From owner-rockhounds-digest@drizzle.com Sun Jun 17 12:23:07 2001 Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 23:49:02 -0800 From: rockhounds-digest Reply-To: rockhounds@drizzle.com To: rockhounds-digest@drizzle.com Subject: rockhounds-digest V1 #802 rockhounds-digest Monday, February 19 2001 Volume 01 : Number 802 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 08:47:12 -0500 From: "J Bryan Kramer" Subject: Re: Radioactive Rocks in UK A sheet of glass would block beta radiation, no lead required. Beta radiation is electrons just like those used in a tv set (or computer monitor) to paint the image on the screen. Bryan - ----- Original Message ----- > > . . . and was it behind glass, which would block the majority (if not > all) of the beta? I'd like to see a discussion of common sense museum > practices vs. the current politically correct climate. It seems the > trend now is toward removing things like radioactive specimens from > display. The trend toward political correctness and environmental > paranoia seems to be creeping into our museums. What kind of dose would > a visitor receive by viewing a tornernite specimen behind 1 cm of leaded > glass for 1 minute? Is there that much risk? Or has the world gone > mad? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 08:11:13 -0600 From: "Michael D. McCormack" Subject: Test ... Please ignore This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C09A4B.866710A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Test - ------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C09A4B.866710A0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

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- ------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C09A4B.866710A0-- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 09:29:33 -0500 From: Don Subject: Re: Radioactive Rocks in UK That would have been to reduce the gamma, if any. In any case, I'd imagine there is some way to display such minerals in a safe manner. J Bryan Kramer wrote: > > A sheet of glass would block beta radiation, no lead required. Beta > radiation is electrons just like those used in a tv set (or computer > monitor) to paint the image on the screen. > Bryan > ----- Original Message ----- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 10:53:16 -0500 From: Don Subject: trip report: Camp Verde, Arizona; salty taste and strange fluorescence February 11, 2001 Sunday dawned bright and a little chilly. I rose before sunrise to head north from Phoenix, into the central highlands where Verde Valley lies. Maintaining all due speed, I crossed the mountain pass north of Phoenix, descended into Verde Valley, and climbed the hill to Cliff Castle Casino, our designated rendezvous. There I met Teresa Otis and her family. The Otis entourage had arrived early, and Teresa was having a bit of luck at the slots! I was having a bit of hunger myself, so we had a nice breakfast before heading out to the site. The first place we tried was an unmarked wash described to me by the local forest ranger. After traveling Salt Mine Road, and before reaching the actual salt mine, there is Oasis Road. After turning on to oasis, we took the first dirt road as instructed. We followed it for a while, unsure of where the ranger's vague directions were leading us. He had said the road was passable by sedan, but this was not true. At one point I stopped my car in a pullout and packed my gear into Teresa's truck. We continued on, and even for the truck it was tricky driving. Finally, we saw easy access to the steep sides of the wash, and there we stopped. I gave the clan a quick description of what to look for--not being really sure myself--and we were off into the wash. Teresa handed out whistles for safety, and we stayed in groups. Soon I found a white, bladed, tasteless, non-water-soluble thumbnail piece that I identified as glauberite (1). Once I showed the group what we were seeking, it was not long before everyone was sighting the little treasures. It had rained recently, and the wash had clusters of freshly weathered material. Some of it was very finely formed, having just been exposed; other pieces had been weathered and worn. The pieces ranged from thumbnail to hand-sized, some with very finely stacked blades that reminded me of the Sydney Opera House. Egg cartons and toilet paper were a must for carrying these treasures. Teresa's son and his friend were scrambling up the steep, sandy sides of the wash, pulling glauberites directly from the hillside; our piles contained more than enough to high grade the best pieces and still leave plenty for the next collectors. In addition, we found weathered pieces of a clear, tasteless, insoluble-in-water mineral that I tentatively identified as gypsum (2). At first we thought it was halite, but quickly ruled that out. This mineral was only visible in the bottom of the wash, and most pieces of it were either water-worn or broken along cleavage planes. A nice hand-sized piece of kaolinite made a healthy addition to my species collection. And last but not least, we found a few samples of the famous calcite pseudomorphed after glauberite for which Camp Verde is known. Being satisfied, we left the wash and headed for the hills--the salt hills, that is. The salt mine is marked by two giant white hills near the front. Since the location is nominated for designation as a National Historic Site, the government has already improved the fences and erected one of those dreaded "do not collect the artifacts" signs. We entered. The mine shafts are all buried, and precious little remains of the surface workings--a rusty ore bucket here, a rotten timber there. The most interesting feature by far was the back side of the mine, where steep brown hills where marked by eruptions of stark white salt pillars. Feeling youthful, I said to the two teenagers, "Dudes, we are up on those salt pillars." I didn't need to say it twice; those two scrambled up the hill to the first salt exposure as I followed with a huff and a puff. It was amazing when seen close up; apparently this salt mixture experiences periods of infrequent rain followed by wind erosion. This creates fascinating shapes in the surface, weird twisted spires and flowing rounded knobs--like miniature icebergs sculpted by Brancusi. I managed to surgically remove a very aesthetic large cabinet specimen of this phenomenon (3). It was too large and fragile to transport, however, so I gave it to Teresa for permanent safekeeping. We clambered horizontally along the hillside to the next jutting outcrop; I took some photos of the white monolith jutting from a brown slope framed against a blue sky. I also came face-to-face with my own limitations and mortality. While seeking a better photograph, I had climbed into a shallow area of the face that was filled with loose sand and tilted at a 60 degree slope. I couldn't gain a foothold or handhold, and I began to slide downward every time I moved. I pressed myself flat against the face, pondering my next move for several minutes. This predicament would not have been such a problem if I was not carrying a full camera bag, shovel, and a bucket full of specimens. Finally I decided to let nature take its course and let myself slide about 50 feet downward until I reached a solid foothold. Everything was fine, but I was glad I got a group together for this trip, just in case. We continued to explore the mine area, and took some more photographs of the salt monoliths at ground level. Teresa's son continued to look for halite crystals as I packed out of the area and back to the car. Even though it was chilly, the bright sun and stiff wind made my face sore, and in the early afteroon we headed out. We drove back to Teresa's place for coffee and rest; I looked at her collection which specializes in Arkansas pieces. Since it was Sunday, I wanted to head back to Phoenix early before the snowbirds and tourists choked the highways as they drove back from their weekend up north. I left the teens cleaning their prize specimens with toothbrushes, and I drove back to the hotel to wash the taste of salt from my lips and reflect on a good collecting day and the companionship it brought. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Footnotes: (1) The Encyclopedia of Minerals doesn't do a great job of helping the layman identify anhydrite, glauberite, or thenardite--three interesting minerals known from Camp Verde. Glauberite is the easiest to recognize. (2) The material fluoresces a pale green under SW, but only in well-defined areas. I do not know if this is due to an activator that entered the solution during specific periods of the crystallization, or if this is a completely difrerent mineral in the same specimen. (3) This halite exhibits a weak, spotty fluorescence under SW. I definitely need to have someone look at this. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 11:15:42 -0500 From: "Nathan A. Schachtman" Subject: Radioactive Rocks in UK When I was last at the NHM, about two years ago, the display of radioactive minerals was set up carefully at the rear of the large hall. The specimens were visible only by way of mirrors; the specimens themselves were apparently behind a lead-lined barrier. I had two thoughts at the time. One, how extreme were the measures to protect the viewing public, most of whom would never make it that fall back into the gallery. (All the showy specimens were up front or in the general public areas.) And two, how ironic that throughout the systematic displays there were highly radioactive specimens that did not get the "benefit" of this elaborate protective display equipment. For example, there were betafite and torbernite specimens in regular display cabinets, with only glass "protecting" observers. Most museums in the US appear to take no special precautions for such specimens. Nathan Schachtman At 08:47 AM 2/19/2001 -0500, J Bryan Kramer wrote: >A sheet of glass would block beta radiation, no lead required. Beta >radiation is electrons just like those used in a tv set (or computer >monitor) to paint the image on the screen. >Bryan >----- Original Message ----- > > > > . . . and was it behind glass, which would block the majority (if not > > all) of the beta? I'd like to see a discussion of common sense museum > > practices vs. the current politically correct climate. It seems the > > trend now is toward removing things like radioactive specimens from > > display. The trend toward political correctness and environmental > > paranoia seems to be creeping into our museums. What kind of dose would > > a visitor receive by viewing a tornernite specimen behind 1 cm of leaded > > glass for 1 minute? Is there that much risk? Or has the world gone > > mad? > > >################################################################# ># Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # ># Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # ># Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # >################################################################# ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 11:15:42 -0500 From: "Nathan A. Schachtman" Subject: Radioactive Rocks in UK When I was last at the NHM, about two years ago, the display of radioactive minerals was set up carefully at the rear of the large hall. The specimens were visible only by way of mirrors; the specimens themselves were apparently behind a lead-lined barrier. I had two thoughts at the time. One, how extreme were the measures to protect the viewing public, most of whom would never make it that fall back into the gallery. (All the showy specimens were up front or in the general public areas.) And two, how ironic that throughout the systematic displays there were highly radioactive specimens that did not get the "benefit" of this elaborate protective display equipment. For example, there were betafite and torbernite specimens in regular display cabinets, with only glass "protecting" observers. Most museums in the US appear to take no special precautions for such specimens. Nathan Schachtman At 08:47 AM 2/19/2001 -0500, J Bryan Kramer wrote: >A sheet of glass would block beta radiation, no lead required. Beta >radiation is electrons just like those used in a tv set (or computer >monitor) to paint the image on the screen. >Bryan >----- Original Message ----- > > > > . . . and was it behind glass, which would block the majority (if not > > all) of the beta? I'd like to see a discussion of common sense museum > > practices vs. the current politically correct climate. It seems the > > trend now is toward removing things like radioactive specimens from > > display. The trend toward political correctness and environmental > > paranoia seems to be creeping into our museums. What kind of dose would > > a visitor receive by viewing a tornernite specimen behind 1 cm of leaded > > glass for 1 minute? Is there that much risk? Or has the world gone > > mad? > > >################################################################# ># Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # ># Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # ># Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # >################################################################# ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 20:23:29 +0100 From: "Dillen" Subject: Web-site This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C09AB1.D244FF80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Aaron, For your information : the website mentioned in ################################################################# # Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # # Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # # Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # ################################################################# does not seem to work at present : The page cannot be found The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- What's wrong ? Thank you very much for your courtesy, and sorry to bother you. Best regards, Rik Dillen Doornstraat 15 B-9170 Sint-Gillis-Waas Belgium Tel. + 32 3 770 6007 E-mail dillen@online.be Homepage : http://user.online.be/dillen/index.html >>> Belgian minerals (ardennite, vantasselite, ferristrunzite and more) >>> An own find on a Korean stamp >>> Exchange list Mineral collector's page http://www.minerant.org >>> The Dana errata page >>> The virtual quarry >>> and much more ! - ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C09AB1.D244FF80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Dear=20 Aaron,

For your = information : the=20 website mentioned in

############################################################= #####

# Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: = rockhounds@drizzle.com=20 #

# Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ = #

# Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com=20 #

############################################################= #####

does not = seem to=20 work at present :

	The page cannot be found
The page you are = looking for=20 might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily=20 unavailable.
What's wrong ? Thank you very much for your = courtesy,=20 and sorry to bother you. Best regards,

Rik Dillen

Doornstraat = 15

B-9170 =20 Sint-Gillis-Waas

Belgium

Tel. + 32 3 770=20 6007

E-mail =20 dillen@online.be

Homepage : = http://user.online.be/di= llen/index.html

>>> Belgian = minerals=20 (ardennite, vantasselite, ferristrunzite and more)

>>> An own = find on a=20 Korean stamp

>>> = Exchange=20 list

Mineral collector's=20 page

http://www.minerant.org

>>> The = Dana errata=20 page

>>> The = virtual=20 quarry

>>> and = much more=20 !

- ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C09AB1.D244FF80-- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 16:27:22 -0500 From: "Dan Z" Subject: Re: Web-site >http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ If you back that up one directory, to http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/ You will find a prompt for rockhounds web page that says "coming soon" and no link. Guess the sig file got released first.... - ----- Original Message ----- From: Dillen To: Rockhounds Cc: Tambuyser, Paul (MKA) Sent: Monday, February 19, 2001 14:23 Subject: Web-site Dear Aaron, For your information : the website mentioned in does not seem to work at present : ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 17:55:01 -0500 From: Don Subject: field trip report: Purple Passion & Monarch Mines, Arizona Thursday, February 15, 2001 Another day dawned crisp as I rose with the sun for another field trip. This time I was headed for the Purple Passion Mine, a claim staked by Bill Gardner and his partner. My purpose was three-fold: to do some museum business, to collect some raw micromount material for the Leidy Microscopical Society, and to obtain some nice fluorescent pieces for my own collection. I met Bill at his house just after 8 AM, and we took his truck to the Burger King in Wickenburg to meet Murray, another collector he encountered at Tuscon. Together the three of us headed into the hills above Wickenburg. The way was precarious and only the hardiest of off-road vehicles should be used there. We passed saguaro cactus and creosote bushes; occasionally Bill would point out an old mine tunnel with one had while navigating the twisting trail with the other. Our first stop was the Monarch Mine, a patented claim that has been abandoned and sees frequent collecting in its dumps. It is noted for emerald-green needles of malachite, often associated with tiny quartz crystals. The hillsides were steep and the footing a bit precarious, but there was plenty of material to be found. Here is a tip: I am not much of a field collector, yet I encountered all I wanted; so if I can do it, anyone can. The rock cracks moderately well; a 4-pound hammer is most useful, and a 6- or 8-lb. sledge is required for the bigger pieces. Within pockets in the matrix, one often finds tiny, erect quartz crystals lining the surface, sometimes coated with brown "rust" or, more pleasingly, a sky blue powder of azurite. Of course, the main prize is finding a group of malachite needles among these. When a pocket contains varying areas of clear quartz, "rusty" quartz, azurite coated quartz, and emerald green malachite crystals, it is a small but classic treasure. Sometimes, crystals of what appear to be cuprite or tetrahedrite are nestled among the others. On occasion, one also finds surface coatings of green malachite and dark blue azurite in fracture zones--sometimes in the same piece. I have all of that I could ever want, but Murray, being new, loaded these into his bucket like a thirsty man in the desert. Golden flecks of chalcopyrite peeked out from the matrix of many specimens--fool's gold in an old gold mine. Once we had our fill of the Monarch Mine, we loaded into the truck and headed for the Purple Passion. It is amazing that Bill knows where he is going; Murray and I both declared ourselves lost. In due time we reached the claim area, and Bill stopped to show us the old prospect tunnels. He is a man of unbridled enthusiasm and relentless passion, and he cheerfully elucidates every detail. As we approached the old tunnels, I saw small, fresh tracks leading the way. We feared they might be javelina. Bill entered the dark tunnel, undaunted. I, daunted, threw a rock in ahead of him, listening for the "squeeeeeeee squeeeeeeeeee squeeeeeeeee" of a charging javelina. None came. As we moved further along the tunnel, Bill lit up his homemade UV lamp with both SW and LW; it illuminated a beautiful array of colors. Both Murray and Bill made inevitable comparisons to Franklin, NJ. I explained that the two sites were different, and each has their own unique beauty; one is as the sun, the other as the moon. Having our fill of this particular wonder, and eager to collect, we left the tunnels. I saw fresh javelina dung along the way and was glad we didn't meet its previous owner. Next we made a brief stop at Bill's Hogan Claim. It is close to the Purple Passion, and the material is similar. Actually the matrix is a bit harder, and the reds and oranges are of a different character than Purple Passion. Finally we arrived at the Purple Passion itself. Unfortunately the ravages of vandalism reminded me that not everyone can be a good ol' country neighbor; unfortunately, on BLM land, you cannot erect a fence or restrict visitors in any way--except to keep them out of the shaft itself. After receiving a brief tour of the property, we opened the shaft. This is not your daddy's commercial mine shaft. The head frame and collar are made from plywood and timbers; a straight ladder provides the only access to the depths. We climbed down, bracing ourselves on cross timbers at the bottom. Bill crawled over into the cheerfully named Stope of Death, a horizontal cut off the main vertical shaft. This was rich in wulfenites. Our flashlight beams showed one small pocket with a two-inch cluster of wulfenite blades dangling from its roof like a ripe fruit. Bill couldn't reach it. I'm not as skinny as I was in my youth, but still lean enough I suppose, because I was able to squeeze between two timbers, stretch my whole body, and with the tips of my fingers pluck the little treasure from its perch. I then backed out of the stope and allowed Bill to topple a promising boulder of calcite and fluorite. This fell on the stope floor with a thump, after which Bill and Nurray decided how to get it out of there. That was a production in itself, something that left all three of us groaning and puffing. There was a shelf of sorts in the vertical shaft, and we laid the beast there and took turns cracking at it with a sledge and chisel. After we had reduced its size, I tied a rope around it, then Murray and I climbed to the top and pulled it up while Bill pushed from below. We got it out. As Bill and Murray set to work with the sledge, I set up the camera equipment. When I returned to their little chop shop, I found they had opened a number of pockets that contained tiny blades of opaque yellow wulfenite on drusy purple fluorite. This is a rare treat in the mineral world. In addition, we discovered wulfenite needles--another rarity--and the rarest wulfenite of all: epitaxial "fuzzy tabs." This wulfenite is known from only two locations in the world and is an honor to find. When all was cracked, we came to a pleasing mutual agreement: I took the 30% of material mostly of interest to micromounters, while Murray took the remainder of high quality finds. We made sure we each got at least one epitaxial wulfenite. Finally it was time to blast. Having proven my manhood in the shaft, I felt no need to cotinue the display, and gave Wild Bill a wide berth while he mixed the chemicals for detonation. I ran the wire while he inserted the cap. He packed the red plastic tube into the hole we had drilled at the top of the vein, then we sheltered behind the air compressor and touched the wires to the battery. A sharp *bang* was heard and a patter of stones rained down upon the truck; it was over quickly and we moved into the collecting area. The sun was at the horizon by then, low enough to use the fluorescent lights. Using both SW and LW again, we gasped at the array of swirling colors: red and orange calcite, pastel green willemite, passionately purple fluorite, elusive bluish hydrozincite, pale greenish-white aragonite, and a rare piece of sherbet orange caliche (1). I immediately saw two pieces that were both geologically interesting and aesthetic; I put these aside and began preparations for photographing. Murray was like a kid in a candy store, putting aside a vast quantity of material into his growing pile. As we moved from the bottom to the top, we came to the area from which we had blasted. Bill and I analyzed the vein cross section, all the while the faint acrid scent of blast residue wafted on the air. I should point out that I made special arrangements with Bill for a project I am working; he does not do a fresh blast for every group of visitors. Finally, after collecting our fill and cleaning up the site, we headed for home. I was weary, sore, and bruised, but totally thrilled and full of a new appreciation for the difficulty and expense of hobby mining. I must also say that Bill Gardner is an excellent host and irrepressible collector, and I recommend this trip to anyone who is in the area. (2) Desert Don - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) pronounced "ca-LEE-shay," a Spanish word for the cement-like hardpan layer that forms when minerals fall out of solution in standing groundwater. The Ho'ho'kam and Sinagua native used caliche as a building material, and the caliche hardpan layer in southern Arizona affected the agriculture of the Ho'ho'kam people. Caliche usually forms as a layer below the soil surface in the basin-and-range region of southern Arizona, though the term has come to be used for any thick, hard, calcium carbonate-based crust that forms on rocks. (2) website: http://www.fluorescents.com/ Please contact Bill garnder to make arrangements and discuss fees. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 15:08:13 -0800 From: Teresa Masters Subject: Re: [rocksandfossils] field trip report: Purple Passion & Monarch Mines, Arizona Don, An excellent set of Field Trip Reports that I am certain are the envy of many of us. What is a reasonable amount of time to be set aside for such a trip, and is camping or parking for RV's and Tenters available at all locations. I know you mentioned Motel, are there other options. What do you see as the maximum number of diggers? Was there also materials for Lapidary, or are these specifically sites for Mineral Collectors and Micro-Mounters. Do you plan this again and how convenient is it to Quartzsite and Tucson goers, in the event they have any time and energy left. Thank you again for this exceptional description of your wonderful trip. Teresa ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 23:31:48 -0000 From: "Neil Auty" Subject: Re: Radioactive Rocks in UK I am quite amazed at the panic radiation causes in authority. The dose of radiation that could be passed to the general public from a mineral sample is minimal to say the least, as most peolpe would browse and pass by. The staff may be at risk, but only if they act in ignorance and pocket the specimens. There are many other sources of radiation we are exposed to daily without any apparent concerns, such as granite buildings, the host rock of many radioactive minerals. Maybe we should close all museums that boast the facades of granite that we are so accustomed to. Then again maybe I am just over reacting, like the authorities over here in sunny blighty.... oh yeah, and theres the sun too... :o) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 18:52:55 -0500 From: Don Subject: Re: [rocksandfossils] field trip report: Purple Passion & Monarch Mines, Arizona Thanks for your support Theresa! To answer your questions: 1. Camp Verde: This trip can be done in 1/2 day. I met the Otis party at 8:30, by the time we ate and hit the road it was about 10:00, and I think we left for home about 14:30. So if you start early and collect quickly, you could possibly be done by noon. I think there are campsites in the area, and there are two national forests adjacent to the site. Otherwise I don't know about the camping. As far as maximum diggers, I'd say you can fit quite a number of people into the wash, it's just a matter of keeping track of everyone. Safety needs to be a priority. Also, parking is limited in the wash area, and it's fairly limited at the entrance to the salt mine site too. That will be your biggest problem. The mine can hold quite a number of people, but again there is a safety issue. The material is noted for its rarity rather than its beauty; I don't see any lapidary use for it, in fact the halite is water soluble and the glauberite is quite fragile. 2. Purple Passion area: There should be plenty of camping in Wickenburg, in fact our man Murray parked his camper at a campsite not far from the mine (about 20 mins.). There is also BLM land if you so desire, in fact some brave souls were camped near the claim. For maximum number of diggers, I believe Bill Gardner mentioned he was taking a party of 20 out soon, so you can at least take that many. Maybe I exaggerated when I said "the hardiest of vehicles" is necessary, but the road has some deep ruts and I would not take sedans on the BLM roads. High ground clearance is a must, and good nerves too. Bill gives you a choice of where to go by the way--there is also a Vulture Mine, and an Amethyst Hill, depending on what you want to collect. This is a trip that can take all day; Bill has boundless energy and he will have you out there for 24 hrs. if you let him. I rose at 6 AM and did not get home until 12:30 AM, as in, after midnight. Needless to say I didn't make the trip to Bisbee the next day. Anyway, there is good lapidary material to be had, at least for spheres; I am not a sphere fan, but I really like the ones Bill had made from his material. In fact, Murray bought several of them. I don't know if you can make cabs from them; the Hogan Claim material slabs well, and I think larger cabs, say 30mm and bigger, would look great. However, you need fluorescent light to enjoy them since their daylight appearance is less than inspiring. Both of these sites are about 3-4 hrs. north of Tuscon, depending on how quickly you drive. I can state that Camp Verde was 1 hr. 45 mins. from my hotel in Tempe, with traffic, and would likely be 1 hr. 30 mins. without traffic and if I ever had the guts to go full speed through the last pass before Camp Verde (those "Runaway Truck Ramp -- 2 mi." signs always get my attention). Wickenburg is about 1 hr. out of Phoenix, thought the trip to the mine is somewhat longer. It is difficult to tell because we made so many stops. I hope this answers your questions! Don Teresa Masters wrote: > > Don, > An excellent set of Field Trip Reports that I am certain are the envy of > many of us. What is a reasonable amount of time to be set aside for such > a trip, and is camping or parking for RV's and Tenters available at all > locations. I know you mentioned Motel, are there other options. > > What do you see as the maximum number of diggers? Was there also > materials for Lapidary, or are these specifically sites for Mineral > Collectors and Micro-Mounters. > > Do you plan this again and how convenient is it to Quartzsite and Tucson > goers, in the event they have any time and energy left. > > Thank you again for this exceptional description of your wonderful trip. > > Teresa > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 18:02:57 -0800 (PST) From: Aaron Fox Subject: Re: Web-site > Dear Aaron, > > For your information : the website mentioned in > > ################################################################# > # Rockhounds@drizzle Mailing Alias: rockhounds@drizzle.com # > # Web: http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/rockhounds/ # > # Subscription Services: majordomo@drizzle.com # > ################################################################# > > does not seem to work at present : > > The page cannot be found > The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > What's wrong ? > Thank you very much for your courtesy, and sorry to bother you. Best regards, > The problem is, that, by in large, your list administrator is a lazy bastard, and hasn't gotten around to putting up the page. Carol Bova's volunteered to host and help develop something, but, due to my workload, I've been unable to get anything started. I'll pull it out of the default signature unti I get a chance to get a page up. Sorry for the inconvienence, all. Aaron Fox Rockhounds Admin - -- afox@drizzle.com -- http://www.drizzle.com/~afox/ >... File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N) ------------------------------ End of rockhounds-digest V1 #802 ******************************** ################################################################# # To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Rockhoundz List, send mail # # to with the following keys: # # subscribe rockhounds (or) unsubscribe rockhounds # # rockhounds@drizzle.com | http://callisto.golder.com/rockhoundz# #################################################################