The C & O Canal runs 183 miles from Georgetown in Washington, DC, to somewhere in Pennsylvania. It is a national park and it is very well maintained. Fortunately, it is easily accessible from almost anywhere along the DC, MD, VA border along the Potomac River, which the Canal parallels for the most part.

My dear friends,Ian Newport and Herbert Morais (we are know collectively as “The Sunshine Boys”), join me every Wednesday morning for a 5 mile hike along the Canal.
Sometimes we hike into Georgetown but, more often, we start at old, historic Great Falls Tavern in MD and hike either up to Swains Lock or down to Old Angler’s Inn. Other times during the week I go hiking there myself. I try to do 15 or 20 miles a week to stay fit. This morning I did a section of the “Billy Goat Trail” which diverges off the Canal towpath and wends its way right along the banks of the Potomac before regaining the Canal about 2 miles further along.

The Potomac today was roaring with meltwater and it was a white, churning cauldron above Great Falls. I couldn’t believe the kayakers who were paddling into the main current below the falls and riding the whirlwind down stream! I watched for awhile with my only companion being a big blue heron who stood impassively on a nearby rock outcrop. I pretty much had the towpath to myself, as it was a brisk, cold day with intermittent sunshine and an occasional sharp wind. But spring is coming and it will soon blossom green and beautiful again, although I truly love all of the seasons along the Canal. How fortunate it is to have it so invitingly close by!