El Gambrisino 2008-08

7/27/2019 El Gambrisino 2008-08

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EL GAMBRISINOGem Crafters & Explorer's Club Bulletin, Las Cruces, NM

Affiliated with the AFMS and a member of the RMFMS AUGUST 2008 - Volume 50, Issue 8

Notes from the Previous Meeting:Notes from the Previous Meeting:Notes from the Previous Meeting:Notes from the Previous Meeting:

As there was no meeting in July there are no notes to report. I do have an addition to last month'snotes though. I forgot to thank Wilma & Bob Hutson who brought the drinks for the meeting. Sorry aboutthat, seems that I didn't ask enough questions.

Eric and Kathy Fuller hosted a Pool Party in lieu of the July meeting. It took place on June 29th andwas a resounding success. It started out a cool, dark and stormy morning and ended up a beautiful warm,partly sunny afternoon. A good crowd showed up with people coming and going all afternoon. Everyonebrought food and there was a wide variety of dishes and munchies to please all - and it was all good. Thepool was warm and there was a lot of activity in it - what with swimming, floating, gabbing and then, of

course, the volleyball game. Hope the nose is better by now Bill. The game went on for quite a while untilthe winds came up and it cooled off late in the afternoon so everyone got out and hit the buffet again. Itwas a most enjoyable afternoon and once again we all thank the Fullers for their gracious hospitality.

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Reminders & General InfoReminders & General InfoReminders & General InfoReminders & General Info::::

Info on the Inter-Federation Campout & Fieldtrip Event from the RMF Newsletter:

“AGATE RENDEZVOUS 2008”

The “Chaparral Rockhounds” of Roswell, NM, would like to cordially invite all Rockhounds of all ages to “AGATE RENDEZVOUS 2008”,our annual ten-day, nine-night fieldtrip campout through the Labor Day weekend held at Apache Creek, New Mexico, from August 23 RD to

September 1ST , 2008. This is an “Inter-Federation Campout & Fieldtrip Event” for the whole family with the Rocky Mountain, Californiaand the South Central Federations (and all other Federation who wish to attend).

We have very adventurous and interesting fieldtrips every day from 50 to 200 miles roundtrip from our base camp. Each day we leave

at 8:30 AM with a picnic lunch to different areas in the region to collect a very wide variety of rocks, minerals and/or crystals that can

include: Agate, Banded Agate, Blood Stone, Chalcedony, Crystalline, Flat Band Agate, Geodes, Golden Luna Agate, Hematite, Jasper, Lava’s,Luna Blue Agate, Obsidian, Plume Agate, Quartz Crystals, Red Luna Agate, Snowflake Agate and Thunder Eggs just to name only a few. Acouple of our fieldtrips might be into the eastern portion Arizona along the state line. Several of the areas that we travel into, one will

need a high-clearance or 4WD type vehicle. If you do not have this type of vehicle, don’t worry, someone would be happy to carpool with alittle “$$$$” help for gas.

The very small town of Apache Creek is located in the central-western part of the state about 117 miles west of Socorro, NM, on NM-12southwest of the small town of Datil, NM. Apache Creek campground, used as our base camp, was once a CCC Camp back in the 1930’s. It

is a beautiful and tranquil camping area with tall majestic pine trees towering over the entire camp area for plenty of cool shade duringthe warm days of August. The area is large and spacious enough for the largest of RV’s to the smallest of pup tents and everything inbetween. Being a rustic camp area, there are no facilities, water or electricity, just one coed chemical toilet, so you must come prepared.

There is no cost or camping fees at Apache Creek campground. The town of Apache Creek has one main structure in town, a small country

store where one can buy the “very basics” and is where we get our spring water and take showers. The small town of Reserve is eleven

miles to the southwest and has a grocery store, bank/ATM, garage/gas station and a small motel for anyone who does not want tocampout. The majority of the time, Mother Nature cooperates. The weather in August has warm days in the upper 70’s to 80’s and cool

nights in the 50’s with some possible 40’s and even 30’s. Occasionally, late summer thundershowers may wonder through the area to put adamper on things, so come prepared for the unexpected. The elevation of our base camp is about 6400 feet with day outings that can be

up to 8500 to 9000 feet.Every afternoon about 4:30 or 5:00 PM after a day of collecting, most of the rockhounds get together and have a happy hour to

socialize and talk about the day’s findings. Then everyone has supper on their own around 6:00 PM. Afterwards, we sit around the

campfire and tell TALL stories of old mining, prospecting and Rockhounding glory days. The nighttime skies at Apache Creek arebreathtaking. With no light pollution, one can see millions of stars. So, if you have a good pair of binoculars or a telescope, be sure to

bring them too for some spectacular stargazing. On both Saturday afternoons after returning from our outing, we all get together for

our traditional “Apache Creek Group Photo” at 5:30 PM.

Afterwards, we all get ready for our traditional potluck supper at 6:00 PM. Everyone makes their favorite camp dish and we share themwhile telling more stories around the campfire. On each Sunday morning at 8:00 AM, we will have a Rollin’ Rock Club meeting if we have

enough folks interested.Rockhounds that show up can camp-out anywhere from a couple of nights to the entire campout. Some just come for the last weekend

to visit and see old friends. Some Rockhounds camp out for over two weeks. Everyone that comes always has a great time with all thecamaraderie and collecting, and everyone ALWAYS goes home several pounds heavier. Each year, it only gets better. We really hope that your club members can join us this year to make some new friends and really have some good old “Rockhounding Fun and Adventure.” For

the last 10 years, we have averaged about 40 Rockhounds that have attended the campout from at least half a dozen states. Just the

right size for a Rockhound get together. And folks, if you have any good unique swapping/trading material from your area, be sure to

bring it. And in addition, if you have a CB Radio, be sure to bring it along. We use CB Channel 7 on all our fieldtrips. When you arrive atthe campground, just look for the “White Framed Canopy”, that’s our HQ.

Saturday and Sunday on the last weekend are open days. For those not interested in going out rock collecting, there are several other

things to see and do in the area:

New Mexico Bureau of Mines Mineral Museum is located in Socorro, NM on the campus of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines. Themuseum is one of the “Top Five Mineral Museums” in all of North America and well worth the trip.

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Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Astronomy Telescope is where the movie “Contact” with Jodie Foster was filmed. If you are interestedin Astronomy, you defiantly want to check this place out. They have a very interesting, informative and education Visitors Center.

Apache Creek South Mesa has some unique 600-year-old Petroglyphs located on the south side of the mesa. The site is only a two-mileroundtrip hike from the campground.

Catron County Fair in Reserve, NM is the place to be on the first weekend of the campout. On 25 August, the town will be having theirCounty Fair with a Livestock Show, Arts & Crafts and a Rodeo.

Catron County Rock Show during the Labor Day weekend will be at the Reserve Fair Grounds. The local rock club will be having their RockShow with an Open-Tailgate Rock Swap on Saturday. Bring your Rocks to buy, sale or trade.

Mogollon, NM is an old historic and famous ghost town in the Mogollon Mountains, Gila National Forest. There are Antique Shops, a veryinteresting Mining Museum, the “Mogollon Rock Shop”, the Old Theater and have lunch in the Old Town Café.

The Catwalk is a very beautiful, tranquil and scenic canyon for hiking. Therefore, if you love hiking, the Catwalk is for you. In addition,there are numerous places to go hiking throughout the Gila and Apache National Forests.Silver City Gem and Mineral Show in Silver City, NM. The local club will be having their 24th annual 3-day show during the Labor Day

weekend. It is only a two-hour drive south and the very beautiful and scenic landscape will make the trip a memorable one.

Lodging: For those folks who do not wish to camp out, or need electricity and water for their RV, there are the following alternatives. Besure to make any reservations as early as possible due to Bow Hunting season for Elk, which starts on Monday the 1 st. The rooms and RV

spaces fill up fast.

The Bunk House Bed & Breakfast in Apache Creek is 505-533-6949.

Apache Creek RV located in nearby Cruzville is 505-533-6166. They have a Dump Station, Laundry, Propane & Showers.Rode Inn Motel on Main Street in Reserve is 505-533-6661. They have Cable TV, Direct Dial Phones, Queen Beds and a Laundromat.

Dining: For those folks who wish to have a change of diet from camp food, there are the following alternatives.BBQ Restaurant in Reserve

Ella's Café in Reserve

Little Adobe Café in Rancho Grande

The host for AGATE RENDEZVOUS is the Chaparral Rockhounds and is co-sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Rockhounds. If

you are planning on coming to AGATE RENDEZVOUS, please try to RSVP NLT the 20 th of August. For any additional informationabout the Rendezvous, please contact Yonis Lone Eagle, RMFMS Vice President & New Mexico/Texas State Director at 505-860-

2455 or via e-mail at: rockymountainrockhounds at yahoo dot com. All rockhounds that attend will abide by the AmericanFederation of Mineralogical Societies “Code of Conduct”.

Agate Rendezvous 2008

Schedule of Fieldtrip Events

Depending on the number of rockhounds that show up, fieldtrips may have to be split up into two different ones a day. There would be

two different sign-up sheets each evening.

Fri. the 22nd: Arrive and set up camp and sign-in.Sat. the 23rd: Green and purple Fluorite near Gila, NM. Rock shop in Glenwood, NM. (New location) Pot-luck supper at 6pm back at

camp.Sun. the 24th: Agate, purple Bloodstone, Jasper and Petrified Wood near Red Hill, NM. (Old location)Mon. the 25th: Golden Luna and White Banded Agate north of Luna, NM. (Old & new locations) Group supper at the Little Adobe Café in

Rancho Grande at 5pm.Tue. the 26th: Luna Blue Agate near Luna, NM. (Old & new locations)

Wed. the 27th: Multi-colored, flat-banded & snowflake Agate and Crystals near Turkey Park. (Old & new locations)Thur. the 28th: Red Agate, Obsidian nuggets and Petrified Wood. Group supper at the BBQ Café in Reserve.

Fri. the 29th: Mogollon Ghost Town and Obsidian.

Sat. the 30th

: Open day, Open Tail-Gate Rock Swap at the Catron County Fair grounds in support of the local Rock Show. Pot-lucksupper at 6pm back at camp.Sun the 31st: Open day, collect where you want or do what you want. Group supper at Ella’s Café in Reserve at 5pm.Mon. the 1st: Pack up camp and head for home.

Remember our next regular meeting will be Friday, August 15th at the Breland Hall, NMSU campusat the usual 6:30 for socializing and 7 PM for the meeting. Our speaker will be Ben Hoffacker, theSupt. of the Leesburg State Park. His talk will be on the Lost Wax Process of Making Jewelry alsoknown as Investment Casting. I've heard he is a really interesting & entertaining speaker.Refreshments will be hosted by Julie & Brecken Uhl & Suzy Gemoets & Ted Lewis. Hope to seeyou all there.

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Upcoming Campout announcement: Camping Friday August 8 thru Monday August 11.Daytrip Saturday August 9.Camping: Leave Ashley’s at 8 AM on Friday August 8, stay till Monday August 11. Email me with yourhome and cell number if you plan on camping so we coordinate with you. Also for you star watchers, thePerseid meteor showers are Aug 10-14, should be spectacular up there (thanks for that info Jan).Day trippers: Leave Las Cruces at your choice of time and to caravan or not... Those interested incaravan on Saturday should contact Maxine so she can forward your names to each other and you can

than coordinate any caravanning. Arrive Russia Canyon (FR-247) during early to mid-morning ofSaturday August 9. We will collect Ammonites and other fossils here.See Bulletin sent on July 29th for further info. or contact Eric at [email protected] or call him atCell 635-2020 Home 524-0204

And Back to Land Use issues; another Group that seems have a pretty good program is theTread Lightly group. They promote recreation ethics to preserve our freedoms of traveling onpublic lands. They have a very good web site that you all can check out so that we can discuss itin the upcoming meeting. http://www.treadlightly.org/

This is a place I have taken many day trips. Do you recognize the place? Who came up with

the wording to this sign? Please respond with your answers to Maxine [email protected] prior to the next meeting! The winners will receive an Apache Tearfrom the Mule Creek Campout! The losers will receive a punishment yet to be determined, butundoubtedly hard labor in the Club Salt mine! Not entering entitles you to be a loser! This

contest is governed by the laws of "El Gambrisino"! Eric Fuller

Have you noticed that the high cost of living hasn't affected its popularity?

Some people are like Slinkies. They're not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to

your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. _____>^..^<________

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Articles of Interest:Articles of Interest:Articles of Interest:Articles of Interest:

AGATES

Agate is a banded, multicolored, variety of Chalcedony. It occurs in an infinite amount of colors andpatterns, and no two Agates are alike. The extraordinary beauty and uniqueness of Agate is responsiblefor its great popularity. Agate must be polished to bring out its full charm; unpolished specimens are dulland ugly. It usually forms in rounded nodules or knobs, which must be sliced open to bring out the internalpattern hidden in the stone. Some varieties have two names that are equally used. Don’t be surprisedwhen you see the same definition for two different variety names. You will notice by some varieties thatthe word Chalcedony is used in the definition, instead of Agate (as is in the case in Dendritic Agate). Thisis NOT a mistake. These “varieties” are not really Agates, as they lack banding, and although they havethe word agate in their name, are only a variety of Chalcedony. This list below cites only the well knownand commonly used variety names.

Blue Lace Agate - Agate with light blue bands in a lacy or wavy pattern.Botswana Agate - Agate from Botswana banded with fine, parallel lines, often with a preponderance ofpink blending into white.Brecciated Agate - Agate with broken fragments naturally cemented togetherCloud Agate - Grayish Agate with blurry, foggy patches of inclusions.Crazy Lace Agate - Agate composed of twisting and turning bands of various colors.Dendritic Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like or fernlike inclusions.Enhydro Agate - Agate nodule partly filled with water. The water can be seen from the outside of the

nodule when held up to the light. Also known as EnhydriticAgate.Eye Agate - Agate with banded, concentric rings.Fairburn Agate - Beautiful, unique, and rare; Fortification Agate from Fairburn, South Dakota.Fire Agate - Agate with Goethite or Limonite inclusions, which cause the stone to be iridescent.Fortification Agate - Agate with a pattern resembling a medieval fortress (i.e. imaginary moat and castlewalls can be perceived).Fossil Agate - Agate as a replacement of organic material.Iris Agate - Iridescent Agate exhibiting all colors of the spectrum when sliced in thin slabs.Laguna Agate - Beautiful and colorful type of Agate from Ojo Laguna, Chihuahua, Mexico.Landscape Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like designs closely resembling scenery.Mexican Lace Agate - Agate consisting of thin bands in a lacy or wavy pattern.Moss Agate - Chalcedony with dense inclusions of green Hornblende.Nipomo Agate - Agate with Marcasite inclusions found in Nipomo, California.Onyx - Agate where the banding lines are straight and parallel, and consistent in band size.Oregon Snakeskin Agate - White to cream Chalcedony with a wrinkled or cracked “skin”, found inOregon.Plume Agate - Agate with inclusions in feather-like patterns.Pom Pom Agate - Agate with yellow inclusions resembling pom poms.Pseudo Agate - Agate as a replacement of organic material.Rainbow Agate - Iridescent Agate exhibiting all colors of the spectrum when sliced in thin slabs.Sardonyx - Agate with straight parallel bands of brownishto red alternating with white or black bands.Sagenite Agate - Clear Chalcedony containing inclusions of other materialsScenic Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like designs closely resembling scenery.Snakeskin Agate - Reddish brown Agate with black concentric bands.Star Agate - Agate with banding lines in the formation of a star.Sweetwater Agate - Chalcedony with star-shaped patterns of manganese oxide inclusions, found inSweetwater River, Wyoming.Thunder Egg - Nodule filled with Agate in the center.Tube Agate - Agate with tube-like formations which are sometimes hollow. From: Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society, San Jose, CA 11 Breccia July 2006

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Tr Tr Tr Trips & Such:ips & Such:ips & Such:ips & Such:

BOILER PEAK CAMPOUT REPORT; 22 People + 7 Dogs + 5 ATVs = GOOD TIMESWe set up camp Friday am before the rain started. The new EZ UP was put up and a huge tarp (thanks

to Doug Hall) was put over it and extended out a good deal - enough room for 4 tables and lots of chairs. Itrained most of the afternoon but after Happy Hour we did go for a stroll, which turned into a walk, and

wound up a hike (at least according to Rob). We got back in time for a cold evening rain.Saturday we hit Hardcastle Creek to look for Cassiderite of which few pieces were found. We checked

out the old mill site but found it had been reclaimed and nothing remained. From there we went to the"Kitty Litter" mine and on up to the top. Lots of Quartz and some of it was Amethyst - very pretty.

Evening Happy Hour and more rain. Thank goodness for the new tarps.Sunday was beautiful all day, no rain. Some of us headed for Taylor Canyon. When the 4x4s couldn't

drive any further Dorian got out his mountain bike and the ATVers took on 3 of us and Mandy the GermanShepherd. It was a beautiful canyon, lots of rocky stream beds and hunting for trails. Eric let me drive his

ATV for a while and I found out how much fun they are. Dorian's bike had a run in with a stick and so hadto hitch a ride on one of the ATVs. Lunch time we headed back to camp after which the Halls and Rob

headed back to the city with all the ATVs. Some of us then took off for Chloride via the back roads and

Chloride Canyon. What a breathtakingly beautiful trip!!! The creek was running pretty good and wecrossed it 132 times-counts thanks to Dominic (the Saathoffs nine year old grandson). We stopped andchecked out some pictographs along the way. After a 3 hour, 23 mile drive we finally reached Chloride

where we found the Museum owner cutting grass. He got his daughter to open up for us. Nice people anda great little museum. They also have a gift shop next door - all local artists. Both are worth a trip to see

anytime. It took us 50 minutes via 52 & 59 to get back to camp which we reached about 7 PM just in timefor another great Happy Hour, super fire (Good going Dominic) and we then we were serenaded to sleep by

the frogs. What A Wonderful Day!!!!!Monday we did a little arrowhead hunting - no luck. As the thunderheads were building up once again

we headed back to strike camp. On the way out we stopped at an old Quartz mine and picked up a littleamethyst and other pieces. Eric got a chance to show off his skills at backing his trailer up a really nasty

road. Whewww!!! After that it was an uneventful drive homeThe Gila is especially beautiful now with all the rain it's had, so very green and lush. The meadows

looked like manicured parks. I for one am so happy that I didn't miss it.

. Cookie Saathoff & Grandson Dominic at a shelter cave As you can see we ate very well.

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. Some of the gang warming up around the campfire Chloride Canyon - and thru the water we went (K. Kitchens photo.)

Mandy the German Shepherd riding behind Rob & Jannette How did you get way up there Kathy?(E. Fuller photo)

Upcoming Show Dates:Upcoming Show Dates:Upcoming Show Dates:Upcoming Show Dates:

Aug. 23-Sep. 1 Agate Rendezvous 2008 camp out & field trips, Apache Creek, NM. See above info.Nov. 7-9 RMF Show at Tulsa, OK. The Tulsa Club will host the show & is celebrating their 50th

Anniversary. More details next month.

Thought for the Day:Thought for the Day:Thought for the Day:Thought for the Day:

We can't all be Washington's, but we can all be patriots. Charles F. Browne

Classifieds:Classifieds:Classifieds:Classifieds: Nothing this month

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Info for the Newsletter:Info for the Newsletter:Info for the Newsletter:Info for the Newsletter:

If you have information, articles, pictures or a website related to gem crafting, rock collecting or

exploring and would like to share please give a call or email me at [email protected]. If you're

a little shy about writing it up yourself I will be more than happy to help. Also if you have minerals,

outdoor or camping equipment, etc. that you would like to sell please let me know for the

"Classifieds." (Unlike our local paper there is no charge here for this service).

2008 OFFICERS:

President – Denney Keith 527-9035 [email protected] Vice President – Don Saathoff 382-3464 [email protected]

Secretary/Treasurer –Lee Attaway 523-4017 [email protected]

Refreshments - Valerie Peebles 382-7651 [email protected]

Historian - Don Saathoff 382-3464 [email protected] Newsletter - Maxine Wyman 649-4900 [email protected]

Mailing Address: P.O. Box Office 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003

El Gambrisino 2008-08

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