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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 17:32:28 GMT -5
Nate and I had a fantastic time digging crystals in Arkansas. The weather was perfect! I highly recommend going during this time of year. We went to Twin Creek. Which I was disappointed in. We were to have a private dig, but the machinery was broken down. It is extremely hard digging and if you do this mine, bring ALL the tools you can think of Avatar was so much fun. This requires digging as well, but we found a bunch on the surface. Ron Coleman. BiG operation! And your basically digging in piles of dirt. They hadn't brought any up in a couple of days, so we were digging through old piles. Most of the stuff was milky and broken. Still a lot of fun! We also stopped at Artist Point and Fantastic Caverns. Oh and jamesp check out what we spotted in one of the shops! I immediately knew who the Knapper was! Of course we get back and it's been snowing and cold so we have not gotten anything cleaned BTW there is a video on YouTube @bettertogetheradventures
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 17:38:13 GMT -5
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 27, 2022 17:51:16 GMT -5
Nate and I had a fantastic time digging crystals in Arkansas. The weather was perfect! I highly recommend going during this time of year. We went to Twin Creek. Which I was disappointed in. We were to have a private dig, but the machinery was broken down. It is extremely hard digging and if you do this mine, bring ALL the tools you can think of Avatar was so much fun. This requires digging as well, but we found a bunch on the surface. Ron Coleman. BiG operation! And your basically digging in piles of dirt. They hadn't brought any up in a couple of days, so we were digging through old piles. Most of the stuff was milky and broken. Still a lot of fun! We also stopped at Artist Point and Fantastic Caverns. Oh and @jamessp check out what we spotted in one of the shops! I immediately knew who the Knapper was! Of course we get back and it's been snowing and cold so we have not gotten anything cleaned BTW there is a video on YouTube @bettertogetheradventures It sounds like you had a fun trip. The crystal digging report is unfortunately more the rule these days, Broken equipment and picked over tailings piles. The videos you see on youtube by some of the "name" folks are not what you should expect. Great piles get brought up for the video and everyone oh's and ah's but are somewhat disappointed when they go themselves. I am sure we are going in the Fall. Hopefully we can get some new leads for better digging. For getting together is the best part of the trip. Where was the brewery?
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 17:57:19 GMT -5
WHICH ONE 🤣
We stopped several
Luas which was Des Moines (Great beer!) Apple Blossom Brewing in Fayetteville Ar
Liquor store in Fort Smith called Shamrock Liquor warehouse. Great selection and the biggest Liquor store we've seen outside of WI
Bathhouse brewing in Hot Springs. Which we enjoyed a flight of all 18 of the beers on tap. The best one being a blonde with basil and honey And last was
Bricktown Brewing in Springfield Missouri
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 17:59:46 GMT -5
As far as the youtube videos
We heard from a few people that they came there because of them. A few of them were not prepared at all for the digging. Twin Creek was NO joke.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Mar 27, 2022 18:56:37 GMT -5
Glad you guys had a great trip! Looks like you enjoyed good food and drink along the way! Thanks for all the pictures. I'll have to watch your video a little later!
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Post by HankRocks on Mar 27, 2022 19:20:57 GMT -5
As far as the youtube videos We heard from a few people that they came there because of them. A few of them were not prepared at all for the digging. Twin Creek was NO joke. The Youtube videos are great advertising, all you have to do is sit down at a pile and the crystals will roll into your bucket!! they do make for some disappointment. I am not crazy about the hike up the hill on the public side of Twin Creek. There used to be places where it was loose rock on top of solid rock, very difficult navigating and keeping your footing. It's worse when you have a bucket of tools and a bucket of Quartz coming down. If you have weak legs from bad knees(I won't name names), it is a character builder!!
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 19:26:21 GMT -5
Oh that was one heck of a walk uphill and a little sketchy coming down. I wouldn't be surprised if a few people injure themselves every year.
We were at Coleman's and Nate overheard a lady on crutches saying she fell off the side of the mountain while digging at Crystal Vista
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 19:32:07 GMT -5
I do recommend trying Avatar. They are a really nice couple. The only place that gave a military discount and they are really putting a lot of effort into the mine. I'd honestly go back to any of them, but that one I enjoyed a lot
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 27, 2022 19:39:17 GMT -5
Thank you SO much for giving the trip report! The pictures are all amazing...but the one's of the cavern are breathtaking! I'm glad you both made it back...and neither of you needed crutches!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,439
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Post by NDK on Mar 27, 2022 19:42:33 GMT -5
HankRocks we had a great time and really appreciate all the info from you & BobThe couple renting the cabin next to us were actually at twin creek the same time and not 50' away "digging" in a different vein. He was laying on his side with his arm fully stuffed up to his shoulder digging by hand some amazing points, many big around as a golf ball. Apparently they were intertwined with a tree root. He said there was a few big ones in there yet he couldn't quite get and the mine was closing. They were heading home the next day and that's why he told us about what he left. We really debated going back but decided to skip it. At Ron Coleman we talked to a couple that was there the week prior while new tailings were being brought in. They said they found amazing points and clusters and filled their truck. It's amazing new tailings were brought up 3 days before we got there and it was slim pickings. We did end up with a 5 gal pail full but we're unsure of the quality. I know many are broken pieces. All in all it was an amazing trip, one we plan to do again. I especially want to try the crystal vista.
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Post by MsAli on Mar 27, 2022 19:43:43 GMT -5
Thank you SO much for giving the trip report! The pictures are all amazing...but the one's of the cavern are breathtaking! I'm glad you both made it back...and neither of you needed crutches! We really did have so much fun. The Caverns were amazing and I'm glad we made a last minute decision to stop. And I did break my thumb
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 27, 2022 19:48:53 GMT -5
Thank you SO much for giving the trip report! The pictures are all amazing...but the one's of the cavern are breathtaking! I'm glad you both made it back...and neither of you needed crutches! We really did have so much fun. The Caverns were amazing and I'm glad we made a last minute decision to stop. And I did break my thumb Seriously!! What the heck!?! I haven't watched the YouTube vid yet...maybe you talk about it there. Well, heck...I guess you won't be hitchhiking any time soon! LOL BTW - I'm working on getting my beard as gnarly (in a good way) as NDK's!
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,439
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Post by NDK on Mar 27, 2022 19:49:01 GMT -5
Yeah someone hit her thumb instead of the chisel... 😜
Anyway, for anyone who'd like to watch the video, here it is. We'd love a 👍 & also please subscribe if you wouldn't mind 😉
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Post by Son Of Beach on Mar 27, 2022 19:52:25 GMT -5
Looks like hella fun
I've never been thru Arkansas but it's on my to do list someday.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2022 8:41:09 GMT -5
So little time, so much beer. You guys had a blast. Looks like my glass made it to Arkansas too. What are the chances... Jealous, Arkansas is on my bucket list too. Glad you got to experience the geological wonders there under influence !
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Post by MsAli on Mar 28, 2022 10:02:26 GMT -5
So little time, so much beer. You guys had a blast. Looks like my glass made it to Arkansas too. What are the chances... Jealous, Arkansas is on my bucket list too. Glad you got to experience the geological wonders there under influence ! Those were done by non other than Arkansas resident Willie Jester. I sent him a message and he confirmed those were his. He has been yammering for more glass from you
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Post by MsAli on Mar 28, 2022 10:02:58 GMT -5
We really did have so much fun. The Caverns were amazing and I'm glad we made a last minute decision to stop. And I did break my thumb Seriously!! What the heck!?! I haven't watched the YouTube vid yet...maybe you talk about it there. Well, heck...I guess you won't be hitchhiking any time soon! LOL BTW - I'm working on getting my beard as gnarly (in a good way) as NDK 's! I was half expecting a meme His beard and hair is absolutely fabulous! Unfortunately both will be gone soo
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2022 12:42:29 GMT -5
So little time, so much beer. You guys had a blast. Looks like my glass made it to Arkansas too. What are the chances... Jealous, Arkansas is on my bucket list too. Glad you got to experience the geological wonders there under influence ! Those were done by non other than Arkansas resident Willie Jester. I sent him a message and he confirmed those were his. He has been yammering for more glass from you Yammering is a perfect word. He is getting some sooner than later. to end the yammering
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2022 12:45:04 GMT -5
PS That cave is bodacious. I was a member of a spelunking group when a kid. Those things are a dime a dozen in NW Ga, NE Al and south Tennessee. Used to lead groups into backwoods caves. People came out renewed lol.
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