Leland Blue Hunt on Van's Beach

[@jimrowland6089]

Nothing better than a beach walk with pretty rocks and clear blue water.

[@MichiganRocks]

Agreed!

[@John_Montgomery]

We are from that area.. love the video. My Aunt Sally picked the beaches clean not leaving much for the rest of us to find. So please excuse my dear aunt sally.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'll bet she's a very orderly woman. I hope her behavior didn't add any division to your family.

[@John_Montgomery]

LOL .. good stuff

[@cathyk9615]

Leland was my dad's name. He also had beautiful blue eyes. I guess you could say he was a 'Leland Blue'. lol

[@MichiganRocks]

That's cool.

[@whosaidthat2982]

Leland is my name. I’m named after my great grandpa.

[@sparband]

That’s a beautiful beach. The water is a pretty color. Almost like tropical beach colored water.

[@MichiganRocks]

There are a lot of beaches in Michigan with really cool colored water. It's fun to see different colors as the water goes from shallow to deep.

[@vilmed777]

The Eastern US and Atlantic always have the most beautiful blue green waters

[@heatherlawrence1896]

I love Hag Stones "holes in rocks" nice beautiful waves.

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't really like the term "hag stone". It reminds me of witches, which reminds me of every time I do a Google search to learn about a particular type of rock. Most of the results I get are about the "meaning" of the rock or about it's healing powers. It makes me sad to think that people rely on rocks to cure them. So I'll continue to call them "holey rocks" or rocks with holes in them.

[@heatherlawrence1896]

@@MichiganRocks that is just what I have heard them called. I dont use them for healing.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@heatherlawrence1896 Oh, I wasn't suggesting that you were using them for healing. I've been told many times that's what they're called, I was just telling you why I don't call them that. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I don't mind that you mentioned it.

[@heatherlawrence1896]

@@MichiganRocks i understand. All good.

[@cathyk9615]

@@MichiganRocks Hey, you don't need to drill holes in them, just thread a nice ribbon or leather string thru and you're all set.

[@ednabart1199]

The sound of the waves is music to my ears. I am an Aquarius and love the water.

[@MichiganRocks]

I think the waves are one of the main reasons a lot of people like my beach videos.

[@milesnn]

Sweet adventure wow they are pretty big waves great eye to pick them very unique ones that blue is gorgeous kindness always comes back that is awesome of you to do that thank you for a walk along

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for coming along with me. I'm glad you liked the video.

[@shahrulniza5286]

The most beautiful slag, ever. Match the turqoise blue water too!. Amazing day out....TQ for taking us along. 🌞🌊

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, it's some pretty stuff. I want go back for another hunt.

[@sparband]

I am dreading the winter coming up there. We will all miss the beach rock hunts and kayak tours. I look forward to them.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have a few videos saved up to get us through the winter. I'll mix them up with some lapidary videos.

[@sparband]

Thanks. I enjoy the lapidary ones too.

[@iforester4449]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video, wide blue skies and waves. The Michigan you bring us is beautiful.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's not hard to show you a beautiful Michigan, it's a beautiful state. A new teacher was hired at my school last year who was from out of state. He had visited Michigan for the first time about a year earlier, I think. He was surprised at how nice it was because his impression of Michigan was of Detroit. I never knew that was how some people thought of Michigan because that's so different than what my experience is.

[@ryantimmer901]

I've been visiting lake Michigan my whole life and it still amazes me every time I see it

[@MichiganRocks]

It's a Great Lake, isn't it?

[@ryantimmer901]

It sure is

[@sunqwest1]

Still a beautiful day for the beach. The hunt is never a waste of time

[@MichiganRocks]

No complaints from me. I had a ball there.

[@ruthsawyer3357]

You took this video very realistic that as if I felt like I was there right on the beach, what a lovely feeling. A very serene fantastic day.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks. I'm not sure I did much different on this video than any others. I'm glad you liked it though.

[@shannon3x3]

I wondered if u were ever going to look for leland blues, i figured u weren't interested because its glass. It's awesome u did!! They're pretty neat i think.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not all that interested in slag, but Leland Blue is really popular, so I thought it would make a good video. I ended up really having a lot of fun looking for something different. That one that was a little bigger and really blue was pretty exciting to find.

[@victoriadawydiuk4172]

With Halloween just around the corner and a bit of snow on the ground it was so nice to hear the waves and see the beautiful blue water.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was thinking seriously about going out on Saturday. The water and waves are still there.

[@karenpacker8862]

Leland blues are so gorgeous...haven't been there since knowing about them. Even with competition knew you'd find something!!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I was pretty happy with that bigger light blue one. I had fun hunting for them even if I didn't find that many. I wasn't expecting to find too much on a really popular beach for rock hunting.

[@karenpacker8862]

@@MichiganRocks yeah know the feeling...but always fun too look!!!! We took our adult sons and families to our favorite "petoskey" beach everyone found some! My grandson just 3...kept piling me with grey rocks found one he says! LOl

[@lesliehaynie4932]

The water is so beautiful.

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Got to love any hobby where you get to walk along a beach and listen to the waves

[@MichiganRocks]

Even a bad day is a good day!

[@pennyhoward3438]

The water is so beautiful. So sorry you didn't find a big blue but you did find some cool rocks. Thanks for sharing👍🖐

[@MichiganRocks]

I was pretty happy with that one that was really blue. It was fun to hunt for something different.

[@enriquemireles8947]

Those waves and the color reminds of back home on Padre island on a clear day.

[@MichiganRocks]

It probably smells a little different though, since this is fresh water, not salt water.

[@charlottebeck3757]

I’m so glad you share these videos with us!

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm so glad someone wants to watch them. Thanks!

[@daianmata5945]

Leland Blue rocks ! Nice !

[@resrussia]

Your trips around Michigan is a great source of nature areas to visit in Michigan. The beach seems to be part of a network of parks in the Leland area. Thanks for another tip on places where my wife and I can visit during annual vacation in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. There are lots of beaches to explore. I live on the east side of the state, so I have to drive a couple hours to get to these beaches. I'm going to try to add more to the list next summer.

[@francinehibiscus350]

What a beautiful beach! The Leelenau is a special place. Great haul, too!

[@MichiganRocks]

It's a pretty place, that's for sure. It's a lot busier than what I'm used to on the east side of the state.

[@lindaeads7536]

Great day for you today! Well done, Rob. I've heard those rocks with a hole in them called, "hag" stones. I have several. Not beautiful but kinda cool. I love the Leland area. A bit of a drive for you, wasn't it? Each time you pick up a neat rock, I think of seeing it after it's been tumbled and how it will look. My husband and I enjoy all your videos so much! Even if your search isn't that productive, we love listening to the waves.

[@MichiganRocks]

If I come home with no rocks at all, I still can't complain about spending time on the beach. I had a great time that day. I have a barrel full of rocks collected from Michigan in the tumbler right now. When they're done, I'll let you see them. I don't really like the term "hag stone". It reminds me of witches, which reminds me of every time I do a Google search to learn about a particular type of rock. Most of the results I get are about the "meaning" of the rock or about it's healing powers. It makes me sad to think that people rely on rocks to cure them. So I'll continue to call them "holey rocks" or rocks with holes in them.

[@MichiganRocks]

I forgot to mention that it is a ways to go. It's about a three hour drive. I camped for a couple of nights and visited a few beaches, but it's not terrible to do in a day. I don't really like hunting beaches with so many people. They're so picked over that it's harder to find much. On the other hand, it's fun to stop and talk to other rock lovers. I made an effort this summer to get over to Lake Michigan a few times to go to some of the more popular beaches. It's nice to be able to point people to these videos when they ask about beaches in other parts of the state.

[@maverickstclare3756]

can't all be full of gems, I still enjoyed the waves

[@MichiganRocks]

I had a good time there. I talked to a few people on the beach for a while. I'm not used to having other people on the beach with me. It was fun to talk to other rock hunters.

[@davidhile5363]

I don’t know how it is on Lake Huron but on Lake Michigan the big waves tend to bring in the sand and cover a lot of the rocks. Wed. we went hunting at Barns park and then went to Michigan Beach. The waves were really strong. The returning water kept washing the sand out from under my feet. I bent over to pick up a rock when that happened, lost my balance and fell in on my hands and knees. The next wave knocked me over and I got completely soaked and lost all my rocks that I spent 1& 1/2 hours collecting. Luckily my wife brought a complete change of clothes and there was a nice rest room to change in. Then to cap off the day we were rear ended on the way home by a driver that left the scene. Don’t give up on Vans Beach it’s usually a lot better than that !!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I was kind of laughing at your story until the rear ending. That's not funny at all. I went to Barnes Park the next day. I didn't find much at all there. I had a lot more fun on Van's Beach. It was fun finding something new, even if I didn't find lots of it. I really enjoyed my time there.

[@davidhile5363]

@@MichiganRocks Barns park usually produces many nearly perfect Petoskey stones in the inch to inch and a half range. If the waves were like they were a Van’s beach I can see why you didn’t find many. We found very few on Wednesday either. I did find a lot of nice banded chert. Yeah, I think the water temp was a lot warmer than the air temp when I fell in. I’d been walking around with water in my boots and it didn’t bother me at all.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@davidhile5363 I had heard that it was good, but it was a little rough and the water wasn't super clear. I did manage to find a few tiny ones.

[@pattimessenger6214]

Wow! Beautiful scenery! The waves are so peaceful! And of course, the rocks rock!

[@MichiganRocks]

I wouldn't have used the word "peaceful" for these waves. I think of peaceful waves being a gentle lapping wave. These were crashing, loud waves. Still a nice sound though.

[@rbrewmitch9351]

Yes, I watched this video and am so sad I couldn't visit Leland for my 70th Birthday party last April. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@MichiganRocks]

Maybe this summer. Happy birthday!

[@michellecollier7547]

I was just there a couple weeks ago. I found a few small ones but no good examples. My daughter isn't overly patient but I still drug here to 5 beaches on our trip

[@MichiganRocks]

Good for you. Kids need to get out and experience nature. Someday she might learn to like it.

[@michellecollier7547]

@@MichiganRocks she is 23 and has a degree in natural resource technology. She just isn't real patient for rock hunting. Hahahah. There were wineries to explore

[@MichiganRocks]

@@michellecollier7547 Oh, I thought you were talking about a teenager or something. My wife is like that too. Nothing wrong with visiting the wineries either, but I prefer breweries.

[@brianazmy3156]

I was in Arcadia Va fishing in the james River and found a cool rock with 7 different shades of blue layers. I carried that stone in my pocket for over a decade before I lost it. I hope to go back and find another one now that I have a tumbler.

[@MichiganRocks]

Wow, that's a long time to carry a rock around. Sounds beautiful.

[@tonywild1963]

You had a lovely day walking along the beach Rob. Glad you found some Leyland blue rocks. Shame they weren't larger ones. They did look the same colour as the deeper water. Was good to see. Thank you

[@MichiganRocks]

I wasn't expecting to find loads of rocks, so I was happy with my little haul. I didn't think about them looking the same color is at the water. That's cool.

[@aliencat11]

You found hag stones! (Stones with holes all the way through.) The beach was gorgeous so even if it wasn't your best hunt, it was one of the most beautiful.

[@MichiganRocks]

It was my best hunt for Leland Blue. Of course it was my only hunt for Leland Blue. I don't like the term "hag stone". I really get frustrated with all the magical healing rock garbage on the Internet and hag stone reminds me of that. I think "holey rock" is a better name.

[@aliencat11]

@@MichiganRocks I agree. Holey rocks it is!

[@elizabethsmith7582]

I love your channel!! It is informative and relaxing. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@MichiganRocks]

You’re welcome, Elizabeth!

[@tinkerbellblue5142]

Good morning Rob and Nancy, thanks for sharing 😊😊

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@jerryklutts8615]

Nice little finds. Not every hunt/trip will be greats ones, its still getting out and looking. Never know when you will find that "one". Nice video

[@MichiganRocks]

I was not disappointed at all. I really liked that one fairly large, very blue one. I wasn't expecting to find much on such a popular beach, but it's always nice to just be on the beach looking.

[@celestialbeauty8908]

I have the same love for stones, I just see there are so many people that actually appreciate the stones so much. Love from Greece🌷💐🌷.. we have so many beaches here..!😰😂😂😂

[@MichiganRocks]

I’d love to see your beaches someday, but probably never will. There are a lot of rock lovers out there, you are not alone!

[@greenbayrockhuntress]

I thoroughly enjoyed that exact beach access and about 100 yards of the beach last February: Valentine's day weekend. -10° wind chill and stunningly treacherous iceshoves piled onto shore. I came home to the exact latitude across the lake in WI with almost 1# of Leland blues and a sprained ankle. It was totally worth it!!🤘

[@MichiganRocks]

Wow, that's dedication. Several people have asked me if I'm going to tumble the Leland Blue. I'm not sure if people usually keep them natural like beach glass or if they tumble them. What do you do with yours?

[@greenbayrockhuntress]

I actually tumbled a few, and they didn't really turn out too spectacular. I chose to keep the rest as they are, displayed in a glass jar. I do suggest going back in the cold weather months! Very little competition 😊

[@nancygaxiola5412]

@@greenbayrockhuntress I like antique glass, So that's what I did with all of the sea glass that I found in Ohio a couple of years ago... put them in one of my antique glass dishes, And they look great!

[@wwrighthv1840]

the blues are spectacular. would make great pendants i bet!

[@MichiganRocks]

I only found one that might be big enough. I didn't find anything big enough to make a cabochon out of though.

[@SherryAustinMcginley]

Well that was fun. It’s nice to stop and enjoy the view every now and then. 👍👍

[@MichiganRocks]

Yep, once in while, I remember to look up.

[@judispackman3616]

I love the glass. Pretty for a pendant.

[@MichiganRocks]

The glass or the slag? The slag has some great colors.

[@GregtheGrey6969]

Wow... Leland blue hey? It Covers the beach near Milwaukee. I just thought it was slag lol. Never bothered to pick it up. Those waves look familiar!!! Ruff hunting today lol. I found copper nuggets and pyrite nodules. Good hunting day.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not sure why, but this particular slag is highly sought after. Jewelry made from it can be pretty expensive. There are other beaches with slag. There's a beach near Christmas, Michigan that has a ton of slag on it, but no one seems to care about that stuff. I found some big pieces that just looked like obsidian up there, but some also had color to it.

[@littledabwilldoya9717]

I’ve found that there are a lot more fossil specimens going N from Van’s Beach. LOVE Leland Blue! I think because it reminds me of the clear water we have in our northern Great Lakes, and the beautiful variants of blue. Very calming color. I haven’t been able to get out hunting in over a year now, between physical problems and lack of a vehicle (after a ‘toasted’ gal hit me Valentine’s Day 😢🤨). So much for plans! Love being able to go along with you on your searches! Thank you.😊

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm really sorry that you can't get out and for such a terrible reason. You're welcome to tag along with me anytime. Next time I go to Van's, I'll have to try the other direction too. I'm thinking about going back this fall after a big wind on a day that is calm. Those days are easier to plan locally rather than two hours away, but maybe.

[@gayleblaze9890]

What a beautiful place!

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure is. I want to go back in the off season when there is less competition for rocks and Leland Blue.

[@kimbain4368]

You taught me yet another something new, which I love! I'd never heard of Leland Blue stones. Very interesting! Thanks for adding to my education yet again (at 65yo I need to keep exercising the little grey cells!) and for taking me along on another adventure.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm always glad when someone learns something from my videos. It's pretty stuff for industrial waste, isn't it?

[@NWRockExplorer]

slag glass is so cool, I'd love to find some someday!! there is so much variety in colors and patterns. There's not too many old iron smelters in my area so it is probably pretty hard to come by. Thanks for sharing!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I have found slag in other places, but not as pretty as the shades of blue found in Leland. Nice stuff there.

[@SamsonsamSim]

Beautiful finds all around!

[@EDLaw-wo5it]

I don't know how I missed this vid. Nice hunt. I bet it is better with calm winds. Havagudun Bud.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm surprised you missed one too. I'm glad you found it. The big waves are fun to see, but not great for hunting. I need to go back to this beach on a calm day. I'd like to bring my kayak too. It would be nice to get around that point. I actually had my kayak that day, but it was way too rough to use it.

[@grandmasworld2403]

The water is a beautiful color. What are the dark bluish green rocks. There seems to be a lot of them but you don't seem to be interested in them. You throw so many back I think I would keep.

[@MichiganRocks]

The green/blue rocks are one of several things. I’m not very interested because they don’t have any bands or patterns on them. A lot of people comment on them though.

[@laurabryce6544]

I love that digging spoon you made, nice!

[@MichiganRocks]

I rarely dig with it, I usually use it to dip rocks out of deep or cold water.

[@saintjimmy2244]

Good lot. Worth a walk on a nice day. Just like any rock collecting in or near water, you're giong to get wet. 😁😁😁👌👍

[@MichiganRocks]

I made the mistake of not wearing my bathing suit. I just had shorts on. Bad planning on my part, but with the wind I dried out quickly, just to get wet again. It was a fun day.

[@tammys5763]

@@MichiganRocks You absolutely must go in the water at least to your knees. When I was at Van's, I was the only one in the water. It was pretty cold and windy. I was the only one finding Leland Blues. People looked at me like I was crazy but I found a lot!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@tammys5763 I much prefer rock hunting in the water. It just wasn't an option on the day I was there. If you watch some of my videos, I go in the water wearing waders when there's still ice around.

[@tammys5763]

@@MichiganRocks You bet I watch your videos. I really like them all. I hadn't really planned on going in the ice cold water that day. A big ole wave tumbled me in fully clothed and I figured I might as well swim now. Lol

[@SonjasSEAcrets]

My first visit there was end of January 2020. It was a brutal, cold wind, but I found a few bits of the Blue in that ice water! I've really enjoyed all your videos!

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them. I got several comments on this video about Leland Blue normally being a little easier to find that what I experienced, so I might go back in November when the beach isn't so crowded. There should have been some good storms by then, so maybe I can find more if I get in the water with waders. Nothing wrong with going out in the cold season.

[@lorewilhelm9182]

The water is beautifully clear.

[@judyhobday4760]

Fifty plus years ago I lived in Portland OR. and we found what had been some kind of smelter, I believe, and picked up a lot of chunks and pieces of glass. At that time it was interesting but did not go back and have no history. Wish I had known more. Now I have lived on the Oregon coast for almost twenty years and long to get out but parking is at a premium where I can go and up until a while ago all the places to park were boarded off. Lots of people from the valley come over and makes it difficult. right now lots of boats out crabbing.

[@MichiganRocks]

The beaches on Lake Michigan are pretty busy. Over on Lake Huron, I can have beaches to myself.

[@savagesquirrel9828]

Looks like a good place for one of those potato rakes, or garden claws. Amazing waves....I think “inland sea” is more appropriate than “lake.” Surf’s Up!

[@MichiganRocks]

The difference is that we don't have salt water. There are T-shirts that are popular here that say "The Great Lakes, Unsalted and Shark Free".

[@TheALTGaming]

Visited Peterson Park the other day because of your video and had a blast, now I'll be heading to Vans beach this week! Thanks for your videos they're super helpful!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I went to Lake Michigan a few times this summer because I didn't have any videos from there. I was hoping it would be helpful for people trying to decide which beaches to visit.

[@mssendfitness]

I was out yesterday tile/glass and rock hunting. I live here, but in Suttons Bay.. but was up in Northport at a park and at a smaller rocky spot too. Waves were insane! Petoskey and Blues are so picked over.. popularized made hard to come by! Still was a nice day to soak up the sun. I would go right into the water with a bucket scoop up a layer of rocks and bring it to shore to go through ;)

[@MichiganRocks]

That seems like a lot of work to find them. How often does a bucket contain anything good?

[@mssendfitness]

@@MichiganRocks I usually go right after it storms, and find more petoskeys and charlevoix's than anything else of value.. it really depends which beach I go to and how long i intend to sift through..

[@judyhobday4760]

I meant to say how much I enjoy coming along on your adventures looking for your finds. Oh, nice Leland Blue another person had found. Had no idea what you were searching for. Had thought it was some sort of glass. But you did find a lot of nice beach glass which is a plus, in my book. Here on our beach we look for two things, agates and driftwood. Also Jasper and petrified wood, which is usually small and rare.

[@MichiganRocks]

Up on Lake Superior I look for agates too. There's lots of driftwood around, sometimes whole trees. I'm not a driftwood collector though.

[@nancygaxiola5412]

Gosh the water looks beautiful!

[@YourbestpalLeafy]

It is its got a beautiful blue reminds me of the Caribbean because it's so gorgeous I found so much Petoskey stones but also if you go on m-22 ( it was exhausting but worth it) we got to see Empire, Crystal lake, Glen lake like you cross by and you get to see it I'm pretty sure you see glen both sides. Cuz you cross the lake and also I forgot but Lake Leelanau omg it was beautiful but remember the parking besides Van's beach we couldn't park we saw a parking sign we went to it I didn't realize it was Van's beach until I saw the store named Van's, We sadly couldn't visit anything else besides the beach but its worth it we also found sea glass but sadly the Leland blues are small but at least you still can get some

[@mbbuckeyes8386]

Beautiful beach

[@MichiganRocks]

It sure is!

[@midwestkid1879]

I found my best Petoskey stones at Van’s beach! I miss Leelanau County so much! 🍒

[@MichiganRocks]

I think I was there on a much too crowded and rough day. I had a lot of fun, but I didn't find many Petoskey stones.

[@midwestkid1879]

@@MichiganRocks I’m from the Quad Cities on the Mississippi so I didn’t mind the crowd offering me and my siblings assistance when it came to searching new material! Haha.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@midwestkid1879 Good point!

[@irisadler6342]

Your small rocks make beautiful jewlery pieces

[@MichiganRocks]

I do make some jewelry, so we'll see what I can do with them.

[@Natashasuzanne1]

"..if you want to be a rock star in my video." 🤣 I love it!

[@irisadler6342]

The rock with hole straight thru is a Hagstone. A witches rock.

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm not a big fan of that name. I'm going to keep calling them "rocks with holes in them."

[@lynnscott8286]

The water is beautiful. Ours here in Oregon is dark

[@MichiganRocks]

Ours is dark at night.

[@NurseMickiLea]

That bigger one you found might not be the greatest specimen but it is pretty awesome. And can I say you are a wonderful person taking that chain coral back to the gal♥️♥️ Such a great human!♥️♥️♥️

[@MichiganRocks]

I had talked with her for quite a while and it wasn't that long to walk back. I have quite a few and knew she would enjoy it more than I would. When I go to beaches with other people who are looking for rocks, I usually end up giving most of my rocks away. I was in Petoskey a week ago and went for a quick walk on a beach. I found a handful of so-so Petoskeys and gave them to a family who was looking for them for the first time. It was way more fun to watch them be excited about them than to take them home myself.

[@easterazali9237]

The lake was very choppy , but I’m glad you managed to find some good ones ! I love that blue stone it is royal blue in colour very unusual ! 🥰

[@MichiganRocks]

I try to get out on calm days, but the big waves are fun too.

[@littledabwilldoya9717]

I’ve been taken by surprise a few times, having my nose to the ground, and not keeping an ear open to the sound of the waves. Have had waves hit my head and go down my back...OOOOH!!! Refreshing! 😂 I always check the wind direction and speed before heading to Leland. Have been disappointed, not being able to see anything when it’s turbulent like this day. Between that and small rocks, I just have to focus on the fact that the sun was out, and I was able to get out in the fresh air and relax in the Lord’s beautiful creation!😊🌈☀️😎🙏

[@easterazali9237]

@@littledabwilldoya9717 thank you for your lovely reply! I’m glad we’re on the same page in appreciation of the Lord’s awesome creation ! 💖

[@xinmao3289]

What a nice trip!

[@judygeschardt8706]

Oh be still my heart! Van's Beach! My mom grew up in Leland; her dad built their house by hand there in 1940. I spent about 1/2 hour in August on Van's beach during our vacation and only found 2 tiny blues and some blue chert for my efforts. How long were you there? You found some nice ones! The next time you're near Leland, you MUST check out Peterson Park Beach, about 20 minutes north of there. A rock hunter's dream! Tons of petoskies, favosites, crinoids, horn corals, unakites, beautiful granites, quartz, epidotes, you name it! I started tumbling my treasures this fall - I am hooked. I love your videos and am looking forward to your upcoming petoskey/corn cob tumbling video!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think I was there for about three hours. You must have missed this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHi2eYKwfZqHe9U

[@judygeschardt8706]

Awesome video!! I loved walking along with you. You tossed back a lot of cool rocks I would have kept, lol! I'm a sucker for the colorful stones - granite, quartz, epidotes and unakites. I've got a couple of tumblers going with them now including a couple of Peterson Park ones. :-)

[@MichiganRocks]

@@judygeschardt8706 If you like colorful rocks, you’ll probably like the “Rocks in a Box” video I have coming out in two weeks. I just finished it up today, and there are some really nice Lake Superior rocks in the batch.

[@marilynsheen3455]

All colors are all special

[@vickylindsay3106]

I’m definitely a fan of the Leland Blue!

[@MichiganRocks]

Try not to think of it as industrial waste.

[@rockhoundingparadise]

I had never heard of that rock before. Had to google it Lol. Nice stone, always nice to see your beach videos. Can’t wait to retire by the beach someday 🥰.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@rockhoundingparadise Living on the beach sure would be nice.

[@naturalstones4529]

Awesome Hunt! Really cool colors, too bad you couldn't get to the bigger rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

It was killing me that I couldn't get out in the water.

[@lovely.]

Ahhh you finally did it! My favorite place to hunt, and my favorite "stone" to hunt. Unfortunately the waves seemed to have gone against you, on a calmer day it's much easier to find stones.

[@MichiganRocks]

You can't really go wrong with a day at the beach. I had a good time looking for something new.

[@lovely.]

@@MichiganRocks when warm weather hits you should snorkel! This is is how I find leland blues the size of half dollar coins. They're essentially leland nuggets!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@lovely. I would have loved to snorkel, but not in those waves. I should really make another trip there later this fall after a big storm or next spring right after the ice goes. Snorkeling in the summer would be fun too. Too bad it's three hours away.

[@DigginWithDeej]

Nice walk and hunt!

[@MichiganRocks]

I sure had fun.

[@davidl.turner1005]

Thanks for another great video. We didn't make it to the Leland beach this summer so it was fun to see it. Looks like you started on the south end and went to the north end after 7:00? You seemed to have more luck there. That's been my experience too. On the history of the iron ore operation there, see F. W. Dickinson, A Short History of the Leland Iron Works.

[@MichiganRocks]

I started at Van’s beach parking lot and walked south. The farther I walked from the parking lot, the better I did. Thanks for the tip on the book.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

Oh the sound of sassy water is calming to me. That antique foundry glass, bluestone is really pricey. There are some beautiful jewelry pieces made from it. I'd pick up the glass too. Beach glass is becoming rare cause of plastic.

[@MichiganRocks]

I never thought about the increased use of plastic cutting down on beach glass.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

@@MichiganRocks Have you noticed an increase of plastic waste over the years?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@elizabethharttley4073 No, I don't think so. I have only been at this for about eight years though.

[@c.curtis1614]

Rob let us know if and when you polish this curios stone? 👍

[@MichiganRocks]

I haven’t decided if I’m going to tumble them or not. if I do, I’ll make a video.

[@pamcarter6595]

That water is beautiful.. lots of rocks there...

[@MichiganRocks]

That water got me a a few times. I wasn't quick enough!

[@lisacooper8240]

awesome video.

[@indyfan2056]

You read my mind! Had been thinking of asking you about this Leland blue. Glad you were able to show us some nice pieces. Your right jewelry made out of it is kinda expensive. Hope to find some on my next trip to MI next year hopefully! Happy hunting!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I thought this spot might make a good video because this beach and Leland Blue are very popular. It was fun to look for.

[@alfaalfa9764]

That's a very pretty blue Leland blue.I haven't seen that before.

[@sharonozrovitz439]

Have you ever been to Lake Superior? I’d love to see you look for some youper lights. I really enjoy your videos. I have just recently started rock hunting and have learned a lot from you. Keep it up.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're in luck. Here are four videos for you. There are a lot more beach videos from Superior too. Hunting Yooperlites: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bandf5yHorCje9k Tumbling Yooperlites: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6jMcoxpq7t5rdU Slabbing Yooperlites: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnu4fqJ_pbSbpdE Making Yooperlite Fridge Magnets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5vTgKdsh9ploM0

[@qaftsiel]

I have to dive or wade for it (the one rocky beach in my area is pretty thoroughly picked above the waterline), but I've found some really nice pieces of blue and green slag down here in Chicago! Can't wait to have the space for the tools to cut and shape it-- it's really lovely stuff.

[@MichiganRocks]

Would that be Leland blue that far away, or slag from another smelting operation? The only way I can think of that Leland slag would get that far away is if it floated there on ice, but that's quite a stretch. Either way, I'm sure it's some pretty material you're finding in your area.

[@trinawright4137]

Nice blue stones. Have you considered a sand flea scoop for capturing larger rocks in the surf?

[@MichiganRocks]

No, I usually don't go out when it's so windy. I think randomly scooping up rocks would be a slow way of finding much. I prefer to go in calm water and just look at what's on the surface. Other people prefer to sit and dig, but that's just not a method I prefer.

[@ThePatriotWhip]

I hunted this beach this month on a calm day. Found lots of very small Leland Blues.

[@MichiganRocks]

I found some pretty tiny ones when I was there too. I hunted the year after this video on the other side of the river on a calm day, which is much better than hunting on a windy day with a ton of people on the beach.

[@Ohiogrown11]

Have you had a chance to tumble or polish any of the Leland yet?

[@MichiganRocks]

I guess I've had plenty of chances, but I haven't done anything yet. I wasn't sure what to do with it, but I guess tumbling it is as good as anything. Maybe I'll make a video one of these days, but I don't really have very much of it.

[@dannym6786]

What is the powder called to polish petoskey stones and where can you buy it?

[@MichiganRocks]

I use one of two things. Usually I use Zam, which comes in a paste form. You need to apply it with a buffing wheel of some sort, you can't apply it by hand. I think Zam is available on Amazon. The other thing I sometimes use is aluminum oxide polish. You can apply that by putting it on a piece of denim, adding a little water to make a paste, and rubbing it on by hand. I get mine at The Rock Shed. therockshed.com If you haven't watched this video, you might want to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZusnoGorLdsd9U

[@patriciamckean4186]

Those are so cute 😍

[@chrisdowlan4692]

Can you polish the Leland blues just like you do the Petoskey stones by hand?

[@MichiganRocks]

I think they would be harder than Petoskey stones, but could probably still be done that way. I have never polished them by any method.

[@merlinjones6485]

If you wore a full bodied wetsuit you could sit in the water where it drops off slightly. It would be hard to see what you're picking up, but the stones are larger and the surprises more exciting. Careful when raking through stones with your fingers. Good way to get stung by a rusty fish hook. A nice small garden rake would work better. Sorry about telling the rock pro how to do his job. Lugging the camera around is burden enough without carrying someone elses suggestions. Still and all, entertaining as ever. Keep it up!

[@MichiganRocks]

Pretty rough for being in the water no matter what you're wearing. There can also be some pretty bad undertows on some Great Lake beaches.

[@markhorn9239]

Was looking for some of that a couple of weeks ago at Pt. Betsie Lighthouse. No luck but found something similar to the yellow rock you kept. Any idea what it is? The green ones are called Frankfort Green I believe. Nice video....thanks! It will help next time I look!

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't know for sure, but I think Pt. Betsie would be too far from Leland to have any Leland Blue. Frankfort Green is actually from a foundry that was in Frankfort. They're both slag from from different sources.

[@iforester4449]

Never heard of Leland blue blue before, the turquoise coloured one is very pretty. Is one blue more desirable than another?

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, I think some colors are more sought after than others. For example, I found some green ones that are probably not what people are after. I talked to several people on the beach who told me that it comes in a variety of colors including blues, purples, and greens. I'm not sure which shade of blue is considered the best, but I really liked that one fairly large light blue that I found.

[@lynnscott8286]

Those are some big waves. Do you come across sea glass? Yay you found some

[@midlifetravelers6151]

Have you ever been over to South Manitou Island rock hounding?

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope, I have not. I was to Manitou Island this summer, but that's a completely different island off the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. How are the rocks on South Manitou?

[@midlifetravelers6151]

We never took the time to look at all the rocks upon rocks over there. We were always hiking. Next year, I hope to camp and this time look.

[@jimknarr]

@@MichiganRocks Are you going to have a video of rockhounding on Manitou Island off Keweenaw point? If so, did you have someone take you there in a boat? That would be an awesome trip. The beaches there look like they have a ton of rocks.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@jimknarr I have a video made and uploaded. One of these Fridays I'll show it. My sister and brother in law took me out. We had boat problems in the morning and ended up taking a different boat in the evening. It was over an hour to get out there from where we put the boat in. It's a bit scary out in a Lake that can sink large ships when you're only in a 18 foot boat. Since we left late, we could only spend an hour on the island so we never really left the area by the dock. Next summer, we talked about taking kayak on the boat to explore more. Their kids have camped on the island. That would be a ball to spend a couple days out there just paddling around looking for rocks.

[@debzyj376]

Blue-t-ful adventure ....thank you.

[@MichiganRocks]

I like that!

[@howardwest1347]

That holey rock is known as a her stone in the U.K.

[@MichiganRocks]

Are there "him" stones too?

[@pattimessenger6214]

That chert sure looks beautiful! Why do you throw it away?

[@MichiganRocks]

I really like banded chert, but the plain stuff is pretty boring when tumbled. I do have a few pieces of blue chert in the tumbler right now, just to see if the blue color goes all the way through.

[@YourbestpalLeafy]

This is beautiful place up north gets prettier but remember it's busy so much we didn't realize we was gonna park in vans Bench until I saw Vans store cuz most of the streets was parked its because its a popular tourist attraction cuz its beautiful I found so many Petoskey stones but their small but worth it

[@MichiganRocks]

I'm glad you were able to find some!

[@amyheath9955]

This area is also known for forming "round" rocks from the wave action. You may have a little better luck to the north or south of town.

[@MichiganRocks]

I didn't notice the rocks being any rounder than any other Great Lakes beach that I have visited. Getting farther from the public access is always a good strategy. I did pretty well this spring getting farther away. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baq8d2CKjMZ3fa8

[@Indyanas_ocean_view]

The beach glass is beautiful. 😍 What is Leland Blue? It looks exquisite. 😍🥰😇💜

[@MichiganRocks]

It's a slag glass. There's a link in the description of this video with more details.

[@Indyanas_ocean_view]

@@MichiganRocks Thank you.😍🥰😇💜