Another great weekend at Spruce Pine, NC is in the books. It's hard to imagine a weekend there without rain, but this was one of those rare occasions. I understand that there were a few scattered showers around the area but the important thing is that they were NOT where we were. We even broke camp Sunday morning and packed away dry equipment.
There were 16 members from the Lynchburg, Roanoke and Waynesboro, Virginia clubs that gathered at the Wal-Mart gas pumps Saturday morning. I know that there were others attending the Gem Show, but did not go on the field trips. There were perhaps 20 total from the three clubs. This was a tremendous turn out this year and the number of attendees is growing each year. Those that missed the trip this year, mark your calendar for the first weekend in August 2007. If you have any interest in rocks and minerals at all, this is a weekend that you must experience.
Saturday morning we split into three groups. Those that wanted to collect at the Ray Mine, those that wanted to collect at the less strenuous Sinkhole Mine and those that wanted to spend their time at the gem show. I led a group to the Ray Mine and George Crowel led a group to the Sink Hole.
Many beautiful mineral were collected at both mines. At the Ray, most of us found some Beryl but the crystals were small and fragmented. There is a big Beryl crystal still lurking there with my name on it but its location continues elude my searches. Perhaps next year I will find it's hiding spot. I was very fortunate this year to find two very large pieces of Apatite. They are light green in sunlight but fluoresce a brilliant yellow under a short wave UV lamp. I also found my first specimen of Columbite. This is a black sub metallic mineral and is an important ore of the metal Niobium.
Everyone had a wonderful time. Earlene and Larry White prepared some tasty meals at our group campsite and the camaraderie around the campfire will long be remembered. This is always such a memorable and relaxing weekend. We all look forward to the next Gem Show weekend in August 2007.
On the way home Sunday; we spent several hours collecting Garnets at the Little Pine Mine near Marshall, NC. Lots of garnets were found and with a little digging to reach that clean material, the rewards are plentiful.
This is always a favorite place of mine, and each year I look forward to a return visit. It's hard to imagine the thrill of reaching that clean pay layer after a couple hours of digging thru the overburden. Then you sit down on your bucket, and carefully rake thru the clean material. The garnets will literally come rolling out to meet you. I can't wait to return next year.
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