I have always been fascinated by rocks and minerals, which I assume is the case with most geologists. My love of rocks all started with a small collection. I was around 7 when my family and I took a trip into the Texas Hill Country. On a short hike up a hill overlooking a river, my dad found a very interesting rock and told me to get closer and take a look. He said that the rock he was holding was very special, it was called Flint, and if you hit it just right, and he struck the flint against another rock and there was a spark, and what sounded like a gunshot as small piece was ejected. I was hooked. I still have that piece of flint in my collection. It started with just a few, and now an entire side of my parents' garage is being taken up by rocks. All of which are logged, identified, and categorized. The only thing I have been unable to do is build a proper display solution for them. 

I usually collect pieces from road cuts when I travel, and I always get some local specialties from a rock shop while I'm out rambling. I like to get mineral specimens in matrix. I don't really know why they appeal more to me than a polished gem or the mineral by itself, I guess I find more beauty in its natural form. 

Below I have some photos of a few of my favorite pieces.