syfun
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2009
Posts: 85
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Post by syfun on Feb 13, 2009 22:29:39 GMT -5
I'm trying to plan a 4-5 day rockhounding vacation for late July and wanted to get a little away from our usual area (Michigan). Or really find something we don't have around here. I've read of Monroe Lake in Indiana and the geodes there, but everything I have read was from 2006. Has anyone been there lately and where are the best places to find geodes? Does anyone know of anywhere else for some nice pickings within a days drive from the Detroit area?
Thanks
Steve
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Feb 14, 2009 1:28:56 GMT -5
Not sure how you get access, but Flint Ridge flint from Ohio is world famous. Used by knappers to make arrowheads, and for lapidary work it takes a glorius polish.
-Don
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Post by llana2go on Feb 14, 2009 8:45:24 GMT -5
I was going thru some of my polished stones and saw some Flint Ridge Flint I did several years ago. Beautiful stuff and sure wish I had some more.
I think the area where it could be collected has been made into a state park and there's no collecting now. Not sure though, so you might want to check it out.
llana
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syfun
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2009
Posts: 85
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Post by syfun on Feb 14, 2009 10:20:18 GMT -5
Thanks Don and llana
I did some quick searches online. That Flint Ridge Flint looks really cool! All different colors and it polishes up nice, just what we're looking for. I'll have to search some more to see if there are any areas left that allow collecting. I ran across the state park, but they don't allow collecting.
Steve
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 15, 2009 14:50:18 GMT -5
You might try checking out local rock clubs. There is a national federation of rockhounding organizations that could put you in touch with the locals. Depending on where you are, Cave In Rock Illinois might not be too far away, and I've seen pics of some outstanding agate from Ohio. There are geode localities in both Kentucky and Indiana that might be worth checking out. Eastern Ohio and western pennsylvania might offer some good fossil hunting, among other things. Sorry I can't be more specific. You could also check out the state geological survey for each state. Theose websites often contain information about collecting, and local university geology departments might offer someresources. Good luck!
Mark H. .
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Post by connrock on Feb 16, 2009 6:05:15 GMT -5
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 17, 2009 20:50:05 GMT -5
Hi Steve,
You can still collect Flint Ridge Flint, just not at the park. If you google it, you'll be able to come up with the name of a farm that allows fee collecting and is just outside the park. Sorry I can't remember the name. You have to bring equipment and work it out of the host rock; hard work. There's a rock shop in Cincinnati (The Gold Bug, I think) that sells it for $5/lb.
If you're in the Cincinnati area, you can go to Caesar Creek State Park and collect fossils. Mostly brachiopods, bryozoans, and horn corals. There are supposed to be trilobites, but I've never found any.
Hope that helps!
Chuck
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syfun
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2009
Posts: 85
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Post by syfun on Feb 18, 2009 18:27:44 GMT -5
Mark H, I found some Ohio clubs and sent emails. I have already had contact back from two of them. That was very helpful. One of them mentioned the John Nether's farm, which may be the one Chuck is talking about.
Of course after looking into how much work is involved, I don't think it would be a "fun" vacation for my 6 and 10 year olds. They're used to just picking up pretty rocks, not working for them. Maybe in a few years.
Thank you everyone for your help.
Steve
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 18, 2009 18:55:35 GMT -5
Yup, that's the one!
Caesar Creek is easy picking's, but that's a drive from Detroit.
Chuck
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docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
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Post by docharber on Feb 19, 2009 21:38:16 GMT -5
I know just what you mean. I have been careful to keep our trips with the kids short and to go with expert company to avoid fruitless hunting. I think once they get the bug, kids will work like bees to bring home the good stuff. Mine are 10 and 14, and a little more ambitious than when they were younger. If you're in detroit, you can always make weekend trips to collect Lake Superior agatyes or copper from the upper peninsula. I checked out the links Connrock posted. and found out about prospecting opportunities I'm going to explore when I am back home this spring to East Tennessee. There are state by state write-ups of different sites that make interesting reading. Lots of pictures, too.
Mark H.
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