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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 7, 2016 17:39:15 GMT -5
We stopped here after a visit to the Petrified Forest National Park during our Summer vacation to Flagstaff. This is an awesome location1 We arrived unannounced and wandered around until we found one of the employees who got one of the family members. Tanya showed us around the Curio Museum, Grandfather Frank's old home, which is now filled with polished and rough rocks and petrified wood as well as collected items from his youth. It was pretty interesting. She then gave us the tour of the ranch and where we could collect petrified wood; which is basically anywhere on their property. Tanya was really great to meet and she collected a lot of stuff for my wife to give to her first grade class. The property backs up to the south entrance of the Petrified Forest so the material you'll collect is similar to what you saw in the park. As I had forgotten to bring any of my tools, we contented ourselves with surface collecting which yielded about 80 lbs. of materials in about 90 minutes. We had a great time! Make sure to swing by here when you visit the park. Now, on to some logistics: 1. The road is on the north side of highway 180, approximately three miles north of the southern entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park. The entrance is simple a gate/cattle guard with a hand painted red and white sign. It is easy to miss. If you are coming south on 180 from Holbrook, it will be on your left. If you reach the National Park, you've gone too far. 2. Go through the gate and make an immediate right turn so you're paralleling (more or less) Highway 180 and heading south towards the park. The road will slowly veer away from Highway 180 heading more due east. You'll go about three miles. When you come to a second gate you'll have arrived at the museum and collecting area. 3. The Curio Museum will be immediately on your right. It'll look like a house because that's what it was. Park there. If you don't see anyone immediately around, walk towards the warehouse and see if anyone is around. That's where I found the employee. 4. Bring five gallon buckets as that's how they charge. Tools are optional. There was so much lying around on the surface we didn't really need them. 5. Tanya will show you where to collect. Stay on the Dobell Ranch property as there are other claims in the area. 6. Bring water if you're there during Summer. You can drive up there with regular passenger cars. The road is a bit rough and is not maintained but isn't a problem. So, skip the rock shops in Holbrook and the gift stores at the south entrance of the Petrified Forest. They'll gouge you on pricing. Collect it here and enjoy the opportunity to find your own petrified wood. Photos: Part of the Museum: Petrified Wood: Collecting Really wanted this one … Nathaniel came to help … No dice … What we ended up hauling out: Shown wet after cleaning. Some are in the tumbler and on the vib lap now. First cut. Some of you have seen Andrew and Nathaniel "grow up" via forum pics. Andrew is now three or four inches taller than Mommy and Nathaniel is not that far behind ... They grow up so fast. Barbara also managed to get a photo of a local: Thanks for checking the thread out.
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utdigger
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since January 2012
Posts: 84
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Post by utdigger on Aug 7, 2016 22:00:53 GMT -5
Great trip report. Thanks for the photos. Too busy looking for specimens a couple of years ago when we went there to take pics. Great place and people and great value. Went to the other rock shops to look at their museum pieces (way out of my price range) but spent our money at DoBell. Tanya also gave us a bunch of pieces for my daughter-in-law's third grade class. Would love to go back some day.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Aug 7, 2016 22:33:30 GMT -5
Nice trip report Paul! thank you. This piece of rainbow wood is just off the charts!
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 7, 2016 23:37:13 GMT -5
Great trip report. Thanks for the photos. Too busy looking for specimens a couple of years ago when we went there to take pics. Great place and people and great value. Went to the other rock shops to look at their museum pieces (way out of my price range) but spent our money at DoBell. Tanya also gave us a bunch of pieces for my daughter-in-law's third grade class. Would love to go back some day. utdigger: This is a place I would definitely make a return visit to! As you say, great people, value, and place!
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 7, 2016 23:38:47 GMT -5
Nice trip report Paul! thank you. This piece of rainbow wood is just off the charts! Thanks, Tommy! How are things up north? Haven't been back in a bit more than a year since we moved my parents down here to a retirement resort (literally). Miss visiting the Bay Area! Thanks for the comment on the wood. This was such a great place to visit ... the materials were just everywhere.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,673
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Post by Tommy on Aug 8, 2016 1:08:34 GMT -5
Thanks, Tommy! How are things up north? Haven't been back in a bit more than a year since we moved my parents down here to a retirement resort (literally). Miss visiting the Bay Area! Thanks for the comment on the wood. This was such a great place to visit ... the materials were just everywhere. Thanks Paul - things are good here as always. We are blessed to live in a beautiful spot like this with so much open space around. 6 mile hike at Shell Ridge today - I know you know where that is haha.
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Aug 8, 2016 1:50:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip and the photos. That sounds like a great field trip. Like your avatar too! I'm thinking Cthulhu's chances are improving each election cycle!
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Post by orrum on Aug 8, 2016 7:54:38 GMT -5
Great trip, Thanx for taking us along!!!
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rodeodan
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rodeodan on Aug 8, 2016 8:59:57 GMT -5
thanks for sharing, that park is on our list of sites to visit
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 8, 2016 13:05:55 GMT -5
Wow, excellent report and beautiful finds. We used to hunt tumble sized wood along the road out by Woodruff and then go to a place called Griers Milky Ranch for fee collecting. Think it used to be 50 cents per pound at the fee place. How much are they charging now days Paul? I visited the park a few years ago and was amazed at how much wood has disappeared compared to earlier visits. Some folks are very uncool for taking from the park when there are fee sites nearby.
I noosed one of those Collared Lizards at Griers. He promptly bit a small hunk off the edge of my thumb as I was freeing him from the noose and swallowed it. Those rascals are lightning fast and can really bite!.....Mel
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 8, 2016 22:26:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Tommy! How are things up north? Haven't been back in a bit more than a year since we moved my parents down here to a retirement resort (literally). Miss visiting the Bay Area! Thanks for the comment on the wood. This was such a great place to visit ... the materials were just everywhere. Thanks Paul - things are good here as always. We are blessed to live in a beautiful spot like this with so much open space around. 6 mile hike at Shell Ridge today - I know you know where that is haha. Yes, sir! And I do miss the Bay Area. Lots of memoriss hiking through those hills as a kid.
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 8, 2016 22:27:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip and the photos. That sounds like a great field trip. Like your avatar too! I'm thinking Cthulhu's chances are improving each election cycle! dottyt - LOL, and yes, great field trip. A place I would jump at the chance to go back to. Thanks for checking out the post.
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 8, 2016 22:32:47 GMT -5
Wow, excellent report and beautiful finds. We used to hunt tumble sized wood along the road out by Woodruff and then go to a place called Griers Milky Ranch for fee collecting. Think it used to be 50 cents per pound at the fee place. How much are they charging now days Paul? I visited the park a few years ago and was amazed at how much wood has disappeared compared to earlier visits. Some folks are very uncool for taking from the park when there are fee sites nearby. I noosed one of those Collared Lizards at Griers. He promptly bit a small hunk off the edge of my thumb as I was freeing him from the noose and swallowed it. Those rascals are lightning fast and can really bite!.....Mel Hey, Mel ( Sabre52). I think Tonya charged me $28 for a five gallon bucket although she wasn't all that strict about it. We hauled off a bit more than five gallons and she was encouraging me to drive my wife's Pilot up closer and just throw things in the back! She was great. All in, I think it worked out to around 80 lbs ($0.35/pound). She was very generous and helped us find stuff along the way. I concur regarding your comments on theft from the National Park. Definitely NOT cool. Shoot, this place was around the corner from the south entrance ... literally. Support the local business while you're on vacation! Still tumbling those Rio's I picked up from you earlier this year. Finally ... LOL EDIT - I didn't know those collard lizards would bite!
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wampidytoo
has rocks in the head
Add 5016 to my post count.
Member since June 2013
Posts: 709
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Post by wampidytoo on Aug 9, 2016 6:45:50 GMT -5
paulshiroma, Paul Shiroma, Paul Shiroma you gotta slow those boys down some, they are pushing my age up way to fast. When you first started posting those boys were just little guys helping you. Now they look like they could carry you out if you stub your toe or something. You always put together great trip reports and this is no exception. Oh yeah, and superb rock too. How many kiddies are in your wife's class? You just never know what might pop up. Jim
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 9, 2016 12:20:03 GMT -5
paulshiroma, Paul Shiroma, Paul Shiroma you gotta slow those boys down some, they are pushing my age up way to fast. When you first started posting those boys were just little guys helping you. Now they look like they could carry you out if you stub your toe or something. You always put together great trip reports and this is no exception. Oh yeah, and superb rock too. How many kiddies are in your wife's class? You just never know what might pop up. Jim Jim! ( wampidytoo) Great to see you again! I see you've changed accounts. Thanks for checking out the thread. Yes, boys are getting up there and our grocery and clothing budget is going to force me to get a second job LOL. My wife is scheduled to have 23 in her class this year although that can increase with late additions (or decrease). She and the other teachers are already back at school getting rooms and curriculum ready. Summer, unfortunately, is almost over!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 9, 2016 12:55:10 GMT -5
What a great trip, report and mighty fine pics. I especially like the one Tommy reposted too, sweet! Can't believe how fast those boys are growing! Jean
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Post by txrockhunter on Aug 9, 2016 14:37:15 GMT -5
Sweet thread, Paul!!!
I will be heading out to AZ in September and now I have a new stop to make!!! Thanks for posting the thread and I will pack my 5 gallon buckets!
Jeremy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2016 17:59:26 GMT -5
Sweet thread, Paul!!! I will be heading out to AZ in September and now I have a new stop to make!!! Thanks for posting the thread and I will pack my 5 gallon buckets! Jeremy Note to self, pack buckets and a hoyer lift for that big log......
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Aug 9, 2016 19:16:57 GMT -5
Wow Paul, that is a very reasonable price as Az wood is a really nice cutting or tumbling material. Our AZ wood hunts were always a favorite hunt of mine, especially in the spring. That hunk with the purple you got is especially beautiful. Thanks for letting us live your hunt vicariously from our air conditioned homes *S*....Mel
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Post by paulshiroma on Aug 9, 2016 22:17:23 GMT -5
Sweet thread, Paul!!! I will be heading out to AZ in September and now I have a new stop to make!!! Thanks for posting the thread and I will pack my 5 gallon buckets! Jeremy Yes, this is a definite stop for anyone within a three hour drive, txrockhunter. Or more for those hard core types. After seeing the trip report from barclay, I had to add this to the list of stops. That and looking at homes for sale in Flagstaff. Gosh, I'd love to move there.
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