ringing rocks

Today my son and I went to visit Ringing Rocks Park in rural Bucks County, PA, near the Delaware River.  We took my parents with us, since they had never been.  It is a fascinating place.  In the park, there is a large boulder field covering 5 acres or more. 

As you walk up the trail from the parking lot, you meet people carrying hammers of various sizes.  You start to hear pings and bongs and clangs - and when you climb out onto the boulders, you see small groups of people climbing over them, whacking them with hammers or small rocks.  And when they are struck, the boulders ring like bells!  It's surprisingly fun.  Here's a clip that gives you some idea of what it's like (I just found it on YouTube - I have no idea who these people are):



My son loves going there.  When he finds a rock with a good tone, he shouts out, "Try this one, Grandpa!"  And then he's off looking for another rock to thump.

It frustrated my retired-scientist dad to no end that we didn't have an explanation for the field of boulders or the ringing.  I am guessing he spent all afternoon on the internet trying to solve the mystery.  

(I want to know how long this took...and what the hammer looked like afterward)

After we'd had our fill of boulder-banging, we stopped at a small coffee shop, where Grandpa treated my son to chocolate milk and a huge Oreo cookie concoction.

(drinking in the chocolaty goodness)

Good stuff.  And now you know where to go when you want to hear a "rock" concert.  Hahahaha!

Okay, okay.  I can hear the groans from here...