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Baby boomers are ideal candidates for becoming the new generation of rockhounds. Statistics reveal that baby boomers are concentrated in metropolitan areas, as opposed to rural counties. What better way for those urbanites to gain a broader perspective of life throughout our country than to become rockhounds? Rockhounding can be as intensive or as relaxed as you want to make it. You do not need a four-wheel-drive vehicle! Many rockhounds are RVers or campers. Some enjoy exploring the wonders of the earth on their travels while visiting children and grandchildren. So, how do you get started? Field collecting guides are useful in planning trips. Specific books will cover a single state or wider area you might be visiting. Books on rockhounding topics including geology, gem and mineral identification, fossils and even jewelry making are available at your local library. Rock and Gem Magazine is an excellent resource which also lists Rock and Mineral Shows throughout the United States. Elderhostel, Adventures in Lifelong Learning, offers programs in lapidary skills as well as geology and field collecting. Gem and mineral societies are found across the country. Our group members are happy to advise and share what we know to get you started on this fascinating hobby. So, get out there, fellow Boomers! A whole new world of adventure awaits!! Happy digging, Marcia

Nam's reponse to a post suggested taking off and collecting rocks all around the world. If you had one place (only one) on this earth to go collect rocks, or one place to see a geologic feature, where would it be?

It's been a bad day
weather domistic or foriegn a terrible day

11/03/09.............Some awesome geological news here my friends. This should give every geophile something to talk about. Enjoy and ask questions class........

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Topo map test last night. Thought I was doing pretty good last night till it got to drawing out a terrain. You know you have to mark the contour lines along a cross section of the map, then graph it out. Those are always tricky for me for some reason. This one was really hard, he only put the measurement on one line and we had to figure out the rest. There was a stream going down the middle and I knew it went up hill to the west and only could assume that it went up hill on the other side stream as well.....but that was 10 points so I hope I didn't totally blow it.

Erosion test tomorrow night!!! He's killing me!

.............but related to the rock collector I am.........

.............................Into The Battle.....................

...........of words. As I prepared myself for battle, my hair was shorn, and my bearded face was bared. The better to show my enemy whom would slay him. And I dressed myself in new garments and mail, that he might know the honor of his killing. I prepped myself with my knowledge, reciting it fully. I mounted my steed of winged shiny metal, and flew into the enemy's valley to face the battle of our words. We met on the field of battle, and acknowledged the other. We drew our worded swords and thrust and parried. First left, and then right, as the sun rose overhead, and our blades connected and cut. A bit here, and a bit there, one slice at a time. Long hours of battling, the battleground was covered with the blood of his interrogations, and the truths of my deeds. After long hours he relented in exhaustion, as I had no more to say. He gathered his troops in retreat, as mine held the battlefield as ours. We will only know on the morrows, whom will live from it all to tell. And whether truths bring justice, to we victims of their arrogance..........Amen...

The Battle Of Words In Deposition, in the Willamette Valley Of Death, Portland Oregon. (Oct 29th,2009)..............from the Sagas of Erik The Wild One...........

...............though I will never feel I have won anything in this process of justice o'er the wrongful death of my wife. I will be glad to fairly soon now have some closure, and let her spirit rest in peace. Teri I will love you forever more.........

.................big news in WA this morning about supervolcano.............

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10/25/09............like I have failed many of my dearest of friends lately, as I have not written any new and exciting articles, while I have been so consumed by the legal challenges facing me of late. that are finally coming to a head. I need to see closure over the wrongful death of my wife, and get on with the life I have left to me..........

A while back my friend Aaron, my son and I went on a prospecting trip that turned into a death march. we lost or had to leave behind all our treasures save this one rock I stowed away in my pack. Here is the slideshow:

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Any ideas? doesn't seem like just quartzite nor does it seem like "agate"...the black makes me think....well i don't know. Take a good hard look at the album and tell me if you have seen this stuff before. I can take it if it's just quartzite;-)
~zeke

Must be out rock hunting. I'm trying to study for next test. Earthquakes, plate tetonics and mountains...yuck. Plus were are working on topography maps. I've had some exposure to them before so get the general idea. Last night he threw in Ranges, Townships and sections. I have also had a bit on that....I can't believe he's going to make it one whole lab test!! More than I ever wanted to know! But we have a few more weeks before I have to sweat that one.