I've Got Rocks on My Mind Or Rocking out in Reedsport

Saturday my husband, dog and I took a little trip to the usually laid back burb of Reedsport, about a 30 minute drive south of Florence on Highway 101. It wasn't sleepy! Instead, Reedsportians and lots of folks from out of the area made a beeline to the Reedsport Gem and Mineral Show being held at the community center downtown. What a feast for the eyes and lots of temptations for the pocketbook! My favorite vendor was Bend Beads. www.bendbeads.com. I drooled over their pink saphires, fire opals and most especially over their gold necklaces made in India. I was amazed by the complexity of the links that were all hand-hammered and by the brilliance of the 24 karat gold. Unfortunatley, the necklace didn't come home with me, though no doubt it was priced attractively, but not in my budget. The community center was packed with displays and with lapidarians polishing rocks. There were door prizes and silent auctions for adults and kids. A short stroll away is Thai Smile, a new restaurant that has yummy mango beverages as well as to-die for food. Oh, and yes, I looked around for good real estate deals too--in between shows and food. Want a copy of "Hope's Hot Picks?" Email me at hope@hopemacmanus.net and I'll send it right out.