An authoritative, colorful guide to the best rockhounding sites in Washington and Oregon
Third Place Books and the North Cascades Institute present Alison Jean Cole as part of our Spring 2025 Nature of Writing series! Cole will be discussing her new book, A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon & Washington. The Pacific Northwest’s complex geologic history makes it a treasure trove for rockhounds. Collected here are 60 sites where you can explore ancient sea-floors, epic lava flows, glacier-carved landscapes, and evidence of 200 million years of tectonic action. Discover agates and jaspers in the volcanic Cascade Range and marine fossils along the Oregon Coast. Search for concretions along the Olympic Peninsula, petrified wood in the Owyhee Uplands, and much more.
This event is co-sponsored by the North Cascades Institute, a nonprofit conservation organization working to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Learn more at ncascades.org.
For important updates, registration is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!
About A Rockhound's Guide to Oregon and Washington. . .
An authoritative, colorful guide to the best rockhounding sites in Washington and Oregon
Features 60 outstanding rockhounding sites
Emphasizes rockhounding basics, sustainable collecting, and Leave No Trace principles
Each location features an overview of the area’s geologic history along with what types of rocks and fossils you may find
The Pacific Northwest’s complex geologic history makes it a treasure trove for rockhounds. Collected here are 60 sites where you can explore ancient sea-floors, epic lava flows, glacier-carved landscapes, and evidence of 200 million years of tectonic action. Discover agates and jaspers in the volcanic Cascade Range and marine fossils along the Oregon Coast. Search for concretions along the Olympic Peninsula, petrified wood in the Owyhee Uplands, and much more.
In addition to detailed information on where exactly to begin a rock hunt, every location features an overview of the area’s geologic history and age, what types of rocks are worth finding there, needed tools, land manager, and collection limits. Clear driving directions with GPS coordinates, road quality and trip safety information, best season to go, and an informative map round out each description.
"Whether you are a geology enthusiast or a die-hard rockhound, a fine arts jeweler or a lifelong pebble puppy, I wrote this book with every type of rock-lover in mind. Out here, interesting rocks are everywhere. Let’s go find them."--FROM THE INTRODUCTION
About the Nature of Writing Series. . .
A deep appreciation for the transformative power of literature and art has been at the heart of North Cascades Institute since the very beginning. The humanities provide important lenses through which we inhabit and understand our shared landscapes. Our Nature of Writing Speaker Series celebrates the creative minds illuminating the natural world with the turn of a page.
For nearly 20 years, North Cascades Institute has worked in partnership with independent booksellers and community organizations to bring leading authors on environmental issues, natural and cultural history, poetry, art, wellness and adventure together in celebration and appreciation of nature. Past speakers have included Terry Tempest Williams, Gary Snyder, David B. Williams, Richard Louv, Peter Wohlleben, Brenda Peterson, Tim McNulty, Mary Oliver, Barry Lopez and Molly Hashimoto. By bringing our community together in conversation at these events, we aim to support authors, poets and artists and amplify their voices to promote lifelong stewardship through better understanding of the world around us.
Alison Jean Cole is a geology enthusiast and artist. Frequently traveling all over the western states in search of material to use in her lapidary craft, she leads rockhounding expeditions, runs a geology festival in Utah, and is a proud member of the Mount Hood Rock Club. She is the author of Beautiful Rocks & How to Find Them, and publishes THUNDEREGG, a zine that focuses on the changing face of rockhounding culture. She lives in Portland, OR. Visit Alison online at alisonjeancole.com or Instagram @alisonjeancole..
Want a signed edition of the featured book, but can't make it to the event? Order through our website or over the phone, and write your request for a signature or personalization in the comments field at checkout. Please call the hosting store if you're placing your order within 24 hours of the event.
Third Place Books Events Code of Conduct: Third Place Books is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of event attendees and guest authors, during both online and in-store events. By registering for this event, you are agreeing to refrain from engaging in inappropriate behavior and harassment of any kind throughout the course of this event (i.e. racial slurs, profanity, hate speech, spam comments, etc.). Please note that any participants who engage in inappropriate behavior or harassment of any kind will be immediately ejected from the event.
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