Our Potomac Presentation

The presentation, based on Roy's 2005 book Our Potomac, from Great Falls to Washington, D.C., follows the river down through several notably different sections, alternating views of the eastern Maryland/DC side and then the Virginia side. This flow shows show the river's remarkable transformation from raging falls in wilderness surrounded by lush forests to an idyllic setting for many of Washington's great bridges, monuments, and memorials. Paralleling the river is the C&O Canal National Historic Park, another treasure in the DC area that starts way upriver.

The purpose of the presentation is to educate the general public on these precious resources that are right in our own backyard, and to make a gentle but compelling case for the perpetual respect and protection they deserve.

Great Falls and Mather Gorge Presentation

In 2009 Roy made a new presentation based on his second book, Great Falls and Mather Gorge. While working on the first book's 17-mile journey, he became particularly enamored with the Great Falls area and the stretch downriver for two miles, and decided it needed more attention. The presentation covers one square mile - a half-mile wide swath along two miles of the river. This wilderness area is a diverse wonderland of river scenery, unique environments with rare plant life, wildlife, world-class whitewater paddling, rock-climbing, other recreational activities, and the C&O and Potomac Canals. All of this is easily accessible to people in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The purpose of the presentation is the same as the Our Potomac presentation.