Skipping Stones, Throwing Rocks
I had no idea that Stone Skipping was a competitive sport. If you doubt this claim, then head on over to the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Website!
Most people know what Stone Skipping is, but may not have heard about Gerplunking. “Gerplunk” – the sound a that a rock makes when it hits a body of water!
Ice makes gerplunking a challenge!
In 2009, winter weather arrived before we could close up the cabin. The water lines froze, making the shut down a challenge. But a wonderful thing had happened at the lake and on the side channels of the river. A fairly thick layer of ice formed on the water, but there was also a large air pocket separating the ice from the water. Nature had created a drum, of sorts. We all spent a few hours skipping rocks over the ice. They made such an interesting series of sounds as they bounced along the surface – “pock, tickety tock, tock, tock, tock, tock…” We counted the tock sounds, just as we would have counted the skips if they had been on water.
Of course, the grandchildren had to try to break the ice by heaving larger and larger rocks! Now and then they were rewarded with a satisfying “gerplunk”!
Elsewhere in the resort, immense icicles had formed on the trees from the spray of the water from the fountains.
Every little puddle of water had frozen into wonderful lacy creations, some so fragile they shattered with the least pressure.
It was a magical week-end – pock, tickety tock, tock, tock, tock…
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My Similar Cabin Story: Weekly Photo Challenge: Comfort
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Hi Jake – glad you could stop by for a visit!
Hi,
I had no idea that skipping stones was a sport, I think that’s great. I’m not very good at it at all but I have fun giving it a go.
I love the way the ice has formed on the tree, it looks magical, who knew ice would form that way.
Hi Mags – I’m surprised you have never come across the sport of skipping stones – you write about so many interesting things!
The icicles on the tree are spectacular.
Hi winsomebella – spectacular, and dangerous!
“Gerplunking” gotta love the fun sport. Maybe it’ll become an Olympic event. It’d be a darn sight more interesting to watch than some of their sports.
Great photos. It looks so dreadfully cold, yet so magically beautiful.
Hi EC – I gather from the website that gerplunking is extremely difficult to score – hard to measure sound or splash accurately, I suppose.
Loved your picture of the icicles on the tree.
Glad you could stop by, Mary!
That’s a neat story…and the picture, of course, are beautiful!
Thanks JSD – it is the kind of story that almost writes itself.
Love that photo of the huge icicles on the tree!
Hi Lisa – icicles are fascinating, aren’t they!
Nature holds so many magical moments for us, doesn’t it? I enjoy reading someone’s observations who notices. Beautiful picture of the icy pattern on fallen leaves. I was just captivated by a similar ice formation while out walking yesterday here in Colorado. Thanks for sharing the gerplunking adventure. Love to add to my vocabulary.
Hi Barbara – I would imagine you have similar weather events to us if you are anywhere near the mountains!
Wow! Those icicles on the tree are something else!
Hi Sanetes – the icicles seem to be the stars of the story!
The tree with the icicles is absolutely beautiful. I always enjoy your photography.
Hi Amanda – Isn’t it interesting how photographers develop styles!
Hey there….great post.
My dad and brothers taught me to skip rocks when I was a kid. It was fun looking for the nice smooth flat stones.
Your photos are amazing.
1Hi RV – I wonder how many children today have never had the chance to skip stones!
Well of course, stone skipping was a Herculean Sport among all of us siblings and cousins, with the winner getting bragging rights. I think I’d like the ice-skipping better. Not sure why? I can see the stone longer? I tried to take a photo of a child at a local deli looking out the window at the snow yesterday. Too many shadows to get all the elements. It gave me such respect for your photos.
Thanks Barb – Yes, the bragging rights were important! Skipping stones on ice quickly evolved into more of a game of bocce ball!
I have lots of photos of my kids and grandchildren I would like to put on my blog, but I am pretty cautious about posting people pictures!
Great pictures. I love to look at ice—from afar! We haven’t had any bitterly cold weather, yet, but spring is a long way off.
Hi CE- Our temps have dropped into the -29C degree range, so we are content to look at the cold weather from inside!
What fantastic pictures you take, Margie. Delightful.
Thanks yearstricken – I use pictures because I don’t have the gift of words that you do!
wow! very pretty! is the ice result of an ice-storm? We have those sometimes here in Sweden
Hi Katz – No, the ice was just the result of an early freeze when there was still lots of water puddles and the water fountains were still running! We don’t often have the conditions that lead to a real ice storm.