I have been a rock hound most of my life. My Uncle was a rock hound from Wash. state. He was the one who really started my interest. He gave me a Tortise shell that he found in the Bad Lands of South Dakota and a Thunder Egg from Oregon one year for
Christmas. I still have them now and they are one of my greatest treasures.
After I got married we moved to Wyoming and really had a great time hunting rocks every chance we got! Once the bug really bit us you could find (if you were lucky as Wyoming is a very large open state.) out almost every weekend with the family. When Tim had his claim he went out every chance he got. The only draw back in Wyoming is the cooooooold weather. Makes for a short hunting season except for short trips in the winter.
We joined the rock club and also went to classes. They were on jewerly making and lapidary work. That really gave us the bug to do more with this hobby. It is such a great family hobby and even now that our kids are grown they are still into hunting rocks! Now the next generation is continuing this fantastic hobby. I just wish that there were more schools like CWC.
We have moved to many other states and always find some sort of rock hunting to do,and also clubs to join. The only draw back to this hobby is that we end up dragging around about 3 tons of rocks with us!!!
. .
Best tip for hunting:
Keep looking down at alll times where you finds rocks.
My best tools:
Rock hammer, squirt bottle, gloves, small hand shovel, large shovel, buckets, and a camera.
Now that we are back in Washington, we are looking to go Rock'in and meeting the people we missed last year. THE EAST SIDE AGATE CONTEST IS ON WITH THE WEST SIDE. MAY THE BEST SIDE WIN.
GOOD LUCK to all this Rock Season. Hope to see and post some great pics of this years finds.
GEODES FROM FARMERS FIELDS IN NAMELESS,TN. LARGE TO SMALL.
Tim's display at the National Rock Show in Billings,Mt. This was his first display he has ever had. Was a huge show and he had a great time.
We have just moved to Yakima, Wa. from Tennessee. Now we are back to where we can rock hunt again in the wide open spaces. Have great rocking people in Wa. that we have gotten to know on this site! Looking forward to meeting them all in the near future and rock out !!!!
Tim found these Blue Pet Woods at Saddle Mountain Spring of 2009. Not very big, but has nice color.
Best agate find this year. Found in Bickleton,Washington Aug. 2009. It is a limb cast of the darkest red color we have ever found.Tim found this on the way back from Billings, Mt. Show.
We have all of the rocks we tote around with us now. If anybody is interested in any just let us know and we will send a list of what we have! We will trade for equipment or sell out right just let us know.
I hope to find people to talk to and maybe exchange ideas and maybe some rough with. My other half and maybe the better half is also on this site he is listed as RoughandStuff. Please feel free to write to both of us.
I hope we can share our knowledge and interest with all of you. I also love to work rocks to put into jewerly. Right now my machines are in need of repair ,but would love to make some setting for your work.
We also have a rock hound dog named Karma. On her first trip rock'in she met Paul. She and Paul had a great time together. She helped him dig for the wood at Saddle Mountian and Paul's shadow gave her shade. I'm sure if she could talk she would be asking when we were going back to Saddle Mountian and if Paul would be there.
Love new info on hunting rocks and new hunting areas to hunt. Love to see ideas on making jewerly making so lets share!!!!!!!!!!
I live in washington st. and i have never hunted for rocks and gems in my home state. But I would like to meet and go on some field trips with other people in my area.If anyone would be interested in talking and maybe set something up.meet and talk over a latte would be super!
out of found this valuable.
Do you find this valuable?
We also have a rock hound dog named Karma. On her first trip rock'in she met Paul. She and Paul had a great time together. She helped him dig for the wood at Saddle Mountian and Paul's shadow gave her shade. I'm sure if she could talk she would be asking when we were going back to Saddle Mountian and if Paul would be there. 
