Potomac. The weather was good and the sun was just beginning to set as we launched, allowing Jen to literally paddle off into the sunset. The river gauge was low, meaning little current, and the tide was high. Combined, these two factors allowed us to paddle well past Chain Bridge all the way to the base of Little Falls - as far up the Potomac as you can get in a sea kayak.

It was dark as we headed back down river, allowing us to appreciate the quiet beauty of the river in a different way. As is always the case on that route, as you paddle back downriver civilization slowly pokes its way back into your consciousness: first the Washington monument appears, then the tops of a few buildings. You notice it getting brighter from urban light pollution. Finally, you come around a bend and the city comes into view.

The Potomac at Night

Tall Tom was waiting for us on the dock as we returned from our trip and Susan G met us up at Chipotle. Finally, we all said a final M St. farewell and we all headed into our individual futures.