wildshack
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2007
Posts: 80
|
Post by wildshack on Feb 19, 2007 6:12:18 GMT -5
New to board and rock collecting and tumbling. I have a 7 yr old daughter, who of course got me into this hobby. Bought the book "Gem Trails of Northern California" and it has been helpful in locating some areas for collecting. Was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for in and around Sonoma County that a 7 year old would enjoy.
Thank you
|
|
rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
|
Post by rallyrocks on Feb 19, 2007 9:43:24 GMT -5
I've picked up some nice dark red/gray brecciated jasper from a vein that is exposed right near where 128 hits the old 101 coming into Cloverdale. You can park at the Hamburger Ranch and Pasta Farm, (also a great spot for lunch) walk about, oh I don't know, maybe 20 yards south, staying on the west side of the road and you are there. There are usually loose pieces at the foot of the road cut, but if that isn't sufficient, a pick hammer can pull out some bigger pieces. It is pretty hard material, expect it to need a few weeks in course before it starts to shape up. When it does, well then after all the other stages- it looks like this:  |
|
rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
|
Post by rollingstone on Feb 20, 2007 4:32:12 GMT -5
Ooh, nice tumble! If you've posted pics of this before, I must have missed them, so it's great to see them here!
-Don
|
|
wildshack
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2007
Posts: 80
|
Post by wildshack on Feb 20, 2007 7:36:57 GMT -5
Thank you, Rallyrock.
We will have to try that area. Did get some nice Jade and Jasper at Hearst and also some nice oil agate and a piece of petrified bone from Bolinas with her. Of course, the "Petrified prehistoric mud" is her favorite:)
|
|
smadelinker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2005
Posts: 47
|
Post by smadelinker on Feb 24, 2007 18:02:48 GMT -5
Here's a spot I didn't see in Gem Trails. I've had some luck finding rocks along the Russian River in Healdsburg. We took the 101 offramp into downtown Healdsburg and made a right (which street?) up to a public access spot for the River, about 2.5 miles from the town square. You can wade out into the water, pretty shallow, and pick up rocks of various sizes. Downtown Healdsburg has a few nice candy/ice cream shops and of course some wine-tasting rooms  My sister says there are some quarries upriver from there but we are no good at all in identifying the rocks! I'm tumbling a load right now and will post pictures later. smadelinker |
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Feb 27, 2007 0:48:59 GMT -5
Oh this is weird. I grew up in Healdsburg! You probably meant Mathison Street but I am not familear with the public access point. At Memorial beach there's not much as far as rocks because they bring in sand every year to make a beach. I think if you drive up fitch Mt. (continuing up Matheson) there's a public access beach. I know there are lots of rocky beaches along the river from Healdsburg to Guernville.
One spot I like to go in the summertime (not now due to the winter weather) is Goat Rock. There's a sweet collecting spot on the little beach to the left. You park at the rock and walk to the smaller beach on the left instead of the main one everybody goes to. About halfway down the beach there's a spot where it gets rocky. There's lots of goodies in there that are good tumbler size. My favorite is the yellow and red jaspers.
BTW, Wildshack, are you the one I met at the Hopland rock shop on the 24th? Glad to see you found the board! This a great place with a wealth of knowledge and lots of nice people who share this fun hobby.
Steve
|
|
wildshack
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2007
Posts: 80
|
Post by wildshack on Feb 27, 2007 8:18:41 GMT -5
Rocklicker, sorry haven't been to Hopland Rock shop yet. But will try. Currently planning a trip to Reno, NV in April. I have been talking to Bill Foster about visiting his quartz mine and it seems to be a go:) Wish me alot of luck, as will need it:)
|
|
smadelinker
starting to shine!
Member since October 2005
Posts: 47
|
Post by smadelinker on Mar 2, 2007 23:34:53 GMT -5
Yeah, rocklicker, it's Fitch Mt. Road, up from the main square... we were there for a week, rented a house so I didn't recall the street names. Memorial Beach is downriver from where we were hunting. In the water are the smaller rocks; if you have a saw (I don't!) along the beach are larger rocks.
|
|
My sister says there are some quarries upriver from there but we are no good at all in identifying the rocks! I'm tumbling a load right now and will post pictures later.
