Yesterday was a special day here in Southern California – the sun was warm…I know not much different from most of the other days…and we participated in a SoCal tradition!!!
No – we didn’t camp out on Colorado Blvd. or go to the Rose Bowl or even post up in front of the TV for a glut of food and football.
We joined about 50 people and dug through a pile of dirt!!!!
The New Year’s Day dig at the Himalaya Mine has become an eagerly awaited event around our house!!!! Chris Rose – the mine owner started this tradition that has grown with each incarnation…bet they don’t have New Year’s Day Digs in many states…as you can see, in SoCal it was in the 7o’s and a beautiful day!
The nice thing about the dig this year was that we had friends visiting from Australia and the Southern Rockhounds (South Adelaide that is!)! I met Raelene and Geoff when they attended a Silent Auction for the Woodland Hills Rock Chippers years ago and we have stayed in contact since.
We met early in the AM for our drive to the Pala region near San Diego…under two hours from the edge of LA and OC countries where we met up. The nice thing about an early morning event on New Years Day – no traffic!!!
Most of the mines in SoCal have adopted an off site dig policy – I am not sure why though I can think of several reasons…insurance, safety and security making the top of the list. The Himalaya dig takes place just outside the Lake Henshaw Resort. The resort is your last chance to pick up water and sunscreen – it is also where you will find my recommendation for the best burgers in SoCal!!! check my report on the Resort here.
So following a drive through the resort, an off road experience of it’s own – especially in my little Saturn – and a climb up a tiny hill…you reach the dig site. Under a bright blue tent you will find some of the nicest folks with some gorgeous examples of material found at the all of the gem holdings of High Desert Gems and Minerals...and the tourmaline crystals we will be looking for today!
The mine provides everything you need – there are large wooden tables that hold your water pan – you get a bucket and a screen at check-in…and you are good to go!
The day got off to a good start when my boyfriend (Bobby) found his “Sha-BAM” piece in his first bucket full of dirt…and a few minutes later the couple from Cypress that was working beside us found it’s twin! …it was ON!
Around noon there was a raffle – we won a faceted Sunstone and Gary from the Culver City Rock Club won a $100 bag of high grade mine rough (which he worked through during the dig – providing some great ooohs and ahhhs)!
The mine operators are great at getting the kids involved in the entertainment that these raffles provide! …and a second raffle about 2pm. where Raelene won a great specimen piece of Tourmaline in Quartz with a few slivers of Clevelandite on a bed of Feldspar…and Bobby got a BIG chunk of Puzzle Jasper (this piece is going back to Australia where Raelene does beautiful Gemstone Inlay).
Several local clubs were represented (if you read this please leave your club/meeting info in the comments so folks can find you) – a Paleontology Group, the two groups I have been a member of in the past Culver City Rock Club and the Woodland Hills Rock Chippers – there were folks from as far away as San Francisco!
At this point – I will bet you are asking – so how do I find out about the New Year’s Day dig? Chris posts the info on the local Rockhound gathering spot LARocks a Yahoo Group that was set up by my friend and mentor Brad Smith…click through and join us for some great rock talk along with field trip and show announcements!!!!
A great day was had by all and we headed to the restaurant – dirty and dusty – but ready for a burger!!!! Sated and tired we drove home to do a rock trade – I am down sizing and need to move some rough…and Geoff and Raelene brought me a gorgeous Topaz that he faceted and my favorite Zircon – I love the browns that have a pink overtone! Raelene brought me some sweet Chysoprase, Black Jade and Opal…she actually brought much more but I just can’t add to the stack I have!
My motto for the New Year – Everything is Good…in moderation! Moderation is the word this year – after which it will hopefully become my way of life!
Click on the Photos for a larger view!
Robyn Hawk
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