Rocks.
Almost all of our family
(except the weird ones...ssssshhhh...)
are rock hounds.
Living in the high mountains of Arizona we are always amazed and delighted by all the choices there are to search for.
Sunday we met up with a friend who knew where there were geode and lava fields close by.
Now.
Imagine this.
Temperatures in the high 60's. Perfectly clear later winter sky with just the faintest wisps of bridal veil clouds.
Driving across streams and parking on a lava shelf.
Hiking a short distance to find a field paved with river and lava rock and sprinkled with enough geodes that the Grandlittles, Daughter-in-law and my constant delighted shrieks of "I found one" made a constant hum in the quiet valley.
We hiked up a little further to find a low waterfall. The lichened top rocks covered in shallow, but quick moving water, proved interesting to cross. Our lovely girls guide me carefully each step of the way so I wouldn't fall.
On the other side of the waterfall were huge low waves of matte gray lava beds. Here and there petrified logs sparkled.
Being semi-prepared rock hunters, the chisels, goggles and hammers came out.
We all bemoaned the lack of our spud bars.
The muddy, wet journey home was spent re-living practically every rock found.
Ah.
It was a lovely day.
The day and the memories of it will warm my heart for many days to come.
Almost all of our family
(except the weird ones...ssssshhhh...)
are rock hounds.
Living in the high mountains of Arizona we are always amazed and delighted by all the choices there are to search for.
Sunday we met up with a friend who knew where there were geode and lava fields close by.
Now.
Imagine this.
Temperatures in the high 60's. Perfectly clear later winter sky with just the faintest wisps of bridal veil clouds.
Driving across streams and parking on a lava shelf.
Hiking a short distance to find a field paved with river and lava rock and sprinkled with enough geodes that the Grandlittles, Daughter-in-law and my constant delighted shrieks of "I found one" made a constant hum in the quiet valley.
We hiked up a little further to find a low waterfall. The lichened top rocks covered in shallow, but quick moving water, proved interesting to cross. Our lovely girls guide me carefully each step of the way so I wouldn't fall.
On the other side of the waterfall were huge low waves of matte gray lava beds. Here and there petrified logs sparkled.
Being semi-prepared rock hunters, the chisels, goggles and hammers came out.
The muddy, wet journey home was spent re-living practically every rock found.
Ah.
It was a lovely day.
The day and the memories of it will warm my heart for many days to come.
Petrified rocks - they're worth looking for! Your pic where the cars are parked - it still looks pretty wet there (leftover of snow?)...
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, these are nice pictures of a fun hunt. It looks like you parked at the end road to the end of the world. Mrs. Jim's cousin lives on the other end in a forest in Louisiana. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for peeking in on my 'Rock' post for your meme. Yes, they do make us feel good, I just looked out at them this morning and commented that they really spruce the place up back there in the corner.
Comment Moderation takes hold after my posts are up for either 10 or 14 days, a setting I have had ever since I got Spammed by a person who writes in Chinese. They may have left the plans for the 3rd WW, I don't know for sure. The ones I ran through an interpreter were non applying but not porno writings. Some are still up as I don't know where they all are. Another reason I don't take Anonymous anymore.
I have some rocks from our travels, my favorites are river rocks from China, lava Hawaii, and petrified wood from East Texas. Mostly fave's because I know where these came from and they also are fairly large.
Will see you in a few minutes for item WH #14. Mine is up now.
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Great post Jenny! To have some similar interests with family members is an awesome thing. It's easy to see that the girls were really enjoying themselves.
ReplyDeleteI would love an adventure like that one! I'm glad you had such a good time.
ReplyDeleteThis is my idea of a perfect day…made even better by sharing it with the grandkids!
ReplyDelete=)