We complete our first half year of podcasting, by continuing our Virginia Month, we visit Great Falls National Park just 12 miles outside the borders of the District of Columbia. You will need a car in order to get to Great Falls, but we think it's worth renting a car for.

We start out by talking about logistics: directions and entrance fees, and we talk a little bit about why Great Falls is an extraordinary place to visit, and a bit about the geology, and some of the recreational uses of the park. (1:36)

We visit the Visitor's Center. (5:35)

Next we visit Overlook 1, describe the view a bit, and Julie talks about the early history of Great Falls from prehistory through the U.S. Colonial period, ending with George Washington's involvement in the area. We comment on some whitewater Kayakers. (8:04)

We visit Overlook 2, then overlook 3, which are both handicapped accessible. Julie describes the view, while Mark is taking pictures. Julie talks about flooding, and flooding in the DC area. Then Julie talks about the history of Great Falls in the early twentieth century, right up until the National Park Service took over. (13:31)

We take a short hike on the River Trail. Julie talks about the river trail and the interpretive posters along the river and along the trail. (19:54)

Since we have a longish bit of walking to do, we play I Wonder by DC artist Natalie Brown. (21:14)

We return to our hike at the Mather Gorge, where Mark talks about the Geology of the Gorge and we both talk about the many rock climbers who are currently climbing the gorge. (25:20)

We continue away from the river toward the old Powtomack Canal. We talk a little about the canal itself, and it's history, and then pass through the ruins of Mathildaville. (28:24)

Finishing up, we walk back through the end of the ruins, then out to the picnic area before heading out on our way. (36:54)

Our Theme Music is Garden Walk by Kim Evans and our walking music today was from Find Me by H. Logo design is by Kathleen Hamm at Hamm Multimedia.

Our Photo Album has some great pictures of the Falls.