THE BEAUTY WITHIN - GEODES
What better way to finish a day of caving than to crack open some geodes?
After a super-cool adventure caving at Mystic Caverns last monday with @papa-pepper, @vcelier, @mama-pepper, @naru-celier, and the @little-peppers, we noticed something interesting in the gift shop.
There were a wide range of geodes for sale. I especially liked the ones from Brazil that were purple on the inside, but just looking at geodes can only be so much fun. Sure, the beauty and amazing interior to what appears to be just an ordinary rock on the outside is almost mind-blowing, but we prefer a more interactive approach to appreciating things.
A long, long time ago, way before we went to Texas and Mexico, @papa-pepper had picked up a couple of geodes for the @little-peppers to break open. As life races by, I kind of forgot about them until the geodes in the gift shop reminded me that I had some at home. What better way to end a day of caving? Plus, now @naru-celier would get to make another special memory with the Peppers and his grandfather @vcelier.
Let's Crack Them Open!
The ones that we cracked open were clear/white on the inside. They originally came from Morocco. The reaction of the children was interesting to observe.
@Naru-celier mostly wanted to study them.
Pinky-Pepper was mostly happy about them.
Red-Pepper was mostly blown away!
Since I love spending time with children and letting them experience a lot of the amazing things that this world has to offer, this was a great time for me too. The amazement and excitement on their faces was worth way more than I paid for the geodes.
It is also amazing to consider the incredible creativity of God in creating so many different fantastic things out there, of which geodes are just one. This world in which we live is so full of wonder and splendor, and we try to enjoy it to the fullest.
This was my first time actually breaking some open too, though I let the children to the work. They are so incredible to look at and see in person, and watching them crack open is an experience in itself.
Supposedly there are fields in Iowa that are just full of geodes, and some of the farmers will actually let people pick them off their properties. If anyone in Iowa knows more about that, please let me know, as I would be interested in checking that out. Have any of you ever broke open a geode? Would you want to?
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-geode
The kids seem to love them more , I actually owned a few when I began interested after taking an earthquake and earth volcanic crust class . They are truly beautiful , they seem like they are worth millions but their beauty just gives them a whole different touch
Thanks for making a real comment. The children did have a great time, both at the caves and with the geodes. It was a lot of fun for all of us.
Thanks @journeyoflife!
Takes me back to my childhood rock-collection days.
I've been to Mystic Caverns too! The best ones are Luray caverns, Virginia, if memory serves.
No pounding Grandpa's shiny rocks with a hammer.
OMG I would have been so thrilled to do this when I was a child! I was obsessed with jewels and gemstones and hidden treasures and stuff like that. I love collecting rocks and shells as well. My grandfather was an amateur gemcutter and he traveled all over the country looking for geodes, agates and other rocks that might have gemstones in them. We actually have thousands of slides and Viewmaster slides (in 3D from the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s) of him and my grandmother walking around in these fields looking for stones. He even created and patented a tumbler that people are still using now. So when my parents and I would go on vacation to the seaside we would pick up shells and stones we liked and when we came home my Dad would spend a couple of weeks tumbling them (with toothpaste!) to make them smooth and glossy. I still have a lot of those shells and stones now. This brings all of that back!
Last time I was out in Illinois for Thanksgiving where my Dad's sister lives we went to the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and ogled the geodes and other gorgeous stones. http://lizzadromuseum.org.
Wow! What cool memories!
Now I miss my rock tumbler...
Very good that this happy family applying a scientific method from the beginning to the end .. activated with #steemit for the cause I follow and you have my vote.
Thank you @wasgyo!
To you for answering.
good man
What a fun thing to do. We have geodes here in KY too and if you're real lucky, even some with amethyst inside. Most of them are white quartz though. Ours are more round in shape. My kids use to break them open too. It was always a surprise to see what was inside. Glad to see you all making happy memories!
Might have to try to find some the next time I am in Kentucky. Thanks!
Happy day @papa-pepper.. God Bless you, :)
Amethyst geodes are always beautiful. And even the colorless quartz geodes are remarkable when you consider how they were made.
Yeah, though the colors vary they are all amazing.
I was fascinated by all rocks as a kid. I especially liked geodes! I have one or two, but they were already opened. I would love to break open a geode.
I liked watching the children's expressions and comments when they seen the insides. What a great science experience from all of you. I love the teach by doing things you do.
I highly prefer teaching by doing. Thank you!