The Case of the Disappearing Hobbit Tree

I found a Hobbit Tree, painted the perfect little rock for its doorway, and went back to deliver it. There was just one problem. I couldn't find the tree. Fortunately, the mountain provided another solution.

And then there are the trees that apparently exist simply to mess with me.

On a hike with Ghost, I discovered a wonderful tree with a little opening at its base that looked exactly like a Hobbit hole.

Obviously, such a discovery required a rock.

I went home and painted one bright yellow. On one side I painted my Peace, Love & Joy symbol. On the other: You found me :) Keep me or hide me.

A couple of days later, I put the rock in my pocket, took Ghost and headed back to find the Hobbit Tree.

It had disappeared.

I had photographs. I had GPS coordinates. I even remembered an incredible collection of broken branches nearby that looked like sea serpents. How hard could this possibly be?

Apparently, very hard.

We searched Indian Rock Trail in one direction. No tree. We turned around and searched the other direction. No tree. Then we went over to Summit Rock and started hiking again.

It was about 90 degrees. We were approaching three miles. Ghost was hot. I was hot. And I was carrying around a bright yellow rock looking for a tree that apparently had no intention of being found.

And then, just as I had given up, I saw another tree.

With another Hobbit hole.

Perfect.

I tucked my little yellow rock inside, took its picture and left it there for someone else to discover.

The magic wasn't where I left it. So I left a little magic somewhere else.

The original Hobbit Tree is still missing. My daughter thinks the fairies moved it.

At this point, I'm not ruling that out.