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Post by beefjello on Mar 20, 2013 21:21:35 GMT -5
Hi Jeri, thanks for all the tips!! I was wondering about cell phone coverage out there. Dan I'll bring along my old Work Force saw. I think she's got a little life left in her Susan wish you were coming along, been hoping to meet you for years. Question.. is there palm or pet wood to be found at WWR or Marfa? Wow it's coming up soon.. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 20, 2013 23:14:21 GMT -5
You're welcome Brian. I figure it's better to be prepared than not. That's probably why my truck is usually packed to the gills and overflowing! LOL Chuck said he found palm at Stillwell once... Never heard of anyone finding it at WWR... Not sure about Marfa, but my guess is no. They say there's pet wood at WWR, but I haven't seen any... I've found some nice wood at Stillwell; black, browns & colorful... Later, jeri
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Post by Condor on Mar 21, 2013 10:49:58 GMT -5
Susan, I too wish you'd be out here. Haven't seen you in a while although I have been to Albuquerque several times. There's a place called California Pastrami that has the best pastrami sandwiches. We find excuses just to go out there for that. I'm looking forward to meeting so many of you that I have not met before and seeing those of you I have again. As of today, March 21, Alpine is calling for a high of 90 degrees. We just might have some warm days out there. The time is getting nearer. Any other RTHers want to come along. It will be tons of fun.
Condorl
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 21, 2013 16:08:52 GMT -5
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
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Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 22, 2013 3:57:53 GMT -5
Hate to be the bearer of bad news ( always have been but thrust upon me). No Marfa, this is what I got today: The ranch south of Marfa is closed, I’m afraid. But I still have two good ranches to go to: Ritchie Ranch and East Needle Peak. The Ritchie Ranch is close to Alpine, and the terrain is gentle. I’ts a great ranch for beginners, those with kids or mobility issues, and those who don’t want to spend a lot of money or time. You can hunt there all day, just half a day, or a couple of hours. There are agates and jasper, quartz crystals, and geodes. Small pieces are abundant and there are a few really big ones, but not much in between. It yielded a fantastic find recently: at the Ritchie Ranch, a rock was found that had two very different geodes in it: one was a fantastic yellow and pink fortification piece with pinkish quartz crystals in it, and the other was a bare cavity with a few dozen individual quartz crystals in it. These two geodes had formed in the same rock, only about 2” from each other, yet one was very rich in quartz while the other was almost barren! I’ve got no idea which one formed first or how they managed to be so different, but it will surely make an incredible display. Cost is $5 per person entrance fee and $1 per lb. of good agate/jasper/quartz you take. East Needle peak is 100 miles south of Alpine. It’s rough terrain and a rough road, so a 4wd vehicle (or high clearance and a very confident driver) is needed. You can find “pompom” agate, which the area is known for (yellow saginite bursts in a clear/green background). There’s also lots of different types of agate and jasper, petrified wood, calcite, selenite, aragonite, and fossil shells, shark teeth and an occasional bone fragment. Recenly, Cindy Fryar discovered a spot where there are ammonites! They are generally broken, and yellow ochre in color. They are of the type with the curvy suture lines between the segments. The biggest piece to come out of there is about 80 percent complete and the size of a dinner plate! Now that I know there are some down there, I’m going to recheck every place that I’ve found fossils to see if I’ve missed something else! Cost for East Needle Peak is $40 per day per person. As with all my field trips, Rollin’ Rock Club membership is required unless you belong to a club that has declared that my field trips are official trips for your club (so that the SCFMS insurance applies). Sharing that so you understand, Gods I really wanted to do Marfa again. Sigh, ok uh, I have been to needle peak but the western side it was a one in a million chance to do it and I learned a lot. I tripped over more Pom Pom agate than I brought home because I didn't know what it looked like until I cut it. Trey did, said "Oh thats a good one, that will be nice" I looked at him like he as crazy because I thought it would be clear (Picked up a few CLEAR because they would be novelty) Little did I know then. I kinda want to do the needle peak trip. I know what to look for now and few do (I will show you as best as I can). Either way is ok with me, we will have a great time with or with out that trip but even one good Pom Pom would pay for it.
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 22, 2013 10:42:36 GMT -5
No more Marfa trips. So, what are y'all interested in doing? Won't hold you to anything; just want a feel for who wants to go where. WWR is a given. If no one else is interested in going to Stillwell, we'll probably do that on Sunday before the rest of you arrive. Ritchie Ranch? East Needle Peak? Stillwell? Like Spike, I'm considering Needle Peak. $40 is a bargain for that trip! In 2010 Trey charged $75 and last I heard WWR was charging $100. Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 22, 2013 11:19:36 GMT -5
Time for the FOOD discussion...
I guess first thing should be do you want to have group meals (each couple/threesome provides food for everyone) for supper and possibly breakfast?
If we do that: 1. Anyone with easily accommodated food allergies/dietary restrictions should speak up.
I'm allergic to RAW onion; cooked is fine. I get really nasty fever blisters if I eat RAW onion. If you're planning a meal that includes RAW onion, please put them 'on the side' if possible.
2. What would you like to cook for the gang?
I'd probably make a large pot of beef vegetable soup with barley. Also thinking about cooking a pork tenderloin in the slow cooker.
3. We can work out who cooks what day when we get there. I just need to know how much food to bring.
Later, jeri
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 22, 2013 13:45:40 GMT -5
You can find pics of the palm bog I found at Stillwell in the specimens section.
Sorry to hear about Marfa. :-(
Needle Peak would be awesome. Love pom pom agate.
Chuck
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Post by Condor on Mar 22, 2013 14:45:33 GMT -5
I am totally down for Needle Peak. Count me in. Don't know about the 4-wheeling part, but I don't mind hiking. As far as cooking, I'm more of a sandwich, jerky, fruits and things of that nature kind of guy. Up in the morning, quick bite to eat and off to the fields. Besides, wouldn't know how to cook for so many. Hope that's not a problem.
Condor
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 22, 2013 16:18:54 GMT -5
Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have said 'cook'... 'Provide food' would be more accurate. Sandwiches work for me, I just need something in my belly. No pressure on anyone one way or the other. ~~~~~ Stillwell: Mark, jeri, Deb East Needle Peak: Mark, jeri, Gil Ritchie Ranch: If we want Teri to take us to NP or RR, we need to book her as soon as possible. Later, jeri
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blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
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Post by blarneystone on Mar 22, 2013 21:38:45 GMT -5
My plan is to show up...
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 24, 2013 3:12:17 GMT -5
You better bro, think I could find and drag you into the back of the truck! It is much more comfortable to ride in the front or drive your own though. I am going to tell the guide six to needle peak tomorrow when I email her back. I hope it won't be a lie Pom Pom is crazy good yet deceiving on the surface. I haven't been to the eastern side, Trey took us on the first and as far as know the only trip to the west side. I picked up several "clear" agates then decided I had enough of that, when he saw them he said said "Oh that is a nice one, oh that will be great" that was when I questioned his sanity, they looked clear to me. but he was right. Gods how I kick myself for all those that I tripped over and then left behind not knowing. 4wd, yeah again I don't know the east side of it. But the west side was pretty hairy driving Tom out. The straight up and suddenly have to turn at the top of the dunes to keep from tumbling down the other side was crazy, I don't think it will be that way there though or it would not be offered. I am all in for a needle peak trip, I think the key is to know what you are looking for pretty sure I have some before and after Pom pom pics but I had a huge HD crash yesterday so hope to find them now. I will post them if I do, to find one would pay for the up front trip the rest gravy . Lastly at WWR we need to stay in groups at least two or three,I have friend who has been at the ranch since he was very young, he told me about one time two years ago he was there with one other, he went up a hill while his friend stayed below, when he looked down to see his friend he also saw a cougar stalking him, in broad day light! They were able to scare it off but something to remember, we heard them that first year at night so know they are there. Last year and last day before we set off Jan/Jayson asked me "Mark do you have a Pistol? Yes, better wear it, the Helicopters have been going all over this morning" That was a two legged thing. Everything will be fine just needed to put it out there.
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Post by Condor on Mar 24, 2013 9:56:59 GMT -5
Note to self: Take bear spray. Shoots a much wider swath and even if I'm shaking in my boots I stand a much better chance of hitting the target. I doubt very much I could hit a rattler, or cougar with a single shot or two, or three or .... and cause any significant damage. The bear spray will give me more than enough time to get the heck out of Dodge. On the other hand, maybe I'll collect with the slowest of the bunch? Seriously though, the odds are quite slim for anything to happen. But I will take my bear spray just to be on the safe side. Condor
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 24, 2013 21:11:39 GMT -5
I don't have any bear spray, but I've heard that wasp spray works on snakes. So I'm sitting here, with 10 plus inches of snow outside, wondering why the heck we didn't plan the Blitz for this week! Later, jeri
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 24, 2013 21:33:38 GMT -5
Gil, you only have to be faster than the guy next to you . Ok here is very important information about the trip: There will be a community coffee pot in front of our tent, it will be loaded the night before so if you are up before me? Feel free to turn it on!
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Post by Condor on Mar 24, 2013 21:57:53 GMT -5
I don't have any bear spray, but I've heard that wasp spray works on snakes. So I'm sitting here, with 10 plus inches of snow outside, wondering why the heck we didn't plan the Blitz for this week! Later, jeri Yup. I agree on having done it this week. I've been on spring break for the past week. Would've been perfect. Maybe next year. Condor
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Mar 25, 2013 2:17:41 GMT -5
Sorry for the conflict Condor. This time was picked so others could be there. But they haven't said anything so I guess not them .
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 25, 2013 10:27:13 GMT -5
So I'm sitting here, with 10 plus inches of snow outside, wondering why the heck we didn't plan the Blitz for this week! Later, jeri Yup. I agree on having done it this week. I've been on spring break for the past week. Would've been perfect. Maybe next year. Condor If we'd done it last week, I would've been driving home in the storm... We ended up with a foot of snow! Can't wait to leave town! Even though the snow will be gone by then. Gil, just to be sure, you don't have 4WD? Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Mar 25, 2013 10:50:40 GMT -5
Dragging the lists over from the last page... Blitz Litz... ;D Going:Arriving Saturday the 6th...spikeict ~ Mark ~ Sat. thru Sat. roswelljero ~ jeri ~ Sat. thru Sat. (A friend of mine) ~ Deb ~ Sat. thru Thu. Blarney ~ Dan ~ Sat. thru Thu./Fri. Arriving Monday the 8th...beefjello ~ Brian & Christa ~ Mon. thru Fri. Arriving Tuesday the 9th...Condor ~ Gil ~ Tue. thru Sat. stoner ~ Ed ~ Tue. thru Sat. desertdweller ~ Jamie ~ Tue. thru Sat. The We are still trying to get there bunch: Silver Lass ~ Dorothy Cosmic Cowboy ~ Don ~ Robert Maybe:sheltie ~ Denny vibratumble ~ ~~~~~ Stillwell: Mark, jeri, Deb
East Needle Peak: Mark, jeri, Gil
Ritchie Ranch:
If we want Teri to take us to NP or RR, we need to book her as soon as possible.Later, jeri
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Post by Condor on Mar 25, 2013 18:56:02 GMT -5
Jeri, I have all wheel drive on the Explorer, but I've never really done any kind of four wheeling, so I'm somewhat hesitant about it. Especially since i will be selling it as soon as i get back Home. Don't know what the roads to Needle Peak are like.
Condor
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