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Post by catmandewe on Jun 24, 2007 23:55:48 GMT -5
Nice trip, thanks for sharing it with us.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jun 25, 2007 0:19:03 GMT -5
Great report Steve, you faired better than I did 2 years ago, although bank digging was less expensive then, only 110/day, I came up with flat nothing, although I do have a technique in mind to work the tailings next time.
That Carneliean looks really nice too.
Make sure you and your boss take an afternoon to run up Hyalite Canyon with your fishing poles while you're in Montana this week, I might even give you more detailed directions to that flint/jasper outcropping I found....
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jun 25, 2007 1:23:44 GMT -5
You had a great trip! That wood is so nice! Is there in that area any wood with opal veins in it?
Adrian
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2007 1:48:44 GMT -5
Steve, excellent field trip report! I think spending time with family and sharing a adventure is more important then hitting the mother lode. However I think you did well on both fronts. Not only did you have a great time, but from the photos, it looks like you found some awesome opal! I know a couple people who went there and they struck out every time. You found some real nice pieces! Thanks for posting the info and trip photos. This is definitely one place I plan to visit before I leave this world. It looks like a great adventure.
Tony
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,494
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 25, 2007 2:01:03 GMT -5
Wow that's interesting what you said about the Rainbow Ridge Mine. My poppy jasper buddy Tom digs there every year and has tried the other mines and swears by Rainbow Ridge. I know they limit the number of scoops they sell because the diggins are so rich. Tom buys at least one every year and has found unbelievable opals there. They are wet opal though and not much good for cabbing. He has some huge ones in domes just for looking at and they are incredible. He does make reservations and has become good friends with the folks that run the place. In fact, he just went up there a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure he'll be sorry to hear how you all were treated. Have no idea why folks would act that way when they're in business. Seems really stupid to me.....Mel
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jun 25, 2007 3:09:56 GMT -5
I've heard that this is the last season for pay digging at Rainbow Ridge, that they plan to close it to the public and make it a commercial operation.
That might at least help explain their lack of hospitality to "strangers" (as if anyone is stranger than some of those northern Nevada locals....some are nice enough, but not all)
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Post by MrP on Jun 25, 2007 6:50:21 GMT -5
Sounds like great fun......MrP
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Post by connrock on Jun 25, 2007 7:36:03 GMT -5
Well Steve it's a great report and some fine photo's to boot! The pine cone you found looks very unique and may have some nice fire in it,,,,I hope!!The carnelian is nothing to sneeze about either! I've only done very little with carnelian and it was kind of yellow/red. I guess we all feel we got jipped when we have hopes of finding the "treasures" we hunt and come up a bit short of our expectations. My luck at just about anything is bad to worse! If there were 100 people digging ,99 would find bucket loads and I would be luck to just survive the day!! LOL I'm the one standing there with the big black cloud over his head!! You did what you always wanted to do,got snapped at by a couple of mine owners,didn't hit the mother load but you did have a great time with your brothers and nephew. What could be better then that? This is one of my favorite photo's of me and my son Tom,,,,,It says it all!!  Thanks for the report and pic's,,,,,,, connrock |
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 25, 2007 14:58:54 GMT -5
great photos, Steve (and Tom) and a great trip report....looks like one HECK OF A LOT of digging for a pinecone! haha, just kidding, your finds are quite impressive. glad you had a good time with your brothers and nephew.
KD
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Post by BuiltonRock on Jun 25, 2007 15:21:26 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing! Some beautiful Pics!!
John
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jun 25, 2007 22:55:23 GMT -5
Thanks guys for trhe kind words. I think my expectations were higher than I should have got them....kind of like "your eyes are bigger than your plate", but yeah, it was definitely worth it. Mel....the reason we wanted to dig at Rainbow Ridge was a guy we met there that had dug the night before, and he did have some very impressive pieces. Two pieces in particular, one with some great blues and purples, the other one had some stunning greens. I'm still boggled over why they'd turn us down, especially when they weren't at all busy. Oh well..!?!
Thanks again for the kind words.
Steve
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jun 26, 2007 13:03:18 GMT -5
It really is just like going into a casino and putting your $150 stack of chips on the roulette table, if you're lucky you can come home with a lot more than you started out with, but most folks get little more than the pleasure of "playing" for a couple hours- come to think of it it's probably a bit better in the sense that at least you have a full day of digging, where $150 can be gone in a flash at the gaming tables.
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Post by BAZ on Jul 17, 2007 18:53:06 GMT -5
Steve,
Could you hear my "Ooohs and Ahhhs" down here in AZ? That is some pretty opal you got there! Thanks for the info on Rainbow Ridge too. I wouldn't want to pay the mine owners that much money if they are rude sons a guns. If we ever do go, looks like the RP Mine is the place to be!
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Post by deb193 on Jul 20, 2007 16:24:57 GMT -5
Hey, great report.
I have a friend going in two weeks on the way back form her HoneyMoon, and I sent her this thread.
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jul 20, 2007 19:48:57 GMT -5
Thanks Baz and Daniel.
I am eventually going back down to try it again. I think I will dig a bit slower and search the bank alot more. I'm sure we passed opal up, but it was our first time and we thought "big dreams".
Steve
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Jul 22, 2007 10:21:33 GMT -5
Hey Steve thanks for sharing your adventure. Looks like you still got some pretty nice opals and a memory with your brothers & nephew. Its something I bet he will take to his children too.
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