In Virginia and Maryland, two National Parks merge in the center of the Potomac River with some breathtaking scenary.
Great Falls Park is on the Virginia side, while The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is on the Maryland side. At the center of the Potomac river you can't tell the difference but each side does have a different look and feel.
The Potomac River coming through the Great Falls area of Virgina and Maryland speeds up pretty well as it goes through Mather Gorge. Unless something was done the river would not have been navigable getting from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Unloading ships and reloading them downriver has never been very effective.
On the Maryland side, a series of canals were constructed in order to make the river navigable all the way down to Washington, DC. The canal technology, although successful for about a quarter of a century, was overtaken by the efficiency of the railroad system.
Today, the park is a wonderful place to get away for a few hours and enjoy the fall season. After showing some properties in that area yesterday I decided to take a couple of hours to enjoy an absolutely perfect day and grab a few photos as well.
All pictures taken November 7, 2008. There are a lot of photos but they have been optimized for the web so this post should still load quickly.
Welcome to Great Falls Park - Virginia Side
Mather Gorge on the Virginia Side
Virginia side - not much vegetation left on the tree overlooking the falls.
Virginia side - trees turning and dropping leaves
Virginia side - fall colors still evident
Virginia side - brilliant blue sky
Virginia side - observation deck
View from across the gorge to the Maryland side
Virginia side - panorama of fall colors
Fall colors being sketched by an artist
Mother nature always reclaims what is hers eventually
Maryland side - entrance. Beautiful fall colors.
Maryland side - canal boat lock
Maryland side - Fall colors reflected in pool
Maryland side - Out of service canal boat
Maryland side - pretty much what it looks like...ducks asses
Maryland side - Potomac River gorge
Maryland side - Fall colors, bright sky
Maryland - Blue Heron. Should be time to go South soon.
Maryland - Tavern and visitor center
Maryland - losing leaves at different rates
Maryland - leaving the park until another day
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Outside Blog at: http://www.mdrealestateblog.com
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist
Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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Richard. What beautiful photos. I feel like I just took a tour of the parks. Thanks.
Lenn, Yesterday could not have been better for a November day.
Richard,
An incredible localism post that makes me want to visit.....I love the fall colors as the leaves change colors.....(we are in a subtropical climate and our leaves are green year round)
Rich...
Incredible Localism post with fantastic photos! I am very impressed ... we shall have to see how the competition stacks up!
Julie, Your leaves may be green all year but they're still on the branches where they belong :)
Richard, I'm looking forward to seeing other entries as well. I always like to see the different perspectives someone uses to get a great shot.
Richard - fantastic, visiting this area has just been place on my bucket list. Terrific photos.
Richard,
That is a really neat park that we stumbled onto a few years ago. Gorgeous falls and just raw beauty. :)
Steve
Mike, Definately a place to visit when you're in the area. A lot of people don't because there is just too much to do in the DC area when they're here on vacation.
Steve, We haven't had much rain in a while so the falls weren't roaring like they can. After a storm, wow.
Fantastic shots and within driving distance for us. I need to put the kids in the car for a road trip!!!
your friend in Charlottesville!
Charles, Come on up. Make sure you visit both sides because the parks are very different. Road trips are great.
Wow. That's nice. I liked the bird pictures specifically, especially the little duckies.
Russell, They must have been hungry because they were constantly diving down for something. There were some birdwatchers there but the park is famous for the falls.
Very beautiful photos you have taken here. I like the fall colors reflected in the pool. Love the reflection!