On 6/12/2010, Jill and I went to the rock swap at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site.
The rock swap is held in the parking lot, in the almost-summer heat.
There were lots and lots of rocks to choose from.
We last saw this rock at the Columbia show — petrified palm wood — a really
big piece.
This mass of shells was neat, too.
The photo doesn't do this one justice. It is pyrite in the center, surrounded by colorful
chalcopyrite. The seller placed it on top of a piece of polished petrified wood for me to
take the photo.
This one was neat, too.
The large slabs of selenite were amazing.
There were definitely a lot of rocks that we could buy.
On the way down, we noticed a sign for a space museum, and decided to try to find it on the
way back home. We hadn't heard of a space museum
down there, but there is one in Bonne Terre, just a few blocks from the
well-known Bonne Terre Mine. Just inside the
entrance is a small rocket engine.
There are many space-related toys on display.
Sandals with springs.
The robot from Lost in Space.
Robby from Forbidden Planet.
On Super 8, no less.
As it is "all purpose," I wonder what other purposes it can serve?
Several models of missiles and spacecraft are on display.
Gloves that were in space.
A page from Gordon Cooper's notebook.
Hearing notes.
White room access badge.
Countdown manual.
Blade.
One of several signed photos.
Spacecraft hang from the ceiling.
A coffee cup from the recovery of the Liberty Bell capsule.
An exclusive from Lindbergh.
An ejection seat from a B-52. Note that the cushion, and not the entire chair, ejects
the gunner.
The badge worn by Mark Harmon in the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
A flag that flew to the moon and back.
Apollo-Soyuz model.
A postal commemorative signed by Neil Armstrong and his family.
A rocket model signed by two more astronauts.
