NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2020 16:51:07 GMT -5
Hey folks, I'll be heading to Las Vegas the end of February to visit my daughter. Of course being in rock hound Shangri La I have to get out and find some rocks. I guess my biggest concern is being from Wisconsin, most everything here is private property. The whole concept of wandering the desert for miles looking for rocks is a foreign concept to me. I know there's mapping type apps I can download on my phone that show property lines, would that be something beneficial or a waste of time? I'm mining for info daily online when I get the chance. I see the SNVGS had a claim so I'm going to try to get there one day. Not sure how that'll be because I won't have any equipment with me. I may find a hammer and chisel somewhere before I go there. I've read NevadaBill comment about picking rocks in the washes so I'll maybe try that. Any other pointers are appreciated. If any members here want to meet for coffee or pick rocks for a few hours during the week when my daughter is working I'd be happy to meet you. NevadaBill vegasjames Anyone else? Thanks in advance for any help. Nate
|
|
|
Post by MsAli on Jan 23, 2020 16:52:27 GMT -5
Maybe one of the Nevada folks can take you out with them ?
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2020 17:28:24 GMT -5
That would be cool. I'll also be finding a DNR office or something to get some pointers too.
I might be meeting a good friend from Santa Fe in Winslow AZ for a few days, if so Dobell Ranch is on the docket!
|
|
|
Post by woodman on Jan 23, 2020 19:31:21 GMT -5
Hey folks, I'll be heading to Las Vegas the end of February to visit my daughter. Of course being in rock hound Shangri La I have to get out and find some rocks. I guess my biggest concern is being from Wisconsin, most everything here is private property. The whole concept of wandering the desert for miles looking for rocks is a foreign concept to me. I know there's mapping type apps I can download on my phone that show property lines, would that be something beneficial or a waste of time? I'm mining for info daily online when I get the chance. I see the SNVGS had a claim so I'm going to try to get there one day. Not sure how that'll be because I won't have any equipment with me. I may find a hammer and chisel somewhere before I go there. I've read NevadaBill comment about picking rocks in the washes so I'll maybe try that. Any other pointers are appreciated. If any members here want to meet for coffee or pick rocks for a few hours during the week when my daughter is working I'd be happy to meet you. NevadaBill vegasjames Anyone else? Thanks in advance for any help. Nate ONX maping program is a good to have to enable one to know where you are at.
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Las Vegas
Jan 23, 2020 19:48:30 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2020 19:48:30 GMT -5
Thank you woodman I'll look into it!
|
|
|
Post by aDave on Jan 23, 2020 20:04:20 GMT -5
I might be meeting a good friend from Santa Fe in Winslow AZ for a few days, if so Dobell Ranch is on the docket! Dobell's is a must-do if you want AZ pet wood. The wife and I went there a couple of years ago, and it was a great time. Just make sure to call and schedule in advance to ensure someone can meet you. When we went there, we chose to dig, and we had all of our hounding equipment. If you end up digging, bring a change of clothes. We ended up in a recently opened ash pit, and you can get quite dirty, as the stuff can be like powder in places. Also bring plastic bags for those dirty clothes. If digging is not up your alley, there is plenty of material that has already been excavated for purchase. The place is pretty remote and a bit primitive, so make sure to have an ice chest packed with food and drink. After about three hours, we filled two five-gallon buckets. Take a look at the Trip Advisor reviews. There are a few good tips in them, including how to find the place. www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31244-d10593018-Reviews-DoBell_Ranch-Holbrook_Arizona.htmlIf you also have the time, go visit the crater outside of Winslow. There is a charge to get in, but the Visitor's Center and Museum is very, very interesting. Of course, the crater itself is very impressive. Lastly, if you're looking for a place to stay in that region, I HIGHLY recommend the Twin Arrows Casino/Hotel. It's about 25 minutes west of the Crater. The casino is run by the Navajo Nation, and our room there was not only very reasonable, I'd have to think it was one of the nicest rooms I've ever stayed in. We do not gamble, but we would definitely stay there again in a heartbeat. Have fun on your trip!
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 23, 2020 20:47:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the info aDave
|
|
vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
|
Post by vwfence on Jan 24, 2020 14:43:02 GMT -5
If you have time to come down into Arizona , I live by Kingman , about 90 miles south of Vegas and can get you out into a few places here
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 24, 2020 15:08:39 GMT -5
Thank you vwfence I appreciate it! I'll definitely keep this in mind.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
|
Post by Fossilman on Jan 25, 2020 10:44:51 GMT -5
I have a buddy in Vegas that hounds, if your on F/B, I could intro you both...
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Las Vegas
Jan 27, 2020 8:10:02 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by NDK on Jan 27, 2020 8:10:02 GMT -5
Thanks Mike fossilman but I'm not on Facebook.
|
|
Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
|
Post by Fossilman on Jan 28, 2020 10:39:09 GMT -5
Thanks Mike fossilman but I'm not on Facebook. Lots of ghost towns around that area also, bottles, glass, old junk to found..
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 28, 2020 12:27:22 GMT -5
Good point, I'll have to add that to my search. I may just drift around during the day keeping an eye on the clock to be back to see my daughter when she gets back from work.
|
|
|
Post by beefjello on Jan 28, 2020 19:22:55 GMT -5
Vegas huh?
Maybe Arizona huh??
Dammit Nate, if you don't stop by to see me there'll be heck to pay!
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Jan 29, 2020 9:55:36 GMT -5
beefjello Well Brian, it's funny because I was thinking about trying to meet up with you earlier this morning. Wondering if I could work it in... If the stars align it'll definitely happen! 🤘
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Post by NDK on Mar 3, 2020 20:07:15 GMT -5
Well folks, what a trip! I had such a great time. In Nevada we did the requisite sightseeing of the hoopla on the strip & Fremont street, toured WeldEr Up & Count's Customs, hiked a little up in red rock canyon, went rock picking at the ore car mine by Lake Mead. Then I drove to Arizona for 4 days. 1st 3 were spent with my good buddy Jeff in Holbrook. We checked out Jim Gray's petrified wood shop, walked through the county museum, drove into the petrified forest & dug wood at Dobell Ranch. I told Rhonda they've got a 5 star rating on RTH and she's getting another from me! What a fun place! Friday morning I headed towards Phoenix to meet the infamous beefjello . He tipped me off to a nice dirt road to do a little picking on the way so I wasted a little time that morning before hitting the highway. Of course his rock vision is always laser focused so I found a few keepers on the dirt path too! Last I have to say what a pleasure it was meeting Brian and his lovely wife Christa. Me & Brian have been "friends" for I'm thinking 10 years here on RTH but I never met him until now. We hit it off like we've been buddies all our life and I'm blessed to have him for a friend! What an awesome couple! Brian had also invited Rodney (also a member - can't remember his handle here - sorry Rodney). What a great guy. We all had a few beers and chatted late into the night. What fun! Saturday morning after some breakfast and more chit chat Brian took me to a local wash to do some quick picking because I had less than 2 hours before I needed to head back to Vegas. We found a few pieces to add to my haul then headed back to his place to say our goodbyes. I had myself quite a collection of rock by the time I was packed up to head home so I bought a carry on and loaded it up. TSA wasn't too happy when I had 66# of rock in my bag. I got an eye roll when they checked my bag... LOL some people just don't get it. So here's my haul... The carry on full: The whole bunch: The wood: The AZ goodies:
|
|
|
Post by MsAli on Mar 3, 2020 21:02:26 GMT -5
Love the pictures Nate and what a great haul.
Cheers!
|
|
NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
|
Las Vegas
Mar 3, 2020 21:44:53 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by NDK on Mar 3, 2020 21:44:53 GMT -5
Thanks Ali. Wish I had more time and more room!
|
|
|
Post by RocksInNJ on Mar 3, 2020 22:00:42 GMT -5
Sounds like a great time. Hope yuore able to do it again soon.
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Mar 4, 2020 6:41:32 GMT -5
Nice big hunk of wood.
Glad your trip was enjoyable.
|
|