A co-worker commutes all the way from Norlina to up here in central Virginia because he bought a farm right in the middle of the Ridgeway Cantelope District a few years ago.  Poor man looks twice his age, same as my long-ago managing editor in Oklahoma who also held  down an office job while ranching in his "spare" time.  Anyway I asked him about soil and rocks on his place.  He has to amend the clay soil with gypsum to grow anything, and removes lots of "ugly plain ole brown rocks."  He does not know what kind of rocks but might bring one in.  So, is Norlina area known for anything worth collecting?  He had noticed the handful of rocks and crystals that adorn my filing cabinet top.  I told him to look in the local creeks and let me know if he sees anythign similar!  In fact, he replied, he was intending to inspect 29 acres for sale across the road from his place, and it has a creek.  So we shall see.