Around these parts, this is the backside of Rocky Hill. Growing up my brother and I spent lots of days 'exploring' every nook and cranny of this Hill... literally and figuratively. I took a ride back yesterday morning in the rain. Here is one of my first posts on my photoblog, January 29, 2009. The Elephant Rock spoken of here is the largest outcropping on Rocky Hill."... Elephant Rock rises behind these structures. On winter days, when we lived on Washington Avenue, my brother, the neighborhood kids and I would grab large pieces of cardboard and head for this large outcropping for a day of fun sliding on the rock in the snow and ice. I remember there was one place on the back that had a long sluice-like run. The higher up the rock you could get, the longer your run. You had to be careful though, too far and you'd go over the edge to what we thought would be certain death on the rocks below. Long story short-- my brother, about 8 at the time, went into the Elephant Rock lore books one day, by losing his balance going up too high and sliding backwards off the humpback face. We ran through the snow to the front of the rock in disbelief. Around the corner, he met us with a big grin; maybe not knowing how close he had come to his early end." There are no trespassing signs everywhere now, but no matter, I plan a trip to the top soon. Some things in life, just must be done.
See: Pathway @ 12/29/2009
http://pasttimeamainebackyardandbeyond.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
There is a richness of colour, shape and line in that rock which makes a stunning photograph.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this tale I'm so glad I had daughters. They certainly got into their share of mischief but I don't think they ever tried anything quite like this.
ReplyDeleteThat's a handsome rock . . .and it's a wonder you made it to adulthood.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me!.....The Bro is alive and well with all limbs, mental faculties, and most of all still smiling. Let it be known to the world that I was used as the first stuntman without my knowledge. This is a very interesting photo and area, probably never been photographed before. Thanks birdman, for including me in this memory.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, if my kids had done that I would have been scared out of my wits! Nice memories for you though :)
ReplyDeleteIt's massive!
ReplyDeleteI imagine many "adults"can love to climb there!
Léia :)
High Sierra!
ReplyDeleteWHAT?*&&^$#@????
ReplyDeleteYou plan on climbing to the top of this thing??? Methinks not.
Playing games as a kid can be both fun, exiting, scary and sometimes very dangerous!
ReplyDeleteWe had a rock like this one at home that we climbed year round. Great fun it was although there were a few incidents!
My son would love this.
ReplyDeleteA familiar story which reminds me of another rock, my brother an the same luck!
ReplyDeleteWe had no equivalent growing up in a mostly flat area of Queens. In STL the the place to go is Art Hill, the sweeping bowl below the museum. There's a risk there, too. At the bottom is a 2 or 3 foot drop-off into a big lagoon. If you get going too fast you might go flying off the edge. The lagoon may or may not be frozen, either of which is a problem.
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