April 09
Exploration and adventure are two of these Gypsy's favorite things. I suppose one should add random or spur of the moment adventure to the list. An excellent example of that happened just last week--when a quick trip to get a cup of coffee led us on a four hour excursion along a Tilton River wash out--which we were convinced had unearthed treasures of the past The Tilton river and its tributaries rip through Lewis County and often leave much destruction in their path. This unearthing if natural history--leaves a geological wonderland for those that have the ambition and fortitude to hike through untamed forest and thick underbrush--that over whelming at times. These adventures aren't for the fare of heart--you have to be willing to climb, slip, slide and even fall on occasion to attain your final destination. Robin and I know this are well--it is the area that gave birth to our passion. It is where we both found our firtst piece's of petrified wood. Washington States gem stone. Thus, the beginning of our journey into the world of gem and minerals collecting, a passion that has taken us on a plethora of adventures.
We hiked along a rail road track for a least a mile, in snow as deep sometimes as our mid calves--I kept asking "where are our snow shoes"? But as I stated this was an unplanned excursion--so we had to make due with whatever was in the back of my rig--did I also mention it was pouring rain. Hiking in the slushy snow was challenging enough but crossing the rail road track bridge definitely was far more adventuresome then either of us anticipated. But we are women of means and once our minds are set on a goal it is difficult for us to change course--altogether we have investigated four different location along the Tilton River in two separate trips now--one completely unplanned and another we actually planned with the opportunity of sunshine. Our first adventure was in a complete down pour and our second in pristine sunshine. Note: when collecting gems and minerals those are the two best weather patterns to collect in--an over cast sky with no rain "only dimes your crystals" (a favorite sisters of the gypsy moon sayings) the over cast sky makes collecting difficult while rain helps to make things shine and stand out as does our favorite collecting weather sunshine.
Thus far we have collected petrified wood, agates, quarts crystals, fossils, chalcedony which is like agate but opaque more rare and a few tiny pieces of Jasper..