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Martin Marietta East Alamance Quarry,
March 21st 2009
Haw River, NC.
We were greeted by Freddie Blanchard the Quarry Foreman. After the quarry safety instructions and signing the release forms we were all eager to see what we would find.
This Quarry was a new site for both clubs and the weather was perfect for collecting from a large variety of minerals in and around the Granite boulders. We had a good turn out of some 45 members from both clubs. Several members spent the night in a local motel to be rested for the hunt the next morning. It seemed to pay off as we collected some 13 different minerals not to mention several Zeolites yet to be identified. Those that I am aware of are Quartz, Feldspar, Epidote, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Garnet, Titanite ( aka /Sphene), Stellerite, Gismondine, Chlorite, Biotite & Muscovite Mica, Hornblende,& Apophylite. As I stated there are still several Zeolites that will have to be identified by Lance Kern at JMU with the help of the X-Ray Defractor.
If you have any specimens from this location not on this list please let me know. It�s good to have a complete listing of all minerals that have been collected at a certain site. I am happy to report that everyone practiced safe collecting habits and stayed away from the high walls and burmed off areas. I was proud of the way the safety rules were followed and Freddie says we will be able to continue to collect there in the future as well as another quarry site down the road. It�s still true, if you behave yourself when you have been an invited guest you will be asked back again. But don�t let your guard down after one good safety review; this is something that has to be maintained all the time.
Judging by the smiling faces I think most everyone had a successful collecting day, and that�s what it�s all about. Everyone checked out of the Quarry by 1:00 as requested and headed home to inspect their spoils more closely. It would be a good idea to look at your specimens with a loupe and inspect for some hidden Zeolites. There seems to be some on about every specimen I picked up. Who knows you may find a new mineral. I am just sorry that Dave Callahan couldn�t make this trip as he had the flu, and I was stuck with writing the report. Ha Ha. I can�t wait to see where we will be traveling next month.
Until Then Happy Hunting,
John Haskins
Field Trip Report submitted by John Haskins, Club President.