We Will Rock You
Area rock hunting groups grow in popularity during pandemic

Decorah Rocks has a simple objective; "paint rocks and hide them all over for people to find," as written on the group's Facebook page. When Maureen Michel of Decorah visited California, her brother-in-law showed her a rock from Reno, Nevada marked with 530 Rock Hunt, a rock painting and hiding group in California.

Exploring the group on Facebook gave her the idea to create a group back home in Decorah. "Why not start our own group and see where our rocks travel and who they make smile?" she said. As a result, Decorah Rocks was born.

Participating in the group is as easy as going for a walk. Many members have stumbled onto the rocks by accident. "I joined Decorah Rocks because I found a rock and followed the directions on the back directing me to the group," said Faye Ehm, a member since August 2019. Rocks have been found at Dunnings Springs, Palisades and Phelps Park and numerous trails and parks throughout the Decorah area. Some are taken to other places like Cresco, Ankeny, and the state of New York.

To find rocks, people use the Facebook page to get clues. Some people post pictures that show parts of a location, name a trail rocks are on or write descriptions of the area the rocks are in. Michel writes poems to help searchers locate her rocks. "It is fun to figure out a rock's location from a cryptic, creative, rhyming verse and then get some exercise out looking for it," Ehm said.

People who find rocks are asked to post a picture on Facebook. "Rock hunters are always curious to know where rocks are hiding," said Michel. Then they can either re-hide them or keep the rocks. If they are kept, the group asks the person to paint a new rock to add in Decorah.

The hidden rocks may have messages like 'Enjoy it All' or can be detailed portraits of family pets. Michel said her inspiration is people. Stories about her rocks with inspirational quotes like 'You Can Move Mountains' and 'Find your Fire' have influenced her rock paintings. "I try to put an inspirational word or two on every rock I paint," Michel said. "I think people need that and if I can bring a smile to a person's face it is worth it."

Because Michel was aware of the impact rocking could have on the community, she added protective rules on the Facebook page. She asks painters to use non-toxic paint to keep everyone safe and to "rock responsibly by remaining on trails, respecting wildlife and respecting others." Michel also said, "We encourage our members to pick up litter while they are out rocking."

Rocking appeals to Michel and the other rockers in various ways. "I found that painting rocks was relaxing," said Michel. She also noted rocking encourages her to go out hiking or biking. "However," she said, "the best part about painting and hiding rocks is the anticipation of when and if they will be found."

"It helps promote a community of giving and in this time of a pandemic it can still be done with adequate social distancing," said Paula Ruen, one of the Facebook page's administrators. "At the very least, this group gives rock painters and hunters a few moments to relax, reflect and enjoy time in nature and beyond."

There are several factors Michel contributes to Decorah Rocks' success. "In our community, people care about each other and want to be part of something good," she said. "Decorah Rocks allows people to share kindness with others, including people they will never know." She stressed how artsy and creative Decorah is and how "Painting rocks is something anyone can do."

Decorah Rocks is an activity that all ages engage in. "It is very important to get the younger generation outdoors and be creative and clean up!" said Kirsten Erickson, Decorah Rocks member since August 2019. "My family loves Decorah Rocks because it gives us a great reason to be outdoors and away from all the technology for a bit."

One of the primary reasons Michel believes Decorah works for rocking is the number of trails in the area and the community's lifestyle. "People in our community are very active - walking, hiking, biking - so adding rocking to their list of activities is easy," she said. Members of the Facebook page began to point out how important the trails were. "That got me thinking more about the trails and how much we really do use them, " Michel said. "I knew there was more we could do."m z

On June 12, Decorah Rocks began selling t-shirts and bags with the phrase 'Rockin' with My Gnomies' on them. The merchandise was sold until June 28 to benefit the Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT). DHPT is a non-profit organization that builds and maintains trails in the area. "By selling t-shirts and bags, we as a group could donate the money to help with the upkeep of the trails," Michel said. "We raised over $700 for the trails"

The community built on Decorah Rocks' Facebook is what Michel considers the best part of rocking. "I know there are families and couples it has brought closer together," she said. "I have met and made some awesome, amazing friends." Katy Buck, who has been a member since November 2019, said she and her husband John love to see the joy on people's faces. "In such hard times lately in this world," she said, "the kindness here is remarkable."

The growing number of Facebook members and the new Decorah Rocks Instagram show the active community Decorah Rocks has created. "We are nearing 2000 members and people are painting and hiding and hunting on a daily basis," Michel said. "Although I started the group this whole thing is very much a group effort. Without all of our awesome members, painting, hiding and hunting rocks, the group would have folded long ago!"

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Waukon and Lansing Rocks:

Similar to Decorah, both Waukon and Lansing have rock painting and hiding groups of their own. On Facebook, Lansing Rocks! and Rock'n Waukon sports pictures of rocks with flowers, messages, and enthusiastic polka dots. Rock'n Waukon was formed in October of last year and Lansing Rocks! was formed last September. "I thought this would be something fun for kids and adults to do in Lansing. This is something people can do alone or as an outing with family & friends. It is fun to find the rocks and to rehide them or keep them," said August Easley, the admin of Lansing Rocks! "It is a feel-good project that includes outdoor time," said an admin of Rock'n Waukon, Arthur Iseli. "It spreads happiness, kindness and love. The smiles of children are the best."