Great Falls

Photograph Story | Great Falls

The Maryland access to Great Falls is quite close to my home. I love walking along the C&O Canal and having the option to head toward swifter moving water.

I have a special place in my heart for the Potomac River. After graduating from Clemson University and moving back to the Washington, D.C. area, I joined the Potomac Boat Club as a coxswain. This was a continuation of my coxing career, after four years with the Clemson Crew team.

For six years, my alarm clock rang at an unfortunately early hour. I bundled and layered waterproof gear, attached a flashing light to my hat and drove to the boathouse on the Potomac River. I loved my mornings on the river, watching the sun rise over the bow of the boat or the shoulders of my rowers. And yes, our practice area was a bit calmer and there were far fewer rocks.

Having so many local access points to the Potomac River is fantastic. I have made a point to visit them more often and capture photographs of this great river, with so many fond memories.

The Great Falls photograph was captured on an August evening, shortly after moving back to Maryland. My mom and I went for a nice walk along the C&O Canal and decided to end our evening at the Great Falls overlook.

Armed with bug spray, we stayed at the overlook for about an hour. Other people came and went, capturing photographs of the water, rocks and bright green trees. A handful of kayakers made their way down the river, enjoying the last bit of daylight.

And I, naturally, filled my mom in on a few of my favorite practice stories from my days on the Potomac.

It was a lovely evening.