Rock Walk Uncovers Agate With a Unique Face

I have been retired for several years and since

I moved from Iowa to Minnesota, I have enjoyed searching the gravel roads and rocky farm fields for agates and interesting rocks. With COVID-19 and social distancing, there has been a lot of together time with my wife. When I suggested that we should go on a rock walk, she responded, “You should go. Take your time.”

After I hit several of my old spots, I decided to drive around and see if I could find some new area. I spotted some rocky looking hilltops in plowed bean fields and decided to see if I could get permission to search this new area. I stopped at the farmhouse, and keeping my distance asked if I could search some of his 200 acres of rocky fields. He looked at me a little funny and repeated, “Look for rocks?” I explained it’s a hobby and that I make earrings and things for my granddaughters and others. He answered, “Sure, have fun.” I asked where the rockiest areas were. He suggested a hilltop on the southern edge of his property. I was pretty beat from already walking miles of plowed fields, so I only walked out where he suggested, to get an idea of what’s there. I walked out maybe 75 yards and observed lots of small rock and plenty of good-looking rock hunting areas.

I headed back to the truck and picked up a dusty red rock on my way back. At the truck, I washed it in my water bucket and was amazed at what I saw — one of the nicest solid agates I have found to date. The two-faced pie-shaped agate weighed about one pound. When I cleaned it at home, I was surprised at what I saw. One face was a typical tightly banded laker, dark red and white agate. The other face had swirls and waves of banding. That’s when I saw the pattern — the eyes, the mask, and the surgical hat.

I showed Altha (my wife), and her response was, “Oh, that’s spooky.” The next day I headed back to my new hot spot. I walked miles of rocky hilltops but did not find even one agate! The COVID agate is now in my display case, along with dozens of other agates and rocks. If you look closely and let your imagination wander, you can see all shapes and scenes in Superior banded agates, and most of them have their own story.