This is my rock. It is a “glacial erratic.” Now, this should not be construed to mean that my rock engages in unpredictable behavior. It is just that this big, cracked-down-the-middle piece of granite sits quietly on a flat ledge of a rock formation composed of conglomerate.
Probably wandered its’ way “down south” to the panhandle of Idaho from points north in British Columbia cruising on a glacier. This should give pause to one’s concepts regarding inanimate objects, and recalls a story the boys and I made up about rock hunting.Rock hunting has been a rainy day activity for us while camping at our property in Idaho. There are very few rocks to be found nearby as it is almost entirely sandy country. So, to build up our fire pit we would go out and cruise for rocks. It often seemed that one minute a hillside was totally blank of rocks, but in the next glance there was a perfect find for the campsite. We decided that rocks could apparently subtly alter their appearance, sort of a defense mechanism, and appear to be larger or smaller than they really were. We theorized that they could essentially become invisible for brief periods of time. Also we decided that they had the ability to very rapidly shift their position and hide just out of sight.
Notice, as illustrated in the next photograph how easily
my rock,something the size of aVolkswagen Beetle, can play coy and seem to hide in the shadows!
We have, despite these evasive rock maneuvers, collected sufficient numbers over the past seventeen years to build an imposing outdoor stone fire pit.
Apparently these silica entities have overcome their supposed immobility by developing not only awesome patience and "special powers" but the ability to marshal forces of nature and living creatures to their aide and move them about from place to place. Have you ever noticed while wandering the wilderness that quite often just as you are fatigued and looking for a place to perch that there is a convenient rock to plant your backside upon? Or perhaps captivated by a fantastic view from a high ledge you have found yourself comfortably seated on a rock that almost seemed placed there on purpose? Rather convenient happenstance, don’t you think?
Finally on this topic, the following photograph demonstrates the silica entities’ ability to attract and communicate with certain animals. Will wonders never cease?
