In our first full week of Spring, I decided to write about something I've enjoyed as the weather has started to warm up... Great Falls National Park.  Located in McLean, Virginia, is 800 acres of landscape for the nature enthusiast, the hiker, the biker, the kayaker, the horseback rider, the extreme sport rock climber, the photographer, and the Sunday stroller.  Open from sunrise to sunset, there are over 15 miles of marked trails with a variety of difficulty levels.  Personally, I enjoy hiking along the Potomac River while capturing pictures of the waterfalls and wildlife... I've included some of my shots. 

If you're a history buff, you'll see wooden posts with interesting historical facts throughout the park.  For example, did you know George Washington was a delegate that helped formulate a plan to install a canal system through the great falls?  When the Patowamack Canal was constructed in the early 1800's, it was considered one of the most significant engineering feats of its time.

If you live near Potomac, Maryland, visit the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.  Hiking along the eastern side of Potomac River, the Maryland trails offer more strenuous hiking through a variety of terrains.  The most well-known, albeit difficult trail, is Section "A" of the Billy Goat Trail.  Check out the maps and trail descriptions before you plan your trip to Great Falls Tavern (MD).