Name: Gail Lawson

Location:

Story: Today I was hiking a trail at Preston Pond in Jericho, Vermont. On the way down the hill I spotted one of your Sam stones and picked it up. When I got home, I noticed on the back your address. It’s wonderful to see pictures of Sam and to read about him.

The next time our hiking group meets, I will bring the stone with me to leave for another traveler to find. I will let you know the site after it is placed.

Name: Marie Davis

Location: I placed a SamStone in the nest where three redwood trees came together in the Redwood Forest, on the edge of Arcata, California.

Story: I love bringing a SamStone along when I travel. I wait until I am moved to place it, somewhere that fills me with joy. This time it was in the spirit-lifting realm of the northern Redwoods. I went back the next day to find that others had added to the nest around the SamStone, so wonderful.

Name: Samantha Alves

Location: Went on a small hike and places the stone beneath a baby tree, overlooking the skyline of prague

Story: It’s just by the base of a tree, if you want to take the hike you can put in “Restaurant Petřínské Terasy”, which also has a beautiful viewing point of the city. Then follow the trail to the right and keep going for about 5 minutes, when the view is open / the best throughout the city I took a bit of a stroll down the hill to find a quiet spot for the stone. A very lovely place and hike, I highly recommend going!

Name: C K

Location: Mt Hood Oregon

Story: Sorry for the late post – we found a SamStone on Mt Hood 2 summers ago while hiking….we were hiking with a friend named “Sam” so thought it was so neat! Wasnt until way later we looked it up and read your Sams Story….prayers for your family – i will be sure to rehide the stone we found in a place that we think Sam would of loved.

Name: Oliver Gignoux

Location: At the top of Camels Hump on the summit marker.

Story: I found a Sam Stone on Camels Hump nearly 10 years ago, and I was shocked and amazed to see another after our morning sunrise hike. I took the stone with me with the intention of moving it to the summit of another Vermont mountain. Wishing your family the best!

Name: Alison DeFisher

Location: Libby’s Look

Story: My 4-year-old daughter found a Samstone when we reached the top of Libby’s Look trail in Bolton this past weekend. She picked it up and said, “What’s this?” We talked for a minute about how the stone got there and why we thought it was placed there. From this moment on, I had a feeling the stone was left in memory of someone. It wasn’t until later that I found this website and learned about Samstones. I, too, have lost a son (8 years ago) and have tried (and sometimes failed) to keep his memory alive. I love and appreciate this idea.

Name: Sam Alves

Location: I hiked Bolton and found this on the top of the wooden lookout point

Story: I hiked Bolton and found this on the top of the wooden lookout point. I unfortunately didn’t take a photo when I found it but I’m attaching some pictures I took from the view of the lookout. My name is Sam so when I found this stone I thought it was some crazy coincidence, but when I learned more about Sam when I got home from my trip, I was immediately filled with warmth. I am so happy his story is being shared through these stones and I would love to contribute as much as I can to keep his memory alive.

Name: Tina Heath

Location: At the top of Robbins Mountain, Richmond VT

Story: I was hiking up my favorite backyard mountain and made it to the *secret* vista, which you need to bushwack a bit to find. Once you find it, you hit the jackpot because there are gorgeous views of Camels Hump, Honey Hollow, and parts of the Worcester Mountains. I went over to the rocky knoll to take in the scenery as it is just about peak foliage up high. I looked down at my feet at one point and saw a Sam Stone looking right up at me :). It brought me a lot of emotion once I read the website and hit me hard, as I have 2 little boys of my own. However, I also felt a real sense of peace. I thought about taking it and putting it in another special place because I think that’s “allowed”, but realized there isn’t a much better spot than this, a place of great beauty, resiliency, and freedom. So I put the stone back in its cozy little place, and I hope Sam is in eternal peace. Thank you for the powerful experience.

Name: Danny Dover

Location: 44.352427 N, 72.878202 W , Gleason Brook, Bolton (below Bamforth Ridge)

Story: We’re the ‘Vibe Masters’– four old guys that just like to hike and explore wild places, mostly right here in central Vermont. On Sept 5 2024, decided to head up Gleason Brook on our way to the Beaver Meadows shown on the USGS quadrangle, just for the hell of it. Didn’t look like hardly anyone had been up that way, following a faint, old logging road. But, stopping for a break by a beautiful cascade, right where I was standing– between my feet– was a Sam Stone. Glory be. What a surprise! I’d say our vibe that day matched Sam’s…….thanks.

Name: Claude Gagnon-Auger

Location: Duxbury Window Trail (Camel’s Hump State Park)

Story: I found the SamStone resting on a large rock during a hike (Duxbury Window Trail) approximately 1 mile away from the start. I had stopped for dinner and noticed the SamStone next to me.