|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 3, 2008 13:51:00 GMT -5
I have been contemplating putting together a trip to Challis, Idaho.
If there is enough interest I will pursue it. I can reserve a bed and breakfast and there are camping areas around the house there, so you can rough it or take it easy.
The really cool thing is the bed and breakfast is in the middle of a GREAT collecting area, and the owner would let us collect on her property, it is really quite unique and virgin territory. The only people who have collected on it is myself, a few of my friends, and her grandkids. We are also within easy driving distance of 2 dozen other collecting areas, anything from agates, jaspers, pet wood, quartz, minerals and the scenery is quite outstanding.
If there is enough interest, then would you guys want to go in the fall or in the spring? The spring will be new finds uncovered by the spring runoff, the fall may entail some digging. Although I was there a few weeks ago and there was plenty for 3 of us to pick up on the surface and we could have kept going for days.
This is just kind of a feeler to see if there is enough interest for me to begin talking with the owner of the B&B.
Tony
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 3, 2008 14:18:52 GMT -5
Hey Tony, any pics of the material. I think I missed a post if you did.
|
|
Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
|
Post by Gem'n I on Jul 3, 2008 15:38:44 GMT -5
Hey Tony...I might be interested if I could line up travel arrangements...how close is an airport???
Larry
|
|
rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
|
Post by rockwizz on Jul 3, 2008 16:05:52 GMT -5
Hey Tony -- I can make it but October/November timeframe.
Ozzy
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 3, 2008 19:37:01 GMT -5
Daniel,
I have been posting pics of the material off and on for over a year. It is one of the places I go whenever I get the chance to swing by there. In fact I think I might spend a few hours there this weekend. The material there is so varied, you really cannot narrow it down to a set of pics, everytime I go I find something different.
Larry,
There is an airport in Challis, but it is very small.
To get to a larger airport you might have to try Idaho Falls or Boise.
Idaho Falls is approx a 2 hour drive from Challis.
Boise is a 4-7 hour drive, depends on which route you take.
If you were so inclined you could get a puddle jumper from either Idaho Falls or Boise to Challis and someone could pick you up in Challis.
If you made arrangements far enough ahead so that I could plan around it I may even go pick you up in Idaho Falls, as it is fairly close.
Or if enough people fly in at the same time maybe carpool a rental.
Lots of options there...................Tony
|
|
Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
|
Post by Gem'n I on Jul 4, 2008 12:33:59 GMT -5
Tony, Let me do some research...I need to dial in on what time frame you had in mind, how many days, cost of the B&B and all the rest of the process...I am not much for puddle jumpers but let me find out what is what!!! Larry PS. How far away is the opal mine?  |
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 4, 2008 14:35:12 GMT -5
Spencer Opal mine is less than an hour from Idaho Falls.
The opal mine that I have access to is about an hour from my house and my house is about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs from Challis. (That mine is a very hit and miss thing, it never went into production much, they sold alot more chalk than opals)
The time frame is up to whoever decides they want to come, this is a group decision. I am pretty close so almost anytime is good for me. In fact I will probably be up there a bit this weekend.
Tony
|
|
|
|
Post by deb193redux on Jul 4, 2008 17:23:18 GMT -5
I have a trip in Sept, but I could think about October.
|
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Jul 4, 2008 23:33:22 GMT -5
Mmm. Tempting. I have been feeling the need to go on a rock trip! I don't know yet because I have limited time off from work, and I don't know if there is going to be another Arizona rock trip this year/mom visit. I'll keep you posted.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by puppie96 on Jul 7, 2008 0:59:07 GMT -5
Joe and I would love to go again. Believe me when I tell you, everybody, this is the rocking experience to end all rock experiences. It truly does seem to be virgin territory, the stuff is different all over the place, and it seems to be a petrified forest. I spent the whole weekend sorting it out and took just a few pictures so far. Among other things, I found a branch filled with crystals and a layer of opal, apparently, which fractured when I got it out. I found opal fragments all through my stuff that I hadn't even realized were there. Plus the scenery...I added some photos in Tony's thread on the member photos section.
|
|
terrastomp
starting to shine!
Member since May 2008
Posts: 30
|
Post by terrastomp on Jul 11, 2008 11:30:22 GMT -5
Tony, where abouts' in Challis do you go? I tend to sort of "end up" in places when I head out on camping trips, and have yet to get over that way. The reports I hear are that the snowpack is STILL an issue in some places. I have a friend who bought 2 old gold mines up there last spring, and last I talked to him it was still messy where he goes. I had planned to tag along with him next time to dig through is tailings...(he is a newbie at the gold stuff, oh boy..) I'd like a trip if I can, but I am bd at planning, I usually just "go"! If you are willing to share the area, I'd love to put it in my file of "places I might end up at someday" notes!
I wasn't too thrilled with the spencer opal mines, thought it was kind of lame actually. ANytime you are headed to the Owyhees and need some hints, give me a yell. I am over there all the time, as it is only about an hour from me.
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 12, 2008 15:15:29 GMT -5
Depends on what you are looking for as to where to go.
Agates and fortifications go to Road Creek or to Herd Creek.
Crystals and amythest go to Fall Creek.
Pet wood is up Malm Gulch, and there are many many more places in between.
My favorite spot is on private property and you have to get permission before you go in there, but it is worth it.
I am going to start hitting the Owyhees alittle more this year. Too many places to go, not enough time to see them all........................Tony
|
|
Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
|
Post by Gem'n I on Jul 12, 2008 15:37:02 GMT -5
Tony,
Checked on some flight and car arrangements to Idaho Falls and Boise but unfortunately unless I hit the lottery shortly this is a no go for me just from a cost stand point...don't get me wrong I would love to go and explore with you guys but President Bush left me a little short on his economic stimulus package...I'll just have to live through the pictures you guys send back...Damn!!!
Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 14, 2008 23:08:37 GMT -5
Hey Larry,
If you really want to come, Just fly in, I will come pick you up.
Save the cost of the car rental and I will bring an extra sleeping bag and cot.
Tony
|
|
colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
|
Post by colliel82 on Jul 15, 2008 8:13:25 GMT -5
Challis is a beautiful area. Never done any rock hounding there, but would love to come. Have several short trips this fall, but if it fits my schedule I would be interested.
Diane
|
|
Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
|
Post by Gem'n I on Jul 15, 2008 10:20:50 GMT -5
Tony,
Thanks so much for the generous offer...I really do want to come but its just not in the cards this year due to some unfortunate $$$ issues for me...if you still go next year I may want to take you up on your offer if it is open. Idaho is one of the states I have not been to that is on the bucket list!!
Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Jul 15, 2008 20:02:30 GMT -5
The offer is open anytime.
Tony
|
|
terrastomp
starting to shine!
Member since May 2008
Posts: 30
|
Post by terrastomp on Aug 4, 2008 21:10:41 GMT -5
Tony, if you are heading out to Owyhee, lemme know I may tag along. (I'll show you MY spots if you show me yours! haha)
|
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Aug 4, 2008 22:23:56 GMT -5
Will do.............Tony
|
|
