Rocks

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Fascinating place for sure.
 
An on-line query referenced Sierra Nevada glacial melt.
 
A few gravel bar finds from yesterday's steelhead outing.

Found 2 very nice petrified wood pieces. Maybe 3, but not sure if the large one is showing tree rings, or just sedimentary banding. The small agate is the typical amber/blond that is by far the most common here. The 2 larger agate lack the clarity of the blonds but I see hints they might be moss agates. Kinda a grab bag here sitting on Missoula flood deposits.

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Ok, how do I channel my kid ? I swear she picks up any rock she finds interesting and brings it home. I kind of understand the appeal, but I want her to make more educated choices when it comes to rock hounding
 
Agate collection so far. Would love to know the origins. I've heard that carnelians are local, so maybe the small red. The large blond was definitely in Missoula flood deposits, well above the river. So that much I do know. The others I can only guess.

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I've puzzled over this melted rock for 15 years, wondering about its history. I picked it up out in sagebrush scablands on the east edge of Crook county, Oregon. Where I found this the country rock is mostly basalt. Essentially 4-sided, two facets appear vitrified from tremendous heat, a third is partially melted and partially somewhat crystalline, and the largest face is unremarkable. Lightning? The sky was falling?

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Have you had a meteor expert look at it ? You might have a space rock. Then, too, could it possibly be a lava bomb ?
 
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For the past dozen or so years I have had the opportunity to both bass fish and rock pick at an amazing set of gravel pits in the Willamette Valley. I have had tumblers going 24/7 for about that whole length of time, but I am starting to taper off. My wife says enough with the rocks! I give a bunch away to neighbor kids and I have been exchanging agates with a local jewelry maker. Like others have stated, when I fish I am half looking at the water and half looking at the gravel.Screenshot 2026-02-23 at 8.57.52 PM.pngScreenshot 2026-02-23 at 8.58.06 PM.pngScreenshot 2026-02-23 at 8.57.59 PM.png.
 
Those are some beauties! I too am a rockhound…..while beach fishing for SRC’s and rezzies, I’m constantly looking at the rocks. Since the fish are C&R, agates are keepers! Way back in the 60’s my family dug thunder eggs somewhere in Oregon….I think??
 
For the past dozen or so years I have had the opportunity to both bass fish and rock pick at an amazing set of gravel pits in the Willamette Valley. I have had tumblers going 24/7 for about that whole length of time, but I am starting to taper off. My wife says enough with the rocks! I give a bunch away to neighbor kids and I have been exchanging agates with a local jewelry maker. Like others have stated, when I fish I am half looking at the water and half looking at the gravel.View attachment 179012View attachment 179013View attachment 179014.
tell your wife to..... welll, collecting rocks is pretty light duty collecting.
 
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