Local Legends

But enough of Edward, what of the cat? Azriel the cat began accompanying Ed in 2021 when he decided Ed needed the company. Ed asks that we don’t tell the cat that they’re looking for rocks; Azriel believes they are out hunting smurfs apparently.

E D w ARD E AST m AN

is a bit of a local character in our community and I mean that both figuratively and literally… He often goes by his own personal character name of WCG or White Cat Guy. Famously sharing pics of himself rockhounding with a white cat on his shoulder, Ed is an NMU alum, a FedEx driver, and a man who enjoys living off of the land, even owning a roadside veggie stand. He really got involved with rockhounding as an escape following his divorce after reminiscing fondly of old times collecting at Whitefish Point.

Ed and Azriel enjoy walking both shores and fields in their hunts, though Ed thinks his new favorite type of rockhounding will be when he straps on his snorkel gear this summer- an idea he got from folks in our group! He says the most likely beach to find him at would be Pilgrim Haven (editor note: jeez, we’ve got a real Pilgrim Haven theme going in this first issue, don’t we?).

Edward’s goal this year is to get to Leland and find one of those famous Blues. We at Michigan Rockhounds wish you all the best, Ed… and please don’t put a snorkel on the cat!