Before we left DC, we tried to go on a sightseeing binge and return to as many of our favorite places as we could pack in, reasonably speaking (we are slaves to naptime, after all). That meant returning to the Torpedo Factory for a few last browsing sessions, stopping by favorite restaurants and cafes, and many, many London Fogs for me at my favorite coffee shop. (Oh, they’re going to miss me, for sure.) One place that I knew I had to visit one more time was Great Falls National Park. We’ve had many a happy hike here, and I could stand all day, just drinking in this view:
We’ve done this hike in every season. We’ve done it in the heat of summer, like this most recent visit, we’ve done it under arbors of turning leaves, in six inches of snow, and amidst new buds. I love it every season, and there’s something different and special about Great Falls each time we go. It’s my favorite hike in the DC area, and possibly my favorite hike in the world (although Buttermere, in the English Lake District, and Point Reyes, in California, might give Great Falls a run for its money). I’ve been wanting to show this wonder to Peanut for months.
Come to think of it, I’m not sure how much she actually saw.
We had a blissful time, though. We climbed over rocks, carefully (hubby especially carefully, since he had a wee one strapped to him), goggled at the view, and generally drank in the spectacular scenery.
I’m sure that I’ll be back. I plan on making plenty of return visits to DC, as often as I can, and I love Great Falls too much to say goodbye forever. I truly believe this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and I’m so lucky that I got to live near here for a chunk of my life, and to spend so many happy afternoons hiking here. And I’m sure that, whether it’s here or someplace else, I have many afternoons of hiking ahead of me. After all, I have the two best hiking buddies a girl could ask for:
Love those two. Happy trails!
covered in flour 
Great photos! I bet Peanut loved running around in all that open space near the visitor’s center.
I tend to wander down to the ruins of Matildaville when I go to visit. I like to stand there and imagine what life was like for the people who lived there.
My mom visited this park when she was a kid. She remembers riding on the carousel.
The ruins are very interesting! I always love checking them out. We skipped them this time because we were bumping up against nap time and had to get back.
Peanut’s favorite part was the dogs! Of course, her favorite part of any walk is the dogs. She squeals and waves to them – it’s hilarious and adorable. If we go on a walk and don’t see dogs she gives us a *look* as if to say, “What gives, you guys?” Heh.
My Dad grew up in northern Virginia, and we used to visit the park on family trips. It’s definitely time for another visit! Great pictures!
I didn’t know that you had NoVA connections! How cool. Love that part of the world. Great Falls is such a treasure. I’m already wondering when I can go back…