Rock and Mineral Show

Under my Dad's tutelege, Gwen has developed quite an interest in rocks and minerals.  Now and then Gwen stays with my folks while Kera is at work.  This is a really special time for my folks.  They really enjoy having that time with Gwen.  My Dad takes her down to the basement where the "mine" the gazillions of buckets of rocks and material Dad has found in many rock hunting adventures.  Gwen has quite a collection of specimens that she has "mined" from Dad's collection.

When the annual Rock and Mineral show rolled around his year we decided that we should all go along.  This is a pretty big show, taking up two full rooms and the large entranceway.

Gwen found a beautiful specimen of pink calcite.  "Grandpa, I have calcite in my collection don't I?"  "Yes," replied my Dad.  "I don't have pink calcite though do I, Grandpa."  Dad responded, "Nope."  Gwen decided then and there that she needed to have that specimen.  As we wandered through the other exhibits, she fretted about whether someone else would sneak in there and buy her specimen.  We finally gave up and went back and she used her own money to buy the pretty pin calcite.

They also sell lots of jewelry there.  Gwen found a pair of earrings she liked.  Kera had promised her she could get a pair of earrings.  It didn't take Gwen long to find something she just had to have!

This show is really a great learning experience for kids.  Thee are hands on lectues in other rooms, special badge programs for he scouts, and even a sandbox with tumbled treasures for the kids.

The good thing about going with my Dad is that practically no matter what questions you have, he knows the ansswers.  It makes it much more interesting.  I think Dad was really tickled that Gwen was interested enough to want to go to this show.