Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
There's not much we can count on in life, but if there's one guarantee, we can bet that our bodies change as we grow older. That's especially true for men as they age. One moment you're partying at the club, waking up refreshed, and hitting the gym. The next moment, getting out of bed is a chore. You're sore in places you never thought before, and hangovers don't just go away after a hot shower and a big breakfast.
And while sore joints and backaches can be treated with aspirin and ice, other signs of aging aren't as easy to treat. Of course, we're talking about challenges in getting and maintaining erections needed to satisfy your partner. At the extreme, we all know it as erectile dysfunction or ED for short but long before full ED, there are warning signs that things aren't working as they used to work. Hearing the ED word sends shivers down most men's spines. When you think about it, that makes sense - being unable to perform when you need to most is a scary thought.
If you're beginning to suffer from ED or male performance issues or you've been dealing with performance issues for some time, it may seem like nobody has any solutions or even really understands how these issues can impact your life and sense of well-being. However, ED of varying degrees is very common. More than 18 million men suffer from the condition in the U.S. Unfortunately, many of those men hide their performance issues without ever addressing them. If you're one of those men, and it feels like you're stuck in a rut with no help, we're here to tell you you're not alone. Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC is here to provide you with a long-lasting solution to help you regain confidence and perform like you used to.
Additionally, many men including the so-called "bio hackers" are using our treatments to PREVENT the performance decline in the first place. Why wait for the inevitable when you can implement strategies to prevent the decline in the first place.

The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
At Proactive Wellness Center, we are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our patients by offering comprehensive programs that focus on reversing and slowing the aging process, preventing disease, and providing effective treatments for those with chronic illnesses. Our approach is three-fold, encompassing knowledge empowerment, disease prevention, and rejuvenation therapies tailored to each individual's unique physiology.
Empowering Patients with Knowledge: To achieve optimal health, we think that information is a powerful tool. Our programs are designed to educate and empower patients, equipping them with the information they need to take charge of their well-being. We provide comprehensive evaluations that incorporate patient-supplied information and utilize advanced diagnostics to assess health status thoroughly. By understanding their individual health profiles, patients can make informed decisions about their lifestyle, diet, and overall healthcare.
Disease Prevention through Comprehensive Evaluations: Prevention is key to maintaining good health, and we prioritize disease prevention through thorough evaluations. Our team utilizes comprehensive diagnostics to assess risk factors and identify potential health concerns. By addressing these factors early on, we aim to mitigate the risk of chronic diseases and promote overall wellness. Our approach goes beyond a one-size-fits-all model, recognizing that each individual is unique and requires personalized care.
Rejuvenation Programs for Optimal Health: Our anti-aging treatments are supported by research and center on slowing down the aging process, increasing tissue regeneration, and lowering cellular degradation.We understand that everyone's needs and goals are different, so our programs are customized to address individual requirements. Through advanced testing and genetics, we tailor the treatment approach to each patient, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their health and well-being.
At Proactive Wellness Center, we are committed to staying at the forefront of scientifically-validated therapies that reverse aging, prevent chronic diseases, and optimize health. For men who may be experiencing erectile problems, one of the proven therapies we offer is GAINSWave therapy in West Falls Church, VA. This therapy, among others, is part of our comprehensive approach to help patients achieve their health goals.
Our center is dedicated to providing personalized and effective care to our patients. We believe in equipping individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health, focusing on disease prevention, and offering rejuvenation therapies tailored to their unique physiology. Together, we can work towards reversing the aging process, preventing disease, and optimizing overall health for a better quality of life.
Our Services
- Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
- The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
- What is GAINSWave Therapy?
- What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Great Falls, VA Work?
- Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
- Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
Service Areas
What is GAINSWave Therapy?
If you have ED or even a minor decline in sexual performance, there's a good chance you've already seen your primary care doctor. You've talked to them about the issues you're facing. And, if they're like many doctors, they prescribed you some pills and sent you on your way. Unfortunately, going this route doesn't do much to solve erectile dysfunction - you're just putting a band-aid on the problem. Plus, you're putting strange chemicals in your body via a "little blue pill" that may cause adverse side effects.
At the end of the day, you need a real-deal solution to ED, not a quick fix. The good news? A safe, non-invasive, injection-free answer to your problems exists. It's called GAINSWave therapy, and according to recent studies, it has shown an 85-92% success rate for mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.
Reports from men who have used GAINSWave therapy in Great Falls, VA report the following benefits:
- Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections
- Improved Sexual Pleasure
- More Blood Circulation and Flow
- Better Girth and Length
- Less Rest Needed Between Orgasms
- Enhanced Intimacy in the Bedroom

Unlike many ED treatments, you don't have to worry about surgery or drugs when you choose GAINSWave. This revolutionary treatment uses acoustic wave technology, also called pulse wave therapy, instead of surgery or pills, which helps to rebuild blood flow to the penile region, thereby boostings erectile strength and, by proxy, confidence.
But the benefits of GAINSWave don't end there. This therapy also breaks up micro plaques and boosts nitric oxide, which forms new blood vessels and collagen. That's exciting news for men suffering from Peyronie's disease, which is another condition specific to male sexual health.
Contact Us For Services

What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Great Falls, VA Work?
With time, men's blood flow decreases, sensitivity isn't what it once was, and blood vessels start to get thinner or even partially or fully blocked. With GAINSWave, high-frequency, low-intensity shockwaves rejuvenate areas of the penis that have suffered with age. For instance, micro plaques are removed, new blood vessels form, and blood flow increases. According to several clinical studies, enhanced blood flow from GAINSWave translates to more sustainable, rigid erections in 75% of men.
Though males in America are only beginning to realize the benefits of GAINSWave, it's a treatment that has been used for over a decade around the world. Backed by science and proven to rejuvenate vasculature in male erections, GAINSWave works without any pain or recovery time. In fact, it's possible to pop into Proactive Wellness Centers on your lunch break for a therapy session.
Proactive Wellness Centers' GAINSWave treatments feature:
- Low-Intensity Pulse or Shockwaves
- All Natural
- No Needles
- No Pills
- No Pain
- No Surgery
- No Recovery Time
- Quick Procedures
Because this procedure is needle, surgery, and drug-free, most men don't have to suffer through costly insurance claims or unsightly scarring. With GAINSWave and our comprehensive and personalized ED treatment plans, all you need to focus on is enjoying life, knowing your erectile dysfunction is a thing of the past.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Gainswave Therapy in Great Falls, VA?
If you're a man over the age of 30 and want to optimize your performance or if you are suffering a decline in this area, GAINSWave may be for you. That's even more true if other treatments never worked. For many men, those unsuccessful solutions include pills like Viagra. If prescription pills don't solve your ED problems, GAINSWave is a great option to consider. Academic studies show that shockwave therapy is successful where PDE5 inhibitors (like Viagra or Cialis) fall short.
In fact, many urologists now consider shockwave therapy the greatest revolution in ED treatment in over a decade. Even men without erectile dysfunction use GAINSWave as a preventative therapy to keep their bedroom performance strong and avoid compromised blood vessels.
Some of the key benefits of GAINSWave procedures over other ED treatments include:
- No Drugs
- Backed by Clinical Studies and Extensive Medical Research
- Vast Record of Success
- FDA-Approved for Enhanced Sexual Wellness
- Available at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
What Should I Expect from GAINSWave Therapy at Proactive Wellness Centers?
If you're ready to begin your journey to a healthier, happier sex life, getting started at our wellness clinic is as easy as 1-2-3:
Make an Appointment: Give our office a call at 703-822-5003. One of our Clinical Intake Coordinators will answer any question you have and get you started. If you prefer, you can text "gainswave" to 833.341.0170, and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially.
Prep: Once the intake process is complete, you'll schedule a time for GAINSWave therapy in Great Falls, VA. You'll arrive at our wellness center for treatment at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Procedure time is usually no longer than 30 minutes and occurs in our wellness center.
Enjoy the Benefits: Once your GAINSWave therapy session is over, you can get right back to what you were doing beforehand. Studies show that approximately 75% of men enjoy positive results like stronger, longer-lasting erections after treatment. Most men only need 6-12 sessions for optimal results.
Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
As the premier wellness clinic in Virginia and the metro D.C. area, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of treatments to slow the process of aging and treat chronic conditions. Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies, like GAINSWave therapy in Great Falls, VA, for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health.
Some of the most requested services we offer include:

Low-T Treatment for Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our Low-T program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause or low testosterone. The Program Testosterone replacement when clinically indicated, optimization of DHEA and Pregenenolone, combined with nutritional guidance, nutritional supplementation recommendations to optimize your health. For men where Testosterone has declined, the Low-T program is a necessary complement to the Gainswave therapy.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include peptides to help patients optimize their health and body composition. If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are likely experiencing low testosterone / andropause and are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of physical agility
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Prostate problems
- Insomnia

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Like men, women's bodies change as they grow older. Often referred to as menopause, this time in a woman's life can be stressful when the body uses energy differently, fat cells change, and hormones decline.
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we've seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that were actually caused by a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Those symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- UTIs
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Indigestion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Anxiety Attacks
- Vaginal Dryness
- Fatigue

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. They are substances with the same chemical makeup as the hormones produced in your body. Hormones are not drugs - they occur naturally and are found in every human on earth. BHRT replaces hormones at a physiologic level that is not harmful to the body.
If you're suffering through the symptoms of menopause, taking Midol isn't going to solve any problems. Fortunately, our BHRT program for women is designed to eliminate many menopausal symptoms. That way, we give women a chance to recapture their energy levels and vitality with drugs or surgery. Contact our office today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you recapture the joys of your youth.
Bredesen-Protocol Strategies for Improving Brain Health
We believe that a healthy brain is paramount to overall well-being. Unfortunately, little is known about promoting brain health, lowering the risk of dementia, or stabilizing symptoms for patients experiencing early signs.
After much research, however, Dr. Lawson from Proactive Wellness Centers determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline.
The approach, created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, is called ReCODE. This protocol involves multiple strategies to pinpoint specific health issues contributing to Alzheimer's Disease. The results of each strategy are measured using blood tests, dementia tests, cognitive evaluations, and other signs of overall health improvement. Now a Bredesen Certified doctor, Dr. Lawson now offers patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Through this exciting approach, patients have shown dramatic improvements in cognitive function. In some cases, they achieve a reversal of symptoms and have even returned to work.
Proactive Wellness Centers' ReCODE program uses significant functional medicine experience and includes:
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Targeted Nutrients
- Therapeutic Diets
We're thrilled to add this promising Alzheimer's disease treatment for qualifying patients at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Chronic Disease Treatment
Long-term diseases like Lyme disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can ruin a person's life and often leave them afraid to leave the house. To make matters worse, these chronic diseases are often initially misdiagnosed, complicating treatment and leaving the patient depressed and hopeless. And while some medical prescriptions can help, many chronic disease sufferers live without finding true relief.
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our innovative doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment program to address chronic diseases like CIRS and Lyme disease. Generally, our Chronic Disease Treatment follows SSRP protocols as defined below:
- Stop the progression of the disease while strengthening the immune system
- Stabilize patients by balancing hormones and restoring energy
- Reverse cellular, mitochondrial, and other damages caused by chronic diseases, based on lab markers and/or symptomatic expression
- Prevent further development of the chronic disease processes
Our SSRP protocol provides patients with a promising program based largely on the emerging bodies of evidence in the chronic disease space. This evidence is supported by peer-reviewed medical journals, clinical studies, and even double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

When choosing chronic disease treatments for patients, our team of doctors and clinicians focus on safety and efficacy before anything else. Typical therapies associated with our chronic disease treatment programs include:
- IV Vitamin Therapy
- Targeted Nutritional Supplements
- Compassionate Care and Personalized Service from Qualified Doctors
As an integrative practice, we use conventional medications when indicated, especially in cases of underlying co-infections and other areas where traditional medication offers the best course of treatment.
If you're at your wit's end living with a chronic disease, call Proactive Wellness Centers today. Our innovative treatments and therapies may be the key you need to unlock a new, healthy life.
Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
From GAINSWave therapy in Great Falls, VA, to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women, our doctors are here to serve you with care, compassion, and a commitment to your health.
That's because, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we take a patient-first approach to every service we offer. Unlike some anti-aging clinics, we focus on your goals, your experiences, and how we can address your health and well-being needs. We believe with a full heart that your story matters, and we're ready and waiting to listen. If you're looking for personalized, functional, regenerative treatments that address root causes, you're only a phone call away from living a healthier life.

Hours Open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Latest News in Great Falls, VA
Hair School Near Me — Great Falls, VA
Reston, VA Patchhttps://patch.com/virginia/reston/classifieds/announcements/402228/hair-school-near-me-great-falls-va
Navigating the Path to Beauty: Choosing the Right Beauty School Near YouIn the realm of creativity and self-expression, beauty schools stand as the epicenters of transformation. Cosmetology schools, esthetics institutes, and hairdressing academies are where dreams of becoming skilled beauty professionals take flight. For aspiring cosmetologists, estheticians, hairdressers, and nail technicians, finding the perfect beauty school is pivotal. Here's your guide to navigating this exciting journey, ensuring you choose th...
Navigating the Path to Beauty: Choosing the Right Beauty School Near You
In the realm of creativity and self-expression, beauty schools stand as the epicenters of transformation. Cosmetology schools, esthetics institutes, and hairdressing academies are where dreams of becoming skilled beauty professionals take flight. For aspiring cosmetologists, estheticians, hairdressers, and nail technicians, finding the perfect beauty school is pivotal. Here's your guide to navigating this exciting journey, ensuring you choose the ideal beauty school near you.
Proximity Matters: Beauty School Near Me
When embarking on a journey into the world of beauty, convenience matters. Searching for a "beauty school near me" narrows down the options, making it easier to visit the campus, attend orientations, and explore the facilities. A school in close proximity ensures that you can fully engage in the learning experience without the hassle of long commutes.
Comprehensive Programs: Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hairdressing, and Nail Tech School
The best beauty schools offer comprehensive programs covering diverse aspects of the beauty industry. Look for institutions that provide courses in cosmetology, esthetics, hairdressing, and nail technology. Comprehensive programs allow you to explore different specializations, equipping you with a well-rounded skill set.
Qualified Instructors and Expertise: Esthetician Institute and Hair School Near Me
Instructors are the guiding stars of your beauty school journey. Seek institutions with experienced educators who not only have industry expertise but also a passion for teaching. A knowledgeable and inspiring instructor can transform learning into an exciting and enriching experience, ensuring you grasp the intricacies of your chosen field.
Hands-on Training and Modern Facilities: Beauty Academy Near Me
Modern facilities and hands-on training are essential for honing your skills effectively. Look for beauty schools with well-equipped labs, salons, and classrooms. Access to industry-standard tools and equipment allows you to practice techniques, ensuring you are well-prepared for real-world scenarios.
Professional Connections and Industry Exposure: Hairdressing Schools and Esthetician Programs Near Me
The beauty industry thrives on connections and exposure. Choose a school that offers opportunities for industry exposure, internships, and collaborations. Professional connections made during your education can pave the way for exciting career prospects and collaborations with established professionals. Search for “hair school near me”, “Esthetician school” and “beauty school near me”.
Flexible Schedules and Supportive Environment: Nail Tech School and Beautician School
Balancing education with other responsibilities is a common challenge. Look for schools that offer flexible schedules, evening classes, or part-time programs. A supportive learning environment, where your educational journey is nurtured, can significantly enhance your overall experience. Search “beautician school”, “hairdressing schools”, “esthetician programs near me”, “esthetician institute” and “esthetician school near me”.
Financial Considerations: Cosmetology school Near Me and Nail Tech School Near Me
Education is an investment in your future, and financial considerations are crucial. Explore scholarships, grants, and financial aid options offered by beauty school. Consider the overall value of the education provided concerning tuition fees, course duration, and the opportunities for practical training. Look for “Beauty academy near me”, “nail tech school near me”, “nail tech school”, “cosmetology school near me” and “hair school”.
The journey to becoming a skilled beauty professional starts with choosing the right beauty school near you. Whether you dream of being a cosmetologist, esthetician, hairdresser, or nail technician, the perfect beauty school will nurture your talents, inspire your creativity, and prepare you for a rewarding career in the vibrant beauty industry. With careful research and consideration, your passion for beauty can transform into a fulfilling profession, shaping a future filled with creativity and success.
American Vocational Institute
10130-A Colvin Run Rd mn, Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759–2700
Colvin Run Mill, Great Falls, Virginia
John Cowgillhttps://princewilliamliving.com/colvin-run-mill-great-falls-virginia/
Virginia Route 7 runs east and west between Winchester and Alexandria. It is a heavily used route today, and it was a heavily used route when Alexandria was a major port city. The highway was used to transport goods from Winchester and Leesburg to Alexandria, where they were shipped around the world. Along this route were plantations and mills. Although many of the plantations and mills are long gone, the Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls remains, and it is still a working mill.What is special about Colvin Run Mill? It is in its original...
Virginia Route 7 runs east and west between Winchester and Alexandria. It is a heavily used route today, and it was a heavily used route when Alexandria was a major port city. The highway was used to transport goods from Winchester and Leesburg to Alexandria, where they were shipped around the world. Along this route were plantations and mills. Although many of the plantations and mills are long gone, the Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls remains, and it is still a working mill.
What is special about Colvin Run Mill? It is in its original location, although the area around it has changed to include the rerouting of Virginia Route 7. (Colvin Run Road was the original Route 7.) It is still a working mill, one of the few in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region.
The items that are made by the mill are sold at the general store, which is located on the site. You can buy items like candy and souvenirs, but it is also a museum. (Unlike the mill, the general store was relocated to this site.) The general store is also where you pay your admission and start your tour. Although the general store is nice to see, the purpose of visiting the Colvin Run Mill is to see the mill itself.
As you leave the general store, you’ll pass the miller’s house, which today houses a small museum that tells how the family lived. From the house, you arrive at the mill and see the water flowing into the millrace to power the waterwheel. In the mill, the tour guide shows you the workings to the mill and how the milling works.
Colvin Run Mill is owned and operated by the Fairfax County Parks Authority. It is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls, Virginia, easily accessible from Virginia Route 7. Parking is on site. The guided tour includes the general store, miller’s house, and the mill. Please note that the site is not totally wheelchair accessible, and walking is required between each site. Admission is required. You can get more information here.
Stop in sometime and take a tour to learn why this mill is so special.
John Cowgill frequently writes about interesting destinations in the Washington, D.C. region.
Empire Portfolio Group Opens New Great Falls, VA Orangetheory Fitness Studio
Empire Portfolio Grouphttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empire-portfolio-group-opens-new-great-falls-va-orangetheory-fitness-studio-301727584.html
GREAT FALLS, Va., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Portfolio Group ("Empire"), a leading Area Developer and Franchisee of Orangetheory® Fitness, the heart rate-based interval training fitness franchise, announced today it will open a new studio in Great Falls, VA. The new studio will be located at 1025 Seneca Road, Great Falls, VA 22066...
GREAT FALLS, Va., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Portfolio Group ("Empire"), a leading Area Developer and Franchisee of Orangetheory® Fitness, the heart rate-based interval training fitness franchise, announced today it will open a new studio in Great Falls, VA. The new studio will be located at 1025 Seneca Road, Great Falls, VA 22066, and will be the tenth in the greater Virginia area.
The new studio will offer new member specials throughout the month of February 2023, giving locals the chance to try out the heart rate-based interval training fitness franchise as a founding member. The studio will feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment with a large lobby area to encourage community members to socialize before and after class. The studio will be celebrating its grand opening on February 5, 2023.
The group workouts incorporate endurance, strength, and power to generate the 'Orange Effect' – which keeps calories burning for up to 24 hours after the 60-minute workout. The studio will also have Orangetheory's new personalized MaxHR algorithm, which updates heart rate zones in real-time to improve individual performance results. The studio's treadmills and rowers are integrated with OTconnect technology, a proprietary platform that creates an ecosystem of data and feedback highlighting each member's total distance, average/max incline, max miles per hour and total moving time as part of the Orangetheory Fitness mobile app.
There are fitness programs that focus on technology to track your stats and there are fitness programs that focus on great coaching to motivate you— but Orangetheory gives you the best of both worlds in one great workout. "We're thrilled to expand to our 10th location in Virginia and are looking forward to providing the residents of Great Falls with convenient access to our science-backed workout. Whether you're passionate about fitness, or just starting your fitness journey, we're here to help you achieve your goals when you join our Orangetheory family," said Empire's CEO, Adam Krell.
For more information on the Great Falls Orangetheory Fitness studio and membership packages, please call 703-637-2365. Additional information on Orangetheory Fitness is available at www.orangetheory.com. Follow Orangetheory Fitness on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.
About Orangetheory
Orangetheory® (www.orangetheory.com) makes it simple to get More Life from your workout. One of the world's fastest-growing franchise companies, Orangetheory has developed a unique approach to fitness that blends a unique trifecta of science, coaching and technology that work together seamlessly to elevate participants' heart rates to help burn more calories. Backed by the science of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), Orangetheory workouts incorporate endurance, strength and power to generate the "Orange Effect," whereby participants keep burning calories for up to 24 hours after a 60-minute workout. Orangetheory franchisees have opened over 1,500 studios in all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries.
About Empire Portfolio Group
Empire Portfolio Group, founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York City, is a leading franchisee and area representative of Orangetheory Fitness. Empire has over 130 Orangetheory Fitness studios across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit empireportfolio.com.
Media Contact:Jardan Paige Brownjardan@kellyvoelker.com
SOURCE Empire Portfolio Group
The Great Falls of the Potomac River
John Cowgillhttps://princewilliamliving.com/the-great-falls-of-the-potomac-river/
The Great Falls of the Potomac River is a cascading waterfall at a spot on the Potomac River where the elevation drops 76 feet. It may not be as big as Niagara Falls or Iguazu Falls or other big waterfalls around the world, but the beauty of the waterfall will impress you. Great Falls is of the most popular attractions to locals, and many people who visit the D.C. area have made their way to this waterfall.While Great Falls Park is famous for the waterfall, the Great Falls of the Potomac River is far more than that.A Sportsman...
The Great Falls of the Potomac River is a cascading waterfall at a spot on the Potomac River where the elevation drops 76 feet. It may not be as big as Niagara Falls or Iguazu Falls or other big waterfalls around the world, but the beauty of the waterfall will impress you. Great Falls is of the most popular attractions to locals, and many people who visit the D.C. area have made their way to this waterfall.
While Great Falls Park is famous for the waterfall, the Great Falls of the Potomac River is far more than that.
A Sportsman’s Paradise
Great Falls is a sportsman’s paradise. As the Potomac River passes through the area, it boasts some of the biggest rapids in the nation. As the river leaves the waterfall, it continues into a narrow waterway known as Mather Gorge. On warmer days, you will see kayakers and rubber rafts navigating their way through the rapids. Even though they are forbidden to go through the waterfall itself, you can see the kayakers floating and flipping on the river.
Although the cliffs may not be as high as other places in the world, the area is a haven for rock climbers. Many local rock-climbing schools hold lessons here while others do it for fun. For hikers, the park has many hiking trails including the famous Billy Goat Trail on the Maryland side. The trail gets its name from the fact that you will be hiking the trail like a Billy Goat.
There is more to this natural wonder and a sportsman’s spot.
As mentioned, Great Falls is where the Potomac River cascades 76 feet in elevation, but the drop does not begin at the top of the waterfall itself. It begins at an aqueduct where the city gets its drinking water. More visible on the Maryland side, you can get an overview of the water flowing over and going into the filtration area. You can see the aqueduct on the Virginia side, but you must hike to it, and the trail is not good for wheelchairs.
A Place of History
This park is also a place of history.
On the Maryland side, the Visitor Center is housed in the old Great Falls Tavern where boaters and merchants ate and slept. On the north side of the river, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was built to allow boats to travel from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River near Pittsburgh. The canal was never completed as faster modes of transportation was able to get merchandise to towns quicker.
On the Virginia side, the Patowmack Canal was one of a series of canals navigating the rough areas of the river. This canal helped boats around the Great Falls area. The Virginia side also holds the ruins of a town called Matildaville. It was a thriving town when the canal was in operation, but when the canal went out of service, the town went into ruin.
Getting to the Park
The Great Falls of the Potomac is accessible from both Maryland and Virginia. The Maryland side is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park and is accessible by way of the Clara Barton Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard from I-495. You can get more information here.
The Virginia side is accessible from Virginia Route 193 and Old Dominion Road. (Please note that Virginia Route 193 may be difficult for busses. Busses may want to access Old Dominion Road from Virginia Route 123.) Click here for information for the Virginia side. The view from both sides is wheelchair accessible, but the paths are dirt and not paved.
John Cowgill (johnbcowgill1@gmail.com) loves to visit historic places to include lesser known sites. He loves taking road trips, and he loves railroads. You can also follow him on Facebook at ‘John Cowgill: Photographic Journeys’ and ‘John Cowgill: DC Railroad Examiner’. You can also check out ‘John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad’ at johncowgillstoriesoftherailroad.com
Cascade County undersheriff completes FBI training
KRTV NEWS Great Fallshttps://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/cascade-county-undersheriff-completes-fbi-training
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CASCADE COUNTY — Cascade County Undersheriff Scott Van Dyken recently returned to Great Falls after ten weeks of FBI training in Virginia.
"There was a total of 247 people in my class," Van Dyken said.
Van Dyken said his time in Virginia receiving training from the FBI was full of classes and invaluable networking opportunities.
"Only one percent of officers in the United States get to go to this. You have to get sponsored, you have to get accepted to it. It took me four years to get into it. Then it's a lot of group projects," Van Dyken explained.
He was the lone Montanan among law enforcement members from around the country and the world in his class.
"The benefit is not for me, really, the benefit is for the Sheriff's Office and our community. It's going to benefit our community greatly because it taught us a bunch on leadership and on building relationships and working together. It gives us access to a lot more intelligence, a lot more problem-solving abilities than we had before," Van Dyken said.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said Van Dyken's commitment to getting this training is a good reflection of the Sheriff's Office.
"We have an amazing team, we really do. Obviously, the undersheriff is a great representative of that team. But they do, they care deeply about their profession," Slaughter said.
Van Dyken hopes he's done with school from now on and looks forward to putting what he learned to use.
Slaughter said Van Dyken is the first person from the Sheriff's Office to go through the training in about 30 years.
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