This is Throwback Thursday #210. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc ...), please sent them to [email protected]. Thanks!
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This poem by Ted Johnson of the Puget Sounder appeared in the April 1962 edition of the ESCONI newsletter. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any information online about the Puget Sounder or the Des Moines Treasure Chest. If you know anything about these newsletters, please email us at [email protected].
"A ROCKHOUND"
A rockhound's a character. Now let me explain
'Fore you get up your dander and bust.
It's just that he's odd and got rocks on the brain
And the things that he does is a must.He'll go to the beach when it's cold and it's damp,
And cook on an old coleman stove,
And eat by the light of an old gasoline lamp,
While, hunting for rocks in the cove.He'll drive all of the night and half of the day
To a place that he's been to before;
Lay down his cold cash as entrance pay
In the hope that he'll find some more.He'll sleep in a tent that's tattered and torn
Or cramped up in his station wagon
And he'll carry a pack, as sure as he's born,
Till his back and his legs are a saggin.He'll dig a huge hole as big as a well
In his quest for a pretty stone
And those fossil beds old bones and old shell-
Will lure that man from his home.He'll ride in his car to the grocery store
Three blocks or perhaps only two;
But hike ten miles or perchance even more
When hunting for Ellensburg blue.He'll crawl on his knees in the hot desert sun
While hunting those famous sun stones
He'll run out of water and say it was fun
When he lays down his weary old bones.He'll climb Yakima Canyon, and that's a real feat
As every one knows who has tried,
Just to get a few limbs, in that infernal heat,
He'll dig out a whole mountain sideHe'll struggle up Red Top, this crazy rocknut,
And slave till his blisters are sore.
While at home he's got tons that have never been cut
Yet he's got to have several pounds more.He'll forget about danger and out stare a snake.
He'll wade in the river that's swift
And keep hoping and praying that someday he'll take
Home an agate he scarcely can lift.Now I've told you my story and It's true as can be
No matter how silly it sounds,
But I'm happy to say, and it's easy to see,
All my friends are these crazy rockhounds.Ted Johnson
From Puget Sounder
Via Des Moines Treasure Chest
