The RockHound

The Earth is made of rock, from the tallest mountains to the floor of the deepest ocean. Thousands of different types of rocks and minerals have been found on Earth. Most rocks at the Earth's surface are formed from only eight elements (oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium), but these elements are combined in a number of ways to make rocks that are very different.

Rocks are continually changing. Wind and water wear them down and carry bits of rock away; the tiny particles accumulate in a lake or ocean and harden into rock again. The oldest rock that has ever been found is more than 3.9 billion years old. The Earth itself is at least 4.5 billion years old, but rocks from the beginning of Earth's history have changed so much from their original form that they have become new kinds of rock. By studying how rocks form and change, scientists have built a solid understanding of the Earth we live on and its long history.

Why rocks?  Well, I've always considered myself a rock collector, a RockHound.  I don't do it to study the types of rocks, what they're made of, or where they're from.  I just like rocks that have a good shape, an interesting look, something special about where they're from.  I found out on vacation that my Uncle Jim felt the same way:  He liked rocks too!

One of my "must see" places on vacation was the beach.  And my beach of choice is Natural Bridges State Beach.  As we were driving there, I was telling my aunt that I had been cleaning out a drawer, and happened to find a picture of her and my uncle at that very beach, in 1993.  Once we got to the beach, I went my own way, my mom and aunt went theirs.  I was off taking pictures, I'm sure they were off talking as they walked along.

After getting my fill of pictures, I looked around for them, and didn't see them, so I started back to the car.  As I walked along in the sand, a rock presented itself, and something said "pick it up"  (the one on the left).  I slid it into my pocket, and walked to the top of the hill, finding 'the girls' there.  First thing Mom says is "look what I found..." and pulled a rock out of her pocket.  She said it was nowhere near any other rocks, and looked like it had just put itself in their path.  I chuckled, and showed her my own rock and said I had the same story.  We all laughed, knowing that Jim was there, prompting us.  Because that's how Jim was. 

A year has gone by without him in our lives, and he is missed.  But there's something special in knowing that he's there, watching over us.  And yes, I kept both rocks, they're here in AZ with the rest of my special rocks. Uncle Jim, you are loved, we all miss you a lot.  Thanks for the rocks!!