Great Falls = Great Fun

There seems to be an abundance of nature either within, or just outside Washington, DC, and my friend Mason and I have had a lot of fun taking advantage of these nearby hiking opportunities. Whenever we're in the middle of a forest, we always have a hard time imagining that the nation's Capital is so close. This is definitely one of the reasons I've come to really enjoy living here: the best of the city is as accessible as the best of nature.

Recently Mason and I ventured to Great Falls, Virginia, just slightly northwest of DC, to enjoy a brisk winter hike. It was four days after a 'significant' amount of snow fell in the area, leaving the landscape looking very January-like. The trail we were on eventually led us to the actual Great Falls, which were great, indeed!

Niagara Falls of the South!

In the summertime, Great Falls National Park is overrun with tourists, families, hikers, strollers, and the like, (or at least it was when I was there in late August). But on a cold, January day, it felt like the view was all ours.

And we both tried to capture what we were seeing.

Amazing to think that all this is less than twenty miles from the White House. And followed-up by a hearty lunch at an Irish pub, hiking in Great Falls is a great way to enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the metro area.