In the 1920's and 1930's, John D. Rockefeller commissioned workmen to build a 30+ mile system of carriage roads on Mount Desert Island. Rockefeller disliked cars, riding in them only when necessary. He preferred horse-drawn carriages, and had the roads built so he could indulge his pleasure. The roads and much of the other land he owned on the island were later donated to Acadia National Park.
While vacationing there, my wife and I decided to hike the Hadlock Brook Loop, near Hadlock Pond in Northeast Harbor. It's a 4-mile walk, highlighted by "the highest waterfall on Mount Desert Island" (a whopping 40 feet). The carriage road passes over the brook on Waterfall Bridge, a beautiful stone structure built in 1924.
We all have had underwhelming experiences in life, and seeing this waterfall is one of mine. It had rained only one day in the previous three weeks, so the brook had hardly any water. Upon seeing the "waterfall", my reaction generated the title to this piece.
I am sure that, when fed by melting snow or days of rain, the waterfall is probably pretty impressive, even on its' small scale. That day, though, I could have done just as well by drinking a quart of water and letting nature take its' course.
We all have had underwhelming experiences in life, and seeing this waterfall is one of mine. It had rained only one day in the previous three weeks, so the brook had hardly any water. Upon seeing the "waterfall", my reaction generated the title to this piece.
I am sure that, when fed by melting snow or days of rain, the waterfall is probably pretty impressive, even on its' small scale. That day, though, I could have done just as well by drinking a quart of water and letting nature take its' course.
