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KEMA- JALAMA BEACH TRAVERTINE --- CONTINUED NMA· 0
7) Petrified Wood. Look for the wood grain and cellular structure.
This material has been carried in by the sea and will come in all
varieties.

Items 4 through 7 above occur among the rocks piled along the beach
and you will have to hunt very carefully to avoid overlooking a
good piece.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED Heavy tools for breaking travertine boulders and
good carrying sacks. For the fossils, chisels and a rock hammer are
needed. Paper to wrap the specimens in for protection is a good
idea.

HOW TO GET THERE To reach this area, take Pacific Coast Highway
(U.S. 101) through Santa Barbara and continue on approximately 35
miLes to Las Cruces. Turn left toward Vandenberg AFB (Highway 1).
From Las Cruces, Highway 1 winds through oak studded grasslands where
cattle roam the rolling plains for 14.9 miles to Jalama Road. Turn
left toward Jalama Beach Park which is 14.3 miles over paved country
road. As you reach the summit of the road, there is a sharp con-
trast in the density of vegetation, the westerly slopes being much
more overgrown because of exposure to the dampness from the coast.
Quite often deer, quail and other wildlife are seen here. The road
ends at the entrance to Jalama Beach Park. (Note: Work is being
done of this road to improve the narrow, winding country road and
as new sections are opened, the mileages given above may be slightly
changed.) If you wish to stay over_night in the park, there is a
small fee for a space. There is a snack bar and small store in the
park. From the park, it is an easy walk north along the beach approx-
imately 2 miles to the travertine outcroppings. There are two out-
croppings, the seco~d having the material with the most beautiful
markings. This outcropping can be recognized by the huge fissure in
the rocks running about 50 feet toward the sea. During high tide,
the ocean rushing toward you up this narrow opening is a thrilling
sight. Sledg~ hammers can be used here to break chunks off the
outcropping. You can also find pieces already broken off if you
hunt among the rocks piled against the cliff. Be selective in the
pieces you choose as it's a long walk back if you have a heavy load.

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