We're Losing Access To Public Lands!!

If you happen to be in the southwest during January, please stop by.

 

ALAA, the American Lands Access Association is having a meeting in beautiful down town Quartzsite:

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 9am (MountainTime). 

The meeting will be held at the Senior Center on Moon Mountain Road.  

ALL are welcome to attend.

 

It appears that the desert will be changing and not for the good of the collectors.  No matter what activities you enjoy, it appears that large tracts of land will be taken for solar projects and thus we will loose a number of collecting areas.

This meeting should be of interest to all rockhounds and to anyone who recreates on and uses public lands. The purpose of this meeting is for outreach to rockhounds and the public at Quartzsite;  to let them know about ALAA and what we do.   It is to let Rockhounds and the public know the legislative and regulatory challenges and issues facing all of us and how they can and should be involved. 

Your voice and support are needed as we try to work with the "powers that be" on a solution that will satisfy everyone.

YOU can help. Please attend if you're in the area.

More info on the ALAA website: http://amlands.org/

Doing the "Q"! 2010 Quartzite Trip Report

Photos via North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society

The Quartzsite Experience, the 2010 Show

by Steve Mulqueen and Kathryn Davis

Story via Rochound Ramblings Feb. 2010

Background - Kathryn Davis, Susan & Steve Mulqueen drove together to Quartzsite. As with any road trip, the adventure really begins as soon as the vehicle is in motion. The real excitement of the trip started as we entered the Banning area while heading east on Interstate 10. From the Banning area, there is a wonderful view of Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio. Beyond Banning, the highway descends into the Coachella Valley, the beginning of a beautiful trek through the Colorado Desert. As we continued east on Interstate 10, the overcast skies offered an interesting view of the countryside. The rough desert terrain often translates to a desert road that resembles a roller coaster. Dodging potholes along the way is a favorite past time for the driver.

During our adventure, we stayed in Blythe, CA and drove about 30 miles each day to Quartzsite. Following is a list of some of our observations and experiences while attending the mineral shows in town.

Stormy Weather - Each year, the weather at Quartzsite is often mild, warm and sunny. I can remember past experiences when the weather was hot enough in January for people to wear shorts and a T-shirt. This year we had some cold, stormy weather. On Thursday, January 21, we experienced some rain in the morning. By noon, the rain was getting so intense that we decided to return to the motel in Blythe. As we sat in our motel rooms, we observed the wind-driven rain to be blowing in all direction while the lights in the room flickered. At this point it was observed to be a tornado. The tornado blew rain on the window of the motel room. Cell phone coverage and some TV channels were knocked out of operation. That evening, we observed one overturned container rig on the west-bound Interstate 10 and found that the entire town of Ehrenberg, Arizona was closed due to a power-out. That same evening, the storm cell moved through Quartzsite, inflicting major damage to some of the dealer's booths. Damage at Quartzsite included; destroyed canopy tents, broken display cases and shelving. Some dealers had specimens and products that were broadcasted to the wind, allowing for major breakage and loss. Dealers with major damage appeared to be in shock while some dealers experienced no major incident from the storm. The day after the storm, Tyson Wash, a major drainage that flows north through Quartzsite, had a high-water mark that was four feet above the bottom river gravels. Smaller roads that cross Tyson Wash were closed temporarily during and after the storm.

Learn From the Experience - Part of the Quartzsite experience involved conversing with show participants and dealers about rocks, minerals, fossils, etc. At times, a dealer at a certain booth will leave the booth and have someone that is "not so knowledgeable" in charge of sales. At one booth, Steve asked a dealer about the age of a bell-shaped echinoderm fossil. The person in charge said "I think it is Crustaceous". A quick translation on my part brought up the word "Cretaceous". At times, one learns from the dealer while other times we teach the dealers. At another booth, Kathryn observed a sign that said "Wyoming Jade". Kathryn asked the dealer where it was found, as in, where in Wyoming it was found?

The dealer immediately said it was found in "Montana". Kathryn thought to herself "Wouldn't that make it Montana Jade?" and said to the dealer "Oh, it is from Montana". It was also interesting to listen-in on conversation between dealers and participants. Often time the concept of "rare" was emphasized even for the more common rock material.

The Great Lesson - The real lesson leaned at Quartzsite was the ability to train your eye on the identification and source of rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world. When sharing the experience with friends that also attended, it was clear that we all had slightly different

perspectives on this year's show and came home with wonderful memories. Overall, we determined that the "Quartzsite Experience" is a "Learning Experience", learning about people, especially what they know and what they have gathered over the years. The essence of all

mineral clubs and mineral shows is "Having fun learning about the hobby with good friends". This basic concept really has not changed over the years.

NOCGMS Ready For Trip to "the Q"

North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society planned a trip to the QIA Pow Wow this week - these are just some of the things to look for...thanks to NOC Publicity Chair Richard Schirer for submitting this info and NOC Pres. Don Warthen for the great shots of the 2009 Show!

Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show

Date: January 20 through 24, 2010

Show Itinerary:

* Beautiful jewelry is on display at the Pow Wow. The beautiful jewelry in creative displays are part of what draws shoppers from all over the country to the Pow Wow. Some Pow Wow jewelers even mine their own stones.

* Rock hounds from all around the world bring their treasures to the QIA Pow Wow to show, sell, and swap.

* More than 400 booths fill the nine-acre show grounds and unique displays fill the 10,000 square foot QIA community building.

* Come early and wear comfortable shoes!

* Demonstrations include gold panning, wire wrapping, flint knapping, silver soldering and more.