Screw Auger Falls

Screw Auger Falls
 
The valley is surrounded by Maine’s beautiful mountains with pine trees reaching for the sunlit sky which is beaming down brightly on this warm summer day. Occasionally as you drive through the valley you see large fields ready to be farmed. Flowing grass in some and narrow green rows in others that seem to be endless. A sign near the road reads “homemade pies ahead” and sure enough you come upon the stand on the side of the road. This stand is unattended as this part of Maine is still back in another time of believing in the goodness and honesty of people. If you like one of the many delicious looking pies than it is up to you to leave payment behind when you leave with your delicious fresh treat. It is comforting to see this still exists in this often cruel World that forgets even the ones who live across the hall from you. A bit of yester year is still year and the beauty of the area has changed little over time. Soon you see the sign for the falls and turn into a parking lot with numerous spots but few open ones on this beautiful day. A Ranger slowly moves about the people handing out brochures to those who want one and making small take as most Mainers seem to do so often. Not talking about anything but the day and the views not far from the lot. After sliding out of the drivers’ seat I am greeted with a faint breeze that is carrying the sweet smell of the pines surrounding me. I can here a mixture of the chick-a-dee’s song and that of other birds in a soft chorus for all to enjoy. As I head down the path and the sun is taken away by the tall pines I can slowly begin to hear the sounds of rushing crashing water. I am surprised not to hear the sounds of people talking or children playing. Those sounds are drowned out by the water and the birds.  As I near the clearing I can see the water rushing and then as I near the opening to the rocks that make up the falls I can see the stunning beauty that glaciers have left behind so many years ago. The falls are carved into the stones and you can imagine how long and persistent this has been to make these falls what I see before me today. They water twists and tumbles as it falls to a destiny somewhere well beyond these falls. The sound of the water is loud but yet so relaxing to me. I could close me eyes and sit hear near the falls forever in peace. There are people here but these falls are big enough that I find my own place of solace. I see a spot and climb down to see what it is like down besides the water as it tumbles over the largest fall. I climb down into what looks like a big bowl that once carried a swirling rush of water. I suppose it may still do so after heavy rains or in the spring when the snow melts from the peaks around me feeding this stream.  From above it looked small to me but now that I am in this bowl I am amazed at the size of this and the depth. There is a whole, almost a window is you will that I have to explore and I scramble to get to that point as it isn’t as low as I thought but I make it close enough to be able to see the water of the main falls rushing just inches from my face. I can feel the coolness of the water and also easily see it power as it rushes by so quickly and then disappears over the edge that is also only feet from me. The drop is much further than I could have imagined it to be and there are only water and rocks that wait below. I back away and find my way back up to the more level ground and head up the stream to another set of falls. I pass water that gets funneled into a smaller opening and it seems to bubble with anger as it crashes together before heading downstream to the larger fall. The stream opens and the water is crystal clear as it flows over the golden solid rock below it. I walk slowly into the water and am surprised by the cold water as my toes begin to instantly freeze. It feels warmer as I move away from the main current of the water. I kneel and slowly splash the water over my face and it is so refreshing. It almost gives me immediate rejuvenation from the long drive to this beautiful place. There a more falls and I slowly explore them and notice that upstream there is not a person in sight. I find a way to this area and make my way slowly to the middle of the stream and sit on a rock. My feet are in the water as I watch leaves that have fallen from tress somewhere up stream slowly make their own way to the falls. The bottom of the stream is now a mixture of small boulders, rocks, and sand. The water is so clear that it is not hard to make out things even at the bottom of this rushing water. I again splash my face with water and then my neck, then my arms. With each and every once I splash on me it is as if life is flowing back into my body from this beautiful place. I sit and enjoy the smell of the pine and listen to the songs of the birds which are combined with the trickle that this part of the stream is making. There are no bugs here to bother and no other humans. It is just me and nature, a true peace. One so sought after and often hard to find but here I am and here it is with me. I can’t wait to make a return trip and you should make your own trip to these falls.