Rockhound Heaven

The last time I went hunting for fossils, it was just my father and me several decades ago in the Yakima Valley.  We crisscrossed the sagebrush-dotted hills of Terrace Heights to the north as well as visited the Yakima River Canyon.  It was a great activity to do with my dad, but it was a hobby I let slide as an adult.

That changed this weekend.  The four of us recently learned of Holleywood Ranch in Sweet Home, Oregon.  It's only an hour's drive from Salem, and it offers some of the highest quality petrified wood around.  Our visit took place yesterday afternoon.  I particularly enjoyed the sheer variety of the specimens here.  Some of it resembled the bleached driftwood you might see at the beach, but there were also plenty of other species available.  My son was particularly excited with digging-up a carnelian agate.  It's really amazing the variety of specimens found throughout these acres: a rockhound heaven, and it's a great family activity.

If you want to stop by, it's best to call or e-mail first.  E-mail actually never seemed to work very well, but you can text or phone Brad, the landowner, at 541-401-0899.  Keep an eye on your growing collection as you dig; it gets heavy fast, and there is also charge of a dollar for each pound.  You can also drop by their Facebook Page for more information.