rockymom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 118
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Post by rockymom on Aug 13, 2018 12:51:26 GMT -5
Hello All,
We literally just moved to Houston from Florida. It is time to change gears again. I had so much fun in north Florida beach combing. I found so many shells, pounds of sharks teeth, 100's of fossilized bones, portions of ship wrecks, floats, an arrow head, and on and on, all on a gorgeous nearly vacant beach. Aside from the rocks that I brought out to put in the garden I forgot about rock hounding. Out of sight out of mind.
So they say Texas is a great rock hounding state, yeah. Maybe not near where I live, it is a huge master planned community where all rock hunting occurs in landscape rocks.
I love to surface collect, not really into digging. I have looked at the maps and gem trails, nothing looks near to me, as in going to take the dog for a hike and pick up rocks type of place.
Any other rock hounds out there near Houston, I am in Sugar land? Any suggestions?
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 13, 2018 12:55:52 GMT -5
Can't help, but welcome back. Your nearly deserted beach sounds awesome! But, yeah, more rocks in Texas.
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 13, 2018 13:44:40 GMT -5
Hello All, We literally just moved to Houston from Florida. It is time to change gears again. I had so much fun in north Florida beach combing. I found so many shells, pounds of sharks teeth, 100's of fossilized bones, portions of ship wrecks, floats, an arrow head, and on and on, all on a gorgeous nearly vacant beach. Aside from the rocks that I brought out to put in the garden I forgot about rock hounding. Out of sight out of mind. So they say Texas is a great rock hounding state, yeah. Maybe not near where I live, it is a huge master planned community where all rock hunting occurs in landscape rocks. I love to surface collect, not really into digging. I have looked at the maps and gem trails, nothing looks near to me, as in going to take the dog for a hike and pick up rocks type of place. Any other rock hounds out there near Houston, I am in Sugar land? Any suggestions? Northwest Houston here. Good news, bad news. Texas is covered with lots of collecting material. Unfortunately 97% of the State is private land so collecting is by permission only. There is some material to be found in River Beds and Road Sides, mostly Petrified Wood. The prime Agate area is mostly in West Texas, Marfa, Alpine and the Big Bend area. There is a Lady, Teri Smith, who has permission to access several Ranches in the West Texas area and she takes folks out. Her trips usually run Spring and Fall. I have not seen a schedule for any Fall trips yet. There is always the Houston Gem and Mineral Society, they are fairly large and active. There are some remote beaches in Texas where some Fossils and such can be found. They are mostly east from Galveston towards Port Arthur. Question for you, do you cut and polish? tumble? or just like finding neat rocks? Henry
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rockymom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 118
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Post by rockymom on Aug 13, 2018 15:35:20 GMT -5
Hank hello and thank you for the reply. Those field trips look like so much fun but are a long drive from the Houston area, over 10 hours! Right now I am trying to acclimate to the weather. It is hot in Florida but I am not used to the continuous hot wind in Houston.
I may just visit the Katy rock shop and see where that takes me.............
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 22, 2018 15:32:28 GMT -5
Southwest Houston here. The Houston Gem and Mineral Society is definitely worth your time, particularly if you need access to a shop. The membership price is righteous, and the annual show in November is worth your time (not as much rough as I'd like, but I still get some good slabs). The club also takes field trips from time to time. Website is hgms.org. There is a swath of petrified wood to be found from Somerville to College Station. You can find decent wood on Madisonville country roads. And a three-hour jog to the Three Rivers and George West area to prowl county roads is definitely a well-spent day when the weather is more moderate. You will find terrific shrinkwood and a lil bit of palm. Johnson's Rock Shop in Livingston is supposed to be great -- I've never been. Finally, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has a terrific Paleo Hall and the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals is not to be missed.
Matt
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rockymom
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2015
Posts: 118
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Post by rockymom on Aug 24, 2018 9:16:44 GMT -5
Hi Matt,
Thank you for the response. Honestly I am having a hard time adjusting to it here. I am living in total endless suburbia plus it really does not feel like Texas, I feel like I live in a suburb of Washington. DC. It is very nice and upscale and all but boring and hot. And not scenic.
Florida has such a fun feel to it plus it is beautiful, even the not so nice areas of north Florida are full of palm trees and large moss covered oaks. Plus the beach, full of treasures to pick up and ponder.
So with that said I am planning a trip to big bend for the Thanksgiving week.
What is the drive like up to Livingston, is it a nice drive, pretty or just vast empty, overgrown fields with oil refineries? I may venture out there this weekend but dont want to be disappointed.
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textiger
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2005
Posts: 946
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Post by textiger on Aug 29, 2018 12:57:20 GMT -5
Yeah, not a lot of scenery around here.
Big Bend will be fun. Only take I-10 to San Antonio, then take the southern route along U.S. 90. Much better scenery.
The drive to Livingston is uninspiring freeway views. Gets much better once you get off 59 in Livingston.
And, yeah, Sugar Land is pretty much all master-planned community living. Get a respite by heading to the Hill Country. Even a quick trip to Brenham for a little antiquing, etc. will do a body good.
The Houston Chronicle runs a weekly column called Native Texan. The writer is from Texas and now splits his time between Houston and Marathon. He writes about characters and towns all over the state. It may spark some ideas for places to see outside of the urban corridor.
matt
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