This Trip was a Last Minute Idea
And our results showed our lack of preparation. Wanting once again to get away somewhere for the weekend. Being that we really wanted to go rockhounding, we chose the Dugway Geode Beds in Utah. It is about 2 to 2 1/2 hours form Salt Lake City. If you go, make sure you do your research on the best way to get there and have some pretty specific maps on where exactly you will need to go once you are there. Unfortunately we missed the boat on all that and could not find the location to rockhound for geodes. Not only that, I took the very, very long way to get there from where we live (down through Eureka, south of Utah Lake). The best way to go from SLC is through Tooele on Hwy 36, to Pony Express Rd, heading southwest. I had it all wrong on which direction to take while looking at the map, because of the rush to pack and get out the door. I thought I knew where it was. It took us about 5 hours or more (I lost track) to finally arrive. And when we did, we had no idea where to go, having expected to count on GPS and our online maps. Fortunately we found a campsite and parked ourselves after doing some exploring. (I won’t mention that the only internet we had at home at the time was on our phones. Made it a little more difficult to do searches, keep track of everything, and we couldn’t print anything either.)

Other attractions in the area include Topaz Mountain. There you can find some pretty amazing topaz, so we have been told. There you can find some pretty amazing topaz, so we have been told. Here is a good blog site about the area we found before leaving. He has it all laid out and knows the good spots. Sadly though, we could not remember or access any of the names or places while there. Another good site with some photos and a penciled out map is willhiteweb.com.

Hunting for Geodes, Jasper, and Really Cool Rocks
We found a couple of flat rocks with inlaid crystals, and a ton of jasper and many other really cool rocks, but no big geodes. Turns out we were in the wrong area. When we did our search for maps and such, we saved everything online without an option to print. Didn’t think about being in the middle of nowhere with the possibility of no internet service. Oops. Turns out we were pretty close, even on the right road. We just didn’t go far enough.

At the End of the Day
After a long day in the sun, we took some time to have some fun with the camera.

To view more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.

Our Camp
It was extremely windy at the camp when we returned to our tent that night—and most of the next day! Our tent nearly blew away for good this time had it not been for the tree that stopped it, as it had almost taken flight in Moab. I learned from that trip and did not create another opportunity for a spinnaker sail. Unfortunately this time the tent did not make it. We bought another one the day after returning home. When we pulled up Zoe’s tent was no where to be found and our tent was hanging a tree five feet from the ground, with the exception of where the cooler sat inside—now tipped over and spilled out over all of our clothes and belongings. It is important to note that everything had been tied down and staked in the ground before leaving camp that morning! So, seeing this, we sat there in complete shock for about 30 seconds and lightly chuckled. I have to admit that Carrie is much more light hearted about these sort of things than i am. When we got our bearings, we commenced to strap and tie the entire tent back down in the dark—after untangling it from the tree—on every side in multiple places. We used up all of the rope, tie-downs, and cable that we had in the car, which was quite a bit. All the while, the chillin’s slept peacefully in the car—it was about 11pm. And no, once again there are no photos of this event. We were too preoccupied and shocked to see the tent and poles completely bent around a tree. There was quite a bit of weighty gear in it too. Looking back, it was quite a funny site. We can laugh about it now. Well, Carrie did from the beginning. It took me at least a day, maybe more.

The Next Day
Tired and not sure where else to look for geodes, we decided to just hang out and have a relaxing day with the extreme wind. There was one other campsite the day before and they were gone when we came back the from hounding, so there was no one to ask where else we could go. We could have gone back into town, but kids didn’t look at all like they could handle another day out. Besides, we wanted to stay one more night, and expected our tent to be gone when we came back.

The Wind Finally Calmed Down
We took a break to relax. Dehydrated and tired from the wind, activities, and sun, we chilled out and explored the area around the campground.

Time to leave

All packed and ready to go. The car didn’t start. Dead battery. I am so glad I bought the Black & Decker Electromate 400. What a life saver, even though I had to unpack the entire trunk to get to it.

Tuckered Out and Sun/Windburned
By the time we arrived home (very late), every one passed out pretty quick. Overall, we had a great time and it was definitely worth every bit. This is a neat place to go, if you want an adventure and to get away for a short vacation. However, I recommend staying for more than 2 days, or have a solid idea of where you are going to actually find geodes and topaz.

Recommendations

• The dirt roads can be pretty hard on the car. Take a truck, or maybe rent a vehicle.
• Always have solid maps of the area and its surroundings.
• Print all research and finding before leaving home, maybe even buy a book!
• Have what you need before going there, as there really isn’t too much in the area to shop.
• Research. Another site to look at—Utah Geological Survey. They have some good info. It’s a place to start.

What We Learned

• The Dugway area has kinda hostile weather in August.
• Be prepared for anything.
• Check your battery before leaving on a trip into the middle of no where.
• Cant always rely on GPS.
• Bring extra fuel.
• Heavy winds can cause some serious dehydration!
• Buy Heavy Duty tent stakes.

Food and Water

• We tried some dehydrated food, but most of it wasn’t great. The eggs were a bit bland, but not too bad. Zoe’s first experience with it didn’t go so well and she wouldn’t eat any of it. I guess we will have to find something else when we go backpacking.
• The campground has non-potable water. Bring everything you will need because the nearest town is Vernon to get food and gas, and it is about 1 hour back the way you come in.)

New Gear

• We bought a new tent after this not-so-mild trip. Most of the ties, seems, and plastic corners ripped and broke. One of the poles even snapped. It was bent around a tree after all.

(Via JosephTravels, JosephDC)