The Potomac River, Washington DC - Part 1

Today I flew off to DC once again.  It was a surprisingly pleasant and stress-free flight in what is becoming another insane summer season in the friendly crazy skies!

Not long before landing we had a beautiful view of the Potomac River. You can see a couple of large islands in the river. There is Noland's Island toward the bottom of the picture and Heater's Island at the top, a wildlife island, only accessible by boat.  At this point of the Potomac, the river divides the states of Maryland and Virginia.  

The Potomac is the 4th largest river along the Atlantic coast.  It flows from the Allegheny Mountains to Chesapeake Bay and then into the Atlantic.  The area it flows through is steeped in history, from both the Revolutionary War the Civil War. 

"The Potomac River is the wildest river in the world that flows through a heavily populated area. On its way from the mountains to the ocean, it runs through West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and the UnitedStates capital, Washington, DC.

The Potomac River supplies water for most of the six million people who live in the DC area. Millions of people use the riverand the land nearby for boating, fishing, bird watching and other recreational activities. The area is home to birds such as the great blue heron and the American bald eagle. 

The Potomac River has played an important part in American history. For example, America's first president, GeorgeWashington, lived for many years along the Potomac in Virginia. He urged that the river be developed to link Americans with the West."

The Potomac River Flows Through Cities, History