Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce announced the winners from their first "Name That Rock" contest. The contest started with publication of the Nevada Magazine May/June issue, and ran until Labor Day. The objective of the contest was to get people to come visit Lincoln County (Alamo through Pioche, Nevada), and find interesting rock formations, photograph them and give them a catchy name. Some people did not understand the contest rules and they merely named the rock that was shown in the magazine article. But some people went out and found some very interesting rocks, and the first place winner, Gordon Graves, found one he named "Dueling Grabazoids." Gordon Graves is a Caliente resident who enjoys photographing Lincoln County's attractions; he actually was a first place winner in a Cathedral Gorge State Park Photo Contest 2 years ago, and the park used his photos for new postcards, and a "hat pin."
The second place winner, Keith Stever, was raised in Pioche, and took his photo a number of years ago and entitled "Hotel Rock." This truly is a Hard Rock Hotel, of the Lincoln County kind! Third place winner Bob Brown is a Las Vegas resident who enjoys coming up to Lincoln County with his wife, to ride their ATV's. He named this rock "The Hitchhiker," one that he found along the Silver State OHV Trail. Some of the other rocks that didn't make the cut included "Mother Hubbard," also by the Browns, "Cleopatra's Head," by Sallie Clinard; "Lounge Lizard," "Hound Dog," "Frankenstein," and "Twin Caterpillars" by Karen Ernst; "Eye on the Valley" also by Gordon Graves; and "Teapot Rock" by Marvin Richardson.
There are still a lot of rocks in Lincoln County that need names, and we invite you to come find your own rock. This was a popular contest, and will be repeated again next year; the images will be added to the image library for LincolnCountyNevada.com
About the contest
Within the 10,600 square miles of Lincoln County, Nevada are 40 mountain ranges. These ranges are full of rocks of about every type and possible shape. Some resemble animals, others look like monsters, still others resemble chairs. The variety is endless, so why not help us explore this county with your camera and imagination. Find up to six rock formations that have unusual shapes or resemble some familiar object, photograph these formations and give them a catchy name. Identify the location of each rock, either by GPS coordinates or an indication on a map.
First through 3rd prizes are awarded. The photographers retain ownership of the pictures, but the Greater Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce requires the right to use the pictures. The photographers will be credited whenever we use the pictures. The limit is six pictures per person (no multiple scenes of the same rock), no size limit or file size specifications, but composition, clarity, etc. will be taken in to account in the judging. We require a stamped return envelope from any contestants that want their hard copy pictures back.
