(VA) (Nature Forward) The first day of winter is arriving. Whether you call this astronomical event the shortest day – or the longest night – of the year, it’s a good occasion to pause the bustle of daily life and join fellow nature lovers on a hike in a beautiful place! Our outing starts at the Widewater area along the C&O Canal Towpath and will move upriver to Great Falls. Here we’ll traverse the bridges out to the Great Falls Overlook – and after enjoying the drama and din of the Falls, we’ll retrace our steps back to Widewater. As daylight fades on our return walk downriver, we’ll look and listen for wildlife activity – primarily birds – as they settle in for the longest night of the year.