textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Jun 12, 2005 10:55:27 GMT -5
I'm going to be in Portland for a friend's wedding early next month. I've managed to schedule a single day where I don't have any obligations.
Any recommendations on one where a fellow could go rock hounding and what he might find? Because I'm not terribly familiar with the area, I figure I ought to try to stay withing 90 mins or so of Portland. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 12, 2005 14:39:09 GMT -5
i've only been in Portland once, but i's an amazingly nice city with loads of stuff to do and see. i'm not sure about rock hounding locations near there, but i'm sure if you contacted a local club they may be able to point you in the right direstion. here is an interesting link: www.bovagems.com/eclectic/HTML/19980501_9805OROCK.htmlwe went on kind of a loop run one day and visited the World Famous Tillamook Cheese Factory then headed north up the coast (amazing scenery) and back towards Portland following the Columbia River. Multnomah Falls is breathtaking and is the second largest falls in the US (Niagara being first) whose water actually hits the ground. (bridels veil is taller but the water evaporates before it hits the ground)...anyway, there is also a day trip you can take to visit MT. Hood, spectacular scenery again. hey, have fun, take pictures!! KD |
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jun 12, 2005 20:29:10 GMT -5
It's a bit further than you want to drive (120 miles - will take about 3 hours), but Richardson' Ranch just outside of Madras, www.richardsonrockranch.com/, is a great introduction to Oregon rocks. It's a fee dig for thundereggs. Take cold water and snacks as it gets hot there in July and the dig area is 20 minutes down a dirt road. We take our Saturn on this road so any car you have will do fine. An hour of easy digging with the rock hammer that they will loan to you will give you more thundereggs than you will want to take on a plane home. Another possibility are the beaches west of Tillamock. It's the wrong time of the year but you still may be able to find some beach agates and jasper. You will not be allowed to take any rocks but Mt St Helens is a must see for any rockhound or anyone with any interest in geology. The upper visitor center, the Johnston Ridge Observatory, just reopened. www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/ |
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Jun 21, 2005 0:02:41 GMT -5
Thanks Steve. I probably will head to the beach. Be nice to have cool water for a change.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jun 21, 2005 20:37:26 GMT -5
It's hard to go wrong with the Oregon Coast. If you go to Oceanside, a small tourist community west of Tillamook - park in the public lot next to the restaurant. There is a large sandy beach - perfect for beach combing, kite flying, bird watching and the such. At the north end of this beach is a man made tunnel to another small beach. This beach is protected by islands and generally has very little sand. It was here we found our second largest beach agate. Also the basalt rocks has crystal lined cavities. The problem is to find a piece of basalt with exposed crystals that is small enough to collect. The restaurant is expensive and a bit fancy, but the view and the food make it worth the cost.
South of Oceanside is Cape Lookout State park. There is a charge for parking, $3, $5??. During the winter this beach is full of agates. It will probably be sanded over this time of year. Still a great place to visit.
Enjoy.
Steve
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Jun 22, 2005 8:13:42 GMT -5
Hey tex, can't help with the rocks, but there is a place you should visit if you can. It's called "Lucky Dog Brewery", and according to my T-shirt that I got there, they make "Dogone good beer!". It's really a "brewpub" and is quite large. Lot's of dart boards.  Ron |
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