Rockstock was started back on Labor Day weekend in 1993 by a few Thunderegg hounds wanting to access some of the best beds in the country. Most of the places to dig are on private property and are either closed or by appointment only. The first Rockstock had about 30 rock hounds that attended with 3 ranches that opened up for the group. Rockstock was born!
 

 
This years Rockstock will be held on Memorial Day weekend starting Friday May 23 and running through Monday May 26, 2008. Thats right 4 fun filled days of Thundereggs, Agates, and Petrified Wood what more could a rock hound ask for.
 
 
I spoke to Cathy Friend from the Friend Ranch today and inquired about this years event. Cathy said that they will be open every day during the event except on Sunday. There is dry camping available to all who attends Rockstock, and the camp site is located at the Friends Ranch.
Meeting place and time for Rockstock digs will be at the Friends camp at 8:00 am every morning. All the ranchers who will be participating will meet up at camp in the morning to schedule the days digs. Some of the digs will be at specific times, and days only.
 
 
Friend Ranch will have all of it’s beds open and they will be charging $1.00 per pound for Thundereggs, Green moss agate I’m not sure what they are charging but it should be reasonable.
Also a little secret that Cathy told me is the small Thundereggs tend to be the best looking one’s.
 
 
Friends also has Green Apple agate which tends to have reds, greens and yellows. They did say that the digging for this is very hard digging (aka hard rock mining).
 
 
Cathy also mentioned that anybody that would like to attend church on Sunday that there is a church in Ashwood and service starts at 9:00 am. A few other things that were mentioned was be prepared bring water, food, and your rockhounding tools. As the closest town with anything like motels and restaurants is in Madras.
 
 
Tools that you should bring are:
 

1. Shovel
2. Pick
3. Rock Hammer
4. Chisels
5. Bucket

 
 
Friend Ranch is also open by appointment through out the year for a $50 minimum fee to groups or clubs. They also do mail order for all of there material.
 
 
Thundereggs are a $1.00 LB thats a good deal as it cost the same to dig them.
 
 
If you need anymore information or would like to schedule an appointment to dig at Friend Ranch you can contact Darrell or Cathy Friend at (541) 489-3252. Email address is friendranchagate@ashwoodrockstock.com or you can visit there website at Friend Ranch