Whidbey Island Rocks is capturing the imagination and interest of people of all ages in our community in a way that is interactive and fun.

In case you haven’t already heard, painted rocks are being hidden in plain site for people to discover. A message is written on the back of each rock asking that the finder post a picture of it at www.facebook.com/groups/WhidbeyIslandRocks/

The photos are being posted on the page in staggering numbers now.

In a relatively short time, the Facebook page has swelled to more than 3,500 followers, and that number will probably increase significantly with the publication of reporter Cassandra Calderon’s story about the Whidbey Rocks on page one of today’s Whidbey News-Times.

According to a message on the Whidbey Island Rocks page, the group was created after a group saw a similar page called “Port Angeles Rocks” and decided they wanted to bring the fun to Whidbey.

And how fortunate is the community that they did?

Whidbey Island Rocks is a fantastic way to get people outdoors and exploring their community in a way they never have. Entire families are searching parks and public areas for painted rocks.

The rocks boast a variety of artwork by people of varying skill levels. How good the paint job is doesn’t matter. Simply discovering one is a thrill.

The Whidbey Island Rocks website offers some simple guidelines for participating in the planting and discovering of the rocks, including being respectful of private property and not hiding them in the grass where mowers could run over them and propel them into the air. Check out the site for additional tips.

The News-Times also reported Saturday on the Pokémon Go craze that is leading smartphone users on a hunt to discover virtual creatures that are also hiding in plain site.

Some have criticized the Pokémon trend because people are becoming mesmerized by their phones, and their search has led them into areas they shouldn’t tread.

Nonetheless, like the Whidbey Island Rocks scavengher hunt, the Pokémon Go is getting people off their couches, out from in front of their TVs and outside into the fresh air.

How many of us have prodded our own children to put down their video game controllers and go find real friends to play with?

As with pretty much any activity, common sense should always prevail. Whether searching for painted rocks or Pokémon, always be aware of your surroundings, and never put yourself in a precarious position.

Grab the kids and get searching.