These are my picks for the top ten samples of 2013. There is nothing scientific about this. Some samples were selected because of the content of the sand. Others were picked for their historical significance, location, or to credit the folks who collected the samples. The first two samples come from Oregon. Concretion Cove is a place I definitely want to visit. The sample sent to me contains concretions varying in size from 3 to 5 mm. It is spectacular! The second Oregon sample also makes my "must see" list. The John Day Fossil Beds contain a section called The Painted Hills. I was sent an entire sequence of the volcanic ash  deposits  from the location. I've included an animated GIF showing all nine samples as my second "sample." Sample three is another concretion sample from Lake Douglas, Knoxville, Tennessee. Concretions are amazing! These looked like small oxidized iron spheres, but they weren't magnetic. Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai, India is my fourth choice. It's organic! It's from India! It doesn't get much better. The Creek at Magnet Cove, Arkansas, is my number five. When I went to "Magnet Cove" on Wikipedia, I was amazed to discover that this place has a population of five! In addition to that there are chunks of magnetite in the sand! Sample number six was a long time coming! Several years ago one of my daughter's best friends sent me images of  Black Sand Beach, Shelter Cove, Lost Coast, California , but no sand sample! I created a page for her images with the hope that she would eventually get back to this great spot, and collect a sample. She didn't, but someone from Oregon did. We return to Oregon for sample number seven. Alvord Desert, Oregon is truly unique. The texture of the sand is like talcum powder. It is so soft, and so smooth. It is the total opposite of sample number six! Sample eight comes from Colorado. Million Dollar Highway above Ouray, Colorado is one of the toughest drives in the United States. I remember driving this narrow mountain road being chased by a beer truck! One of the friends I have breakfast with on Wednesdays made the cross country drive, and brought back this sample. I wish I had been there to collect sample nine from  Jim  Holdsworth Park, Mossman, Australia  because it was collected during an eclipse of the Sun! It doesn't get any better than that! Finally we come to Durban, South Africa simply because I know it's a place I'll never see.

101 AMERICAN GEOSITES YOU GOTTA SEE

We added four Geosites this year. That brings me up to a total of fourteen out of the 101. There's still a long way to go!  Two I personally collected, and the other two  were sent to me.  Devils Postpile National Monument was unknown to me until I bought Dickas' book. Then it started showing up in just about everything I read on the rocks of California. We were fortunate to get to the Postpile in September. It is well worth the trip to this remote location. During the tourist season it is only accessible by bus. We went after Labor Day, so we were on our own. Everything at the Monument was closed, but there were a few parking spots. The sample is pumice collected by the side of the trail near a dead tree. Just "down the road" from the Postpile is Yosemite National Park. We unfortunately only had time to do a quick drive thru, but managed to see El Capitan. The sample was actually collected from an access road leading into the Park. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in Arizona. You've seen photographs from this spot. The last time we went out there, we were going to go into the Canyon. Unfortunately, the temperature was over 100 degrees that day, and there was a threat of thunderstorms. We didn't go, but someone sent me a sand sample. Catoctin Mountain Park is in Virginia. This sample was actually collected in Maryland, but it still comes from the Park. The reason for its fame is a metamorphosed greenstone that was created from ancient basalt. If you really use your imagination you can see the green in the pebbles in the high resolution photograph on the Park's page.

 I so wanted to add more samples to this list! But I have to put an end to this. My personal friends collected samples for me on cruises, cross country drives, and visits with families. I thank each and every one of you. Without your help, this could never happen. Enjoy!

101 AMERICAN GEOSITES YOU GOTTA SEE!

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