6 Jun 2025 - Petosky Stones

 

Today we drove to the shores of Grand Traverse Bay in search of the elusive Petosky stones.  Doreen and I had been successful there before so we took Mike and Rachel there to see if we could find any,  and they scored!  The picture above shows some nice examples of what Rachel found.  

Petoskey stones are unique fossilized coral fragments, specifically of the coral species Hexagonaria percarinata, found along the shores of Michigan's Great Lakes, particularly in the Petoskey area. They are Michigan's state stone and are characterized by their distinctive hexagonal, star-shaped patterns. 

These stones can be very difficult to find.  If they are dry the fossil formations can be very difficult to spot and the stones just look like plain gray rocks.  But once they are wet, the fossil formations pop.  So the key factor here is "wet"!!  The Grand Traverse Bay today was 48.7 degrees F, but the good hunting is in the water rather than on the shore. 

While the girls searched in the water, Mike and I searched the shoreline and I also dog-sat Liberty.  We are so glad Rachel had such good luck today on her first time searching for the Petosky's!

Overcast today but the water is crystal clear

After the rock-hounding we made our way back to Bellaire for lunch on the way back to the campground.  We stopped at Shorts Brewing Company and used a coupon we were provided at the rally.  The lunch was good and so was the beer.  I find myself bringing back half of my sandwich more and more frequently.  

Back at the campground we prepared our food for the evening potluck.  Doreen made a veggie tray with a couple different types of veggie dip.  There was a ton of food there and it was delicious.  The weather has continued to cooperate and we've been able to have all activities outside around the campfire.  

Our friends from Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, Steve and Kelli Cerny arrived and joined the group for dinner and stayed for the after-dinner playing card bingo.  Doreen was the big winner there.  I think she won three hands!  Later, Steve and Kelli stopped over to see our new furniture and catch up a bit.  We really enjoy staying at their campground but it did not work out for us this year.

Tomorrow (Saturday) morning we have a group rally breakfast and then Mike and Rachel and us plan to drive to Traverse City,  Mike wants to pick up some bourbon before they depart here.  Then tomorrow night we will have the final rally dinner before everyone goes their separate ways on Sunday.