World Famous for Novaculite

Hot Springs, Arkansas
Lake Catherine State Park

Bill and I kidnapped Bo this morning and took her for a walk.  Maybe I should say Bo took Bill for a walk.  






L. C. is giving Bill some hints on road conditions.

We took a tour of  Dan's Whetstone Company this afternoon.  I really didn't know what to expect.





Dan started the company 42 years ago.  Here's a photo of Dan with our rally host--Kathy Adams.






Dan owns over 500 acres and has several quarries in the Garland County region where he mines a rare natural resource, Novaculite.  

I must say I didn't know anything about Novaculite.  Some of the products that use novaculite are knife sharpeners, surgical tools, wood working tools, dental tools, jewelers tools, gunsmithing, goldsmiths, die makers and veterinary tools.

We were divided up into three groups and toured the factory.

They only use about 20% of all the rocks they quarry.  The by products are used for gravel on the roads.  

We were told that it takes a person 2 to 3 years to learn the industry.

There are four different grades of Novaculite.

This 54 inch blade cuts the stones down to smaller sizes to fit into the other cutting machines.

I can see why they cut these rocks down to a smaller size.

Here's Dan's son, Sterling, hand inspecting and grading every product.

This black piece is used as a flint for a flintlock gun.  

John Walker is taking photos for the Montana Rover's Rally.






There were cookies and drinks provided for the group.  In our rally packets each person received a whetstone and coasters from Dan Whetstone.  

After the tour the whole group went to Rocky Mountain Grill for dinner.  

The restaurant had reserved a room for the group.  Tables were set up in two long rows.  

Harry, Carlena, George, Linda and I were completely finished with our meals and desserts and Bill was still waiting for his.  He finally told the waitress to cancel the salad he ordered.  It was a pretty room, but it had a tin ceiling and it was so noisy you couldn't hear anyone.  It also didn't help that the ac vent was blowing cold air right on us. 


Turtle Safely..........