Portland Man Kicks Rock 210 Miles, Turns It Into Sphere
A Portland thrift store owner kicked the same rock every day for 200 days across nine states to see if it would become perfectly round. The journey not only worked but also became a viral sensation that doubled his business.
Owen Gail spent 200 days doing something most people only say as an insult: kicking rocks. But this wasn't just any rock-kicking adventure.
The Portland thrift store owner picked up an angular chunk of granodiorite he named "Christosphere" and started filming himself kicking it daily. His goal was simple: see if 200 days of kicks could transform the jagged rock into a perfect sphere.
Christosphere traveled 210 collective miles across nine states, losing 800 grams along the way. The rock even took an unexpected swim in Detroit Lake on day 96, but Gail had connections with the dam's filtration system and recovered his geological companion.
By day 200, Christosphere had lost every sharp edge. To officially determine if the rock achieved true spherical status, Gail assembled 15 of Oregon's "finest sphere experts" for a Socratic-style debate. The verdict remains delightfully unresolved across two posted videos.
Why This Inspires
What started as a quirky marketing stunt for Gail's Shirtzenpantz thrift store became something unexpectedly meaningful. Tourists now visit specifically to see Christosphere, and customers receive discounts for writing poems about the famous rock.
The viral success allowed Gail and his twin brother to open a second location featuring the "world's largest" pair of pants. They've even hired someone to kick a second angular rock to create Christosphere's twin.
But the real magic happened when Gail's grandmother Juanita picked up Christosphere and shared her wisdom. "This rock is in transition, just like many of you might be," she told viewers. "Take that time when you're being kicked around and decide that is part of the process."
Her words struck a chord with thousands who came for the rock-kicking spectacle but stayed for the life lessons. Comments flooded in from people who found unexpected comfort in comparing their own journeys to a transforming rock.
Sometimes the best inspiration comes from following your whimsy and seeing where it leads.
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Based on reporting by Upworthy
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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