My jaw just dropped as I read Karen Garcia's Get Out story "Hidden oasis" (Jan. 18) extolling the virtues of a visit to Montaña de Oro State Park. She "felt like a 10-year-old again searching for the smoothest rock to add to my collection," she revealed. Well, the reason "this place is a veritable gold mine" for rock collectors is because all features are protected. This is a state park, for everyone to enjoy visiting, then leave all rocks, shells, plants, and creatures where we find them and go home empty-handed but full of great memories and photos. Karen, please put your rocks back. They are part of the ecosystem, an ecosystem where everything has a purpose right where it is.

Lindi Doud

Los Osos