During a recent visit to see her daughter in California, Carol Chapin became fascinated with a new trend spreading around the country. Painted rocks.
The rules of the game are simple enough. If you find a rock, take a picture and post it to the local rock group on Facebook. People are also encouraged to paint their own rocks and post photos and hints for others on the Facebook group.
Upon returning to Casper, Chapin decided to look for a local rock group to join. She found the “Casper Rocks” Facebook group, whose membership numbered around 100 and activity was nearly nonexistent.
Chapin got to work painting and hiding over 100 rocks, but people didn’t start to catch on until she posted an ad in the “Casper Classifieds” Facebook group. Now “Casper Rocks” is rocking over 900 members.
“It’s a gesture of love”, said Chapin about planting painted rocks. Chapin describes the rock groups as little treasure hunts. “Something like Pokemon Go but a lot safer”, said Chapin, reasoning that nosing a smartphone in public could be a tad dangerous. Members are encouraged to keep the rocks outside and off mowed lawns…because flying rocks are for real dangerous.
A handful of her rocks have become “vacationing rocks”, being picked up by tourists and hidden in their home states such as Arizona, Colorado and Washington. Chapin is also excited to start planting eclipse-themed rocks and for the swell of potential rock group fans who might travel to Casper for the event.
Oil City News is planting our own rock in the downtown area for today’s Casper Art Walk. If you find it and post a photo on the Casper Rocks Facebook page you’ll be entered to win some rockin’ Casper Eclipse swag.
