Great Falls, VA (USA)

Weather wasn't cooperating, but we decided not to stay inside. Instead, we drove to Great Falls National Park for some exercise and nature. Our adventure started on the Virginia side of the Potomac. First, we got a stamp for Mollie's National Park Passport book. We then hiked north to the aqueduct dam (near Riverbend Park). The highlight of the morning was watching several brave kayakers riding the falls (wow!). We took a break from hiking to eat lunch with my friend from work, Ramesh B., and his wife at the Saffron Grill (starting at 1215).  It was a very nice meal and we had some great conversation.  Afterwards, we got gas in Herndon (1355) and headed across the Potomac.  We stopped at Clara Barton's house (closed for renovation) and Glen Echo Park (more passport stamps). We rounded out our day with a visit to the C&O Canal site on the Maryland portion of Great Falls National Park. This allowed us to take a pleasant walk on the boardwalk trail out to a vista that was directly across the Falls from the trail we'd hiked in the morning. We also walked down the C&O until we reached the highly touted Billy Goat Trail. It lived up to the hype, for sure, in rock scrambles and views of the river. We followed the blue blazes until we encountered a nearly vertical climb about halfway around the island. Faced with diminishing sunlight, we took a shortcut through the woods to avoid the climb. We later saw a sign that said "Copperhead Nesting Area" (!). We had completed about half of the trail when we reached the C&O again. Lived through the danger and arrived at our car just as the sun was setting. Back at my apartment, I cooked dinner (baked potatoes and fruit) while we watched movies.  By 2215, we were both tired and went to our rooms to read; sleep soon afterwards.  Another great day outside with Mollie!