A man visiting the San Lorenzo Valley on a 10-year journey says he has a rock that tells the future.
Doug Herrington, a sign-maker and former magician, said that while he was nearly blind in one eye, he tripped over the 3-pound rock on the sandy banks of the Kings River in Hanford about 10 years ago. He took it home with him and, after a cataract procedure to repair his eyes, he examined the unusually shaped, softball-sized metamorphic rock.
“That’s when I’m looking at the rock and it was looking back at me,” said Herrington, now bright-eyed.
Herrington took it to a geology class that took pictures of the rock. At that point, the pictures showed images. He soon after named the rock “Rockadamus.”
He calls Rockadamus a harbinger rock — something that foreshadows a future event — because images have appeared in the rock. He claims it tells the story of Scott Peterson, the convicted murderer who killed his wife and their unborn child, through images on the rock.
He claims it also shows pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and other tragic figures. He says that the day Saddam Hussein was put to death, the rock sweated red, rusty water and in the past 10 years, has gained ½ a gram of weight.
But it’s not all fun and games. Herrington says his wife told him that he had to get rid of Rockadamus because it has caused their family grief.
“My wife of 35 years, she said that when I get rid of the rock, I can come back home,” he said.
He feels, however, that it is taking him on a journey. And he as he has traveled up and down the West Coast looking for answers.
“What is this rock?” he asks. “Why did I find it? What is it telling people? I feel I have a mission.”
He has taken up camp in Boulder Creek because Santa Cruz County, and its relaxed ways, beckoned him.
“The rock is magic, and I’m just the reader of the rock.” Herrington said. “I’m just here to spread the news.”
Herrington took it to Antique’s Roadshow in Fresno and has had the rock appraised, he said at $10 million because of its unusual properties.
Upon examination, the shape of the rock appears to be a bust of Mr. Magoo’s face. If flipped over, the outline of the face reminds the viewer of Alfred Hitchcock. Herrington touts a video on YouTube.com that shows the rock emitting energy measured by an ohmmeter (seach “rockadamus” at YouTube.com).
Herrington says that scientists have scoffed at his discovery, but hopes that scientists may be willing to study the rock with advanced instruments. He also hopes to use the rock as a fundraiser for a nonprofit agency as a sort of show.
Contact Herrington at 559-269-1577 or by e-mail,
do**********@ya***.com
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