Friday, March 6, 2009

Our August Geode Hunt

In mid-August 2008, I was finally able to take part in a Geode Hunt!
Yea!

FYI: The following information about geodes was taken from wikipedia:
"Geodes are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary (here in the Midwest) rocks. Geodes are essentially rock cavities or with internal crystal formations or concentric banding. The exterior of the most common geodes is generally limestone (the exterior is bumpy) or a related rock, while the interior may contain quart crystals.

Other geodes are completely filled with crystal, being solid all the way through. These types of geodes are called nodules .

The size and color of the crystals vary, making the finds that much more interesting."


We drove a few miles south of town, headed east,
parked the cars and started walking.

(A click on a photograph may result in a close-up.)














If you weren't paying attention, you might not think
about the fact that a descent at the beginning means
an ascent at the end of the foray (hopefully with a
loaded bucket or backpack)!










Geode hunters come in all ages!













This bucket load looks intriguing. :-)











Everyone needs to know how to split geodes...











... to see if there's anything interesting inside!

I have a young friend that presented me with a wonderful find of his own.
He even carried it all the way back to the car for me.

And this is what geodes have to do with my gardening...










This geode now resides in my flowerbed!
:-)

9 comments:

Gardeness said...

Cool find. My BIL is big into rocks and such. He's got some really pretty ones.

Shady Gardener said...

Gardeness, I have photos of the rock banks along the stream that has crystals in them! It felt as though we must be walking through a geode! :-)

Anonymous said...

What an interesting outing and wonderful find. We have some, but my hubby had to buy them. I bet this is a great addition for your garden and conversation starter.

Jan
Always Growing

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Jan, It is a great addition! A sparkling reminder of a great time.

I just e-mailed my little friend so he and his parents could read this account. Guess he liked it. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, Shady, that is too cool. We live in an area that has these and occasionally uncover one, but they are all tiny, about the size of a quarter. Still a thrill though. In our other TN home, the woods behind our house was home to larger ones and the boys would take our hammers out there and leave them in the leaves never to be found again. HA
Frances

kate smudges said...

This looks like great fun! We used to find these at my parent's cottage... lots of interesting treasures inside. And what a great place to put them ~ in your garden!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Frances, This was so much fun! I hope to be able to go again... and I'd love to be able to take a grandchild or two! At least the oldest ones (both 5 yrs). Boys and hammers. Great combination! :-)

Kate, You'd enjoy this. Now, I'll watch for geodes in your garden. ;-)

Rosemary said...

What fun way to spend a day and so interesting

Shady Gardener said...

Rosemary, Guess what! You're the first to know... there will be a Geode Hunt this Spring and another this Summer! Yea!!! :-)

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I enjoy being outdoors! I also love that I've two children (now grown up with families of their own)and six young grandchildren! :-) Sure would like to see them more often!!