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Post by NatureNut on Apr 5, 2009 20:38:24 GMT -5
It's no secret I've been hot to find some Amethyst. When you look it up in Wikipedia, my very own county is one of the locations-- but do you think I could find it locally... no. (at least not yet) So, I called two friends from Dirty Rockhounds, Rob and Vicki and cried for help. Got a call yesterday morning from them and we met at a McDonald's in Gap, PA- about an hour away. The drive through scenic Amish Country We reached an Amish farm, and Vicki bought some eggs and asked permission to walk the field. It had just been plowed and will soon be planted, which means we had a short window to search. There are Citrine, Rose, Smoky and Amethyst crystals in clusters with matrix and tips and points all brought to the surface by the plow. Some were broken, some not. Rob and Vicki using their eagle eyes. Here's one! Some are dotted with Hematite, Rob explained. Angie wanted to pull me into the stream with her. It was REAL windy, dirt and hair blowing into your face. Struggling to get the right angle on the wind and the sunlight was a tricky dance. Vicki kindly offered to walk Angie so I could do some hands-free hounding. Actually, she's been in dog-withdrawal and wanted to do it. But, they soon came back showing us a great find! Bill and I found some great stuff! Vicki gave me this piece of Smoky Quartz and said it's clear enough that it might be good facet material. Brought home some of the matrix material to cut and check out. It's has a cool fibrous pattern and interesting color. While we were there, two more Dirty Rockhound members arrive to join the windy search. Many thanks to Rob and Vicki for taking us out so I could find my Ammy! Thanks for coming along too! Jo
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 5, 2009 20:54:21 GMT -5
Did anyone catch the shot of all four hooves off the ground?
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Apr 5, 2009 21:34:33 GMT -5
Hey Jo , wow what a great trip .. It must be so nice to be able to look for amethyst right in your own backyard , or pretty dang close to it .. I love the stuff too .. and what a great haul ... they'r going too look great once you get them cleaned up I'v dealt with the Amish in the past , I put brake systems on they'r buggies , They had a guy that would bring them up to New Hampshire to me. they are very nice folks . You just got one of the Ameritool setup ? I love mine .. i'm sure you will love yours too , they'r great
Thanks for sharing your trip Wolf
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Post by Condor on Apr 5, 2009 21:43:05 GMT -5
Did anyone catch the shot of all four hooves off the ground? That's the first thing I noticed. Two things came to my mind. The first was what a great picture and the other was that horse and buggy was haulin' ass. Condor
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Post by mohs on Apr 5, 2009 21:49:39 GMT -5
wow that some nice spark! nice to see the ice crystals have disappeared and the quartz crystal clear
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on Apr 5, 2009 22:14:37 GMT -5
Beautiful scenery and amazing finds! And now that you pointed, I see how fast that horse was running.
"...all brought to the surface by the plow." That's the same way I find opalised woods in some place here.
Adrian
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Post by beefjello on Apr 5, 2009 22:20:03 GMT -5
Neat finds!
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Apr 6, 2009 0:41:13 GMT -5
Nice finds. Thanks for the pics
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Post by fishenman on Apr 6, 2009 2:48:15 GMT -5
Wow those are some great crystals. I did see the horse pic and thought something looks odd. No feet on the ground, very cool pic.
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Post by Bejewelme on Apr 6, 2009 6:06:11 GMT -5
Jo: I love it that you were in my home town!!! That is not far from where I grew up and my family still lives there. Where you were in Gap is where Ann Beiler of Auntie Anne's soft pretzels lives and has many Amish family members, her having left the sect. MY aunt worked for her for years. You found great stuff and I am so glad you got your ammy fix!! Saturday was a horribly windy day, I bet you looked like a dust bunny until you were done!
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Post by texaswoodie on Apr 6, 2009 6:09:34 GMT -5
I really like Amish country! I can't believe you can just go out in the fields and pick up amethyst.
Curt
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 6, 2009 7:54:59 GMT -5
Yeah Curt, as long as you are courteous and respectful (not letting Angie off to scare their animals, trying not to walk on their alfalfa), it really is a help to them. I worked on a farm for a couple years and they had us walk the hay fields and pick up rocks... now that I think of it, I wonder if I had picked up anything good and thrown it... oh well. Amber, the home farm is in the horse and buggy pic, does it look familiar? Those two carriages WERE MOVING! Deeptime, we've had spring here for a few weeks now, but guess what... I heard there is snow in the forecast for this week! Got lots of nice specimens, but didn't get much purple tumble rough and I'm not breaking up those specimens, LOL. Oh well, I'm not complaining!
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Post by Tonyterner on Apr 6, 2009 10:34:06 GMT -5
Boy Jo you couldn't have picked a windier day for rockhounding, looks like you had fun though. I don't know how you kept the dirt out of your eyes. Those are some great finds. Looks like Amber and I will have to add it to next year's agenda. Thanks for the GPS coordinates, I found it on mapquest.
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Apr 6, 2009 13:02:38 GMT -5
Way to go Jo!!! You kept at it, researched the subject throughly and were successful in your quest. Congratulations on a terrific haul and journey!
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Post by frane on Apr 6, 2009 14:44:34 GMT -5
That was a wonderful trip and some beautiful pictures! I would not have realized how fast the horses were going unless you had told us. Now I see it plain as day! It is hard to believe you can just walk up and down the rows and pick up such nice crystals! Fran
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Apr 6, 2009 14:49:27 GMT -5
great trip really nice finds brian
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Post by Bikerrandy on Apr 6, 2009 21:48:14 GMT -5
Wow, super cool finds!! How far was it from your house? Oh, an hour away, I re-read. ;D Are the Amish people cool? (probably sounds like a stupid question, but I don't have too much experience with Amish people in Virginia Beach) lol
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Post by Bejewelme on Apr 6, 2009 22:27:08 GMT -5
Randy! I will give you the Amish rundown this weekend!
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 7, 2009 7:06:09 GMT -5
You mean after Tony slips you a mickey and you wake up and find yourself duck-taped to a chair with wire in one hand and pliers in the other, right? ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Tonyterner on Apr 7, 2009 10:13:33 GMT -5
lol Would I do that? ;D
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