A Colony of Cairns

A Colony of Cairns

August 20, 2026 by Susan Stuart, TLC Community Coordinator

It appears that a colony of cairns have taken up residence along the shores of Lake Cochichewick surrounding the Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center. If you have visited Rolling Ridge and ventured down the path to the lake, you have seen these small rock towers scattered here and there. It may be the handiwork of a solo, energetic retreatant, a group of retreatants, or an accumulation of retreatants and visitors over time, but the cairns are now too numerous to count.

In the secular world, cairns are used as trail markers for hikers, especially above the tree line, guiding them on their way. The word originates in Gaelic meaning, “pile of rocks.” In the Bible, cairns are mentioned in Joshua and Jeremiah. They symbolize the quiet voice of God, the call to remain faithful. In the spiritual realm, there are as many meanings as there are pilgrims on a journey. Of which there are many who come to Rolling Ridge.

On my first kayak venture of the summer, I smiled as I put my kayak into the lake and felt as though the cairns were watching me push off towards the island. As I paddled back an hour later, it felt as if a hundred smiling faces were waving and welcoming me home. In the sunlight, they appear majestic, steadfast stalwarts, guardian soldiers at attention, yet also jovial playmates. They are neighbors in solidarity, holding firm, heralds to the sun, and the stars, and the moon. So engaging were they that I paddled around the point to spend intentional time with them, and try to listen to what they might have to say.

The introverts are scattered along the east side by the fountain and picnic platform. There’s even a small cluster holding tribunal tucked into the woods on their own. The majority are along the shoreline with the extroverts hanging out from the Point of Pines down to the canoe/kayak loading area; and because the water level is so low, they extend out and around the island. I wondered what their Enneagram types might be, and noticed the ones perfectly stacked with equally, sized stones—the 1s, I assumed. The 4s created elaborate piles of varying sized rocks or perched them on boulders further out from shore. Most look very similar, the 5s, 6s, and 7s, not wanting to stand out. I imaged the 2s didn’t make many because they were too busy helping everyone else, and the 9s meant to finish theirs but never got around to it.

On this sunny day in June, they symbolized the Holy Presence in every person who took the time to make one. There is a permanent, impermanence to them saying, “we are here now, we will fall, but we will be rebuilt.” Be still, take rest, take heed, pay attention, and know that I am God. Come and seek me in this place as I am here—always. They were a reminder of the privilege to know and understand this place called Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center.

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