Thompson Valley Farm

It was a windy, rainy day.  Perfect for a day trip to the annual Gemboree in Bancroft Ontario. Its a great show for Rock Hounds of all kinds, big and small.  My Daughters' and I drove the 3 1/2 hours through the picturesque Haliburton Highlands, down long winding roads to the hamlet of Bancroft.
We were overwhelmed with the riot of color, sound and crowds.  It was sweltering hot inside the arena, with crowds moving slowly along narrow aisle on aisle of gems, stones, fossils, meteor fragments and geos. Earings, jewelry, art.  It was virtually impossible to take it all in.
A Native Carver caught my eye, with the most beautiful, powerful carvings.  His Eagle had lines of great elegance, and lept out at you.  I asked him if it was okay to take a picture.  He smiled, and said it was his pleasure, but stepped back from the carving.  "no picture of me though...it will capture my soul".  It gave me goosebumps.  His soul was deep within each of the pieces. Quiet humility, power and pride. It made the entire trip worth while.