Day 72: The River

 Photo of the Day: Great Falls

Happy Halloween! It wasn't a particularly spooky or festive day, but I still had lots of fun celebrating with close friends. We started our day in Arlington, where I am staying with my pal Aditi. We met up with Tedman, Tina, and Stephanie for lunch at an authentic and delicious Salvadoran hole-in-the-wall called El Charrito Caminante (get the pupusas if you go!), followed by gelato for dessert at Boccato, which offers a dizzying array of unique flavors. I had a heavenly concoction of a scoop of chocolate hazelnut gelato served in my all-time favorite Stumptown Coffee espresso.

From there it was on to the great outdoors. I finally got the nature fix I've been craving with a trip this afternoon to Great Falls National Park, just 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. With the trees resplendent in golden hues, it was the perfect time to experience autumn at its finest. We walked along a pathway that took us by the Potomac River, a silver ribbon snaking through flaming fall foliage and the sheer rock faces of Mather Gorge. The Great Falls, a short stretch of cascades and rapids, were spectacularly beautiful and awe-inspiring. We took our time hiking the short trail, snapping tons of photos and enjoying the gorgeous, cool day. Hopefully this short taste of nature will tide me over for at least another couple of months.

Back in the city that evening, we conducted our night completely out of order, starting with sparkling sangria at Nando's Peri-Peri, followed by Mediterranean desserts and appetizers at Zaytinya, which also served up a delicious cocktail called Pom Fili made of white wine, vodka, Triple Sec, and pomegranate juice. Finally we ended with our main course at a bistro called Matchbox, where we had the super-spicy fire & smoke pizza, topped with fire roasted red peppers, spanish onions, chipotle pepper tomato sauce, garlic puree, smoked gouda, and fresh basil. By the conclusion of the day, I was absolutely stuffed and more than satisfied with our simple and enjoyable Halloween night.

Plantains and sour cream at El Charrito Caminante.

Traditional Salvadoran hen sandwich. Definitely had to eat this bad boy with a fork.

Chilean peach and mango gelato from Boccato.

Enjoying gelato in Arlington, VA.

Tina is very aggressive with the gelato.

Who is the apple of Ted's eye?

Ted and Tina enjoying their gelato.

It's not that they don't like Aditi. The gap is where I was sitting before I got up to take this picture.

Chocolate hazelnut gelato in Stumptown Coffee espresso.

Aditi's Pantene Pro-V hair modeling shot. Yay for brushing hair!

Creepy little bronze boy statue dressed up for Halloween.

Gorgeous fall colors and sunlight at Great Falls National Park.

The majestic Great Falls in the Potomac River at Great Falls National Park.

A whole slew of cascades along the Potomac River.

This was exactly the outdoor nature fix I needed.

The crew.

More autumn hues along the Potomac River.

I love how the sunlight illuminates the leaves and makes them glow gold.

Dayhike!

Lens flare!

Aditi was fascinated by the leaves bigger than her face. Do you see what I see?

Hitting the trails at Great Falls National Park.

An autumn forest trail.

Aditi adorns her hair with flowers and berries.

Such a cutie.

Photo shoot among the ruins!

Ted puts his best face forward.

Mr. GQ.

Couples shoot.

Ted and Tina.

They look so happy!

My turn as model.

My sad attempts at cool posing.

Aditi and Jenn remove themselves from the ridiculousness.

A tunnel of yellow leaves.

Tina takes great pleasure in running around the kicking the piles of leaves.

Such a serene and beautiful forest.

Climbing down the ruins.

This used to be the outlet for an old canal that once ran through here in colonial times.

Ted on the precipice.

Don't be fooled...it's totally posed.

Walking through the woods on an autumn evening.

Awww, cute couple walking in the woods hand in hand.

Me and the Potomac River.

Daring explorers on the Potomac River.

Clambering over rocks to get to the river view.

Absolutely stunning views of the river, topped with fiery foliage and a pastel blue sky.

Bold autumn colors.