What is this shell doing here?

by Kristy Hendrickson-Salvadori
(Mendota, Califonia US)

About twenty years ago, when I was just eight years old, I was playing in the backyard of our new home when I found a few shells scattered around. I dug up a few and that's when I found a closed clam shell. I remember it took me a while before I finally got it open, and there it was, a perfectly round shaped white pearl. I gathered up my findings and placed them in a velvet bag and hid them. I don't know why, but being a little kid I did.


Now the most interesting part to me is that we lived in Central California. In a a very small town called Huron. This is a very dry town. I don't know how it got there. Any form or body of water was at least 200-300 miles away.


Well three years after living in that home we moved away and I never took my findings with me. I'm twenty eight now and I still live in central California out in the country about 10 miles from a town called Mendota. A few days ago, I was out watering my backyard and I came across clam shells. I found both halves of one shell and now I catch myself always looking down whenever I'm outside. Just searching around. I feel like people think I'm weird when they drive by.

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Aug 26, 2018
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Traveling Feast?
by: Chris Rogers

Could someone have brought a mess of seafood to friends/relatives living inland? It seems rather far off for them to occur naturally.

I would be so curious to know if anyone ever found your long-lost treasure; what an exciting find for a wee one!!

Apr 22, 2011
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seems fun
by: Anonymous

to keep an eye out when your out with your little girls seems fun. you should share this activity with everyone. take care, and keep finding treasures.

Aug 24, 2009
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Interesting story
by: Kari

Hi Kristy,

Thanks for sharing your interesting shell and pearl story. I only wish you had kept the pearl you put in your velvet bag because it would have been nice to see it now.

Shells can turn up in strange places. In my city shells were used as road fill so when streets are repaired lots of shells show up.

I appreciate you taking the time to write.

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