Holly Rocks, 2021-2024
It was a difficult conversation way back in the early days of her Alzheimers, but when she calmed down she said she wanted her ashes spread everywhere. I knew what she meant. We came up with a list which featured lots of rugged places and dramatic waterfalls. Some locations I am not capable of getting to anymore and I decided I had to get after it. But there is a timing issue. Her mind is completely gone but her body refuses to give up. So what should I do? Well, I came up with the idea to paint up kindness rocks that show a web address of photos profiling her life, and then place those rocks in place of ashes. What follows is location information for what has been placed starting in 2021. Enjoy the photos and maybe get out and visit some of those sites yourself.
IPSUT FALLS, MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Rock placed nearby, 6/2021 at N 46.97064, W 121.83175, 2,723 feet
Photo taken in 1992 up river from Ipsut Creek at the source of Carbon River.
Of course the glacier has receded a great deal since then.
NACHES LOOP TRAIL, MOUNT RAINIER
Rock placed 7/2021 and replaced during the 7/2023 memorial hike at N 46.86303, W 121.49579, 5,905 feet
June skiing on the same trail sometime in the 90's.
ECOLA STATE PARK, OREGON
Rock placed 8/2021 at the base of this large tree on the cliff edge at N 45.94261, W 121.98498, 823 feet
Looking south towards Cannon Beach
Neahkanie Mountain, Oregon
Rock placed 8/2021 at N 45.94261, W 121.98498, 823 feet
It was a four generation trek up the mountain to spread mom's ashes and place a Holly rock
Holly taking in the view in 1984
High Lake, Strawberry Mtn. Wilderness, Oregon
Rock placed 9/2021 at N 44.27986, W 118.68536, 7,300 feet in an off-trail meadow below the lake. The mound in the background is an artesian spring that I discovered sometime in the 80's while elk hunting.
High Lake
Steens Mountain, Oregon
Rock placed in a side canyon to Kiger Gorge on Steens Mountain, 9/2021 at N 42.71030, W 118.57682, 8,823 feet.
Kiger Gorge on Steens Mountain
Alvord Dry Lake Bed Desert
Rock placed 9/2021 at N 42.52298, W 118.47358, 3,996 feet on a hot and smokey day.
Alvord Playa
Holly on the playa shortly after sunrise, 6/2000
Tri Basin Divide, Wyoming
Rock placed in an aspen grove uphill from the Tri Basin sign, 9/2021 at N 42.52543, W 110.68907, 8,610 feet
Tri Basin Divide
Shell Canyon, Wyoming
Rock placed downriver from Shell Falls, 9/2021 at N 44.58871, W 107.65407, 5,589 feet
Shell Falls
Copman's Tomb downriver from the falls
The opposite side of Shell Canyon
Crystal Mountain
The rock was placed 9/9/22 at 49.93510, -121.50108 at 6,766 feet. Pointing one’s camera downhill flattens out the perspective a great deal. This slope was so steep that nudging rocks just a little sent them bounding down the hill. This was the most treacherous rock location so far and I’m confident no one will happen across it by chance. The haze is forest fire smoke.
Slate Peak
Rock placed 9/15/22 at 48.73720, -120.67822, 6781 feet. This is on the trail to Slate Peak above Harts Pass, Washington. Unfortunately the weather was stormy so I ducked over the ridge to get out of the wind in order to take a photo. I waited for a break in the clouds to take the shot. The top is nine hundred feet higher but there was no way I was walking up the steep sided hogback on loose rock with the disorienting fog ripping by. I didn’t leave the rock out in the open but moved it into a tight clump of bonsai conifers.
I revisited this rock in 2023 in much better weather. This view is looking from the rock back towards Slate Peak.
Sunrise in 2023 from Slate Peak
Thirtymile Meadows
The rock was placed 9/16/22 at 48.78768, -119.95203O, at 6151 feet. On a very long dirt road shortcut from Winthrop to Loomis I found this oddly placed boulder well away from the road in Thirtymile Meadow (Okanogan Highlands). I have no explanation why there is only this one boulder but it is in a very nice location. It has been nicely fractured right down the middle. Notice the miniature spruce tree growing out of a crack.
Silverbell Mine
The rock was placed 9/17/22 at 48.76098, -118.83903, at 5013 feet. It is located at the dormant but scenic Silverbell Mine where the tailing are encrusted with small crytals. It’s a hard place to get to.
Early Winters Creek
The rock was placed 9/18/22 at 48.51391, -120.64229, at 5174 feet. The rock is located at Early Winters creek (Washington Pass). In the background is Liberty Bell.
Washinton Pass Overlook
Rock placed 9/15/23 at 48.52637, -120.64959, 5,517 feet
Goat Peak
Rock Placed 9/19/23 at 48.63213, -120.40408, at 7001 feet
Seep Lakes
Rock placed near Lower Goose Lake in Drumheller Channels 9/20/23 at 46.92255, -119.29723, at 920 feet. I couldn't find the specific columnar basalt formation I was after so this is a placeholder until I can get back next year. As a further insult, I fell off some rimrock here and broke two ribs, so my trip was done and I would have to finish placing the rocks next year.
Drumheller Channels Basalt Formations
Rock placed upon a basalt column 9/18/24 at 46.88871, -119.28207, at 891 feet.
Saddle Mountains
Rock placed on a secondary peak of Sentinel Mountain which is at the western end of the Saddle Mountains ridge, north of Mattawa. The rocks was placed on 9/19/24 at 46.81816, -119.88000, at 2,360 feet.
Thus ends my tribute to Holly. It motivated me to think outside the box and get out into the country we both loved. I know she would have loved the gesture.