BAD LUCK, HOT ROCKS

'Conscience letters' and photographs from the Petrified Forest National Park. More info... Bad Luck, Hot Rocks is out of print. Please check out the follow up book, AH AH, available from The Ice Plant or your local bookshop.

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Please check out my follow up book: AH AH: Conscience Letters and Photographs from the Haleakalā and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Parks. I recommend getting it straight from the publisher or through bookshop.org!

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Bad Luck, Hot Rocks is back in stock! If you missed out on the first printing, now is the time to grab a copy. Buy directly from the publisher https://theiceplant.cc/product/bad-luck-hot-rocks/ or ask your local bookstore to order you a copy https://www.indiebound.org/indie-bookstore-finder. 

[badluckhotrocks]

Bad Luck, Hot Rocks is back in stock! If you missed out on the first printing, now is the time to grab a copy. Buy directly from the publisher https://theiceplant.cc/product/bad-luck-hot-rocks/ or ask your local bookstore to order you a copy https://www.indiebound.org/indie-bookstore-finder. 

[badluckhotrocks]

Chicago, Ill. 60608

Dear Sirs:

I am very sorry in taking your stone piece. And I feel I done wrong, and so ashamed in taking it, that Im sending it back. And I wish that you may forgive me in doing this wrong. I know this letter is short, but what else can I say is that I was wrong and Im sorry. And thank you.

Sincerely,

Robert

[badluckhotrocks]

Here’s a rock and letter that was received by mail at the Petrified Forest earlier this year. It’s a nice reminder, as evidenced by the letter itself, that not all ‘bad luck rocks’ come from the Petrified Forest! In the case of uncertainty, it’s best to find another solution for unburdening oneself of a bad luck rock. 

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from the conscience pile, Petrified Forest National Park

[badluckhotrocks]

Great interview between two Creative Capital artists (eteam and  CLUI) with a discussion of the Bad Luck, Hot Rocks phenomenon and 'the implications of a pile of rocks.' Listen or read at the link above!

[badluckhotrocks]

Criminal Podcast produced a great episode about the Bad Luck, Hot Rocks phenomenon. Give it a listen! (via Episode 23: Triassic Park (7.17.2015) | Criminal)

[badluckhotrocks]

July 8, 1982

SUPERINTENDENT

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest, Arizona 86028

Dear Park Rangers,

Many, many moons ago, when I was just a small tot, I visited your beautiful park with my parents. I remember being amazed with your “rock-trees” and all the petrified wood. So amazed that like many small tots, I wanted a piece to take home with me! Even though it was in violation of the law of the land, my parents allowed me to take a sample and smuggle it out of the park’s premises. I felt guilty for a few days but the guilt went away. I kept this piece for many years.

Then one day recently I returned to your beautiful park with my bride as a trip for our honeymoon. We were both quite impressed with your park even though we were no longer tiny tots. Nature is impressive, isn’t she! Anyway we saw the museum and all the letters from people who have returned rocks which they appropriated! The guilt returned and we resolved to return our rock to its rightful spawning ground to be on display for others to enjoy. Please accept my apology for depriving the park (temporarily) of this specimen.

Sincerely and with feeling, 

signed: BLACK BART

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from the conscience pile, Petrified Forest National Park

[badluckhotrocks]

Petrified Forest Nat’l Park

Arizona 86028

April 2, 1989

Dear Sirs:

When I got back to my hotel after visiting The Petrified Forest, I found The enclosed piece of petrified wood in the car. Since it is not polished, I have to assume that, despite my efforts to explain why nothing should be removed from the park, one of my children must have made the sad mistake of picking it up. 

My sincere apologies.

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from the conscience pile, Petrified Forest National Park

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from the conscience pile, Petrified Forest National Park

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from the conscience pile, Petrified Forest National Park

[badluckhotrocks]

specimen from Petrified Forest National Park 'conscience pile'

[badluckhotrocks]

To: The keeper of Rocks,

Adolescent foolishness caused me to take this. adult guilt caused me to return this. In reality there are no excuses. Please forgive.

Earth Lover

[badluckhotrocks]

Nov-1980

Here are your rock's [sic]

nothing but bad trouble

Los Angeles