Last week the forecast for the weekend was sunny with temperatures in the seventies for the Idaho-Oregon border area.  I had promised my wife that I would help with yard work projects but could not help thinking about rock hounding on the first weekend of the year where the temperature would be that high.  On Friday I went to Stewarts Gem Shop in Boise to buy some sanding belts and was asked if I was going to go out this weekend.  I had to explain that I couldn’t because of the promise to my wife.  I normally leave this rock shop happy because it is one of my favorite stores to visit but this time I was just felt bummed because I really wanted to go rock collecting.

When I arrived home from work Friday I found that my wife, Jennifer, was not home yet.  When I called her I found that she stopped at a friend’s house after work.   That gave me an Idea, maybe I could use this time to get enough yard work done to satisfy the promise I made and then still be able to go rock hounding.  I first went and cleaned the back yard (a.k.a. the battlefield) that was trashed by my three four-legged friends.  Then I pulled some weeds and filled the trashcans and mowed the lawn.  Would this be enough to get what I wanted?

Saturday started a bit slow.  At around 9:00 we had breakfast at which time I asked my wife if we could could go rock hunting.  Jennifer was a bit reluctant but after a few minute she gave in.  We loaded some equipment in the car along with our son Andy and by 10:30 we were on our way to the gas station and the store to get some lunch.

Last year we had done a small road trip where we went to the McBride Creek area and worked our way to Succor Creek Park.  Since we were able to find some good rocks along the road side we decided that we do this trip again.  There are two access points to McBride creek on Highway 95.  Last year we took the first one you arrive to when going south so this year I wanted to check out the second access point.
We did find some jasper along the way but last year we found both petrified wood and jasper.  I know that there is petrified wood along the second access road but without getting out and exploring it is not easy to find.  When road hunting I suggest the first access road.

We did get out and explore a little bit here and there.  Andy had a great time finding rocks, all leavarites and Indian love stones.  Jennifer and I found great pleasure watching him explore and find rocks.  For only being 15 months old Andy handled the trip much better than we expected.  I think the part he found most interesting were the cows that we drove past on our way to Succor Creek Park.  We were driving very slowly so Andy sat in Jennifer’s lap and looked out the window.  Every time we went past a cow he would turn to watch it as we went by.  By the time we arrived at the park it was nap time for Andy.

At the park we ate lunch then I went to hunt for rocks.  Succor Creek Park is known for thunder eggs.  I knew of one thunder egg bed but it was high up above the cliffs of the park and a four-wheel drive is needed to access it from the back.  Since I have a normal car and there is no way I would take Andy up there I decided to look easier places to access.  I do have some GPS coordinates for some other beds so I started to look of them.  The first couple of points were also above the cliffs but the third point seemed to be less than a half mile down the canyon and possible accessible.  I soon found the location and began to find thunder eggs.  As I finished filling my small bucket I turned to head back to the picnic area and found that Jennifer and Andy had come looking for me.

When I reached Jennifer and Andy I found Andy all wet and muddy.  He had decided a good place to sit and wait for me was in a stream of runoff that was flowing down the path.  Jennifer also said he was starting to get fussy.  We decide it was time to call it day and head back to town.

On our way to the car we walked along a swampy area where we could hear loud chirping.  We assumed it was frogs but we were unable to see any.  I made a small video of this natural wonder before returning to the car.

Despite being slightly sun burnt and having sore muscles we all had a good time together.  Succor Creek Park is a bit out of the way but it offers a great place for a family outing.  I am sure my family will return to this location again.  Hopefully it will be before next year.

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