Finding agates in Iowa may not be the first place that comes to mind but the state is full of agates that make every trip outdoors a little more exciting. Along riverbanks, gravel pits, and glacial deposits you can discover stones with swirling patterns and bright colors hidden just beneath the surface. Some sparkle with … Read more
Hunting for gems in Iowa is a lot of fun and more fruitful than you might think. The state has some fantastic opportunities to go home with a bucket full of beautiful finds if you focus your hunt in the right places. It’s entirely possible to amass a high-quality, diverse assortment of specimens, from vibrant … Read more
Iowa’s land offers free food to anyone willing to look. The fields, forests, and riverbanks hide natural treasures throughout the year. Learning where to find these plants can save you money and connect you to nature. Wild foods grow all around us, often in places we pass every day. Morel mushrooms appear in spring woodlands … Read more
You can find dozens of edible plants growing naturally across Iowa, from the woods to the water’s edge. Curly dock and dandelion are two of the earliest greens you’ll see each year, and both are easy to work with in the kitchen. Others, like elderberries, come later and offer fruit you can preserve. A lot … Read more
Every spring, mushroom hunters across Iowa head into the woods with one goal in mind: morels. These wild mushrooms are only around for a short time, typically just a few weeks, and they can be frustratingly difficult to find. They blend into the forest floor, pop up unpredictably, and disappear just as quickly as they … Read more
The state of Iowa may not be the first place you think of when it comes to valuable rocks, minerals, and gems, but you’d be surprised at what’s hiding beneath the surface. From stunning galena, which is prized for its lead content, to rose quartz that can add a beautiful touch to any collection, Iowa … Read more
Arrowheads and points are fascinating pieces of history that many people enjoy discovering. In Iowa, these artifacts tell stories about the Native American tribes who lived here long ago. They were used for hunting and other daily tasks. You can often find arrowheads in fields, near rivers, and in wooded areas. These locations were common … Read more
Iowa’s first mining boom wasn’t about gold – it was silver and lead that got everyone excited. Back in the 1800s, miners pulled thousands of pounds of these precious metals from the state’s rocky ground. These days, you don’t need to be a professional to find silver in Iowa. The right spots still hold plenty … Read more
Iowa’s first mining boom wasn’t about gold – it was silver and lead that got everyone excited. Back in the 1800s, miners pulled thousands of pounds of these precious metals from the state’s rocky ground. These days, you don’t need to be a professional to find silver in Iowa. The right spots still hold plenty … Read more
While it’s often celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and warm Southern hospitality, Mississippi has a somewhat limited diversity in its geological makeup. Despite this, there are still different rocks and minerals found in Mississippi. From the fossil-rich exposures along the Mississippi River bluffs to the Petrified Forest in Flora, where ancient trees have turned … Read more
