Day Trip: Great Falls, Virginia

It's been well over 20 years since I visited the Great Falls National Park in Northern Virginia. My memory is a bit foggy, but I believe I also biked through the area with a friend once. With the falls only 31 miles away, it was high time that I revisited this natural wonder along the Potomac River. My travel companion, John, made it that much more enjoyable.

John and I and a view of the falls from Overlook 3.

After driving through much construction along Route 7, and past a throng of mansions along a tree-lined road, we managed to navigate around detours to the park entrance. Though the day was hot and humid, we spent enough time to enjoy Overlooks 1-3. Here are some pictures:

Mather Gorge from Overlook 1 is probably the most impressive angle.

A slightly zoomed-in view from Overlook 3.

Kayakers battling the waves and rock fronts to navigate the rushing water.

Enjoy this four-minute video of two views of the falls.

Afterward, we made our way to Mookie's BBQ. Established in 2015, this local eatery features more than just delicious BBQ. I had the Turkey Club with balsamic mayo, which included real chunks of turkey instead of deli-sliced meat. Our bartender, Greg, and an elderly man nearby, who didn't speak much but turned his head towards us now and then, listened to our non-stop chatter about our travels.

Our return trip had us avoiding most of Route 7 via the Fairfax County Parkway, back to 66, 28, and home. Of course, we had to stop off at our local tavern to relive the day with friends and acquaintances.

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