July 1 - Herons on the Potomic

After a recommendation to visit an historical farm next to the KOA we ventured out on our bikes along a trail heading in the general direction we need to go. As the trail got steeper and narrower we questioned why we had brought along our bikes. But perseverance is our motto so we continued on. By the time we were forging a steam for the fourth time we abandoned the bikes and marched on. The trail later spilled out onto a railway line and finally ended on the banks of the Shenandoah. It was very peaceful but not the great view we had been promised. We backtracked and tried a trail that lead us uphill. After discovering a field, we knew we were going in the right direction so we returned to collect our bikes. It was all worth the effort because the view over the river valley was beautiful.(pic) It was also the site of more civil war battles where Stonewall Jackson was victorious. We finally returned to the camper 2 hours later. I don’t think we traveled more than one mile distance in all that time.
Our drive through to DC was going to be just over an hour so I decided to take a quick detour to the Great Falls. I should know by know that “quick” is not possible when exploring a new place. The falls were impressive(pic), the canal interesting and the water turtle cute. The number of Herons we see along the river courses astounds us. By the time we were back on the road we hit peak hour traffic and we slowly crawled towards the camp park. The drivers here are pushy and rude. I was glad Rich was driving behind me and made lanes changes possible. Our campground is right between two Interstates and the noise is quite different to the last one we were at. These urban areas do not appeal to me but the boys like the excitement.