I told myself to stay busy and help people throughout the week, but wow, I did not expect this at all. 2-day rock show, Thursday rock day, and maybe some live field action with so much more. Please stick with me this week.

Happy Monday, everyone! Let's start this week off the right way. Sometime this week, I challenge you to step outside, free your mind, and take a little time for yourself. You don't have to travel far or plan a big adventure. It could be right in your own front yard! Take a few minutes, look around, and see what catches your eye. You never know what kind of cool stone might be sitting right under your feet. 📸 Your challenge this week: ✅ Step outside and clear your mind. ✅ Find a cool stone, no matter how big or small. ✅ Take a picture and share it with us here. ✅ Let's talk about what you found and see what we can learn from it! Sometimes, it's not about how far you travel or what you find. It's about slowing down, getting outside, and enjoying the little things. Who's taking on this week's challenge? 👇 Let's see what cool stones are hiding in your own backyard! 🪨🔍 Get out and free your mind. 👍

I've been curious about something lately, and I wanted to ask the rockhounding community. How much has the cost of living changed the way you get out and explore in 2026 compared to five years ago? Five years back, did you find yourself heading out more often, driving further down those backroads, camping for the weekend, or exploring a new spot without thinking too much about the cost? Now, between fuel, groceries, camping costs, and everyday bills, I wonder how many of us are staying closer to home or getting out less than we used to. Rockhounding has always been about the adventure, the fresh air, and that feeling of finding something special where nobody else is looking. But getting out there still costs money. 🪨 I'm curious about your experience. Have rising costs changed how often you go rockhounding, how far you travel, or how you plan your adventures? Or have you found ways to keep exploring without spending as much? Let's hear it! There's no right or wrong answer here. I'm just curious how things have changed for our community over the last five years. I’d like to welcome @Lisa O'Brien to share this question with her community as well! Anyone else is welcome to ask their own community and join in on the conversation. The more people who participate, the better understanding we can get of how rising costs are affecting our ability to get out, explore, and enjoy our rockhounding adventures. 🪨🌲 Poll 1: Have rising fuel costs changed how far you travel to find rocks?✅️❌️ ⛽ Yes, I stay closer to home 🚙 Yes, but I still travel when I can 🗺️ No, I still travel the same distances 🪨 I mostly explore locally anyway Poll 2: What's the biggest expense holding you back from getting out more?✅️❌️ ⛽ Fuel and vehicle costs 🏕️ Camping and accommodation 🥪 Food and everyday expenses 💰 The overall cost of living isn't leaving much extra Poll 3 👇