melaniesuzanne | Great Falls

I felt antsy this morning and wanted to take advantage of today's gorgeous weather so I suggested to Hubbyfink that we take our bikes over to Great Falls and explore. He suggested we hike instead and I agreed to that, especially since I've never been to the park.

Great Falls

Mind blown. I wasn't expecting to scramble over so many rocks, but the views were completely worth it. I told Hubbyfink I'd like to go white water rafting, which surprised him. Hubbyfink was totally in his element and scrambled over the rocks and through the trees like the monkey boy I didn't realize he was.

King of the Hill

As we hiked along the trail, we spotted a guy climbing down a steep and rocky path while carrying a kayak on his shoulder. We followed him halfway down the slope and watched him launch into the river. He fought the current while paddling across to the Maryland side and let the current carry him downriver a bit before paddling back up again. He and the many other kayakers appeared to be having a ball in the water. I told Hubbyfink that I had no desire to kayak.

We continued down the River Trail and snapped photos at clearings and outcroppings.

Mather Gorge

That beach is a heckuva way down there

We came across a web of ropes tied to trees with other ropes attached via carabiners. The second ropes went over the edge of the rocks. We found a ledge to the side of the ropes and spotted a bunch of adventurers rappelling and climbing up the steep cliff. I told Hubbyfink that I had no desire to rock climb. Or rappel.

We hiked down the River Trail to the Canal Cut and then headed back north via the Canal Trail. A lot of folks felt the same way about the beautiful weather as we did and the park was full of single hikers and couples and families and dogs and cyclists. Nearly every picnic table and grill was in use and the smells of hamburgers, hotdogs, and charcoal filled the autumn air. We continued past the Visitors Center and I wanted to explore the North River Trail, but my feet gave out shortly after we passed the northernmost parking lot so we turned back around and found the car.

Hubbyfink is quite sure that I'm trying to kill him with all this outdoor activity. I told him that if his middle aged, overweight wife can do all this, he can, too.