Many thanks to our intrepid leader, Jon Wolz, for this week’s 5-mile Pop Up Walk round trip from Pennyfield Lock to Violet’s Lock. Along the way the group passed the Pennyfield Lockhouse, which was built to house the lock keeper and his family. We were amazed by how high the river is right now; none of the rocks normally seen in the rapids were visible and several islands could only be discerned by the trees sticking out from them. Along the way several blue herons, a family of turtles sunning themselves, and a pair of mallards were observed. Jon also pointed out evidence of beavers having gnawed at trees to make a dam. Violets Lock has a canal intake from the river and the remains of a washed–out dam across the Potomac. Jon pointed out where the bridge was over the river intake that the canal mules used to cross over it and back onto the towpath. A climb up the hill behind Pennyfield Lock led to the remains of a civil war blockhouse which are still very visible. All in all, it was a beautiful afternoon for a history hike!
