Bull Run Conservancy

We all could use more sunshine these days so today we decided to do a longer walk, and Bull Run Conservancy was the obvious choice outside of Great Falls which we just recently visited last month.  It was good to stretch our legs and we all were surprised at how well we felt afterwards despite the better part of a year spent with quite low physical activity levels.  I remember the first time B & I hiked this trail, long before H & C came along, and the first time I remember the climb up seeming to be more of a challenge.  I hope we keep doing these weekend hikes, it is great therapy to get moving and surround ourselves with beautiful sights, and quiet stretches during which we can all process our thoughts.  Next time we'll have to do a bigger one, I keep thinking about White Oak Canyon / Cedar Run again, we'll see...

 There were ripe blueberries lining the Quarry Trail, a nice touch to include snacks for the hikers! :)

A 4 foot snake, I didn't notice it until I was standing right next to it, despite noticing a tiny half inch well camouflaged brown frog, several tiny lizards in the periphery, and hawks sailing the skies.  (I don't see the rather large snake, I don't see the rather large snake...  just keep repeating this to yourself... :)

 Gorgeous views near the rock formerly known as "Elvis", though the graffiti has left the building...

H and her feather, she kept telling us that she needed to give it back to the hawk.  :)

 H pretending to be a hawk sailing, she loved watching them circle high above...

 The hawks are just barely visible in this pic, top left side...

It was a good day, overall.