Hello Maryland the Beautiful!

Today I stepped out into nature enjoying the awesome weather! I headed up to Great Falls, MD to the falls that everyone recommends that I see. What a treat! I must admit that I got lost a time or three on the way there. I wanted to go during the week because the weekends bring humans in high volumes. I rode past this park a couple of weeks ago when I rode with the bike group that I joined. Everyone on the bike ride said it is a must see. Another attraction locals tell me about, knowing my love for biking, is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal trail (C&O). This is a crushed gravel trail that was originally a towpath used for the mules that pulled the boats along the canal. I was feeling all ambitious and wanting to come back and ride the length of it. Then I delved into the maps and literature and it is 184 miles long. That is a haul on a mountain bike! Regardless, I shall return on bike to ride a good portion of it.

So along the towpath there are varying levels of hikes that shoot off of the towpath and either loop or reconnect further down. A recommended hike to me is the Billy Goat trail. I love the name! The signs are a bit daunting though. I spoke with 3 people that finished the trail today and I am definitely going back! Tomorrow I shall conquer the Billy Goat! Wish me luck! Here are some pics from today.

The awesome part about today were all of the Great Blue Herons flying above the water around the falls. The Herons were as plentiful as a Robin back home. They were everywhere. I just love this bird! I got some profile pics of them.

Feels good to be off after working a lot of days in a row!