Great Falls, Mather Gorge, Potomac River and a Copperhead Snake

We haven’t been out to Great Falls in Virginia for a while. And since we have had about two weeks of ugly rain and storms, the Potomac River was quite angry. So rather than walk the usual route in the neighborhood, we decided to take a ride and then stop for lunch on the way home. Even for a Wednesday the parking lot was full. We were lucky to have our parks pass - avoiding a ten dollar car charge. The first stop was the most spectacular because we were closest to the raging brown tinted water. Debris and junk were being hurled about, and there were artists everywhere trying to capture the scene - but nothing could replicate the sound of the fury. After stopping at the scenic overlooks we took the path on a walkabout. It was rather muddy so we tried to avoid the mess as much as we could. If I wasn’t looking down my husband would have stepped right on a copperhead snake that looked like a twig, but slithered off the path as we waited our turn to keep going. The floodwater pole shows where the river has actually reached - pity anyone near it during those times! All in all it was a nice change from our usual concrete jungle. The day was just perfect for the walk, but in the end we much prefer a more urban environment. I like nature - but more from a distance. Especially when you see the kind that have scales.