The Great Falls of the Potomac

Hi friends,

I usually blog about DIY and home decor, but once in a while I also like to share places, museums, neighborhoods, or even cities. You can find all those posts in my Travel section at the top of the blog.

Today is one of those days. :)

The place: The great falls of the Potomac, which is unbelievably close to my home.

I say unbelievably because really, we live about 10-15 min away -driving- and I've never visited this place before!

As stated on the National Park Service, The Great Falls of the Potomac are considered to be, by many people, the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington D.C. area.

We decided to visit this park and go on a hike in one of the many trails it has.

Upon parking, the visitor center/museum is the first thing you'll see. From far away it looks like a really nice, old house.

This nice old house is the Great Falls Tavern, constructed soon after the canal's ground breaking in 1828. It was built in response to traveler's requests for shelter and a meal. The hotel opened for business in 1931.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C&O Canal), was a life line for communities along the Potomac river, goods were transported down the waterway to market.

Canal boat rides are still available today, sadly we went on a a day it was closed.

However, our main goal was to see the falls and to go on a hike.

We walked towards the Falls' overlook, through a very neat boardwalk.

From little bridges on the boardwalk this was one of the views.

My daughter posing a bit further.

Here again one more view from one of those little bridges.

Until we reached the overlook. My view to the right:

And to the left:

Kayaking is one of the many activities people enjoy here.

We went back the boardwalk to find the trail we wanted to take. On our way there, we got closer to the river.
I like this picture of my son and his uncle enjoying the view.

I'm here with my two musketeers at the same spot.

We kept walking until we reached the entrance of the trail, the Billy Goat Trail.

At first we had plain terrain.

Soon after, lots of tree roots and medium rocks kept blocking the way.

The rocks kept getting bigger.

And BIGGER. It was like we had to jump from rock to rock. :)

Until we reached this amazing point! These pictures don't make any justice to its beauty.

The view is breathtaking!

On the other side of the river, Virginia' side, a lady was rock climbing - another favorite at the park -
My oh my, I couldn't do that. :/

We had some company on the way. Well, this fawn was waiting for his mama.

Up ahead, we encountered one of the biggest challenges of this trail, a pretty steep climb along a cliff. I was the last one to take it, so while my daughter climbed it I took pictures to make the following time-lapse:

It sure tests your balance! :)

The way back to the visitor's center is along side the canal.

A beautiful walk.

There were lots of turtles swimming with this little fellow, but the glare didn't let me get a pic with all of them.

What a beautiful place this is. We had a blast and I'm sure I'll be back here to do the complete trail and to check the inside of the tavern. ;)

Have you been here before?

Here are some other places you might like:

Butler's Orchard Farm

Fall Porches

Charming Victorian Row

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