Newbie in NC seeking good locations in NC and MA

[chiwhiz]

Hello!
I'm completely new to rock hounding and this site (the closest I've come to any of this is searching for gold and jade at a supremely touristy place in Australia!  and feel excited and overwhelmed as to how to begin. I live in Wilmington, NC so would love recommendations for anything that's close to her for rocks, though I suppose most will be in the Asheville area. Any thoughts are helpful. Also grew up in Western MA so anything out that way would be neat to know about for when I head back to visit family as I do occasionally. Any East Coast type trips from NC or MA would be fun to know about if they were worthwhile locations. I'm open. Lastly, could anyone recommend any sites or groups to get involved with for complete novices? I have no idea on what gear or safety equipment I should have, or even what the odds of finding anything decent is, etc. Thanks for any feedback you have.
Warmly,
Kristin

[leonardo]

N.C. is one of the best places to find crystals of different kinds in the Southeast but fossils are the biggest thing around your place .Western NC for rocks. You should join a local club to get started.

[chiwhiz]

Thanks so much, Leonardo! Are there any clubs you'd recommend looking up? I feel so new to all this. Thanks again!!!