The new stone age kisses North Idaho
This sugar skull rock was painted and hidden by Post Falls resident Beatrice Alonzo in celebration of the Day of the Dead. Alonzo is one of the many Coeur d’Alene Rocks members who paints, hides and finds these treasures in the community. (Courtesy photo)
Photo courtesy of Coeur d'Alene Rocks Coeur d'Alene Rocks member Robert Forsyth uploaded this photo of a painted rock he found. Community members are painting and hiding these rocks for others to find while adventuring throughout the area.
Courtesy photo Press staff writer Devin Heilman, left, with best friend and Press receptionist Holly Fredericks, found a beautifully painted rock with the message "Spring is here" at Higgens Point on Sunday. Those who find these special rocks are enouraged to post photos of their finds to the Coeur d'Alene Rocks Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Coeur d'Alene Rocks Coeur d'Alene Rocks member Linda Alonzo painted these little gems to hide in the community for others to find. Members use Sharpie pens, paints, chalks and other coloful art supplies to paint pictures and write uplifting words on the rocks, which they cover with clear sealer.
DEVIN HEILMAN/Press This message is on the backs of the Coeur d'Alene Rocks painted stones to encourage people to share photos of their finds.
North Idaho, you rock.
And you paint, hide and find rocks, which also rocks.
A Facebook group of nearly 1,700 members and counting, Coeur d'Alene Rocks, is giving the community many more reasons to get out and have North Idaho adventures.
You guessed it — rocks.
"One day, my daughter and I were just lazing about the house when I saw a post showing a couple of rocks had been hidden at the nearby Walmart," Coeur d'Alene Rocks member Beatrice Alonzo said. "The kiddo and I jumped in the car and found two of the four rocks that were hidden. We were hooked."
Last summer, Post Falls resident Kelly Walters and her sister were inspired to introduce this paint-hide-find rock phenomenon to North Idaho. Walters' daughter and granddaughter began the Whidbey Island Rocks group, which has more than 20,000 members.
"This is a fun thing to do for our community," Walters said. "This gets people outside to explore new areas and be more aware of their surroundings."
She said it's a great activity for young and old alike.
"Parents can teach their children not only to be creative but to share a gift of love, happiness or positive thoughts, even though it comes in a form of a rock," she said. "I don't think there is anyone that doesn't like to look for something special or isn't overjoyed to find a treasure."
The "rock stars" use a variety of media to create their little masterpieces, including Sharpie pens, chalk and paints. They cover them with a coat of clear seal so the artwork doesn't fade in the rain and snow.
These colorful creations can be anything the artist wants — cartoon characters, nature scenes, uplifting messages for the finders.
"We have had stories of people having a bad day and they find one of our rocks and it turns their whole day around," Walters said. "I love painting rocks because I know that whoever finds it, it will bring a smile to their face. And that's what Coeur d'Alene Rocks is all about — spreading smiles one rock at a time!"
There's no telling where these rocks may appear or just how many are out there. They've been found in parks, on trails, by businesses, on tree stumps, nestled near local monuments and wherever the clever rock hider feels it belongs.
Finders are encouraged to snap photos of their finds and share on the Coeur d'Alene Rocks Facebook page, www.facebook.com/groups/1703760543218502/. They can either keep or re-hide their treasures.
"I quickly learned this was an opportunity for the community to put a little fun and adventure into life where both children and adults could take part in hunting for 'treasure,'" said Silver Valley resident and Rocks member Eva Corona. "People, especially children, really enjoy finding these rocks and it is an activity that virtually anyone can have fun with."
Alonzo said she and her daughter have been painting, hiding and hunting for rocks since their first find, expanding their use of colors and creativity with each stone. It has become a rewarding activity for them.
"We love that we can make someone's day just by painting a rock and placing it in an unusual place," she said. "It's been a huge motivator in getting us out on the trails and in our local parks more than if we had not been doing it.
"I love the area we live in and something like this just seems to add some magic to our community."