The carving was done by David Gray from a red schiller sunstone that I dug at the Dust Devil Mine (yes it's on the DVD!)
The carving was done by David Gray from a red schiller sunstone that I dug at the Dust Devil Mine (yes it's on the DVD!)
Order DVD Version 5.1 |
Tips on Using the DVD (corrections are here) |
Please note: My email address is at the bottom of this page for a good reason, that reason being, if you read the entire contents of this page, and then email me asking a question that is already answered on this page, be prepared for the wrath of the thunderegg gods to come down and cast a blight upon your entire household! In other words, I probably won't reply!
Also: If you have a question about "where to go rockhounding" or "where is the best place for (fill in the blank)" (I get these at least once a week), I definitely won't reply! That's what the DVD is for! There are hundreds of online sources for the Pacific Northwest if all you want is a place to try out rockhounding or fossil collecting so I suggest you Google them...
The DVD contains all the rock digs I have visited, plus many more, complete with topo maps, directions, and example photos of the rocks, minerals, or fossils available at each site with a write-up. It also contains files for viewing each waypoint in Google Earth and a waypoint list for downloading to just about any GPS unit (you provide the software and cable for your GPS unit). I may provide updates of the waypoint file if you have supplied me with a valid email address. It contains full descriptions of 29 productive rockhounding areas in Oregon and 7 areas in Washington on the DVD (some Idaho sites are included in the Oregon area write-ups).
Many of the maps in version 5.1 have new collecting sites and/or updated information. In addition, there is a page of tips and tricks for fossil preparation and a few other "extras". Also, I now have pics of hundreds of materials available at sites that are not included in the detailed write-ups, many of which are from the actual site. I make no warranties about the accuracy of the landowner information! Contacting landowners and finding out what the various state & federal rules for rock digging are is your responsibility!
Click the pic to check out the books on Amazon.com :)
(The cover photo for Washington is a favorite NARG fossil crab spot on the Grays River in southwest WA, for Oregon it's the Umpqua River at the mouth of Little River, aka Colliding Waters)
Why is this so great? It's simple: buy the books, they are easily the most comprehensive rockhounding site guides ever written for any state in the USA (yes I am biased LOL)! Then decide which of Garret's sites you want to check out (there are 100 sites in the Oregon book and 80 in Washington!) Garret provides waypoint(s) for each site and a map of the general area. Then use the DVD V 5.0 to find the site topo maps (it's easy since all the sites in the books are cross-referenced in tables on the DVD). I don't offer any additional explanation of the sites that are in the books except for sites in my detailed write-ups (besides noting what can be found at each of Garrett's waypoints), so I strongly encourage you to have the book in hand when you are planning your excursions. The DVD is not a substitute for either of these books, but a valuable supplement to the information that Garret presents in each.
I have added the waypoints for 96 of the 100 sites in Gem Trails of Oregon to 98 of my Oregon maps and 73 of the 80 sites in Gem Trails of Washington to 74 of my WA maps.. I didn't map the sites that dealt with purely gold panning or mining relics (sorry Garret that ain' t my bag LOL) or points of geological interest (although I have been to many of these sites myself). Many of the new maps in WA and OR on Version 5.0 are maps of Garret's sites that I had not previously covered.
Garret's book is the first guide to Washington in the Gem Trails series and in my humble (biased!) opinion is the best guide in the series that has ever been written. Many sites are for the casual or beginner rockhound, but the seasoned rock veteran will also find challenging sites to explore. This book is the best, up to date, and only guide to Washington
rockhounding that 95% of casual rockhounds will ever need. The book
presents, in exhaustive detail, more sites than one could visit in
several summers of nothing but rockhounding. Most sites that I am aware
of that contain good lapidary or gemstone material are in this book. Of
those that aren't, many are currently or have been under a mineral
claim, and some are just plain dangerous to collect or require a
strenuous hike or other dangers that the casual rockhound shouldn't be
attempting in the first place. In addition, there are dozens of sites
that haven't been described in any literature published to date (which,
by the way, is a very short list for WA, ALL of which are referenced in
the book). The information at the end of the book is extremely valuable as a
resource on its own, and includes the only complete list of WA state
rock shops, gem & mineral websites, clubs, and prospecting clubs that I have ever seen. The list of sources similarly gives the reader a huge number of resources to consult for further information.
Garret's version is the third edition of the guide to Oregon in the Gem Trails series and in my humble (biased!) opinion is the best guide to rockhounding in Oregon that has ever been written. It is a vast improvement over the previous versions since Garret started from scratch, checked out and revised ALL of the sites in the second edition, and discarded those sites (and there were many) which never contained worthwhile materials or have never been or are no longer accessible to Joe Rockhound. Then he personally visited and added a whole slew of new sites that offer opportunities for the rockhound to visit places that have generally not been "picked over". In fact, if you visit some of these sites soon after the book has been published, you will likely be one of the first rockhounds to have a crack at what can be found there (big hint)! Many sites are for the casual or beginner rockhound, but the seasoned rock veteran will also find challenging sites to explore. The information at the end of the book is extremely valuable as a resource on its own, and includes the only complete list of OR state rock shops, gem & mineral websites, clubs, and prospecting clubs that I have ever seen. The list of sources similarly gives the reader a huge number of resources to consult for further information.
Why the old edition of Gem Trails of Oregon & GPS Guide to Western Gem Trails are of no use! If you have Garret's new edition don't bother LOL!
Tips on using the CVD/DVD (corrected internet links and errata are here)
Type the email address above into your email program. Please note: My email address has changed as of Jan 2010 to evade the spammers. The old email address was inactivated soon thereafter so don't use it anymore as I will NOT get your email!
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Tim Fisher
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