Ami
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 162
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Post by Ami on Jul 8, 2017 21:52:41 GMT -5
My husband and I will be in the Madras OR area. We are thinking of going rock hounding at Richrdson Rock Ranch. Has anybody been there? If so, do you have any advise for us? Thank you!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 9, 2017 9:02:41 GMT -5
A hounder's heaven!!! If you don't have the right tools,they will loan you tools.. Take lots of water and some gloves..Their shop area is rock heaven also,if you don't feel like digging! Also head to the Polka Dot Ranch,it's close by too and it has a new thunderegg bed (Canyons Rim),plus other material...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2017 10:10:49 GMT -5
What Fossilman said! Absolutely go if at all possible. Drive out to the digs even if you don't feel up to digging that day (though it doesn't take much in the way of digging, since they've already removed the overburden for you). The drive out to the pits will take you through some spectacular scenery, and you'll get a good idea of where thundereggs occur and what they look like in the ground. The shop is also wonderful, and bring a sandwich or snacks to share with the peacocks and chickens (not sure if you are supposed to do this, but they'll certainly hang around you for photos in exchange for a few bread crusts).
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Post by beefjello on Jul 9, 2017 17:58:42 GMT -5
Definitely on my bucket list! Good luck and please post what you find up there
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Ami
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2016
Posts: 162
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Post by Ami on Jul 9, 2017 20:51:22 GMT -5
Thank you all for advises, I'm so excited, I hope we will find nice and unique thundereggs! I will definitely post pictures!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2017 21:23:29 GMT -5
As far as advice, I probably should have mentioned to wear a hat, bring something to drink and apply some sunscreen. The sun can be very strong. The shop does sometimes run out of tools to lend, so a small pick (or big screwdriver) and gardening trowel might be good to bring with you, too.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jul 10, 2017 10:29:48 GMT -5
We went once after Madras show. It was 100 degrees and they just dumped a couple of truckloads at the rock shop. Never made it to the digs. I think the piles were something like $2 per lb. and dig in the heat for $1. They had rock in the yard from all over too. The old John was still alive then and a great time talking to him.
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Post by roy on Jul 10, 2017 10:55:32 GMT -5
ya hide you wallet lol
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,667
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Post by Tommy on Jul 10, 2017 11:25:59 GMT -5
^^ what they all said. We went up there a year ago June and it was a lot of fun. Definitely should be a bucket list location for every rock hound. If you are into digging your own they will give you a map and explain the best places to go. For digging eggs the blue bed can't be beat. Dig 'em up and haul them back to the store and weigh them and pay for them. Lots of folks are talking about the new Canyon Rim location for digging eggs but I have yet to see anything cut that would work for my purposes which is slicing and making cabochons. I've seen a lot of white common opal coming out of those eggs. Not trying to cast a shadow on the new location - these are just my opinions based on a small sample size. If I only have several hours available to sit in the hot sun and dig eggs the best bang for my buck is still the Blue Bed.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Jul 12, 2017 19:47:01 GMT -5
Yiepeeeeee! Sounds fun fun fun, my wife has been wanting to go to OR, hope you have fun.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Jul 12, 2017 19:59:00 GMT -5
Tommy, What's the stone in the last picture? Wingate Pass Plume? Man, if it is, that's a huge piece. Is this the new way RTH works with pictures stored on the site? Thumbnails & click? I tried to quote your post & didn't see the photos in the quote. Am I missing something? Lynn
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,667
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Post by Tommy on Jul 12, 2017 21:25:10 GMT -5
Tommy, What's the stone in the last picture? Wingate Pass Plume? Man, if it is, that's a huge piece. Is this the new way RTH works with pictures stored on the site? Thumbnails & click? I tried to quote your post & didn't see the photos in the quote. Am I missing something? Lynn Yes it's Wingate and it's huge. Sadly it was too big to fit in my pocket Yes you are witnessing the Proboards Attachment feature. I have zero control over it - thumbnails & click are the norm. This is why I've been saying to anyone who will listen that the attachments feature is just a supplement to the big picture (no pun intended) photo hosting plan. 3rd party hosting will remain the go-to method for controlling size and qty of photos in a post and the attachments feature is good for a quick post and go. Personally I find RockShow (or Flickr, or your choice of hosts...) easier to use because you don't have to resize photos. The RockShow in particular you can upload ginormous photos and then easily pick what resolution you want to post it at. No messing with resizing.
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