Back from the desert

**John M.** · 18th April 06, 08:32 PM

We had a great weekend rockhounding in the desert. Collected some nice copper minerals, lemon opal, & a couple of red emeralds (aka: red beryl or bixbite).

Due to very, very strong winds, I only got to wear my kilt for the first day but we had lots of fun anyway.

Ok, here's some pics from our trip.

Here's a mine shaft out by the old mining town of Joy.

Here's a shot I took while exploring inside a drift tunnel mine.

**John M.** · 18th April 06, 08:33 PM

And here's my other half posing by some old mine hoist equipment.

Then we move on from Joy over to Topaz mountain.

Here we have a view from the cliffs I was working in, out across the valley inside Topaz mountain & the desert beyond.

And finally a picture of me chiseling rock on a cliff face in my Nightstalker kilt.
Also a side note for those who are worried about going up stairs kilted. Even though this picture was taken at a steep angle looking up the cliffs at me, nothing obscene is visible.

**Big Dave** · 18th April 06, 08:48 PM

Cool pics, looks like you had a good time.

**cessna152towser** · 19th April 06, 04:16 AM

Nice pics, sounds like you had a very interesting trip.

**GMan** · 19th April 06, 06:14 AM

Fantastic look while out and about. Looks like you had fun.

**mbhandy** · 19th April 06, 07:37 AM

Cool shots!
Do you have a map of the mines you go to or do you just explore?

MrBill

**Sherry** · 19th April 06, 09:48 AM

Fantastic pics! Thanx for sharing.

**John M.** · 19th April 06, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by mbhandy

Cool shots!
Do you have a map of the mines you go to or do you just explore?

MrBill

I've got topo's of the entire state. Many of the mines in that area can be located using topo's but some you've just got to stumble onto.
These are places where you really have to watch your step. You could literally step over or around the wrong bush and fall a few thousand feet into a mine shaft.