ROCKS IN MY HEAD

Singing The Blues: Turquoise vs. Chrysacolla

2012-02-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

Turquoise in the host rock at the Sleeping Beauty Mine.

Arizona is famous for its Turquoise. Sleeping Beauty, Kingman, and the famous Bisbee Blue are some of the more familiar names. Another beautiful mineral found here is Chrysacolla, which is often mistaken for Turquoise because of its color. While both Turquoise and Chrysacolla, having similar hardness of 2.2 to 2.8 on the Moh’s scale, are associated with copper and are by-products of copper mining, the similarities stop there.

In technical terms, Chrysacolla is a hydrous copper silicate which occurs in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. Basically, that means it is ore containing copper and silica that has been altered to the mineral Chrysacolla through contact with air and water. Chrysacolla is a rather common mineral here in our copper-rich region of Arizona and is found in association with Azurite, Malachite, and Cuprite. It is a surface mineral, which makes it an important indicator of copper deposits.

Turquoise Mine

Turquoise, on the other hand, is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. It is a secondary mineral caused by alteration in arid environments of aluminum bearing rocks rich in Apatite, Chalcopyrite, and Chalcedony. Sulfides are also present in Turquoise deposits here in Arizona. In other words, while Turquoise is associated with copper deposits, it also needs the presence of aluminum and phosphate in order to form. Because of this special recipe, Turquoise is not as common as Chrysacolla. Turquoise is typically formed as fissure fillings underground at a depth of about 60 feet, where it is found as veins or nuggets in the surrounding rock.

Turquoise Vein

Vein Turquoise forms as a solution filling cracks, called fissures, in the host rock. Most vein Turquoise is clear, or free of matrix, however, some vein Turquoise does contain matrix. Nugget Turquoise is formed as the Turquoise collects in small pockets and holes within clay-filled fissures. Commonly, nuggets will have a thin, evenly-spaced “spider-web” type matrix, though occasionally nuggets will be clear of matrix. The color of the matrix is determined by the host rock in which the Turquoise formed. Matrix can be reddish or rust-colored, brown, black, golden colored, or even silvery-gray- for example, brown or reddish matrix is the result of iron oxides in the rock.

The colors of the Turquoise itself also vary greatly and are determined in part by minerals present in the host rock, and can often vary even within the same mine. Excess amounts of copper produce the blue color, while iron produces a Turquoise more in the green range. An excess of aluminum tips the scales toward a green to greenish-white color, and zinc yields a yellow-green. Most Turquoise mined in Arizona is in the blue range because of the abundance of copper here. Nevada produces many fine examples of green and yellow-green Turquoise.

In North America, Turquoise is found in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Central Mexico. The California and New Mexico deposits were mined by Native Americans as far back as Pre-Columbian times. Today, Arizona is one of the most important producers of Turquoise, followed by Nevada. While many of the Turquoise mines, like Bisbee, are inactive or depleted, the famous Sleeping Beauty and Kingman mines, as well as a few others, are still active.

For more information about Turquoise, including mines and rockhounding sites, visit Rocks In My Head at Space A37 in Rice Ranch, 605-376-8754, or online at www.RocksInMyHead.biz. We have Turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Globe, AZ and the Carico Lake Mine in Nevada. We also have Chrysacolla, Azurite and Chrysacolla Silicate cabochons, and really cool copper nuggets.

Turquoise of Arizona

Bisbee Turquoise
The Bisbee mine "the Lavender Pit", near Bisbee, Arizona, is one of the more famous of the American mines because Bisbee turquoise (also known as "Bisbee Blue" registered name) was one of the first put onto the market. The turquoise mine is part of the Bisbee copper mine (The Copper Queen), the main operation of the site. Bisbee turquoise has developed a reputation as a hard, finely webbed or dendrite, high blue stone, known for its "chocolate brown" matrix. Bisbee Turquoise also comes in a beautiful dark green color. Most of this turquoise has already been mined and what is left is in limbo due to circumstances with the copper mining in the open pit, it is one of the most highly collected stones. Most jewelry being made with this stone today is being made via the orders of the current owners of the mine, the rest is found through old "stashes" or collections that have been obtained.

Castle Dome
Most of Arizona’s turquoise mines are actually large open pit copper mines that the turquoise deposits are leased .The company or person with the lease is called in to mine the turquoise when they hit a pocket of it as they are copper mining. This is a mine that was very active back in the 1970’s

Ithaca Peak
The Ithaca Peak mine is located in northwestern Arizona above the Kingman mine. The Ithaca Peak mine is famous for its beautiful blue with pyrite matrix. This material is outstanding. It is owned and operated by the Colbaugh's. It is fairly rare to get good Ithaca Peak as main production is focused on Turquoise Mountain. When you do get good Ithaca Peak it is very pricey!

Kingman
The Kingman mine in northwestern Arizona was one of the largest turquoise mines in North America. The terms "Kingman" or "high blue" refer to the blue color usually displayed in this stone. It has become a color standard in the industry. The mine became famous for its rounded, bright blue nuggets with black matrix. Few turquoise mines produced nuggets, especially of this quality. Old natural Kingman Turquoise is rare. The Colbaugh's own this mine and the Turquoise Mountain mine, their company name is Colbough Processing. They have recently gone back into the section of the Kingman mine and are digging and bringing our some new Natural Kingman Turquoise.

Morenci
Morenci Turquoise is mined in southeastern Arizona. It is high to light blue in color. Morenci has an unusual matrix of irregular black pyrite that, when polished, often looks like silver. Morenci turquoise is well known because it was one of the first American turquoises to come on the market. It is very difficult to obtain now because the mine is depleted. It is a collectible turquoise.

Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty mine is located near Globe, Arizona. Its turquoise is noted for its solid, light blue color with no matrix. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is the favorite of the Zuni Pueblo silversmiths for use in petit point, needlepoint, and inlay jewelry. This mine is one of the largest in North America and is still operating.

Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye"
Turquoise Mountain and "Birdseye" turquoise come from the same mine in northwestern Arizona near the Kingman mine. The mine was closed in the 1980s. It is light to high blue, with both webbed and non-webbed matrix. "Birdseye" describes stones from this mine that show areas of light blue circled with dark blue matrix, resembling the eye of a bird. It is a beautiful addition to one's collection.

Beautiful Turquoise from Rocks In My Head

Beautiful Turquoise Necklace by Marie
$65.00


Sterling Silver, Copper, and Turquoise Tie or Lapel Clip by Soaring Eagle Designs $95.00

Kingman Turquoise Cab from Rocks In My Head
$15.00

Kingman Turquoise Cab from Rocks In My Head
with ridge for setting.
$45.00

Turquoise Earrings
$10.00

Treatments for Turquoise

Stabilized Turquoise
Stablized turquoise has been treated with epoxies or acrylic resins. The chemicals are infused into the turquoise by soaking the material for a long period of time, or by subjecting it to pressure. When stabilized turquoise is cut, there is often a plastic smell.

Enhanced Turquoise (Zachary Process)
Enhanced turquoise has been treated with chemicals, then heated. The heating process eliminates any residual chemicals in the turquoise. Therefore, it is difficult to tell the difference between enhanced turquoise and natural, untreated turquoise. Unlike natural turquoise, enhanced turquoise usually does not turn green over time.

Natural Processed Turquoise
The Natural Process is a new and exciting enhancement process for turquoise. Natural Processed turquoise has been treated with completely non-toxic chemicals. This process improves the polish and color of turquoise rough, without any dyes or nasty chemicals. If Natural Process turquiose is soaked in water for 24 hours, it is impossible to detect the difference between it and natural, untreated turquoise. Natural Processed turquoise is therefore the least invasive and highest grade of treatment available for turquiose. Unlike natural turquoise, Natural Processed turquoise will not turn green over time.

Reconstituted Turquoise
Reconstituted turquoise is natural, or previously stabilized material that has been pulverized into a powder, soaked in binders and then pressed back into a solid block. Reconstituted turquoise cuts easier than stabilized material, but has a lower value. Lapis, coral and other semi-precious gems can also be reconstituted.

Block Turquoise
Block turquoise is not turquoise. Instead, it is a simulant made from plastic, ceramic, or other material. Other semi-precious stones, such as malachite, lapis, charoite, etc. are simulated with block materials.

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT- Arizona Placer Gold Deposits

2012-01-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

Gold Mine off Dome Rock Road

The desert is full of gold. Golden sunsets, gold poppies, gold finches, gold mines, and gold placers. In fact, one of the richest placer deposits in Arizona is here in the mountains surrounding Quartzsite. The Dome Rock Mountains to the West, the Plomosa Mountains to the East, and the Livingston Hills to the South are all full of gold mines and claims.

Situated in between these mountain ranges is the LaPosa Plain crisscrossed with washes that are literally saturated with gold bearing gravel. Between the Dome Rock area and La Paz there are several working mines and numerous claims. The photo is of a trommel at a mine south of Dome Rock Road. But gold isn’t everywhere. As the saying goes, “Gold is where you find it.” So, then, where, and how, do you find it?

To begin with, search areas that are known to be productive. Many times, early prospectors and miners mapped or journaled about the gold bearing areas they discovered. Some old maps and writings contain a wealth of information on productive local gold areas.

Modern geology and science give us additional insights into why gold is found where it is. While some things about gold deposits still baffle geologists today, for the most part we know that gold accumulates in particular areas, under predictable conditions, and for specific reasons. It is in understanding these “wheres” and “whys” that a prospector’s chances of finding gold will increase.

Trommel at Gold Mine in La Paz

The two principal types of gold deposits are Lode (primary) and Placer (secondary). Lode deposits are veins of gold-bearing ores in solid rock. Placer deposits are concentrations of free gold – gold that has been “freed” from its ore body by forces of nature- and deposited in concentrated amounts in specific places. When a gold bearing vein is exposed, natural forces erode the rock and release the gold. Once released, gold is moved by natural forces like gravity and water along a specific and relatively predictable path accumulating in particular areas along the way.

Due to its weight and high specific gravity, gold has a natural tendency to get trapped in crevices and places, like behind a boulder, where the force of movement slows down enough for gold to drop out and accumulate. Because of this, gold deposits are relatively predictable within a known gold bearing area. With study and practice, the prospector can learn how to “read” the terrain and understand where gold deposits would likely occur within a placer area.

From "Fists Full of Gold" by Chris Ralph

Additionally, learning how to “read” the terrain is good, but it is also important to get off the beaten path. Gold is here to be found, but time and effort are required to find it. Sometimes that means working areas that are more remote or hard to get to rather than the easy ones where everyone else has gone. It is worth investing a little extra time and effort to make your prospecting trips more successful. Don't forget to enjoy the desert and the other sites while you are out there. There are petroglyphs, stone cabins, ghost towns and, of course, nature, to enjoy while you are out on your prospecting trip.

While prospecting, please care for the land and fill in your holes. And always remember to plan ahead and be prepared. This is the desert, after all. Happy Prospecting!

For information and locations of placer gold deposits in and around Quartzsite, and to register to win a vial of Arizona placer gold, come to Rocks In My Head, Space A37, at Rice Ranch. We also have a great selection of gold prospecting books, supplies, and equipment available, as well as information on how to “read” the terrain. We are open from 10-4, 7 days a week, and online 24-7 at www.RocksInMyHead.biz.

Stone Cabin off Dome Rock Road

For an excellent book on the properties of gold, placer geology, and reading the terrain, try Chris Ralph's book "Fists Full of Gold".

2012-01-04T21:55:00.000-08:00

THERE’S COPPER IN THEM THAR HILLS- Copper: Arizona’s Gold Rush

We can’t live without it. Every person will use approximately 1500 pounds of copper in their lifetime. There are 50 pounds of copper in the average car, and about 400 pounds of copper in a standard house. There is copper in your microwave, refrigerator, computer, and telephone. Copper is used in plumbing, fiber optics, solar and wind power, generators, electronics, and medical technology.

In fact, we, the state of Arizona, wouldn’t even be here without copper. Many prospectors came to Arizona looking for silver and gold, but the majority of them moved on to California and did not settle here. It was the early copper miners who settled and founded the towns, like Ajo, which was founded by a prospector named John Greenway. The towns of Ehrenberg, Poston, and Wickenburg were also originally founded and established as copper mining communities.

Copper has been mined here since the 1500s. The native peoples mined copper to use for tools and weapons. In the late 1700’s missionaries came to Arizona to establish missions and to mine and prospect in this area. Arizona Mining and Trading Company, our state’s first mining company, was established in August 1854.

Large scale production copper mining began in 1872, by the Longfellow Copper Company near Morenci. In 1876, the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad opened the door for Arizona’s copper wealth to be transported to markets all over the world. While in other parts of the country, the railroads brought industry with them, here, the need to transport copper brought railroads to Arizona. Since 1910, Arizona has been the nation’s top producer of copper, producing more than all the other 49 states combined. Copper mining on this scale helped the Arizona territory to achieve statehood in 1912.

Here is a really cool video on how copper ore is mined and turned into usable copper (Note: No whales were harmed in the filming of this video...whales you say?)

Gold, silver, lead, zinc, and molybdenum are important minerals that are by-products of copper mining. Arizona is the 2^nd largest producer of molybdenum in the US. Arizona is also famous for beautiful gemstones like turquoise, chrysacolla, azurite, and malachite which are secondary minerals that form in copper ore bodies.

There are two great day trips that can be taken from Quartzsite to copper mining areas. One is to Planet Ranch and the other is to the ghost town of Swansea. The Planet Ranch area has over 100 copper mines. The area is rich in Chrysacolla, and in several areas the chrysacolla deposits are on the surface, creating beautiful swirls of color in the red/brown ryholite. We found nice malachite and azurite specimens as well when we were there. Planet Ranch itself has recently been purchased by Freeport McMoran and is no longer open to the public, but there are several mines located on public land outside Planet Ranch boundaries that are accessible.

PLANET RANCH

Inside a Mine Shaft at Planet Ranch.

Planet's post office was established March 28, 1902 and discontinued March 31, 1921. The Planet copper mine, the mainstay of Planet and the second copper mine in Arizona to be worked by Americans, was discovered in 1863. Slowly a town grew around the mine and finally got a post office in 1902. When the mines played out in 1921, Planet succumbed to financial ruin as miners went elsewhere for work.

DIRECTIONS TO PLANET RANCH:

To get to Planet take Osborne Well Road, just before mile 143, before you reach Parker from Quartzsite, or take Swansea Rd from Bouse (on SR72) and drive to Four Corners. Here continue straight on Swansea Rd. and take Planet Ranch Rd on the right. Drive until you reach gate. On the right side are remains of Planet and Planet mine. Not a problem for 2WD, though the road narrows and gets a little rough in places, and at times travels through narrow canyons. Have fun!!

For lots of photos of Planet Ranch, go to my Blog Post "Stop Signs, Canyons, and Pretty Rocks" about my trip to Planet Ranch or click this link Stop Signs, Canyons, and Pretty Rocks

SWANSEA

Smelter at Swansea

Swansea is the site of a former mining town. This ghost town boasts the remains of a railroad depot, a smelter, several mine shafts, two cemeteries, some restored miner’s quarters, many stone foundations, and interesting tailings piles. Swansea is open to the public. Originally this mining camp was known as Signal, the name was changed to Swansea when a smelter was built in approx 1909. The ore was sent to Swansea, South Wales, for smelting. At it's peak, in approx 1911, Swansea is said to have had a population of over 700 people. The town was settled and the post office was established in 1909. It served as a mining town as well as a location for processing and smelting the copper ore taken from the nearby mines.

Ruins of buildings at Swansea

Prospecting and mining in the area first began around 1862, but the remote location and lack of transportation kept activity to a minimum. By 1904, the railroad was coming to nearby Parker, and local miners Newton Evans and Thomas Jefferson Carrigan saw an opportunity to develop the area. Within a few years, the two miners had built a 350 ton furnace, a water pipeline to the Bill Williams River, and hoists for five mine shafts. They called the new town Signal (not to be confused with the other Arizona ghost town of Signal). By 1908, the claims in the area had been consolidated by the Clara Gold and Copper Mining Company, which setup its headquarters in the mining camp that would become Swansea. That same year, what was to become the Arizona and Swansea Railroad connected Signal to Bouse some 25 miles (40 km) away. These two factors spurred the growth of the town, and its population quickly grew to about 300 residents.

Smelter and ruins

When mining operations first began, the lack of smelting facilities meant that the copper ore had to be sent away for smelting. The destination for most of the ore was Swansea, South Wales, United Kingdom and it was sent by way of railroad to the Colorado River, and was then shipped from the Gulf of California around Cape Horn to the United Kingdom. Once a smelter was constructed in 1909, Signal took its new name from the previous location of the smelter they had used in Wales. As such, the destination of the ore sent for smelting remained the same. When the post office was established on March 25, 1909, it was under the name of Swansea.

Smelter

Restored miners cabins

At its peak, Swansea boasted an electric light company, an auto dealer, a lumber company, two cemeteries, a saloon, theaters, restaurants, barbershops, an insurance agent, a physician, and of course the local mining and smelting facilities.

DIRECTIONS TO SWANSEA:

From Bouse, take Plomosa Road. Plomosa Road will turn into a dirt road and eventually will become Swansea Rd. Continue on Swansea Rd. You will cross the Central Arizona Project Canal Continue on Swansea Road, passing the ghost town of Midway, BLM camping areas, and a fork in the road that goes to Planet Ranch.

Swansea ruins

Visit Rocks In My Head at Space A37 in Rice Ranch, 605-376-8754, or go toRocks In My Head website We have a great selection of Chrysacolla in Rhyolite from Planet Ranch, azurite and chrysacolla silicate cabochons, turquoise, and really cool copper nuggets.

Beautiful Azurite/Gem Silica Cabochon from Rocks In My Head
Buy It Now

QUARTZSITE: THE ROCK CAPITOL OF THE WORLD- Well America Anyway

2011-12-29T18:30:00.000-08:00

Check out this great new video about Quartzsite!! And while you're here, come see us at Rocks In My Head, Rice Ranch, Space A37, in Quartzsite. We are on Keuhn on the east side of Hwy 95.

We have rough. We have cabs. We have dirty. We have sparkly. We have old. We have new. We have big and we have small.

We have lapidary and prospecting stuff. We have gold and silver. We have copper. We have rocks. We have fossils. We have core samples and artifacts. We have mammoth ivory and shark's teeth.

We have fire agate and turquoise, chrysacolla and malachite, gem silica and petrified wood.

We have rocks, minerals, and fossils from Alaska, California, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, North and South Carolina, and Florida. We even have stuff from Australia and Morocco!

We even have jewelry!

We have EVERYTHING. We are the Coolest Little Rock Shop on the Planet! And we are in Quartzsite!! And best of all, we're not just here for the Gem and Mineral Show- we're here for the entire season!!

Visit us at Rice Ranch, A37. Email us, "Like" our Facebook page, subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel, follow us on twitter- whatever, just stay in touch. There's lots of great stuff going on here at Rocks In My Head. You don't want to miss anything. Even if you're not coming to Quartzsite this winter.

FIRE IN THE DESERT- ARIZONA FIRE AGATES

2011-12-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

Arizona is known for its beautiful turquoise, as well as copper and copper-oxide minerals like chrysacolla, malachite, and azurite. But also found here in Arizona, not far from Quartzsite, is another beautiful gemstone: Fire Agate.

There are only two known Fire Agate deposits in the entire world. One covers an area between the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountain Ranges in Mexico about 100 miles north of Mexico City. The other is the Sonoran Desert region in Arizona and California. The closest sites to Quartzsite are the Opal Hill Mine, in Palo Verde, California, the Little Horn Mountains about 35 miles east of Quartzsite, and Oatman, AZ. The Arizona and California Fire Agates have more brilliance, fire, and color than ones from Mexico.

Fire Agate is a Chalcedony that was formed during the Tertiary Period, 24 to 36 MYA. It is a cryptocrystalline silica with a hardness of 7, and is created when hot water saturated with colloidal silica and iron oxides is forced by volcanic activity up into cavities in the host rock. The Chalcedony cools in botryoidal (bubble) forms. The “Fire” is created when alternating layers of iron oxides and silica cover the mounds of Chalcedony, and then another layer of Chalcedony forms over top of these layers. The iron oxide and silica layers refract light in a process called interference. This causes the “Fire” we see in Fire Agates.

Fire Agate is sometimes considered to be an opal, but it’s not. Fire Agate is a crystalline form of silica, not a hydrous one like opal, so it will not crack, craze, or fade. It is a much more durable gemstone than opal, and very well suited for jewelry. For the lapidarist, however, Fire Agate presents unusual challenges. First of all, it is difficult to tell if a piece of rough contains fire or not, because the fire layers are hidden under layers of Chalcedony. If it does, getting to the fire requires skill and exactness. Layers of chalcedony must be ground away to expose the layers of fire, and it is very easy to remove too many layers, cut into the fire layers, and lose the fire altogether.

Arizona Fire Agates are typically a brown to reddish brown color, with fire ranging from reds and yellows to blues and purples. Some stones have fire containing all the colors of the rainbow. Typically, Fire Agates are cut in freeform cabs to best enhance the natural shapes and patterns of fire within the stone.

Arizona Fire Agates are available from Rocks In My Head, Space A37 in Rice Ranch, 605-376-8754, www.RocksInMyHead.biz. We have cabs and rough, information on the local Fire Agate dig sites, and much, much more.

OPAL HILL FIRE AGATE MINE

The Opal Hill Fire Agate Mine is the only Fire Agate mine in the world that is open to the public. In addition to Fee Mining, the Opal Hill Mine offers full day and overnight tours to teach about the Fire Agates, show how to find them and what techniques work best for digging and collecting. The fee for mining is $25.00 per person. The prices for the tours vary.

The Opal Hill Mine is located 20 miles south of Blythe, CA. To get there from Quartzsite take I-10 west into California. Take the Wiley’s Well Road exit and head South for about 11.5 miles, at that point you will see signs for the Opal Hill Mine.

The mining at this site is hard rock mining. To be properly prepared and enjoy your time at the Opal Hill Mine, bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and a hat- this is typical desert environment and there are no amenities. You may also want to bring kneepads, safety glasses and work gloves to make your mining experience a little more comfortable. The tools you will need are: Rock Pick, Rock Hammer, Sledge Hammer, Chisel, and a Hand Broom. Don’t forget to bring buckets or a backpack of some sort to carry out your treasures. Be sure that the tools you bring are comfortable to use- you will be using them a lot. You may even want to bring some sort of cushion to sit/lean/kneel on because the alternative is to sit/kneel/lean on rock.

If you want to stay overnight, there are plenty of places in Blythe. There is also a BLM camping area not too far from the mine.

BLACK HILLS ROCKHOUND AREA

This is not a fee mining area. This area is located on the north side of AZ route 191, between Safford and Clifton, about 18 miles north of Safford. This is a BLM site, and the road beyond the registry sign is not maintained. Travel trailers and passenger cars are not recommended. There is no water, food, or gas available. Pack in and pack out everything you need. Just like the Opal Hill Mine, this is a hard rock mining area, and it is a harsh desert environment with no amenities. As this is a BLM site, please care for the land so that this site will remain open for digging. Please pack out all trash and garbage, fill in holes, and be careful with fire if you camp there. Please be sure to leave this area beautiful for others and future generations to enjoy.

Here is a video about the Opal Hill Mine. For more videos about rockhounding, prospecting, rock cutting and polishing, and other cool stuff visit our YouTube Channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/RocksInMyHead1

Also here is a RockHounding Book that has the Opal Hill Mine in it:

BUY IT NOW: Rockhounding California

and another recommended read for Fire Agate and other RockHounding sites in the Southwest:

BUY IT NOW: Southwest Treasure Hunters Mineral Guide

and a Great all-around Rockhounding Book:

BUY IT NOW: The Rockhound's Handbook

Rocks, Coffee Tables, and Percolators

2011-12-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I went to a produce store to look for a bathtub. The shelves were full of plump, brightly colored, delicious looking fruits and vegetables. "If there's anything I can help you with, let me know", the pleasant lady behind the counter said with a cheerful smile. "OK", I answered. It smelled wonderful in there, and I found myself feeling somewhat hungry. But, after wandering around for about 15 minutes, I noticed, to my surprise, although the produce stand was chock full of produce, there were no bathtubs for sale in the entire place. "You don't have any bathtubs?" I asked. The pleasant lady behind the counter stared at me in disbelief. "Uh, well, no. This is a produce store."

Seriously. No bathtubs in the produce store? Go figure. Well, anyway, I really did not go to a produce store to look for a bathtub. But it amazes me how many people it seems that would. I encounter them every day. And a few days ago I encountered two. Two in the same day. Imagine that.

I had been open for about an hour so far that day. It started off slow in the morning, relatively speaking, and I had time to clean cases, straighten up my tables, dust, and do various other "shop-beautification" type tasks. I was busy doing those kinds of things when a lady walked in and started looking at some of the jewelry in the cases. My store is a rock and prospecting shop, but I have an entire section devoted to handmade jewelry featuring set stones and rocks in some form or another, wire-wrapped, bezel set, cabbed, etc. I looked up from what I was doing and said, "If there is anything I can help you with, let me know." I don't try to hard-sell people in my store. I like to let them browse in peace.

She picked up several different necklaces and looked at them, and then put them back down. I walked over to the jewelry cases, and said, " Is there anything particular you are looking for today?" She put put down the necklace she had in her hand, looked at me, and said, "A percolator." Now, not much surprises me these days, but I have to admit, that answer caught me off guard. "A what?" I asked. "A Percolator", she replied. "You mean for coffee?" "Yes, to make coffee", she said, as if I was the idiot who didn't know what a percolator was. After pausing to let the brain to mouth filter kick in before I said anything, I finally replied, "This is a rock shop, maam." She looked around and said, "Yeah, I noticed all the rocks. No percolators, though, huh?" "Uh, no".

She turned to leave, as if aggravated with me- for not having a percolator for sale in a rock shop, I guess. Trying to save some repoire with her- this is a small town after all- I joked, "Hey, have you heard about Coffee Pot Rock in Sedona?" She was not amused. I gave up. I pointed to the vendor booth next to mine and said, "Try next door. He has everything."

A little later, I was working on placing some orders, and an older gentleman walked in. He wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes, then stopped to look at some rockhounding books. I greeted him and told him that if he didn't see what he was looking for to let me know, because I could probably order it for him. He turned and smiled. "Really?" he said. "Well I am looking for a coffee table." Hmm. A coffee table. In a rock shop. I thought about something a friend had told me- don't ever say I can't- say I will try. So I took a different approach with him than with my earlier customer. I smiled and said, "A coffee table, huh? Well I've been to Table Rock in South Carolina- does that count? There's also a Table Rock in North Carolina, one in Oregon, and one in Missouri. Which one of those will work for you?" He laughed.

Then I said, "So, anyway, what kind of coffee table?" His face lit up and he started telling me all about this coffee table he wanted- the style, the color of the wood, the length, the height, and all the reasons why he wanted that particular coffee table. I just listened to him describe his perfect coffee table, and then, when he was through, I said, "Well, while I don't have any coffee tables for sale right now, let me get your name and number. I'll put it in The 'I'm Looking For...' Book and if I hear of one somewhere or someone brings one here, I'll call you. OK?" "Sure", he said. "Thanks".

I wrote down his name and number in the back of a notebook- it was official-looking enough that it could have been an "I'm Looking For..." book. He smiled and then went on his way wandering aimlessly into other vendors booths. I snickered. I didn't have an "I'm Looking For..." Book before he walked into my booth. But that day I created one. And I made a man happy because I told him I would call him if I happened to come across a coffee table one of these days. Hmmm. And now, a few days later, that book has three pages full of people's names and what they are looking for, regardless of whether it has anything to do with rocks.

Yesterday I said to a lady in my booth, "Anything you are looking for, just let me know." She snickered and said, "Anything?" "Yes, maam," I said. "Anything." "I'll put you in The "I'm Looking For..." Book." She seemed curious. "The What Book?" she asked. I picked up the Book and showed it to her. I opened it to the first page...the one with the man looking for the coffee table. Everyone in this book is looking for something. She looked at the page. "A coffee table?" she mused. "You don't have coffee tables. You are a rock shop." "Yep, but someday I might hear about one, and if I do, I know someone who is looking for one." She smiled, asked me for a business card. She never did tell me what she was looking for, but I'm sure she will someday.

And so, while at the moment, I don't have any percolators or coffee tables in stock, I do have lots of other cool stuff. Two beautiful specimens of petrified wood came in, one from Nevada and one from Wyoming, and some awesome ammonite fossils. I have lots of beautiful Chrysacolla in Ryholite, and some cool pieces of malachite from here in the desert in Arizona. There is a case full of fossils: Petoskey stone, fossilized coral, petrified palm wood, and trilobites. There are shells from Florida, copper nuggets from Michigan, chalcedony from California, and Wonderstone from Utah. There is a table full of elk hides and leather. There is Turquoise from Sleeping Beauty Mountain and Agate from the Fairburn Agate Beds. We have silver and copper. We have gold and gold-in-quartz.

We have books and maps about gold and rocks. We have magazines and DVDs about gold and rocks. We have gold pans, gold wheels, drywashers and metal detectors. We have polishing wheels, lapidary machines, rock tumblers, and rock saws. We have tools, supplies, and parts.

There is a table full of beads, bead books, bead looms, and patterns. There are even some pre-loved jewelry displays looking for new homes.

For those of you who would rather just wear some rocks- there are four cases full of beautiful stone and bead creations from my friends Sandie and Marie. A young local guy fills another case with his fire agate cabs- calibrated and ready to be put into a setting. And of course there are four or five pieces of my own jewelry, and a few of my cabs. I wish I had more of those, but, alas, I have a business to run. Lately I haven't had much time to cut and polish rocks, which is ironic since that is why I decided to open a rock shop in the first place.

So, the moral of the story is don't ever say I can't. Say I'll try.
And remember, whatever it is you're looking for, let us know, even if it has nothing to do with rocks. I'll put you in "The Book". Come by the shop, or call, or email, or visit us online. "Like" our Facebook page. Follow us on Twitter. Leave us your email so we can send you all the latest info. Stuff comes in and goes out all the time. You never know what we might have or be able to get, so let us hear from you. Besides, lots of things go well with rocks. In addition to Table Rock in South Carolina, or Coffee Pot Rock in Sedona, AZ, if you need a Chimney, there's Chimney Rock in Nebraska. If you are looking for the Courthouse or the Jail, there is Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock, also in Nebraska. If you are looking for needles, there are lots of those in the Black Hills of South Dakota- including one with a huge eye (for using really thick thread). There are also some in California. True story. Oh, and if you ever happen to run into someone selling a coffee table, tell me. I know a guy who's looking for one.

Stop Signs, Canyons, and Pretty Rocks

2011-12-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day out in the desert. We, my friend Sandie and I, were driving through the desert on a gravel road. It was a fun drive- flying along at 50mph over hills, rocks, and bumps. I had been on this road before. In some places you can go airborne if you hit a hill just right. You can tell for miles ahead of you if anyone is coming from the other direction, because you see their dust cloud. On this day, we saw only two other vehicles over the course of two hours, one coming toward us and one heading the same direction ahead of us. They were just putzing along, so we passed them and left them in a cloud of dust. Today was a play day- and we were anxious to get out to enjoy the desert before the season kicked in and there was no more play time for several months.

We were heading to Planet Ranch to collect a beautiful combination of Chrysacolla in Rhyolite. I saw some pieces from this site last year- someone I had met at Desert Gardens in Quartzsite had shown it to me. The Rhyolite is dense, not crumbly like most of the rhyolite in Arizona. It sparkles with galena and is crisscrossed with veins of chrysacolla. A really pretty rock. It also slabs well on the saw, and will probably make some gorgeous cabs, although so far I have not had time to work it.

Up ahead we saw it- the landmark. A stop sign at a dirt road crossroads in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the desert. Go figure- a stop sign planted smack in the middle of the desert. Granted, there was a four way intersection there, though it was an intersection of two dirt roads in the middle of a desert wilderness, 25 miles from anywhere in all directions. But it was an intersection, nonetheless. I guess Arizona has so much excess cash in their treasury that they feel the need to drive around in the desert looking for 4-wheel drive road intersections to plant stop signs at. It really is kind of funny- a stop sign rising up out of the desert floor at a crossroads that probably has never seen two vehicles simultaneously in its lifetime. But here it was - that lone stop sign in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the desert. And on the pole, just under the stop sign, was another small sign that said "Planet Ranch"- with an arrow pointing to the right fork. That was our turn.

The road narrowed as we headed into the Buckskin Mountains and down into some canyons. After another half hour or so, we came to Planet Ranch. We headed off-road into a wash and up into the mouth of a canyon, where we parked. Sandie had been here before, but this was a new place for me. I love exploring the desert here in Arizona - it is full of beautiful hidden treasures way off the beaten path: Ghost Towns, old mines, cabins, ruins, petroglyphs, canyons, caves, and arches. And while I was excited to be here and collect Chrysacolla in Rhyolite, I wondered what other treasures lie waiting for me here in this canyon.

We hiked up canyon. The first stop yielded our goal- the prized Chrysacolla in Rhyolite. We gathered as much as we could carry and hiked back to the SUV. "What next?", I asked. I knew we hadn't driven all the way out here just to spend a half hour collecting Chrysacolla, no matter how choice the specimens were. Sandie smiled and said, "Just wait. You'll see." We headed up canyon a little further in the SUV. Then Sandie said, "Here is my special place. Let's go." We parked, grabbed our backpacks and some empty Walmart bags, and headed into the canyon. A flash of green caught my eye and I stopped to pick it up. It was Malachite- another iron-oxide based mineral associated with copper, and a nice specimen. "Wow!" I exclaimed. Sandie giggled and said, "Yeah, just wait, you'll see. Let's head all the way up canyon- then we can take our time on the way back to collect more rocks." Easier said than done, I thought- as I spotted at least 15 more interesting and pretty rocks within the next 10 feet. I stopped to pick up rocks and take pictures. And then, at Sandie's prodding, I stopped looking at the ground, at all the rocks I wanted to pick up, and started hiking. It was easier once I started focusing on the beautiful canyon that was ahead of me.

There were several dry falls, lots of volcanic boulders jutting up, and over 100 old abandoned mines back in this canyon. This area is rich in copper, galena, silver, and copper oxide minerals. The copper oxides form in beautiful colors of turquoise- the chrysacolla we had come for- as well as greens and royal blues. The greens are malachite, and the blues are azurite. Other colors were abundant, too- deep orangey-yellows and deep reddish browns. There was even some purple to be found- though I am still trying to find out what the purple is. It was an amazing place. The ground was just littered with red, orange and brown that sparkled with galena- the lead that is associated with copper, silver, and gold. There were some quartz veins running through the purplish volcanic outcrops. Many of the boulders were covered with beautiful bubbly formations of malachite and chrysacolla. I found a few choice pieces that had azurite mixed in- a much rarer find than the more common malachite and chrysacolla. I was in heaven.

We spent our afternoon happily exploring some of the mines and picking up several bags of rocks to bring back. I was glad Sandie convinced me to hike first and collect later- otherwise we would not have made it to the end of the canyon. We would have missed one of the most beautiful parts of the desert here in Arizona that I have been to yet, at least as far as rocks go. To see boulders covered with malachite just sitting there in their natural home in the middle of this gorgeous canyon was a rare treat. Standing inside a mine shaft that swirled with all the colors of the rainbow, and sparkled with galena, was an amazing experience. I have been in many caves and mines in my lifetime- none were as colorful as these.

The sun was getting low, and we were 50 miles out in the desert. It was time to head out of this beautiful canyon and back to civilization. We hiked out slowly, admiring the beauty and collecting treasures along the way. Some would go out in the booth for sale and display when I got back, and some would be special treasures that would go into my own personal collection- a couple of choice malachite pieces, and a gorgeous piece of malachite with azurite crystals growing on it- and a really sparkly piece of galena with a unique crystalline formation. This was a desert excursion I would remember forever.

We headed out onto the road. We drove more slowly now, savoring the beauty of the desert in the amber glow of the late afternoon sun. Sandie told me of how Planet Ranch had been purchased by Freeport-McMoran and that they were going to start mining there again. That doesn't surprise me. That area is rich in mineral wealth and water from the Bill Williams River. Several government agencies have been fighting over that land for years because of the water rights and the mineral rights. Water is a precious resource here in the desert. The value of copper is heading skyward thanks to developing industrial nations like China and India, as well as the growing alternative energy industry. Copper is essential in the manufacture of wind turbines, solar panels, and electric/hybrid cars. Now Planet Ranch will be owned by Freeport McMoran. We may never get to see that gorgeous canyon again. I am glad I got to see it before it was too late. The time spent savoring and photographing it, and bringing back some of its beautiful specimens was well worth it.

For more photos of the Planet Ranch canyon and mines, go to www.facebook.com/RocksInMyHead

FOR MORE ABOUT COPPER MINING IN ARIZONA, HERE ARE TWO GREAT BOOKS:

Copper Mining in the United States, Including Michigan and Arizona

Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, A Travel History

Rocks, Gold Mines, and Desert Kayaking

2011-11-25T22:22:00.000-08:00

So here I am at the Wickenburg Gem and Mineral Show, in, of course, Wickenburg- oh yeah, that would be Arizona. I packed up everything from Quartzsite yesterday, except my booth sign, left a message on the front of my fence for my customers, "In Wickenburg this weekend for the Rock and Gem Show, will re-open Tuesday", and headed almost 100 miles East to Wickenburg.

I've been here before- did a show here last year-so I am expecting a busy weekend. Anyway, there will be more going on here this weekend than there would be in Quartzsite at this time of the season. This afternoon, during the 3 hours I was setting up, about 30 customers came by wanting to know if the show was open yet. Hopefully, that is an indicator of how tomorrow and Sunday will go. Although maybe those people won't even come back. They seemed aggravated that none of the vendors who were setting up at that time were open for business yet. Oh, well.

For rockhounds, gold bugs, and outdoors people alike, Wickenburg is a great destination. There are several very cool rockhounding sites in this area. Along highway 60 near Brenda there is a pullout for a jasper site in the Bear Hills. I will have some jasper from this location at the show this weekend. Choice pieces are deep reds with greens and some browns and yellows mixed in. It's very good quality for polishing, if you do the work to get the best material. There are also beautiful agates and jaspers from the Plomosa Mountains north of Brenda, and a site near Brenda where gorgeous "patriotic" agates can be found. Amazing dendritic agates and some fossilized palm wood has been found near Wengen. For more information about these sites, check out "Rockhounding Arizona" by Mr. Gerry Blair. I met him at the Lake Havasu City Rock and Gem Show earlier this month. Here is a link to Mr. Blair's book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0762744499/?tag=roinmyhe-20 . I also currently have this book in stock at my booth and will be listing it on the website soon.

For the gold bugs out there, Wickenburg is also famous for the "Vulture Mine". The Vulture Mine was the largest gold producing mine in Arizona. It was discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg, and in its day produced more than 200 million dollars worth of gold. A population of almost 5000 inhabited Vulture City during the boom time of this mine.

The Vulture Mine is also well known for its employee "perks" - a "Profit Sharing" plan and a practice called Highgrading. Highgrading was a sort of systematic thievery from the mine- workers would pick choice nuggets out of the loads they were hauling and keep them for themselves. The "Profit Sharing" plan was actually more of a "Profit Stealing" plan, where miners who were employed to work the mine during the day became "self-employed" by night. They mined their own personal gold from the same mine that they worked in during the day- the ultimate in "Moonlighting". It was said by the Vulture Mine miners that working for the Vulture Mine for 3 months would produce a year's worth of personal gold. For these reasons, no one really knows exactly how much gold was produced by the Vulture Mine. The recorded figure of $200 million is really only an estimate, that doesn't take into account all of the "lost" - or shall we say "personally acquired"- gold.

The mine was closed in 1942, and almost overnight the town became a ghost town- but the development of Arizona had already been sparked, and Phoenix was born. The closed Vulture Mine eventually became the property of the Vulture Mine Preservation and Restoration Association, and tours were given to the public. Just recently the mine has been purchased by Vulture Peak Gold, who plans on resuming mining operations at Vulture. I wonder if they will have a "Profit Sharing" plan again? Hmmm...If they do, sign me up for a few months.

For more photos of the Vulture Mine click this link http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.173341572761358.37463.124287157666800&type=3

And last, but not least, for the outdoor enthusiast - there is kayaking. Yes, kayaking in the desert. There are great kayaking locations in several directions from Wickenburg. To the north, there is the lake-rich area of Prescott and Prescott National Forest. To the west lies Alamo Lake. Alamo Lake is a rockhounding desert kayaker's paradise. It is a large lake that has been created by the damning of the Bill Williams River. The drive to Alamo Lake is a scenic journey through beautiful desert landscapes, some red rock peaks in the distance, really cool canyons, and incredible views. For as far as the eye can see in any direction, there is desert- until all of sudden, a deep blue patch appears on the horizon. This is Alamo Lake- a large, beautiful body of water surrounded by desert and colorful mountains. A rockhounding, prospecting, desert-loving, kayaker's dream. There are plenty of places to get out of your boat and hike off into the desert to go rockhounding. The mining and prospecting sites are on the north side of Alamo Lake, so be prepared to paddle back with extra weight stowed in your boat.

Pick a quiet cove to land, and eat lunch there. That way you can then fill up the food space with rocks for the trip back. The only problem with that is that the rocks will weigh more than your food.

Just don't replace the water space with rocks- this is the desert, you know. You will need your water. Of course, if you think about it, you're paddling, so you are surrounded by water. So, in reality you could take a water filter, and then you could take less water and have more room for rocks. Either way, the rocks will weigh more, so be prepared for the long paddle back with all the rocks in your boat. Of course, if you are also a hiker, you are probably used to hiking back with all the rocks in your pack. From personal experience, paddling with rocks is slightly easier than hiking with rocks. But that's just my humble opinion.

So, anyway, whether you like rocks, gold mines, or paddling, Wickenburg is a great place to spend the weekend. Of course, I won't get to do any of these things this time around, because my entire time will be spent here, selling my rocks at the Rock Show. But I have done that stuff here before, and I will get to do that stuff here again- probably at the end of the season. After everything from my booth in Quartzsite is packed up, it will be time to head off to explore again. Then my play time will begin - the rockhounding, the prospecting, the hiking, the climbing, and the paddling. Maybe I'll even get to cross two major things off my list this spring- Skydiving and hiking to Havasu Falls.

But for now, I need to spend my days selling rocks. Come see me at my booth at the Wickenburg Rock Show. My booth is right at the entrance walkway, under that big sign that says "Wickenburg Gem and Mineral Show", you know the one in the picture at the top of this blog post. And come buy some rocks from me. I have lots- cool ones, too. Buy a bunch. Because, after all, when play time comes, I will need the room for all the new rocks.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY from SUNNY QUARTZSITE!

2011-11-24T02:31:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from Rocks In My Head! Today I am thankful that there are a bunch of turkey cartoons that I can fill up my blog page with so I don't have to think of something to write!!

So- from Rocks In My Head at Rice Ranch A37 in Quartzsite, AZ - the Rock Capitol of the World- here's some funnies to get your Turkey Day started!

Stories, Stories, and More Stories

2011-11-18T19:42:00.000-08:00

I was taught that selling is the most important part of business. I have learned, over time, that the best way to sell is through stories. So I tell stories about my rocks, my gold, my products, my cabs, whatever I happen to be talking to someone about. But recently I have noticed that selling is also about listening to other people's stories. And boy have I heard some doozies this week. I have heard stories about rocks, stories about gold, stories about cowboys and indians, stories about prospectors and old mines, and stories about sharks (yeah, go figure, in the desert, stories about sharks).

Yesterday I received a box of core samples from the Homestake Mine in South Dakota. They are beautiful. Some of them sparkle with visible gold- really prize pieces, and I wonder now that I have them, if I want to sell them. But even better than the core samples are the stories that came about because of them. People love to tell stories. This week, for some of them, I really needed to break out the hip waders- because the ____ was really beginning to pile deep.

Gold, mining, and prospecting seem to attract the whoppers, as far as storytelling goes. Now I expect to hear the ones about the 5 ounce nugget that got found and then lost again, or found and given away "way back when...when gold was still $100 an ounce". Or about the guy who found a huge nugget out in a wash, but doesn't know where it is anymore, or it was stolen, or some other reason why it isn't in his possession. Or about the guy whose claim was producing 10 ounce nuggets and then the government took it away. Or the guy who used to do alot of prospecting but doesn't anymore because he has found "too much" gold and wants to give other people a chance to find some. There was even the guy from Oregon who "found gold nuggets in a drawer one time, and I thought they were rocks so I threw them out". (Gee, I'd like to go through his trash).

Yesterday, when I was looking through my new box of Homestake Core Samples, of course, I was inundated with stories about the Homestake Mine. "My grandfather's friend's nephew knew someone who worked there..." "My friends' father found hundreds of nuggets laying on the ground around the Homestake Mine right after it was shut down." Some are believable, some are not. It makes you wonder where the stories come from, and if the people who tell them actually believe them.

But my favorites are the ones that speak of things as if they are fact, when in actuality they are just someone's made up perception. Those are the ones that you just have to nip in the bud because they are so off-base you can't stand to listen to them anymore. Yesterday, a man told me that the Homestake Mine was shut down by the government because the government decided that they didn't need any more gold since Fort Knox was already full. I stopped what I was doing, looked at him in awe, and said, "Really?" "Where did you hear that? Because that's not what I learned when I visited the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD this past summer". He looked surprised and said, "Oh, you mean you have actually been there?" "Yeah", I said, "I have actually been there- been to the mine, seen all the artifacts in the visitor center and museum, watched the video, and toured the parts you could tour. It's a really interesting place and the video in the visitor center is really informative." He said, "Well, anyway, those samples are really cool," and then he left, probably in search of someone who really didn't have a clue about the Homestake Mine to tell his ridiculous story to. (For a great book about the Homestake Mine, "Homestake, The Centennial History of America's Greatest Goldmine", click this link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006XJXHW/?tag=roinmyhe-20.)

And then there are the pathetic ones. There was the guy who was looking for crystals in Crystal Hill, where hundreds of people every winter go to hunt for crystals, and discovered a mine shaft with gold in it- but no one has ever heard of this mine before even though it is only 11 miles out of town. "And then what did you do", I asked. "I just left it alone because I didn't want anyone else to find out about it." "You've never been back there to it to go get some of the gold?" "Well, no, I don't have a car anymore, and I don't have time, and I don't want the government to find out, and...blah, blah, blah..." Seriously? You found an abandoned gold mine just outside town and didn't even go back to it? And no one else in Quartzsite has ever even heard of it? Really?

And then there was the guy who was wandering around in the desert one day and found a huge pile of Sleeping Beauty turquoise on the ground, not near Globe, where the Sleeping Beauty Mine is, but out on BLM land near Quartzsite. Hmmm... Funny how I always have to go to a specific site where a specific rock is found to find that specific rock. "What did you do with it? I'd love to see it," I said. "Well...I didn't have a way to carry it back, and it was hot, and it was getting dark, and then I couldn't get back there until the next month, and then I couldn't remember where it was anymore." "So you didn't keep any of it?" "Well...no." Go figure.

Oh, yeah, and then there was the one who was walking around with the sparkly 5 pound rock the size of a grapefruit, polishing it with a wire brush, and telling everyone it was gold. He came into my booth on Tuesday and asked me if I would buy it from him. I said, wow, that's a beautiful, shiny rock with lots of pyrite on it, but no thanks, I'm not looking to buy any pyrite right now. He said, "It's not pyrite- it's gold- I'll give you a great price on it". Hah. I'm sure you will, I thought. He proceeded to tell me how he had been out walking in a wash near town and he found this huge rock covered in gold just sitting there on the ground. "Really?" I said, "In the middle of Quartzsite, in the middle of the day? And you are just walking around with it like that in your hand showing it to everyone?".

The stories never cease to amaze me. Just when I think I have heard the doozie of all doozies, then someone else comes along with one to top that one. And people wonder why I don't own a television. I have way better entertainment listening to all the stories than anything I could watch on TV. My neighbor, Al, in the booth next to me, and I have developed a ritual at the end of each day. A ritual of swapping stories about each other's stories. It seems almost as if the same people go from booth to booth and tell the same story, but change it up to match the merchandise- the same lost huge gold nugget story, becomes the lost antique gun story. "My grandfather's nephew's friend was in WW1 and had a gun like that. A real beautiful gun, worth a whole lot of money. I found it in a closet one day, but now I have no idea where it is...oh, and I almost had something like that once, too,...oh, and like that, too."

So tommorrow I will be getting in some Lake Superior Agates and some more core samples, this time from the Dewey mine in Idaho. And there is no need for me to try to sell them. They will sell themselves, no doubt to people who will come in to tell me more stories. This time the stories will be about Idaho, and Lake Superior. But in reality, they will be the same old stories, just like all the fishing and hunting stories about the big one that got away, only twisted around and molded to fit rockhounding and prospecting situations. "I remember that 150 pound fish I almost caught, but it broke the line...biggest fish I've ever seen...I remember that 8 point buck that I almost shot... biggest buck I've ever seen, ...I remember that 10 ounce gold nugget I almost got, but it fell out of my pan back into the stream...biggest nugget I've ever seen..."

And the stories go on, and on. Tommorrow the entertainment begins again. And I will once again be convinced that I have no need to pay $100 a month for satellite TV to entertain me. I have an entire town full of people that are very eager to come and do that. I will be open at 9:30 am. First program of the day? Only tomorrow will tell, but I'm sure it will be a good one.
______________________
WANT MORE ABOUT THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA?

HERE ARE ROCKS IN MY HEAD'S RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Real Deadwood: True Life Histories of Will Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, Outlaw Towns, and Other Characters of the Lawless West http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596090316/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Deadwood:

Stories of the Black Hills http ://www.amazon.com/dp/1596912391/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Gold Rush:

The Black Hills Story

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962262196/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Deadwood:

Music From HBO Original Series [Soundtrack]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00076YPUI/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Opportunity, and the Lack Thereof

2011-11-12T20:51:00.000-08:00

Some people get excited about meeting celebrities. Understandably so. They are famous, and some of them have done some incredible things with their lives. I have met many celebrities. I have done many things for a living over the course of my lifetime, and some of those things have brought me into contact with celebrities. Some of them were very nice and very humble. A few of them were absolute jerks. But all in all, most of them were just regular people that happened to be famous, and did not impress me very much. It was nice to meet them in person, and it makes for a good story, but that was all.

Today, however, I met someone who, in my life at least, would be considered a celebrity. An elderly gentlemen walked up to me with a book, "Rockhounding Arizona", from my table in his hand and said to me, "Young lady would you believe me if I told you I wrote this book?" To which I replied, rather jokingly, "I don't know, should I believe you?" There was a lady with him who sensed my skepticism, and nodded approvingly. She smiled and said, "Yes, dear, he did write that book." The man said, "Yes, I am Gerry Blair. See", he said, pointing to the author's name on the cover, "I wrote this book." I said, "Wow, it's an honor to meet you, sir. Thank you."

Now the bad part about this whole thing is that it was extremely busy today at the Lake Havasu City Gem and Mineral Show. At the time Mr. Blair came to my booth, I was swamped with people. Now, as a show vendor, the one thing that you always want to be is mobbed with people in your booth. So normally this would not be a bad thing- but at this particular time, I wished I could have spent much more time with Mr. Blair. Imagine the stories this man must have. Think of the experiences he has had in his lifetime of collecting rocks. I wished I could have picked his brain or sat around a campfire tonight and listened to him talk about rocks and rockhounding- the places he had been, the things he had done, stuff he had found. Adventures and misadventures. I wish I had been able to spend even just a little bit more time getting to know him. But I had customers, and it seemed like at that particular time, just when I was meeting Gerry Blair, people were coming out of the woodwork to look at stuff in my booth. A great problem to have at any other moment in my life- except this particular one.

I got to talk with Mr. Blair for a very short time. He very graciously autographed the only copy of "Rockhounding Arizona" that I had left, and agreed to take a photograph with me. Then I politely, and reluctantly, excused myself. I shook his hand and when I turned toward my customers he disappeared into the crowd. For the next several hours, I barely thought about him because I was so busy. But later in the day, when it slowed down, I realized how great an opportunity I had today. I got to meet a great man- at least in the field of rockhounding anyway. And then I felt sad. Sad that I was so busy I could not take more of an opportunity to sit down with this man and enjoy his company for a while.

I thought about kids and how they look up to their teachers. Many times the teachers go their entire lives without realizing how much they are appreciated and admired by their students. Most of the time the students just go on and never get a chance to tell the teacher thank you or a story about how something that teacher taught them had made a difference in their life. I have been a teacher before. I have taught hundreds of kids over the course of the years, since I taught my first jewelry making class in 2001. I often wonder what and how those kids are doing now, and if I made an impact in their lives at all.

This was like meeting a great teacher. After all I am a rockhound, and in "Rockhounding Arizona", Mr. Blair teaches pretty much everything there is to know about rockhounding in this state, at least in my humble opinion anyway. It was a great honor to meet him. I wonder if he realizes how much the younger generation of rockhounds appreciates and admires the generation that has gone before us and taught us alot of what we know. I hope someday I get another opportunity to meet Mr. Blair. And I hope, if I do, it is under circumstances which allow me to really enjoy his company and get to know him personally. I would like to be able to thank him and tell him how much he and the veteran rockhounds like him are appreciated and respected. (Here's the link for "Rockhounding Arizona" by Mr. Blair http://www.amazon.com/dp/0762744499/?tag=roinmyhe-20)

So today was a day I will remember all my life. The drive here yesterday was very pretty. The people in the Lake Havasu Gem and Mineral Society have treated us vendors like kings and queens. We have been fed well and catered to. There are several volunteers that go around to the vendor booths to serve us food, water, and coffee. One lady even watched my booth for me today so I could go to the restroom. The show staff and the Gem and Mineral Society members that host the show went all out for us to make this show fabulous. And that in itself would be memorable. But today I met Mr. Gerry Blair. And even if every other show I do from now on is as great as this one has been, nothing will be able to top that. At least not anything I can think of right now, anyway.
_____________
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ROCKS IN MY HEAD:

Lake Havasu City (AZ) (Images of America)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738530123/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0966497635/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Backroads of Arizona: Your Guide to Arizona's Most Scenic

Backroad Adventures (Backroads of ...) [Kindle Edition]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JPW0JW/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Decisions, Decisions, and More Decisions

2011-11-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

My head hurts today. My entire day has been full of decisions. For one, I am moving. I mean I am changing booth spaces for the season. But then there are the advertising decisions, and the web page decisions. And so I spent all day making decisions. It would be different if these were simple "yes" or "no" decisions- but they are not, and that is why my head hurts. It's not that I typically have difficulty making decisions. I don't. I am a researcher and an analyzer. I definately do my homework, and then when I make a decision I am usually pretty confident that it is a good one. It isn't always, but at least I am confident it is until I find out otherwise.

But today brought an onslaught of decisions about things which are outside my realm of confidence. Part of me wants to bag this whole idea, pack it all up and go out and live in the desert for the winter. The other part of me wants to build a successful business. That's the part that gave me the headache today, because I am taking the all or nothing approach to this. I am either going to go all out and do it the right way, or I am not going to do it at all. At least I will know at the end of the season, regardless of what happens, that I gave it everything I've got. Besides, I've always been that way. I either do something or I don't do something- but I don't do anything just halfway. I do due diligence, I make a decision, and then I stick to it.

I'm like that in my personal life, too. I either like a person or thing, or I don't like a person or thing. Sometimes I will change my mind if the situation warrants it- and I will be straightforward about my change of mindset. There have been people that I have liked initially, and then as I got to know them better, I realized that I didn't like them very much at all, and people who initially rubbed me the wrong way, and then eventually we became good friends. But I'm not wishy-washy or two-faced, pretending to someone's face to like them and then talking trash behind their back. I am rather blunt about how I feel about a person or situation- not rude usually, but not wishy-washy either. Steadfast is a good word for it. But at least people know where they stand with me. Maybe I'm old-fashioned that way, because it seems like the trend today is to be more namby-pamby and two-faced. Given the choice between the two, I would rather be considered old-fashioned.

But today, my brain is overloaded with decisions, and I can't say with confidence that the ones I made are the right ones. So I am at the mercy of wondering, and even second-guessing myself. Is the money I spent on a website and an ad in the paper going to be worth it? What about the higher rent? ROI is really important to me right now. And this whole website thing. I'm still wondering about that. The whole process of deciding which company to use was, in itself, very stressful- and now that I have chosen one and purchased a website building product, I am faced with myriad decisions about the building process itself. What photos, what layout, what colors, what fonts? I am not a design professional. I like to be out in the wilderness and I like to cut rocks. But I also have limited funds so hiring someone to build the site for me is not within the budget at the moment.

Fortunately, the ad for the paper was a little easier, thanks to my friend who is the publisher. She was gracious enough to let me bring over a flyer and a business card so she could help me figure out how to turn them into a newspaper ad. That is what she does for a living, thank goodness. Of course, I'm sure she wouldn't be happy spending her days digging and cutting rocks. We all have our strong points. I'm glad advertising and design is one of hers. I want to get this advertising and design stuff done so I can go back to cutting rocks.

And then there is the decision to move into a different booth space. It is said in business that location is everything. Location, location, location. Does McDonald's make the best hamburgers? No way- but they own the real estate at the prime intersections all over the world so they have the best locations for the hamburgers they make. So my move today was all about location. I moved up to "A" row, a front row on the street - as opposed to "C" row with a back corner and RV park frontage. I cannot be seen from the main road like I could before, but I am located in the busiest part of this area of town as far as foot traffic goes. So here I sit, having signed the new contract and upped my rent by about $300.00 dollars, and my brain is on tilt from agonizing over this decision all day. These past 10 days the money has gone out way faster than it has come in.

But while location is important, so is the neighborhood. And my decision to move was influenced by that as well. Not that there is anything wrong with the vendors around me, but this end is rather sparse. There are many non-rented spaces even this close to the start of the season. It is like owning a rental house in a neighborhood full of unoccupied buildings, or an office building on a block full of vacant warehouses. I have wondered for the past ten days if people would walk down this row at all after seeing all the empty spaces between them and me. People tend to gravitate toward places where there are other people, and avoid those places which seem less busy.

And then there is the choice between facing the main highway into town or having frontage on a small local road that gets alot of foot traffic. After all, how many people can make a decision about buying a piece of jewelry, a gold nugget, or some lapidary equipment while driving past a sign at 50 miles per hour. I would guess not many. While my sign currently faces out toward the highway, I am betting that people actually stopping to look might be more conducive to sales. And the spaces on either side of me and across the street are rented with established businesses that generate alot of traffic. To me it seems like a better return on ROI in the long run - at least that's the point anyway..

And then there is the fact of the economy. Most people would say that this economy is not the time to go all out and try to establish a new business. But then there are also people who would say this is a time of opportunity for those who dare to go after it. I have always subscribed to the philosophy of "observe the masses and do the opposite". I may not have had the opportunity to move up to the front row if the economy wasn't like it is and other vendors weren't cancelling their reservations for the season. And now I can make a deposit for next year and hold my spot if I want to- a spot that under different circumstances may never have been available. I waited for six years to have a good spot at Jazz Fest in New Orleans- and I never got one. Someone had to die before you got their spot.

But trying times always weed out the masses and leave the strong, the lean and mean, the easily adaptable intact. A little scarred and bleeding, maybe, but intact. Well, I have come through trying times before. I have come out on the other side scarred and bleeding, but still standing, and all the stronger and wiser. So, I am telling myself this is no different than any of those other times.

And so my brain is swimming from all the decisions I had to make today. But the good thing is, with the exception of the design of the website, they are made. There is no going back now. The contracts have been signed, the money has been spent, the inventory has been purchased. What will happen, will happen. At least I can say I have hedged my bets. I gave it my best shot. I have done everything I can do and gone all out to start this season off well. And I will find out in March if any of these decisions, decisions, and more decision were good ones. Until then, all I can do is enjoy every day, turn on my saw and my polishing wheel, and cut rocks.

Rocks, Jerks, and Delayed Gratification

2011-11-07T00:47:00.000-08:00

Today marks my 4th day of being OPEN here in Quartzsite- at least technically. My online business was open even when I was on the road, and the day I got here I put out some easily accessible stock on a table just so it looked like I was a vendor- but as far as my tables and displays being fully set up and stocked, and my booth looking like some semblance of a business, today was the 4th day I was open.

Business is slowly picking up. The snowbirds are starting to arrive. People are beginning to get bored and come out to the vending areas and wander around. Some are buying, some come to find out what there is to buy, some are just trying to figure out who is here and open, and some just want to get away from their "RV-mates" and come chit-chat about stuff.

Now that I am technically open, I have been spending my days organizing and pricing all my new and exciting merchandise, and designing my displays to showcase new product lines. It is alot of detail stuff, but stuff that I can get done while open. It keeps me busy and active, and available for people because they see me bustling around and don't feel like they are intruding if they engage me in conversation. Right now I am the only "Rock Shop" open, so I can build a repoire with people before any of the other rock vendors show up.

More notably, though, today was the day I got to cut rocks again. I completed all the little detail stuff I needed to do in my booth, and my reward was I got to cut rocks again. I have been looking at my studio space all week, as I have labored to create a great "Rock Shop" in my 40x40 vending space. I have rummaged through boxes of rocks, many of which I have dug or collected myself, and envisioned a particular specimen on the saw revealing its insides to me for the first time. Or imagined in my head what that rock would look like polished and made into a beautiful piece of jewelry. And I practiced delayed gratification for a little while longer.

This summer was full of delayed gratification. The rock saw sat idle, while I spent free time at rockhounding sites. I gave up days of paddling, hiking, and climbing to collect rocks and build my inventory in preparation for the winter season. On the road there was more delayed gratification because the saw and the polishing wheel were inaccessible in the trailer, stashed behind boxes of rocks, and buried beneath mounds of stock and merchandise. Once in my vendor space, I unloaded the trailer to find the rock saw and the polishing wheel waiting there patiently. Before I began to set up my booth, I set up my studio space- two tables with all my tools, my saw, my rock tumbler, my lapidary wheel, and lots half-finished cabs- and there they sat while I spent the last week getting open.

But today, it was all worth it. I opened up a bin and took out a Fairburn Agate. One that I collected this summer in South Dakota. It had a rough tumble polish on it. That was my consolation this summer, letting my tumbler do some of the work while my schedule was insanely crazy. I looked at it for awhile. It had been two months since I had looked at this rock. I'd forgotten how beautiful it was. Then I remembered the peacefulness of the badlands where I had collected it. It was mid-summer. The birds were singing, flowers were still blooming on the prairie, and there was a gentle breeze whispering through the grasses. I turned on my lapidary wheel, and started polishing, lost in my thoughts.

People came and went, I stopped acknowledge them and occasionally to chit chat, and then I would resume. Something amazing was taking shape in my hands and I was consumed by its beauty. Slowly, a smooth, shiny face was emerging, the colors and patterns becoming more vivid now. I had been looking forward to this for the past few months, and it was worth it.

Then a man came at about three o'clock.  This man was not the typical customer of a Rice Ranch vendor, or of any outdoor rock show vendor, for that matter. He was wearing a royal blue, button down shirt, pressed and starched, dress pants, and enough cologne to scare away any coyote within 50 miles of Quartzsite. He was in his late 40's or so. He seemed out of place here in the dusty, windy desert- more like he should be a buyer at a glittery wholesale show for Macy's. He spent about 30 seconds looking around my booth, then turned to me working at my studio table and said, " Hey, do you have any cabs done?" A good question. I only have a few out at the moment, and they are rather inconspicuous among the other stuff in the cases. I stopped, still holding the stone in my hand, got up, and went over to the case where the finished cabs were so I could show him what I had.

He looked at the cabs I showed him for all of about 20 seconds and then proceeded to talk at me about how he sold jewelry and wanted to buy a bunch of stuff wholesale for his business- not talk to me, but rather hard sell AT me, like I was a nobody sitting here in the desert, with no clue about business, polishing a rock because I had nothing better to do. "I'll give you $70.00 for all of your jewelry and cabs", he smirked. I just stared at him. It's a good thing it's the beginning of the season and the head to mouth filter is still working well. This was definately one of the times when I should NOT say what I'm thinking. Instead, I said, " I'm sorry. I'm not interested in selling any inventory at wholesale right now. But you could leave me a card and if I am interested at the end of the season, I might call you."

He got adamant and continued his hard sell spiel about how he makes artists rich when he buys their stuff and then takes it to his business to sell. Again he had that air about him as though he thought I was just some stupid starving artist sitting here in the desert desperate for money, trying to polish a rock or two so I could eat. Then he said the worst thing in the world he could have said to me, especially on this day, when I finally got to cut rocks after looking forward to it for the past two months. He said, "Well you could be making millions of dollars, sitting on a beach in Mexico. I could make you rich and you would never have to cut a rock again."

That was enough for me. I laughed at him, put my hand up in his face and said, "Stop. You will stop speaking now. This is MY business you are standing in, and it is MY turn to speak." I took him over to the stack of boxes of rough Utah Wonderstone I had just collected last week, pointed to it and said, "I am not interested in selling any of my cabs to you at wholesale. The only thing I would sell you at wholesale is a box of these rocks. I do not cut rocks because I have to. I cut rocks because I want to. I have been to Mexico 4 times, as well as beaches in the Mediterranean, Greek Islands, and the Carribbean Islands, and I can go again if I want to. So here's the deal... I dug these rocks. I cut and polish these rocks.   I do not know how selling my inventory to you at wholesale instead of selling it to other people at retail will make me rich. But I do know that even if I were making millions of dollars I would still cut rocks. I am here cutting rocks because I love to cut rocks. I cut rocks because I WANT to, not because I have to. Now, excuse me. I have a rock to cut."

He looked at me like I was some crazy woman, and rightfully so.  I probably did have a rather crazed look in my eyes at that particular moment. I was rather offended at his adamacy and presumptiveness, and at his offer of a mere $70.00 for an entire inventory of my handmade work. It was like he had just slapped me in the face. He started backing up toward his car, yelling at me as he went. "I make people rich!" he screeched. It was interesting how he seemed afraid to turn his back to me as he walked away. Maybe he was afraid some sort of karma involving backstabbing was going to get him.

And so it's official now, I am open. Today I had my first jerk of the season. I'm sure there will be more.

I went back to my polishing wheel and continued to polish my beautiful Fairburn Agate. I glared at him until he drove away. "I make people rich!" his voice echoed in my head. I smiled at my now shiny rock. "My life is already rich", I said to myself. And it is. I have spent the past several months traveling to beautiful places and collecting rocks, fossils, and other treasures from nature. I am sitting here in the desert cutting and polishing rocks. I am creating beautiful things that people are willing to pay me decent money for. I have friends here and I am doing what I want to do. There are many people on this planet who are rich and miserable. They have alot of money but they are not doing what they love to do. They sold themselves out to become rich. I am not interested in selling out to every sleazebag snotty jerk who comes my way just to make a quick buck.

Besides, richness is relative. My life is rich. My experiences are rich. My existence on this planet is rich. My relationships are rich. My spirituality is rich. I can go out into the grasslands, or the badlands, or the forest and experience the richness of nature. I can see the beauty in a piece of stone. I can work it with my hands and tools and feel the richness of its texture, and revel in the richness of the accomplishment. I can enjoy the richness of the design when I shape it into a piece of jewelry. And the richness of pleasure when a customer falls in love with it and buys it.

I will be perfectly happy to be rich. But only if it is not at the expense of who I am and what I love to do. Only if it enriches my life in more realms than just money. And only if it comes in a way that morally and personally I am proud of. There are people who are rich, happy, morally sound and doing what they love. If I become one of them, great. Until then, I will relish in the fact that today, after months of anticipation and delayed gratification, finally, I got to cut and polish some rocks.

Opening Day: (Mis)Adventures in Arizona and Elsewhere.

2011-11-04T00:45:00.000-07:00

Today my sign went up. I guess that means it's official. It's too late to turn tail and run. I'm open.

It's a wierd feeling. This is not my first rodeo, that's for sure, but I still get the same feeling on every opening day even though I've been doing this all my life. Granted not necessarily right here, in Quartzsite, but somewhere, at least. That daring adventurous life. Facing the doubts and fears, and then relishing in the thrill of the accomplishment.

Years ago I used to go to New Orleans for the winter. Artists, jewelers and other entrepreneurial types would set up on Jackson square or get a booth at the French Market. Once you got there, you were there for the season- the Sugarbowl was in January, then two weeks of Mardi Gras, then two weeks of Jazz Fest. There were lots of little festivals in between, and the weather was nice, so people came from all over the world. I spent six winters in New Orleans. One year, the Superbowl was held there too, right smack in between the Sugarbowl and Mardi Gras. Boy was that a boom season. It seemed as though the Patriots fans and the Green Bay fans were also competing against each other to see which ones could spend the most money.

But I remember showing up in the middle of December, my first year. It was 1994, to be exact. I had heard about how exciting and bustling and busy the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans was. I had been in North Carolina, in the mountains, for the summer. October was approaching, the leaves were about to peak in their fall regalia, and the mountains were full of tourists coming to see the fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There were only a few more weeks of the tourist season left, and then the snow would come. I was eager to find a place to go for the winter before the first snowfall. And so I heard about Mardi Gras season, and my decision was made. It would be New Orleans for the winter that year.

I arrived in a cold, rainy, desolate town devoid of anything resembling the hustle and bustle I had heard about. Mid-December in New Orleans is depressing. I wondered why I was there. Even Bourbon Street was deserted. I could easily have gone somewhere else and figured out something else to do, but something inside me wanted to stay, wanted to see what this place was all about. I went to a local coffee shop that seemed like it was the only happening place and grabbed a table near some people who looked like locals. Not that New Orleans locals look any different than locals from any other place, but it seemed to be a good enough reason to sit near them. After talking to them for a little while, I remember them telling me to just wait, wait a couple of weeks until "The Season" starts. So despite the fear and the doubts going through my head, I did. And it was worth it.

So here I am today, reliving those early days in New Orleans. I did see more people today than yesterday. Several people came by my booth. It's hard to resist the urge to try to sell something, but I am here for four months. Unlike Mardi Gras, the people who are coming will be here for awhile. So today I had to remind myself to relax and just let people come and go without seeming too eager. Still, there is that terror factor. That fear of failure.

But it's the kind of feeling that people like me live with all the time- life on the edge so to speak. I am an adventure traveler. That same "ecstatic terror" surfaces during times like kayaking Lake Powell, kayaking on the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys, climbing, backpacking a cross-country route, or even traveling the seasons instead of staying in one place. For me the "comfort zone" is not comfortable.

The simplest thing like a day kayaking on Lake Powell can bring ecstasy face to face with terror. You are paddling peacefully in a beautiful canyon when a power boat goes by. He comes around a curve at 50 miles an hour, his wake slams you up against the canyon wall, and he speeds away. In that instant you realize that the water is several hundred feet deep there,and it is about 50 degrees. The air is only 70. It is a ripe environment for hypothermia, and you are alone again in this canyon being repeatedly dashed by waves into the cliffs. You grit your teeth, hang onto to your paddle, brace yourself in your boat. You rehearse in your mind everything you know to do... Don't panic. You are prepared if something happens. Turn and face the waves... you know how to swim if you need to, you know how to do a deep water re-entry. There's a rock to grab if you have to. You're wearing a life jacket. You know how to survive if you get stranded. You know where your flare is...you have warm clothes in your dry sack...and... and...you wait it out. Slowly the terror subsides, along with the waves, and you begin slowly and carefully, still shaking a little, to paddle again. The shoreline approaches, and the thrill of the accomplishment returns, almost as if it is laughing in the face of the terror. After all, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

And you would do it all again. The terror and the thrill are one and the same. There are thrilling and terrifying times on a hiking trip, or a climbing trip, or even just driving your car down the street to the store. The fear of failure in one form or another is present every day. The only other alternative is to not do anything at all. I could get injured on backpacking trip, and die out in the wilderness...so should I not go? If I live in fear of failure, what is there left in life worth doing?

So here I am. It's opening day. That emotional rollercoaster has played out today. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't do the nine-to-five, all day everyday, same mundane thing my whole life. It has to be this was or there is no point. And it's too late now, anyway.

I am reminded of a time when I was working as a climbing instructor. There was a kid one time who was really excited and eager to climb the wall. For the first 30 feet or so, she scrambled up that wall with such enthusiasm- and then all of a sudden she stopped. She looked down and said, "I'm scared." I said, "Well, it's too late now, you're already up there. You may as well keep going to the top". She thought about it for a minute, then she took a deep breath and kept going.

And so as I reflect upon my opening day, I think about the mental and emotional tug-of-war that characterizes my life. That life of excitement and adventure. My first season in New Orleans. My brush with disaster while kayaking in a canyon in Lake Powell. My student on the climbing wall. And my opening day this season. I realize that, for me, there is no other alternative, not if I want to be happy. Adventures or misadventures, I still couldn't have it any other way. And I tell myself, "Well, it's too late now. You're already up there. You may as well keep going to the top."

Ready Or Not, Here I Am

2011-11-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow is opening day. Technically, I was open today- and if you count the internet, I am always open, 24/7 365. But as far as a physical booth space goes, with stock out on tables for the world to see, tomorrow is opening day. My sign is going up tomorrow. A beautiful, brand new sign 8 feet long and 3 feet high, visible from the main highway into town. I don't have all my stock out yet, stuff is not finished being priced or organized, and there is a myriad of little things that need to be done, but for all intents and purposes I will open for the season tomorrow. I am excited- I think. Rather, sometimes I am excited, sometimes I am overwhelmed, and sometimes I am downright terrified. It just depends on that particular moment.

The beginning of a season is always terrifying- to me at least. There's the anticipation of the entire season ahead and all the profits it will bring, and the fear that it will come to an end too quickly without bringing in the profits needed. It's kind of a love/hate relationship in a sense. I look at my booth full of stock and a million things run through my head, some positive, some negative, some neutral. What if the stuff I ordered isn't the right stuff and doesn't sell? Or what if it sells so fast I can't keep my booth stocked? What if all the pieces I make are exactly what my customers want and are willing to pay good money for- how do I keep up with demand? And what if they are not and I invest all my time and energy into pieces that don't sell? What if this and what if that. Were all the decisions I made over the summer about this season the right ones, or am I going to find out in March that they were all wrong?

I made alot of investments into my business this year to prepare for this season. That's what business people do if they want to grow as a business. But there is always that voice in your head making you second guess yourself, putting the doubt in. There are the days spent setting up before the season kicks in when the streets are still dead and the town is like a ghost town that make you wonder why you are here. It takes alot of mental gymnastics to replace the current reality with memories of what the season is like once it is in full swing. I'm glad I have two seasons under my belt here to be able to draw on for those memories.

And then there is the weather. Ah yes, battling the harshness of the desert in the winter. I got less accomplished today than normal because of the wind. Covering tables in fabric is easy, unless you are doing it in 25 mph winds. Tomorrow it will be nice, good for opening day. But then a storm comes in on Friday, and stuff I worked hard all week to put out will get stowed away in the safety of my trailer to wait out the storm. In and out, in and out, all winter long. Yes, I remember that too from seasons past. It won't be as bad once the initial set up is done and everything is organized and priced, but it still will be a process of in and out, in and out. At least I don't have to deal with a tent anymore. I gave those up years ago.

Anyway, I sell rocks, so all the rocks can stay out, even all the ones that have already been cut and polished. Rocks are kind of used to being out in the weather, after all. Fortunately, all I have to stow away is boxes of lapidary and prospecting stuff, and cases of jewelry, gold, and cabs. Easy enough. That is definately not as stressful as if I had a booth full of pottery or paintings. I have done many shows where I have watched the weather destroy tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of inventory in a few hours. Stuff like paintings or photography or glass work that can't be replaced because it has taken the artist decades to create that inventory. There are benefits to selling rocks.

And so I sit here this evening, the night before my opening day, and I look at my booth. It is still half empty, or half-full, depending on my perspective at that particular moment. I have another order to place, more rocks to put out, half finished jewelry to finish and put in cases, and pricing to do. I wonder if I will ever be ready- it seems like so much. And then when I am done, there is tweaking and rearranging to do. Then there are all the rocks sitting patiently, waiting for me to begin my winter studio time, cutting, polishing, and creating. The rocks are ready. That's good to know. But am I ready? And is Quartzsite ready for me? Let's hope so, because ready or not, here I am.

Rocks, Gold, and Buckets of Dirt

2011-10-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

After a day's drive on long stretches of highway cutting through the deserts of Nevada and California, I have arrived in Arizona. I am at my vendor space here in Quartzsite, my home for the next 4 months. As I survey the space I realize how large 40' x 40' actually is, and I wonder how my largest booth configuration of 10' x 15' will appear inside this monstrosity of a vendor space. Granted, in addition to my vending area, a portion of the space is for my living area, but still, even with my converted van camper and my cargo trailer it seems as though I am parked on a football field.

I parked, unparked, and drove around at least four times before I unhitched my trailer. It just seemed as though anyplace I parked on my space was just not the right place. One would think, with a space that size, there wouldn't be a problem, ...one would think anyhow. But to a vendor who is used to 10' x 10' or 10' x 20' spaces, the brain was on tilt when I tried to envision how to set up my "store". Then I drove across town to another vendor, one who specializes in stuff for vendors, to price and purchase additional tables and setups.

"So", he said, "twice as much space this year, huh? That means twice as much profits!!" I just stared at him blankly as I tried to wrap my tired and overwhelmed brain around his comment. "Wow", I said. "I'm glad you put it that way. That helps alot." I'm not sure he believed me or not, but when I go back there tommorrow to buy some tables and displays I'll thank him more sincerely. I'm sure he could see that I still had that "Road Warrior" look about me and just needed some time to chill and digest the situtation.

The funny thing is, I have enough stock to fill my space- I'm just not used to having enough space for all of it. So now I can actually fill my space the way I really want to, instead of having to squeeze everything into a tiny booth. And so the initial shock of this enormous empty square marked in white spray paint on the rocky desert floor has turned to an eager enthusiasm. I unpack my trailer and I see the possibilities are endless to turn this desolate spot into a beautiful bustling storefront full of beautiful rocks, jewelry, gold, silver, copper, lapidary and prospecting supplies, and all kinds of other great stuff. And if there is still more space left, there are rocks, rocks, and more rocks, to fill it with. And it's a good thing I just collected several buckets of Utah Wonderstone two days ago.

And then there are the buckets of dirt. It occurred to me today, when I crossed the Arizona state line, that the last time I was in Arizona in the Spring of this year, I was gold prospecting. After digging, processing and panning for several days, it was time to go. I left out with several buckets of dirt, intending to pan it out at my next location, keep the gold, and get rid of the dirt. But this summer was insanely busy. I was working at Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota during the busy tourist season, and spending free time rockhounding and prospecting. The buckets of dirt got shoved to the back of the trailer, behind all the new South Dakota agates, all the half-finished pieces, and myriad boxes of rocks, and I realize that in the past 6 months I have transported this dirt through 9 states, just to end up bringing it back to Arizona again.

Maybe there's a reason I have a 40' x 40' space. Maybe part of it is supposed to be dedicated to my buckets of special, well-traveled, dirt. Even if it doesn't yield any gold, it still has seen more states than alot of people have. That should account for something, right? In this competitive world, where every business is trying to find that special edge that sets it apart from the crowd, I may have found mine- in addition to my rocks and stuff, at MY booth you can find unique, special, and awesome...buckets of well-traveled dirt.

Wonderful Wonderstone!!

2011-10-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

I spent two days at a dig site for Utah Wonderstone, and collected lots of beautiful rocks to add to my already large inventory. The specimens from this site are gorgeous- lots of colors and beautiful patterns. I can't wait to start cutting and polishing and seeing what beautiful things will come from some of these pieces.

Being both a rockhound and a lapidarist, when I am collecting rocks I have more of a deliberate way of choosing which ones I pick. Sometimes, as I am collecting rocks at a site, I envision the setting or what type of piece I would create out of certain rocks I choose. Some will work better in the tumbler, some on the saw and polishing wheel, some with a wire-work setting, some as a cab.

I like to take my time, enjoy the place that the rocks come from, and spend time in that environment. Being completely solar and wind powered, I have the freedom to camp out in these remote places. I like to feel connected to that special place, and let it become a part of me: the sounds, the smells, the look, the essence of it. When I am working with a rock, cutting it and polishing it, I like to remember those things. I like to try to express those things in the piece I create.

And, so as I load up my buckets of Wonderstone into my trailer, and head southward to Quartzsite, I am thankful for the times I have had this summer and fall collecting all of my special rocks. Thankful for the beautiful places I have gotten to see and experience, and thankful for the blessings and bounty of the land. In a few days, I will open my booth for the season. The sound of the wind across the South Dakota prairie will be replaced by the drone of the rock saw and the shrill whine of the polishing wheel. The tranquility of the Utah desert will become a distant memory amidst the sea of customers shopping at the vendor booths. But as I place a stone on the wheel and begin to polish it, I can lose myself in the essence of that stone and find myself, again, listening to the wind on the prairie or relishing the tranquility of the desert.

Oh How I Love the Desert in the Fall

2011-10-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

On the road today, on my way to rockhounding sites in western Utah. Tommorrow I will be collecting Utah Wonderstone, and on Monday I will be digging Trilobite fossils. Great new stuff to take to Arizona. I am excited to open next week.

I have lots of rough to start cutting and polishing and several pieces in the works that need to be finished once I am open and concentrating on work again. I tell myself that I will work on stuff while I'm on the road, but, other than computer-type stuff like this blog, I never do. I could, technically, but I just spend my days hiking, kayaking, climbing, rock hunting, or whatever, and then when I get back to camp I just want to enjoy my evening by the fire. This week it has been cold, so the fact that I got my blog up and running again can be directly attributed to that cold weather. It has just been too dang cold to sit outside by the campfire- so I have been inside at night.

When I get to Quartzsite, it will be much warmer than it has been the entire time I have been on the road this fall. I will miss this part of the desert. It is the Great Basin Desert, and it is different in many ways than the Sonoran Desert where Quartzsite is. To many people, a desert is a desert. But I have been to all four of the deserts in the US, the Mohave, the Chihuahuan, the Sonoran, and the Great Basin. Each one is different, with its own character, look, and feel. Even the plant and animal life varies from desert to desert. There are many similarities, too, but still each one is unique.

I will miss the desert of Utah. The fall colors of the cottonwoods and the aspens have been beautiful against the brightly colored hues of the sandstone outcrops. The rabbitbrush is still blooming yellow and some of the other bushes are glowing with reds and oranges. Even this week, during the cold spell, the trees were still trying to hang on to their fall regalia.

But, work calls. The snow bird season rapidly approaches. After all, it is in the 80's still in Quartzsite, only into the 50's at night. So I must bade goodbye to the beautiful Great Basin desert and head south to the Sonoran, which will be my home for the next four months.

Back Again, and In Style

2011-10-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

OK, so for everyone who follows me, I'm sorry. I have not kept up with my blog in a long time. Yeah, I know, Bad Blogger. If you stopped following me, please come back. If you have not followed me yet, good, because I haven't blogged in a while anyway, but now is the time to start following me because this Blog is about to get really, REALLY good.

Truth is I have been busy rockhounding, traveling, prospecting, paddling, backpacking, building my businesses, and devoting time to some other stuff- and I kind of forgot about my Blog. But here I am, back again, and in style. And gee whiz, do I have alot to tell you.

So, let's catch up quickly on the past year so I can just go ahead and start blogging again.

My jewelry business, Soaring Eagle Designs ( http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/soaringeagledesigns ) is growing very fast. I am pretty much sold out of all the finished pieces and cabs I had at the start of the summer season (that's a good thing). I have done a whole lot of rockhounding over the past year, and now I have to start cutting and polishing rocks that seem to accumulate faster than I can make them into stuff. Funny how big of a difference there is between the number of rocks I can collect in a day, versus the number of rocks I can polish in a day. Fortunately, in addition to my rock saw and polishing wheel, I now have a rock tumbler. So I can let the tumbler do the work while I'm off paddling, hiking, or finding more rocks. And it's a good thing because I am currently in Utah doing some more rockhounding. Today, while hiking, I unexpectedly came across a great find: petrified wood. Not actually on the agenda, but, hey, I'll take it. I have two more rockhounding trips before I head to Arizona, and two Rock and Gem shows once I get there. Then I will be open in Quartzsite for the winter.

My other business, EarthWealth, has taken on a life of its own and is growing by leaps and bounds. Exciting times. Gold and silver is on the rise, and that has been very good for business. I've gone prospecting for gold in several states, with various degrees of success, and will be doing some more of that again in the spring. I still have some buckets of dirt from my last prospecting trip that I need to process. I've been hauling them around in my trailer. I went to the GPAA show in Vegas in March and learned alot of cool stuff. But meanwhile, this winter I'll be focusing more on prospecting and lapidary equipment, tools, books, and stuff that I sell. There are also a couple of new and exciting product lines I'm carrying through EarthWealth, in my online store http://stores.ebay.com/EarthWealth. I'll be posting more about those in the future, too. I will be opening both EarthWealth and Soaring Eagle Designs in Quartzsite at Rice Ranch space C11-12 sometime next week, and I will be there until sometime in March.

Throughout the past year I have paddled, hiked, climbed, canyoneered, and done all sorts of other types of outdoorsy-type stuff as much as is humanly possible, in between everything else I have been doing. I'll be posting some highlights of that stuff in the future, as well.

I am still completely solar-powered, and I have added a small wind turbine to my system. Last year at this time I was having challenges with my inverter, but since then I have gotten a new one, and a new fridge that runs on 5amps and can be run completely by my 12volt battery system. Since I am completely solar and wind powered, I can live for indefinate periods of time out on BLM land, National Forest land, or wherever else with all the power I need. Right now I am living in a canyon in NE Utah writing this blog post and listening to my CD player. It's a good central location for all the places I wanted to go in this area. The only problem I have is that my wifi signal is rather slow- but hey- that probably has something to do with the fact that I'm in a canyon.

So that's what's up with me. I will be a better Blogger from now on, I promise. I will be posting so much stuff you will probably get tired of hearing from me... well, I hope not. Meanwhile, you can follow me on Twitter @EarthWealth, or Friend me on Facebook at Jedidiah Free, or Like my EarthWealth page, or Like my Soaring Eagle Designs page
...or do all of that- and then I won't need to bother you with my blogs. I can bother you with all the other social media stuff instead.

How my Whisperlite Saved The Day

2010-05-26T18:10:00.001-07:00

Here I am camped out in the desert in Quartzsite, Arizona. Where is that you may ask? That depends on who you ask. Most people would either have no idea, or would say that it is a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Quartzsite itself claims in its motto, however, to be not in the middle of nowhere, but rather in the center of everywhere. By that it means it is in the middle of the desert in between Blythe, California, (like that is somewhere I’d heard of before) and Phoenix, AZ (ah- now that I have heard of) and Parker, AZ and Yuma, AZ. But no matter who you ask, the reality is that Quartzsite is just a tiny town in the middle of the desert in southwest Arizona.

And now you may ask, so why am I here? I actually came here for the winter season, because the months of January and February are the big tourist season here, believe it or not. It's a good place to be if you are a rockhound and prospector and outdoors lover. I can sell my rocks and stuff, and be outside all winter long because its nice and warm. And so, I reiterate, here I am camped out in the desert in Quartzsite, AZ. I am on BLM land. There are no amenities out here, 3 miles out from town. Just desert with a few porta-potties randomly placed in designated camping areas. I am camping in my build-it-myself, work-in progress van camper. I don’t have a lot of luxuries, but I have what I need to live rather comfortably.

I am thankful for good camping gear. My Mammut sleeping bag and North Face outer wear and base layers have been keeping me toasty during cold desert nights that have gone down into the low twenties a few times. Daytime is rather pleasant- in the 60s and now getting into the 70s, but with nightfall comes chilly temps. A heavy LL Bean fleece has helped a lot too. As all outdoors folk will attest to, the key to comfort, and sometimes survival, in the outdoors is good, reliable gear.

Which brings me to my trusty Whisperlite International backpacking stove and how it saved the day. I came home…home being my campsite out in the desert…and proceeded to cook my dinner on my Coleman 2-burner propane stove. About halfway through, with a potful of still uncooked pasta, my propane ran out. I knew it had been getting low, but I’d been too busy to buy more. I could have started a campfire to finish cooking on, but that would have taken too long. What to do?

Being the kind of person that is always prepared for anything, I remembered about my backpacking stove and how many trips it had taken me reliably through. Digging through my pack, I found my stove and my fuel, put it together, pumped up the pressure, grabbed my lighter, and whoosh! Within minutes I had beautiful blue flame on which to continue cooking my dinner. My backpacking stove saved the day. My trusted Whisperlite had once again filled my stomach with hot tasty food out in the middle of nowhere. Or the center of everywhere, depending on who you ask.

Going to Palo Duro Canyon, Plus, Lots of New Articles Published

2009-11-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not written for a while, but I have been on several ten day stretches back to back- only a day off here and there. Today my colleagues and I spent the day doing physical labor- rebuilding some trails around camp that washed out during all that rain we had. That was actually less stressful than teaching when all the kids are here for the Outdoor Ed program. I do love teaching kids things like paddling and climbing but it is very physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding.

So tommorrow is the last day of teaching for the semester- a group of 6th graders coming out for the day. I will be leading a small hike and belaying 30 or so kids on the climbing wall. And then....on the road again.

I'll be off exploring Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons, and several other areas in the Panhandle of Texas. It will be nice to sleep out under the stars without a bunch of kids along. It will be cold at night, but no worries- my Mammut sleeping bag is rated to 0 degrees so I will be fine.

I have just published several more articles. Here are the links for them. Please check them out.

A Fun Granola Recipe to Make with Kids

Making the Most of Your European Backpacking Trip

Camper Vans: The Best Vehicles for Road Trips

The 5 Best Ways to Spend Your Winter Vacation in the Everglades

Thanks for checking out my articles! I welcome questions and comments. I bid you adieu for now. I am going off to play and explore in remote canyons away from 5th graders (and everyone else for that matter) to rejuvenate my spirit and my energy as I ponder the beauty of the rugged west Texas canyonlands and find some cool rocks and stuff.

Jedidiah Free

One Good Thing About All The Rain

2009-10-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

One good thing about all the rain we've had lately is that I have done alot of writing during my time inside. Check out my two new articles that have been published on Associated Content:

Five Essentials for Women Traveling Alone

6 Ways to Save Money and Stay Healthy

New Article Published

2009-10-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys! Check out my article on Associated Content about the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Preserve in Oklahoma.

A Rare and Ancient Treasure in the Oklahoma Mountains

Now That The Sun is Shining

2009-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

The sun has been shining now for a few days. Pretty amazing. I almost forgot what the sun looked and felt like. I go south for the winter because I really don’t enjoy cold dreary weather. Growing up in the Northeast, I remember the long, cold, dreary winters. We didn’t really get much snow. It was mostly just cold and wet for the entire winter. Dry cold is different than wet cold. I’ve been in dry cold. It is easier to stay warm in dry cold. But wet cold chills to the bone, and then it takes a really long time to get warm again. I remember that I used to get pretty sick of being cold all the time.

After 6 weeks of cold rainy weather, my nice tan complexion is fading and my attitude has begun to go with it. Thank goodness the sun is out again. Being out in the fresh air and sunshine is crucial to my happiness and good health.

Several years ago I went to Northern Norway – to the Land of the Midnight Sun- way north of the Arctic Circle. In the summer time the sun never sets. That’s why it’s called Midnight Sun. The opposite happens in the winter- the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. The brightest it gets is like dusk and then the sun dips down below the horizon again. Continual darkness affects the people very negatively. The depression rate goes up, the suicide rate goes up, the rate of drunkenness goes up. I understand that really well after the past 6 weeks of rain. Even though it wasn’t total darkness, the gloominess was really beginning to get to me.

Here’s some food for thought: does the rise in childhood depression have anything to do with the rise in indoor activity? Kids spend way more time watching TV, playing video and computer games, and hanging out on the internet than they used to even a half-generation ago. We can look at the correlation between obesity and these things. How about depression? Does the fact that kids don’t go outside and play as much anymore have something to do with this? I wonder how many kids could be taken off meds if they were going outside to play in the fresh air and sunshine every day inside of sitting in front of a screen soaking up artificial lighting? Now I know there are many more factors that weigh in here, but it’s just something I considered in light of all the rain and gloominess.

We hear a lot about the negative effects of sunlight, like skin cancer, and how to protect ourselves from the sun. But how much do we really know about the positive, and possibly vital, effects sunlight has on our health and well-being? Studies are starting to be done that look at this. NDD (Nature Deficit Disorder and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) are being given a lot of weight lately. No Child Left Inside legislation provides funding for outdoor education programs so kids can learn about Nature out in Nature. In my opinion if we got back to our roots and got outside more, many of the problems kids have today like ADD and ADHD, childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and the like would probably disappear.

When I was a kid, my Mom couldn't keep me inside- even when the weather was nasty. My brother and I were always out hiking, playing in the streams or the woods, riding our bikes, playing sports, or any number of things. I could be happy all day collecting rocks or exploring the woods. As an instructor in "outdoor stuff" I have seen kids' entire perspective on the world change when they experience some new outdoor activity like rockhounding or paddling, and they are used to only doing indoor things. Let's get the kids out there hiking, climbing, rockhounding, and camping. Get a gold pan in their hands and take them down to a stream and let them "play in the mud". Take them hunting and fishing.

I wonder how many of the problems with the kids today would be solved if they spent more time outdoors? Just food for thought. As for me, I'm getting away from my computer and going outside to play.

-Jedidiah Free

When Will It Stop Raining?

2009-10-13T13:36:00.001-07:00

There is so much talk about climate change these days. The debate is going strong. The way I look at it is, while I read alot about the facts and the evidence, listen to the debates, and understand all the theories, nothing beats a good history of personal experiences. I have been on the road for a long time, living, rockhounding, prospecting, and working in various places for usually anywhere from 1 week to 6 months at a time. Everywhere I have been for the past few years the weather story is the same: "This is the most unusual weather we have EVER had." It is either the rainiest, the hottest, the coldest, or the stormiest season ever recorded.

When I was in Louisiana it was the worst hurricane season. When I was in Florida for the winter and the temperature was in the 100's in March, it was the hottest it had EVER been in March. Several of the places I have been have had the rainiest wet seasons they have ever had, with floods and flash floods in record numbers. Now I am in Texas. I am working as a paddling, hiking, archery, and climbing instructor in outdoor education. The keyword here is "Outdoor". My co-workers and I have realized that, with the exception of one or two sunny days, it has pretty much rained here for over a month straight. We have been counting. After all, we are outside in the rain every day. We ought to know. And all I have heard for the past month is how NOT normal this much rain is for this part of Texas at this time of the year.

Now, maybe I have a cloud following me around like Pigpen in the Peanuts who brings his dust with him everywhere he goes. Or maybe there really is something to this climate change stuff. There really is no denying all the times and places lately that I have heard the locals say "this is the worse weather we have ever had". In addition to all the rain, the temperatures have been much colder here than they are supposed to be here in the beginning of October. At the same time, on the news there is record cold in Colorado and record heat in Arizona, and the list goes on.

It is quite obvious that things are not normal and are out of balance. So while there are Climate Change Summits taking place, Debates going on, Books being written, Legislation being argued, and Research being done by people who are INSIDE all day long everyday, those of us who spend our lives OUTSIDE can tell you that something is definately wrong.

About 8 months ago I splurged and bought some really expensive rain gear- Marmot Precip to be exact. I saw it reviewed in Backpacker magazine and then I caught it on sale at REI. Maybe that was the day I also purchased the rain cloud that has been following me. I can honestly say that with all the "worst and most rain we have ever seen here" that I have encountered since I bought that rain gear, I no longer doubt the wisdom of that investment. Being prepared for the worst has taken on new meaning with all the crazy changes in the environment. It makes me wonder how much more prepared we need to start being- and what types of "worsts" might be in store in the future to try to be prepared for.

I don't know about you, but I will be prepared, no matter what happens.

ROCKS IN MY HEAD

Singing The Blues: Turquoise vs. Chrysacolla

GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT- Arizona Placer Gold Deposits

QUARTZSITE: THE ROCK CAPITOL OF THE WORLD- Well America Anyway

FIRE IN THE DESERT- ARIZONA FIRE AGATES

BLACK HILLS ROCKHOUND AREA

Rocks, Coffee Tables, and Percolators

Stop Signs, Canyons, and Pretty Rocks

Rocks, Gold Mines, and Desert Kayaking

HAPPY TURKEY DAY from SUNNY QUARTZSITE!

Stories, Stories, and More Stories

The Real Deadwood: True Life Histories of Will Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, Outlaw Towns, and Other Characters of the Lawless West http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596090316/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Deadwood:

Stories of the Black Hills http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596912391/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Gold Rush:

The Black Hills Story

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962262196/?tag=roinmyhe-20

Deadwood:

Music From HBO Original Series [Soundtrack]

Opportunity, and the Lack Thereof

Decisions, Decisions, and More Decisions

Rocks, Jerks, and Delayed Gratification

Opening Day: (Mis)Adventures in Arizona and Elsewhere.

Ready Or Not, Here I Am

Rocks, Gold, and Buckets of Dirt

Wonderful Wonderstone!!

Oh How I Love the Desert in the Fall

Back Again, and In Style

How my Whisperlite Saved The Day

Going to Palo Duro Canyon, Plus, Lots of New Articles Published

One Good Thing About All The Rain

New Article Published

Now That The Sun is Shining

When Will It Stop Raining?

Stories of the Black Hills http ://www.amazon.com/dp/1596912391/?tag=roinmyhe-20