All our lives we have been told about an attraction called Ticklish Rock. All those who have been there have told us of the magnificence of the place and the legends surrounding it.

Whenever people gathered to have a snack or a reunion we were told of the pleasant place that Ticklish Rock was, and it seems whenever we were choosing a picture postcard, Ticklish Rock would be one of the selections. While dining at a restaurant well known for its fish fries, our interest was rekindled by a large painting of Ticklish Rock that was displayed prominently on one of the walls.

Aunt Anna and Uncle Fred told us that they knew where the location was. And they agreed to take us there when they had time and when weather conditions allowed. In the meantime another party had told us that Ticklish Rock was located not far from World's End. We assumed that our relatives knew this and we looked forward to a pleasant day of hiking and picnicking.

Then, one summer we decided that Ticklish Rock would be our picnic designation. We found that we would meet in Dushore on a sunny morning and as we waited at the traffic light we saw Fred and Anna approach. They were waiting for us. We synchronized our watches and Fred and Anna began to lead the way into the brightening morning.

Since we had been to Forksville and World's End many times we were surprised that our leaders did not turn toward Forksville, but continued down Rt. 220 toward Sonestown. We knew that a right hand turn near Sonestown would also take us to World's End. But, alas, much to our amazement the Chevy Chevette carrying Aunt Anna and Uncle Fred continued down Rt. 220. As we rolled along through Muncy Valley and past the Bloomsburg turnoff, we couldn't help wondering if some malfunction was preventing them from making the necessary right hand turn toward World's End. Arriving at Glen Maur, we turned right on the Deer Lake Road and now things were beginning to look brighter. When we were almost to Deer Lake we turned again on a little used dirt road and parked our cars. Leaving our cars we continued on foot to Ticklish Rock.

When we left the road we entered a thick virgin forest and followed a rocky path up a steep hill for about 200 yards. We passed by toadstools, mosses, massive oak trees, hickories, and maples. We were overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the nature around us. As we climbed, the rocky path beneath our feet changed to a soft silky grass called Hunsinger Grass. As we continued, large rocks were more and more in evidence. Birds were heard whistling from their perches and a hawk called warning from a nearby tree.

Suddenly the land ahead of us dropped off sharply. At the edge of a rocky bluff below us stood the most unbelievable site that we have ever seen. There was Ticklish Rock, balanced in all its splendor. The rock is massive. Roughly the size of the average Volkswagen balanced on a graceful pinnacle roughly 30 feet above the large rock on which the whole thing is balanced. After approaching the rock for a better view and snapping numerous photographs we admired the view from the outstanding vantage point and looked in appreciation at the other gigantic rocks nearby.

Then we climbed back down to our cars and motored down Rt. 87 to World's End State Park where we enjoyed our picnic lunch. Our friends were right. The rock is not far from Forksville or World's End. Everything about our trip was memorable and the image of Ticklish Rock is indelibly engraved in our memories

Ticklish Rock stands where it has stood for untold generations, delicately balanced on a pinnacle in a lovely spot in Sullivan County, PA.

Transcribed by Connie Hembree Gaban