This is Throwback Thursday #301. 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 send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks!  email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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We have a poem this week. This poem appeared in the July 1970 edition of the ESCONI newsletter. It was written by T.O Garrett of the Willipaw Harbor Gem & Mineral Society.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence for the Willipaw Harbor Gem & Mineral Society, but there is a region of Washington State called Willapa Harbor. Below is a photo of the Port of Willapa Harbor. Their website shows some breathtaking views.

The residents are very accommodating to the wildlife in the area.

THE ROCKHOUND –by T.O. Garrett, Willapa Harbor Gem & Mineral Society (via the Glacial Drifter, Ozark Earth Science News, and the Illowa News Grinder)

When heat devils dance across the sand,
Who swings a pick that burns his had?
When the sage is scarred by the torrid sun,
Who sweats and strains–and calls it fun?
THE ROCKHOUND!

When the riverbank is white with snow,
And ice has covered the rocks below,
When the fish are huddled together for heat
Who wades in water up to his seat?
THE ROCKHOUND!

Who clings to a cliff a mile in the sky
Where eagles and clouds are all that go by?
One slip and they’ll scrape him up in a pail
And his widow will have to hunt a new male?
THE ROCKHOUND!

Who bites right back at a rattlesnake?
Who goes for gems like a kid for cake?
Who cows the bull that bars his way?
(While throwing the bull most every day?)
THE ROCKHOUND!

Who piles the rocks on his poor wife’s load
Till her backbone creaks and her legs are bowed?
Then, when they’re home with the precious haul,
Who is the one that claims them all?
THE ROCKHOUND!

Who looks at the slab I hold most dear,
Points to a flaw with a scornful sneer,
Then lays it down and says “It’s cute”?
He is the guy I’m going to shoot.
THE ROCKHOUND!