Courage, Dear Heart: One Felton Local’s Connection to a Beloved Landmark

By Mary Andersen

On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in July, Felton resident Valerie Mullen could be found crouched beside Highway 9 south of town with a can of spray paint in hand, gently repainting one of the San Lorenzo Valley’s most quietly cherished landmarks: the Heart Rock.

Tucked just south of downtown Felton, near the Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort and nestled beside the San Lorenzo River, the Heart Rock is a natural roadside formation shaped unmistakably like a heart. Over the years, it has become a kind of informal monument — a touchstone for locals and travelers alike — painted and repainted by anonymous artists with messages of hope, resilience, and joy. On this particular day, it was Valerie’s turn to contribute.

“It feels slightly like painting graffiti,” she admitted, “and it’s encouraging to hear that a whole bunch of people seem to like my artwork.”

Though she doesn’t consider herself an artist — she works in tech and lives in Felton with her partner, having moved from San Jose three years ago — Valerie says creative expression is a kind of refuge. “I have creativity in my blood and tend to escape life by being creative, using lots of different mediums. Color and paint can be a good escape. I’m a remote employee, so sometimes work gets heavy, and it’s nice to escape.”

She had driven by the rock dozens of times, noting how it stayed the same for a long stretch. “When I first moved here, it seemed to change about every six months,” she said. But recently, it had sat unchanged. With the current political climate and atmosphere of divisiveness weighing heavily, Valerie felt moved to act. “Here in Felton, we’re such an interesting mix of people. The community is beautiful that way,” she explained. “It’s been a rough time for many, so I tried to think of a message of unity, caring for each other, support.”

Her interpretation of the Heart Rock emerged organically — a cascade of colorful hearts layered across the surface, centered with a simple yet powerful message on a smaller adjacent stone: “Courage, dear heart.” The quote is from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, part of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, spoken by Aslan to Lucy when she’s surrounded by fear and doubt. “It just felt right,” Valerie said.

“Courage, dear heart” is a quote is from C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, part of the Chronicles of Narnia, spoken by Aslan to Lucy when she’s surrounded by fear and doubt.

Painting the rock wasn’t just a solitary act. It quickly became an interactive moment. “It was fun,” she recalled. “The community was encouraging. People honked, people stopped by to say thank you — this is good news. An older gentleman spoke to me at length, cyclists rode by and stopped and encouraged. Usually, being expressive is personal and private, so it was a bit weird being on display.”

This sense of connection echoes the very spirit of the Heart Rock itself. Felton’s Heart Rock is remarkably accessible. Set just off Highway 9, it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment for some, but for others, it’s a daily visual reminder of something deeper: kindness, beauty, and shared community.

Despite its popularity, the rock has no official historical marker or known origin story. It remains an organic, community-driven canvas. There’s no registry of artists, no guidebook entry, no plaque — and that anonymity is part of its magic. “It’s an honor,” Valerie said about joining the legacy of unknown painters before her.

There’s also a poetic impermanence to it all. The Heart Rock’s message shifts with time, as layers of paint give way to new visions. Valerie doesn’t mind knowing that her version will eventually be painted over. “That’s the beautiful part of it,” she said. “Its fleeting value is a drop in the bucket. That it’s not there forever — that’s why it’s special.”

Asked whether this experience might lead her toward more public art projects, Valerie laughed. “No,” she said. “While I’m deeply into creative leanings, this will more likely be one and done. If it helps inspire other people, then great, but I’m not a muralist.”

Still, she’s open to painting the rock again someday. “Sure, but not anytime soon,” she said.

That’s the beauty of the Heart Rock — it asks nothing, expects nothing, and waits patiently for someone to bring it back to life again. And when they do, it speaks. Sometimes through bright color, sometimes through shape, and sometimes through simple words like those chosen by Valerie — a reminder for all who pass: Courage, dear heart.

Photos by Valerie Mullen. Follow the Heart Rock Facebook page for images of past renditions.