Photos by:
Rick Jacquot

Ed showing Darryl his sliding sledge hammer.

Sunday morning I was the first in line to head up the mountain.

Brenda found this huge rutile crystal.

Jon with a piece of iridescent covered kyanite.

Brenda and Phil found some of the most unusual stalactitic formations I have ever seen from the mountain, very nice material.

I had a great time at this falls Open House. I had the MAGMA booth set up to sell minerals and sign up new members. We signed up over 30 new MAGMA members and I was pleased to see over 70 members in attendance throughout the weekend. The Augusta club was also recruiting members. I was suprised that more clubs did not set up and try to add to their membership, especially considering that close to 1,000 rockhounds attend this event every spring and fall. Membership in rock clubs is important to keep this hobby alive. I encourage anyone interested in rocks, minerals and fossils to join a club, whether it be MAGMA or a club in your area. This hobby needs all the support it can get and there is no better place to meet new rockhounds and learn about the hobby than to attend a dig like the Graves Mountain Open House.

As always, a big THANK YOU to Junior Norman and his family and friends for hosting this great event at a world class collecting site. See you all next spring!

 

American Rockhound