Name -- Don Woodward Age -- 68 years young
Home-- Aberdeen, South Dakota
How I got into rockhounding--- I brought home my first " keeper" rock at the age of about 6. A big beautiful piece of petrified wood. It was so big
that I couldn't carry it. I hid it and went home for my Red wagon to haul it home. That pretty much got me started.
Then when I reached junior high school, one of the teachers had a rock club, with saws, grinders, field trips, the
Whole ball of wax. I was hooked! I cut my first cab there, and still have it.

Favorite hunting sites--- Where ever I happen to be. I've found things in prime hunting sites, and gravel parking lots.

Best find to date--- They're all good finds, but I would have to say it was a sand spike. They were only found in one place in the world.
In the extreme southern end of California, about a mile from the Mexican border. Only a few thousand were ever
found, and very few are in private collections.

Advice for hunting rocks--- Keep your nose to the ground. You never know where that next great find is hiding.

My tool kit----- Geologist pick, crack hammer, folding army shovel. chisels, various small tools to work in pockets and cracks,
a couple of paint brushes, a stiff scrub brush, ( no need to carry all of that extra dirt out with you ), plenty of
wrapping materials for delicate specimens, I find that the bags that newspapers come in are handy, And of
course a back pack to carry everything. Oh, we can't forget dynamite. Opps, we can't do that, can we. What can
I say? I like to hear things go bang. Must be a throwback to Viet Nam.

Other things to take--- T.P., Enough water for however long you're going to be out + a little extra, a small basic first aid kit, hand held G.P.S.,
enough food for the trip + a little extra, and in my case, extra water and food for the dog. Also a camera to record those special finds. A pair
of tweezers to remove tics and thorns, magnification to see them with, small note pad and pencil, and bug spray for myself and the dog.
MY FINDS

Description of treasure:Wavellite Where I found it:Purchased from Stuart Schmitt , Mine owner / seller of fine specimens. www.stu@arcrystalmine.com. How I found it:In his online catalog. Appraisal information: Paid $15.00 for it	Description of treasure:Wulfenite Where I found it:Rawley Mine, Mericopa Co., Arizona How I found it:Hard rockin it. Appraisal information:Priceless to me
Description of treasure: Old Man of the desert. Where I found it: North of old Rt.66 near the town of Amboy, San Bernadino Co. ,California How I found it:Houndin for Chalcedony Roses. Appraisal information: A priceless find.	Description of treasure:Old Victor sphere machine, Made by the same company that makes Victor welding torches. Where I found it:At an estate sale in California How I found it:Reading the want adds. Appraisal information:I paid $25.00 for it.

Sand Spike



A naturally occurring sand concretion, found only at Mt. Signal, Imperial Co.
California. I collected this one in the early 50's. The site is now completely
worked out, and sand spikes can only be obtained from private collections.
I'm told that this area is now privately owned, and closed to collecting of any
sort.