revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Mar 13, 2010 15:20:26 GMT -5
It occurred to me that I recently registered after several months of lurking here...and just jumped right into posting without first introducing myself!
I'm currently living in Missoula, MT - and the Missoula Basin is an awesome place for rockhounding! I got into rocks back in about 1998 after picking up my first tumbler (a Lortone 3A) at a garage sale for $5. My collection of tumblers now sits at my original (and recently refurbished) 3A, two 33B's and a QT66. I'm currently designing/planning a DIY tumbler for more rough capacity...which will probably do at least another 24lb's of rough. Someday, I'd like to get into cabs and so forth, but really, tumbling is an enjoyable background hobby for me.
To this day, I am ever amazed at the vast array of types of rocks that are out there. I'm not a geologist, and struggle with identification, but that doesn't at all detract from the awe I experience from something as simple as rocks. I personally believe in creation...and the pure variety and beauty that can be brought out of the world's most common element - simple rocks - continues to solidify that belief.
Anyhow...it's good to be amongst other rockhounds and I appreciate all the information I've found here! So thank you! Keep on posting!
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Post by Condor on Mar 13, 2010 16:34:46 GMT -5
Hi Revco. Welcome to RTH. Lucky you. You live in a place that to me is great. Near Yellowstone. A few years ago my family and I stayed at Jellystone RV Park there in Missoula. Got to visit the Smokejumpers museum there too. Looking forward to pictures of you tumbles.
Condor
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Post by Toad on Mar 13, 2010 19:07:36 GMT -5
Welcome. This place is great for picking up information you didn't even know you needed. But more importantly it's about discovering rocks you didn't know you needed...
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Post by rockrookie on Mar 13, 2010 22:42:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the board !! glad to ''meet'' you ! --paul
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Post by Bikerrandy on Mar 14, 2010 8:36:13 GMT -5
Even after you get into cabbing, the tumblers will still be running. I have two running now, and did 5 cabs yesterday. Never enough, always want more ;D Welcome to the boards!
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desertdweller
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2006
Posts: 1,803
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Post by desertdweller on Mar 14, 2010 16:05:24 GMT -5
I'm always amazed at how many different types of rocks there are out there and new ones being introduced all the time but you stated it very well. Welcome to the board.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 18, 2010 1:51:52 GMT -5
I realized I neglected to welcome you so... Welcome to the forum. It's a great place and so many great people on here. Missoula is nice for a "big city"...lol. I live in Helena for now. May have to bribe you to show me some of your good rock locations over in your neck of the woods.
Diane
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Post by montanamuskrat on Mar 25, 2010 2:06:29 GMT -5
Welcome. We have had a great time on this site. If there is a question here you will find someone with an answer. We are from Missoula, but find us going up back to Deer Lodge, Avon and Gold Creek a lot. We collect rocks from Glasgow to Lolo and in between. Again welcome. Debby & Tom
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Mar 25, 2010 12:06:44 GMT -5
I'm still trying to find all the good spots - but I've had luck along the Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River. The creeks that feed these rivers are also good. I went up Bass Creek here a couple weeks back and found some awesome stuff. Definitely need to get up there and do some panning, because I found several gold infused rocks and lots of black sand. Gold Creek is on my radar and one of these weekends here soon, I'm going to try and get up there.
Have any of you seen the rocks around these parts that have silver flecks in them? I see them a LOT on my outings. Is that silver or something else?
One of these days, we should get together and do a Western Montana rockhound gathering!
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Post by frane on Apr 5, 2010 19:02:58 GMT -5
Hi revco and welcome to the board! I have noticed your posts around and just didn't get over here to see this post till now. I can't help you with the rocks that you find with silver flecks in them but I suspect it is mica or something. Maybe someone else will pipe up and know about the area. Looking forward to all your posts! Fran
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Post by drocknut on Apr 5, 2010 22:02:34 GMT -5
I didn't think of this before but Fran is probably right about the silver flecks being mica. There is a lot of that around in Montana. It would look like silver flecks because of the light reflecting off the surface of the mica. I'm pretty sure real silver would not stand out like that. I could be wrong, been known to happen ;-)
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