Falls of the Potomac

Most of us know the Potomac River as the muddy flow that runs by Washington DC, separating DC, from Virginia, and farther south separating Virginia from Maryland.  But if you follow the river north and west of Washington DC, the banks of the river become stone cliffs with a couple of nice basins that are favorites for summer boating, then farther upstream the river narrows passes through rapids and a set of falls. In the late 1700's and early 1800's canals were built to bypass the rapids and falls.  George Washington was involved in at least one such effort, made obsolete a few years after completion by the railroads.  A little off the beaten path, but worth the trip.