Book Review - Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting by Garret Romaine

My family and I have visited many amusement parks and historical sites. At a large majority of them, there is usually a gemstone mining area or trough. You pay for a bag of dirt mixed with precious stones and then you wash the dirt in the water trough. It's a rather messy process so if you have younger children be sure to bring change of clothes.

We've done these many times over the years and you always get a nice pile of rocks to take home. Here's one of the better bags that we purchased which clearly listed what had been contained inside it.

Digging for special rocks and fossils is really fun for adults and children and always feels rewarding when you find something unique. That led me to pick up this book and it's a real keeper. The author, Garret Romaine, has extensive experience and expertise on this topic.

So what is rockhounding? It's the activity of searching for rocks (or gems or fossils) to collect. Almost everyone has probably seen a cool-looking rock in the dirt or in a stream and picked it up to examine it. That is rockhounding. Now, prospecting, takes it a step further and searches for treasures that can be valuable or profitable. The book's introduction lists the different types of rock hunters.

The book starts with a basic guide to geology and different types of rocks, gems and fossils. The listing of rock types is valuable as the author includes the best locations to find the specific rock type. For example, halite stones (common rock salt) can be found in Utah's Great Salt Lake area.

Look for the section titled "Gator Girl's Best Advise Ever" in Chapter One which gives suggestions on how to get started, finding support or like-minded people to help you, where to go, and some really sound advice on protective gear.

Chapter Two discusses "Where to Find It" with lots of resources, websites, applications, maps, and more. This book was published in 2024 so most of the information is still relevant but always double-check before heading out.

Chapter Three highlights preparations and tools for venturing out including vehicle prep and maintenance, emergency gear, and setting expectations.

The next chapter goes deeper into the actual physical labor of hunting in different environments - beaches, creeks, deserts, and more. I really appreciated the warnings about trying to search around old mines. The chapter ends with some really interesting meteorite hunting which I hadn't considered before but now I'm adding it to my list.

Chapter Five has suggestions on what to do with the treasures you have found like tumbling (remember those old-fashioned tumble machines we all wanted as kids?) and preservation techniques.

Overall, this is a great resource especially if you are a beginner and need some basic information to get started.

Title: Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting Handbook
Author: Garret Romaine
ISBN: 978-1493078493
Pages: 264

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Review - Texas - Waco - Mayborn Museum on Baylor University Campus

I'm slower than a mammoth at posting these reviews from our Waco day trip several weeks ago. *grins* So we visited the Mayborn Museum which is located on the Baylor University campus right after seeing the Columbia Mammoths at the Waco Mammoth National Monument.

Note - there is a lot of road construction in this area right now so take extra caution and time to get through it.


The Mayborn Museum is in a huge red brick building with free parking out front. At the time we visited (May 2021), masks were required. We were able to use our ASTC reciprocal membership to get in for free (for ticket prices see information down below).

Also, please note, the Play Waco Hall was still closed at this time. Some hands-on exhibition components within the Natural and Cultural History Wing and the Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village may be unavailable. Check the website for the latest re-opening details.


The first thing that will greet you when you enter the museum is the giant T-rex dinosaur (on loan from the Perot Museum) named "Stan".


There is a whole display dedicated to Baylor University and some of its history. They had a neat video of some amazing sports accomplishments as well as original mascot costumes and some various props. Very neat even if you're not a Baylor Bear fan.


The museum features a really well-done Western history display with a buffalo, longhorn cow, teepee and a log cabin. You can peek into the log cabin.


There is a small space dedicated to the Waco Mammoth National Monument and a replica of the dig site made with glass floor.


There are several natural science areas including Forest-themed room with creatures and plants found in a forest and a Cave-themed room with bats.


Upstairs on the second floor is the hands-on children's museum. Each room has a different theme (such as Colors, Water, Sound, etc). Although it appears many of the activities were removed thanks to Covid, there were still plenty of things to do.

Overall Family Ratings:

• 16 year old - Enjoyed the interactive area
• 11 year old - Enjoyed the interactive area
• 6 year old - Enjoyed the dinosaurs downstairs and the interactive area upstairs

Mayborn Museum
https://www.baylor.edu/mayborn/
Address: 1300 S. University Parks, Waco, TX 76706
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am CST - 5pm CST; Sunday 1pm CST - 5pm CST
Tickets: Children (2-12 years) $8.00; Adults $10.00

Review - Texas - Waco - Waco Mammoth National Monument

My youngest son is a big dinosaur fanatic, so we decided to go checkout this neat site in Waco featuring a rare nursery herd of Columbian Mammoths.

Waco is about a two hour drive from our home of Dallas, Texas, so perfect for a day trip. The drive off Highway 35 to the site feels a bit off-the-beaten-path as you leave the city of Waco for a few streets then re-enter Waco again. There are sign posts that will point you in the right direction and you will eventually pass an animal hospital before finding the monument's large signpost on the lefthand side of Steinbeck Bend Road.


In 1978, a bone was found in the muddy area near Bosque River and was taken to Baylor University's Strecker Museum. The scientists at the museum identified the bone as a femur belonging to a Columbian Mammoth who lived during the Ice Age (or Pleistocene Epoch). The museum sent a team to the area the bone was found and, over a period of twenty years, they uncovered a rare nursery herd who appeared to have drowned together. Many of the bones remain in situ (unmoved from their original position uncovered in the ground). A climate-controlled, protective dig shelter was built around the site to keep it safe from damage and erosion which makes the site especially fascinating. Not only can you see the bones but you can get a sense of how the archaeologists uncovered them.

In 2015, President Obama signed an executive order to establish this site as a national monument. There are 128 other national monuments in the United States as part of the National Park System. Even though they are part of the National Park System, they do not accept the America the Beautiful pass.

After you arrive at the park, you will find a small parking lot. Larger vehicles or rvs can park along the roadside. Right now, masks are required inside the buildings (the gift shop, restroom and dig shelter) but not on the trails. The gift shop has moved outside under a tent. You buy your tickets and items from there and not inside the shop.


The person working at the cash register didn't tell us, but if you have children, they can participate in the Junior Ranger Program. Ask at the tent. The book is full of activities for children to do as they explore the dig shelter. The number of activities required depends on the child's age. Once they complete the number of activities, they return to the tent and the waiting ranger to take their oath and earn their badge.


From the gift shop area, it's a bit of a walk to the Dig Shelter but it's paved making it stroller-friendly and wheelchair-accessible. Once you reach the Dig Shelter, a ranger will greet you and give you a brief overview. Masks are required inside the building and you will see stickers on the ground for social distancing. Take as long as you like viewing the dig and reading the signs.


Once you have completed the Dig Shelter visit, you can explore some hiking trails. The Eagle Trail was set up by the Eagle Scouts and is well maintained. The trail is not stroller or wheelchair friendly.


The hiking trails are well-marked with signs and deep in the woods is a camping site used by the boyscout troops.

Overall Family Ratings:

• 16 year old - Was a little bored
• 11 year old - Enjoyed the Ranger Program
• 6 year old - Enjoyed the Ranger Program

Waco Mammoth National Monument
https://www.nps.gov/waco/index.htm
Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Road, Waco, Texas 76708
Hours: 9am CST - 6pm CST