Looking back decades, I can see I was captivated by earth and stone at a very young age. 

As a kid, I had as much interest in empty mud puddles as filled ones. The drying remnants were always something to behold, like a chocolate-frosted cake. The outer layer, still damp, was glossy, gooey and malleable. This was the stuff you could spread on your hands, face and knees, then watch it dry into a different form, cracking and breaking off like a dirt zombie. So cool. 

Using a pilfered spoon or ice cream scoop from the kitchen drawer to dig deeper, I found that underneath the ‘frosting,’ the dirt became dryer, more cake-like. No longer spreadable, but still pretty cool. Digging even deeper that cake had dried out completely and turned into sand. Wow. All those layers were certainly intriguing. 

But the moments that really grabbed my attention happened when the spoon would ‘clink’ against a hard object. Aha! Was it a pebble? A stone? A huge rock? Dried gum? The size and degree of the obstruction could only be determined by more digging. 

That’s where my bond with rocks began. Because what was often unearthed was a little treasure with a unique shape, color and feel. Into my pocket it went for safekeeping…unless it was the gum.

The Collection That Started It All

Not long after my puddle-plunging years, I would find myself enamored of my grandmother’s rock collection. She worked with scientists from various schools and colleges in central Minnesota and would get rock samples from them on occasion. 

When she passed away, no one else clamored for her collection. I couldn’t believe it! My inheritance of the collection went completely uncontested by family members. In fact, you could almost hear them snickering at my request.

Me: “Hey. Does anyone else want these rocks? If not, I’d love to have them.”

Family: “Uh, no.”  “No, please take those if you want <heh-heh>.” “So…you really want those rocks, then??” 

Yes, I sure did!  

Little did they know how significantly Grandma’s collection would jumpstart my geo fan-gal heart. (By the way, her stash was nothing to sneeze at. It contained some beautiful samples that I still have and cherish today.) 

I’d like to think it would make Grandma happy to know those stone goddesses have a good home. 

Finding My Community 

I’ve been sharing that story and many more of late.

In doing so, I’ve found that others respond with surprising vigor. Many have similar, heartfelt stories they want to share. It becomes a passionate dialog…about rocks! Then, it extends to talk of physical environments and travel and communities and people. 

Folks get excited to talk about their journeys. In the end, we all learn something and strengthen our heartstrings. It’s primo stuff that I can’t get enough of. 

And now I want to hear from you! 

What was your first encounter with geology that sparked your passion? Whether it was collecting rocks as a child or discovering a hidden gem on a hiking trail, I invite you to share your story in the comments below. 

Let’s connect, inspire, and geek out together.