Visiting Great Falls

We went to the Great Falls Park in Northern Virginia. I didn’t even know that this national park existed in Northern Virginia. Shame on me!

My husband’s colleagues had a picnic at the park on Memorial Day and we were invited. We just spent 2.5 hours on the road to drive back from Pennsylvania in early morning of Memorial Day. I felt so exhausted that I was very close from saying I didn’t think I would make it when I was preparing picnic lunch. My body felt like being jet-lagged. I was glad we went though. I met some cool people. It’s too bad that I met them at the very end of our time here. It always happens.

Before we went to picnic, we showered and I fixed lunch. We ended up being about 2 hours late than the rest of the group to arrive at the picnic site. People who hang out at the picnic site for 2 hours before our arrival were done baking in the sun. They, however, kindly hang out with us for about 30-40 minutes and then they left.

We finished our lunch and we took a stroll to the falls. My goodness! I couldn’t believe we lived close to this, but we have never visited this park until now, two years after we moved back. My older daughter was a bit scared of seeing the water. The sound and movement of the water were intimidating, but beautiful.

The picnic site was very big and it had public bathrooms and concession stands. There were many tables in the picnic area, but on a day like Memorial Day when a ton of people were out to have a picnic or barbecue for the holiday, it would be hard to find a table unless you get to the site early or you’re lucky. The line to get into the park (you pay a fee for parking) from noon on was very long and once you get in, finding a parking spot was quite challenging as well. Otherwise, it was an easy and fun outing with small kids. Kids don’t need toys when they are out. Sticks are enough for them to be entertained.

This weekend was a great start for our summer. The count down is on. 19 more days till we pack out.