How can I get rreasonably priced shipping for a kayak coming to Dc from Illinois?

Try Greyhound. We use Greyhound to ship large antique car parts such as fenders. Call the closest Greyhound depot with the dimensions and weight. They like filling the bottom of those buses too!

I am so sorry for the loss of you mother and other family and friends. Death is so hard on the soul, it's so final sometimes it hard to comprehend. I have went through a lot of loss just in the last 5 years: I lost my Aunt Angel, and Grandmother within 2 months when I was 16, my other aunt at 17, then lost 2(young men) good family friends at 18, one was a suicide. I am 20 now and have not lost anyone since, but my sister has a Huntingtons disease and chances of her survival past 35 is extremely low. It saddens me too the core, and cannot imagine feeling that 'death' feeling agaib not to mention the exact same feeling you describe, so so so depressed. I too try to think that we live forever but every so often, my perfect world comes tumbling down when another life leaves my life. So, I know exactly how you are feeling and I am so sorry you have to go through this =( I will keep you Husband's friend in my prayers.

Just buy a new kayak in IL, you can sell the other one online and upgrade.

UPS should be able to handle it

It can't be done.