I'm sure he will. His dad's name is Chris. The other day I took his dad along on a crystal hunt. He had been out with me a few times before but we had not really found much material. Earlier this winter I went on a duck hunt with Chris and his dad and I learned that the whole family shared the interest of rock hounding. So I decided to help them step it up a notch. I had been meaning to re-look at an area that I first dug into many years ago. At that time I was quite green and I can remember finding some stuff that looked kind of like quarts but wasn't. So I just tossed it down the hill with the rest of the overburden. I later learned that it was in fact low grade Fluorite.

I always meant to return to that area but keep saving it for a good cause and this seemed to fit the bill nicely. As we made our way up the hill I was picking here, poking there, and just shy of my intended hole I found a small area that held all the key indicators. A simple flick of the pick produced a few low grade crystals and lots of purple clay. So much purple material that later I would come to call this hole the Deep Purple Pocket. Together we worked that spot for a few hours and it became clear there was a lot more to be unearthed. I figured this would be a great stopping spot and we left it "ripe for the pickings". I knew him and his entire family would return the next day and had high hopes for them finding a few goodies.

That next day he brought along his wife, his son & daughter, "I think 4 and 6" and his dad. Together they worked that pocket and indeed pulled out some nice items. I had been in another area and met them just as they were getting to the car. What a sight we all looked. Everyone covered from head to toe with dirt and sporting Raccoon Eyes from the dust on their faces. We looked like the type of motley crew most folks would try real hard to avoid.

And good for us! We had all just spent the entire day rooting in the ground trying to find some minerals, old and young alike. I admit we probably would have had a hard time blending in with even the local Wal-Mart, but we were part of an exclusive club none the less. If wealth was judged by the width of a smile then our pockets were full of gold. The young'ens were priceless. Sure they looked as if they had been gnawing on pine sap but they were very excited to show me what they had found and you could tell they had fun. For the second time in a week I was thanked for sharing in good, quality family fun and it felt great.

The Deep Purple Pocket is still producing. I think it will kind of blend in with another pocket and became one. There should be enough material to get in several outings with my new digging partners. I'll post up a few pictures as digging continues. I can't wait to do it again, Woody.

This cyrstal came from that pocket and has yet to be cleaned. It is about the size of a Mason Jar.

Woody,
They sure are hooked now. They ask me daily when we are going to head back up. I am hoping to get them back up friday. The big crystal actually has three points to it. I still havent got it cleaned up yet as I have been stuck with work. I will post pics soon of others that I have pulled out of this pocket. Last week I found two that were double terminated.

We cant thank you enough Woody.

Chris

Here is a video that I promised

I can remember in my younger years even I tossed some over my shoulder before I learned.