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Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
Unlike my science-fictional counterparts, I’m not one of those solar-system-wide computer network monoliths, planted by a superintelligent alien civilization and designed to shepherd humanity into its golden age. Nope, I’m just a humble, naturally-occurring slab of rock – but at 235 feet tall, I’m among the largest in the world. Anyone care to guess my name?
OK, here are a few hints:
- I’m not the monolith Richard Dreyfuss once famously sculpted from mashed potatoes
- I’m situated 80 miles west of a city whose anagram is “plant rod.”
- The smaller rock formations near me are known collectively as “The Needles,” because you could fit a whole stack of ‘em inside my comparatively gargantuan self.
- Interesting, though admittedly not that helpful: the word “monolith” derives from the ancient Greek words for “lonely” and “stone.”
… and extra brownie points to anyone who can name the popular 80s movie in whose climax I am prominently featured.
Haystack Rock in Oregon.
posted by Aaron on 8-29-2006 at 7:48 am
Which would mean The Goonies.
posted by Aaron on 8-29-2006 at 7:49 am
Haystack Rock (Oregon) was good enough for “The Goonies.” :D
posted by Hudge on 8-29-2006 at 7:59 am
Rats! Aaron rang in while my internet was thinking about sending my comment…
posted by Hudge on 8-29-2006 at 8:00 am
What a great photo of haystack rock. You can also get some good photos from the hill tops along the beach.
posted by Kevin on 8-29-2006 at 8:32 am
It’s from the Goonies!
On a business trip to Oregon we stopped by the coast to get a picture of Haystack Rock.
posted by Adam on 8-29-2006 at 9:12 am
I know it is Haystack Rock, but it is very similar to several “rocks” along the west coast. The one I remember best is Morro Rock in CA. Here is a description from the California Coastal Commission’s California Coastal Access Guide (1983): “Morro Rock and the six other volcanic peaks between Morro Bay and the City of San Luis Obispo were formed by volcanic activity over 20 million years ago. The Rock marks the narrow and once treacherous entrance to Morro Bay, sighted originally by the Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542. Cabrillo never landed there, and it wasn’t until Juan Gaspar dr Portola’s expedition in 1769 that Europeans first explored the land and met the Chumash Indians, the native inhabitants of the region.” The distinctive dome of the Morro Rock that is sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific.” Here’s a picture: http://www.bibingka.com/sst/esperanza/morro.gif
posted by Mike on 8-29-2006 at 10:02 am
Wow, you guys really know your monoliths — and your 80s film cult classics. Hats off to Aaron! Don’t let it go to your head, though; we’ll stump you next week!
Mike, thanks for your additions. Love that Pacific coast and its crazy-big rocks.
posted by Ransom on 8-29-2006 at 11:36 am
Haystack Rock is at Cannon Beach Oregon
near Ecola Park.
VERY recognizable to us Oregonians!
posted by Lauren on 8-29-2006 at 11:46 am