Think you know Quantico? The Quantico you don't know....

When most people hear 'Quantico', they will immediately think of the Marine Corps, or the FBI, or even "Q Town," home to 500 or so active duty Marines and civilians. The word 'Quantico' comes from an Indian word meaning, “By the large stream,” which of course, is the Potomac River. I tried to capture the essence of the river in these shots, and with one notable exception, I stayed away from any shots indicating there is even a military base along it's banks.

Much of the shoreline is inaccessible, but some areas are open and provide great exploring.

Looking toward Quantico Municipal Park.

The pier in Quantico Municipal Park.

Although in the middle of a Marine Base, Q Town has a great 'small-town' feel  and once there, it's easy to forget where you are, except there are a lot of barber shops!!!!! 

This Oak is called The Wisdom Tree and  is several hundred years old.

This is the exception to military photos I mentioned.  This sign marked a trail down to a  handicapped-accessible duck blind (next shot) on the shore.  Kudos to Ducks Unlimited and the USMC for little extras like this. 

The blind even has a little ramp for dogs (or maybe they hope the ducks will just walk up in there...).

I always find it interesting to find seashells along riverbanks.  The Potomac feeds into the Chesapeake, then the Atlantic Ocean,  with salinity levels increasing the closer it gets to the sea.  According to the National Academy of Sciences, the salinity in this part of the Potomac is up to .5 ppt,

Young Osprey or "Sea Eagle".  We did see a Bald Eagle and I got some shots, but he was pretty far away. 

Freshly beaver-chewed tree along the banks of the Chopawamsic River, which feeds into the Potomac. 

Chopawamsic looking toward the Potomac.

This really is just the tip of the iceberg of things to see and do in the Quantico area.  There are many more trails I hope to follow to see what I find...