In 1918 and again in 1921, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone camped near this waterfall in what is now Swallow Falls State Park in Oakland, Maryland. They called themselves the Vagabonds and toured the Eastern United States, popularizing automobile travel. 

Isn’t it ironic that people now journey to places like Swallow Falls for respite from the automobile? They travel great distances to pitch their tents in woods and fields, or to rent houses, as we have, and immerse themselves in an alternative landscape. 

Though the Vagabonds traveled with their own naturalist (John Burroughs) and an entourage of chefs and butlers, they must have felt as I did yesterday glimpsing the simple beauty of water falling over rock. 

It makes you want to stop and ponder, to set up camp and stay a while.