More Adventures in Rockhounding
After moving to Oregon my family has become addicted to rockhounding. You may have read the previous article I published in Northwest Travel & Life a while back about scouring the Pacific Northwest for obsidian, thundereggs, and other desirable stones. Since then, our quest has continued.
Not that we go all the time, nor are we geologists, but we learn as we go along. In truth, we simply ask ourselves, “Is this rock worthy enough to earn a spot on our shelf? Will it add character to our yard?”
Quite possibly we pass up the best, most valuable rocks, but buckets full of stones still go home with us after digging away for hours. Oregon is ideal for our newfound hobby, with legally designated sites scattered all around the state. Detailed rockhounding maps are available at Visit Bend and other locations around town.
During a long weekend, the Savage Family visited two sites about an hour or so from Bend. A quiet morning, not another soul around, we first stopped at Eagle Rock. Sure enough, a large, imposing rock signaled our turn off, though I failed to see the form of an eagle in it. Maybe the birds of prey nested or were seen there often? I am always curious about place names.
Soon we happened upon an old bus reminiscent of Into the Wild. Our curiosity led us to stop. You never know what you might find when exploring the outback of the High Desert. In this case, the dilapidated bus had probably been rotting for many years. Few signs of recent utility existed, but rather glass soda bottles, deep rust, and a rotted interior confirmed the ancient age of the bus.
Mostly the wife and I dug while our daughters sat relaxed in the shade. This often tends to be the case, though when we find something cool, they usually want to claim it. Our dog Loki kept wallowing in the freshly dug holes and getting in the way of our shovels. Or was he trying to help? A true ‘rockhound’ our canine had become.
Bits of agate in some stones were noticeable and we filled our buckets to the brim. Formed mostly in the cavities of volcanic rocks, agate is fairly common in Oregon and much of the Pacific Northwest. The mineral can have varying degrees of color, from orange to purple to black.
Probably all rockhounds hope to find the perfect rock, but allow me to make a disclaimer. Rocks do not come from the ground looking like the pictures you find online. They are dirty, rough, unpolished and uncut. Unless you know what to look for or out just for fun, chances are you will be disappointed..
One more stop at the nearby Ochoco Reservoir did not last long. The area was at a lower elevation, and the temperature had heated up as the day progressed. Although we had great views of the reservoir, it was too exposed and dusty. Perhaps the spot is preferable in fall or early spring, but with easier access it seemed to be picked through by other rockhounds.
Time to return to Bend, but first we finished in Prineville with a visit to Crooked Roots Brewing to appease our parched palates and grab some tasty grub. Honestly, I look forward to trying out new restaurants and breweries after long days of exploring just as much as the exploring itself. It’s part of the adventure. A memorable Memorial Day 
