Photo by Edward Lee | IG @Eddieuuu071
In 1966, Bob Dylan declared, “Everybody must get stoned!” I couldn’t help thinking of the song when I saw DD contributing photographer Ed Lee’s Facebook post asking, “How do you feel about stacking stones on the beach?”
So, humming the Dylan song, I twisted a lyric or two…
Well, they’ll stone you when you’re tryin’ to be so good
They’ll stone you just like they said they would
They’ll stone you when you’re tryin’ to go home
Then they’ll stone you when you stack a few stones!
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned!
Destination Duluth prides itself in staying far, far away from controversial topics. We’re here to inspire, educate and connect people to the northland, showcasing its unique quality of place.
But apparently, even Minnesota Nice has its limits when the rocks start piling up.
Edward captured a spectacular sunset at Split Rock Lighthouse, with the historic lighthouse perched high above Lake Superior and a carefully balanced stack of stones in the foreground.
He posted the photo on Facebook and asked one simple question:
“How do you feel about stacking stones on the beach?”
The verdict was mixed
At the time I saw the post, there were 137 relevant comments. I reviewed them and categorized them as For, Against or Neutral.
Here’s how they, um… stacked up:
77 opposed stacking stones. 60 either supported the practice or were neutral toward the man-made art.
A lot of discussion over a few rocks. The opposition was considerably more vehement; but thankfully nobody actually suggested stoning the stackers.
Everybody must get stoned
The most common objections centered on protecting wildlife habitat, preserving the natural shoreline and following the outdoor principle of Leave No Trace.
Mike Hede asked: “Nature isn’t beautiful enough on its own? Why do humans feel the need to leave their mark on everything?” My mind went to our little white Maltipoo O’Reilly, who has to mark multiple times on rocks along the way on a walk.
Sam Northey raised concerns about disturbing wildlife habitat: “Don’t do it every rock is a home for something on it or under it. You are ruining habitat”
Rebecca Lynn didn’t mince words: “I’m there to see nature, not someone’s graffiti that they think is cool.”
Don Deckert summed it up: “Leave only footprints, take only photos.”
Between a Rock and a Harmless Place
On the other side were those who saw stone stacking as harmless fun, a little creativity, or simply something not worth getting worked up about.
Gregory Couch pointed out that Lake Superior has a way of rearranging things on its own: “Make your art…the water will soon have its way..as all nature reclaims itself”
Lace Baumgartner wondered where the debate might lead: “Are we going to question the ethics behind sandcastles now too?”
Patty Berens Ruhland put it this way: “It’s like playing in the sandbox. They’re temporary. No big deal.”
Is There a Middle Ground?
Several commenters thought we should find middle ground; which is smack-dab where I fall.
Enjoy the challenge of balancing stones. Take a picture. Then knock them over, just so you don’t provoke those who are triggered by the temporary works of art.
Ted Leroux suggested: “If you want to do it for a picture, go ahead I guess but knock it over before you leave.”
There’s also a distinction between stacking stones for fun and building cairns that serve as established trail markers.
The National Park Service discourages unauthorized rock stacking because moving stones can disturb wildlife habitats and confuse hikers where cairns mark trails.
Minnesota state parks also have rules protecting natural resources, including restrictions on collecting rocks, but I couldn’t find a rule explicitly addressing the practice of stacking stones or stoning stackers.
Lake Superior Hurls the Last Stone
Lake Superior has been rearranging stones along its shoreline for thousands of years. Long before Bob Dylan picked up a guitar, and long before Facebook gave everyone a place to throw a few stones of their own.
Whether you’re a stacker, an unstacker, or someone who doesn’t give a damn, take a deep breath and accept the troubadour’s words of wisdom:
“Everybody must get stoned!”
