NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
|
Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jan 11, 2009 12:26:15 GMT -5
I found this rock about a week ago. I don't know why...but it was just one of those "had to have rocks." The problem was it's way bigger than anything I've tackled in the past. I've been back twice now, only to fail, and after consulting with Michael John (Thanks MJ!) on how to attack it... I got it home!!! I didn't get it broke free until shortly after the sun went down, but it's sitting in my garage now. 3 hours of using a pick, 1 hr. to haul out, 2 hrs. to load and slowly get home to unload. I happened to have my buddies snowmobile trailer with tilt. I used a ratchet strap to winch it on to the tilted trailer, but I didn't have a real good way of tying it down. I went 30mph with my flashers on for about 30 miles. It was exhausting work but fun too! The whole family pitched in and we made a day of it. The site. Rock circled in red. The slope and frozen soil made this a challenging extraction. My excellent helpers for the day!!! Boomer! A little water to take a peek. Path to the truck, parked by the far tree line. Just before it broke free. I was ready for another day at this point. Finally broke free!!! One last try with the biggest lever I had. (pick handle) bwcachick Hauling it was challenging too! Kayla and Salena Salena, Denise and Kayla Tucked in the garage. Cleaned up a little. I'm gonna thoroughly clean and take some more pics. The pink sled has to go! LOL! ;D Now what? What am I gonna do with a rock that size? Thanks for lookin' Steve
|
|
|
Post by sitnwrap on Jan 11, 2009 12:40:13 GMT -5
Wow, wow, and wow. You had great team work going to get that thing home. Your pics are awesome and the best part is even with all the effort and hard work, the smiles in these pics say a whole bunch about what was going on.
I'm sure you will figure out what to do with it but in the meantime, it's a lot of fun just looking at it.
Thanks for sharing this adventure.
|
|
|
Post by texaswoodie on Jan 11, 2009 12:42:17 GMT -5
Holy Toledo! That's a mighty fine specimen ya got there! And I thought I went to extremes. Whatcha doin' out there in the wilderness with all them beautiful women? Curt
|
|
|
Post by sparkles on Jan 11, 2009 12:42:26 GMT -5
Wow Steve! That is incredible! I love the story, my you pick some awkward rocks hey?! But that is just amazing, what a prize! The reward for some significant planning and work! I'm blown away by what you got though, looks like prime Red Jasper, and I wonder if the darker areas are Haematite? That looks like it's going to be an astonishing stone, if only you had a 3ft saw hey?! ;D Awesome Job! Congratulations to the "team" for getting that out and home, you worked well, and without such helpful assistance I can't imagine how difficult it would have been, so back slaps all round! ;D Well Done! Oh... and in answer to your question..... I think you should have a field day with a rock that size! ;D Thanks for sharing your exploits! Cheers, Sparkles.
|
|
Rogue Trader
freely admits to licking rocks
"Don't cry because you are leaving, smile because you were there."
Member since December 2008
Posts: 839
|
Post by Rogue Trader on Jan 11, 2009 12:48:10 GMT -5
That rock looks fantastic, and your family and helpers all look as if they are enjoying your hobby as much as you are. You all look as if you thoroughly enjoyed the day, the task and the outcome. Congratulations to you all.
|
|
SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
|
Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 11, 2009 12:51:16 GMT -5
That is Soooo Cool Steve! WTG to You and The Girls!!! The rock/boulder is just awesome. It's no wonder why you wanted it so bad. I can't wait to get out there and tackle something that big. Great pictures too. Congratz on the Success Story. Loved It! Steve
|
|
|
Post by frane on Jan 11, 2009 12:59:15 GMT -5
That is amazing! And what a family effort that took! I sure don't know how you are going to get that cut up or broken up but I do know it will be impressive when you do! Fran
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 11, 2009 13:00:32 GMT -5
So that's how pyramids were built! Amazing work and the rock it's worth the effort. What a blast, the whole family hauling at that big rock! WTG all of you! Adrian
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Jan 11, 2009 13:12:27 GMT -5
Is it hematite and jasper? It's gorgeous! I can't believe you didn't hook a team of Boomers up to the pink sled to haul.
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jan 11, 2009 13:35:48 GMT -5
Holy smokes what a monster! I got to get me a team of wimmens to pull my big loads of rock! Sure looks like hematite and jasper to me too. Very close relative of Mary Ellen Jasper. A name often seen in the trade is jaspelite when it's banded like that. Fantastic find for sure. My wife would have it as one of her garden untouchables in the blink of an eye *L*....Mel
|
|
|
Post by BuiltonRock on Jan 11, 2009 15:07:36 GMT -5
Too cool! Just too cool. John
|
|
huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
|
Post by huffstuff on Jan 11, 2009 15:43:28 GMT -5
Wow, what a find! Thanks for sharing the experience with us! I hope you're all able to get out of bed tomorrow. Might want to keep some painkillers on the nightstand....
|
|
darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by darrad on Jan 11, 2009 16:41:08 GMT -5
Now that's an adventure! Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Post by Bejewelme on Jan 11, 2009 17:01:35 GMT -5
Steve: You got a dedicated family there!!! Doggie is too cute!! That is an incredible rock I can see why it was worth the effort. Great piece showing the whole process! Amber
|
|
|
Post by Michael John on Jan 11, 2009 17:42:42 GMT -5
Hehehe, yup, Steve and I have been trading PMs back and forth about this all week. Although we discussed the probability that it would be easier to bust it up with a sledge and pack it out in pieces, we agreed that getting it out of there whole would be kewler, and now that I see it, I'm really glad that I cast my vote in that direction.
What I didn't see coming was that his whole family would band together to go out and get this monster! Look at the smiles on the faces of those kids!!! Well, here's what I suggested to Steve in PMs earlier today:
Looks like it was one of those family memories that will never be forgotten! Honestly, my suggestion is to polish it as-is, and keep it as a family heirloom. Sure, it's worth some money, but money can't buy what you and your family experienced. IMO, it would be a TERRIBLE waste not to cherish that stone as a symbol of your family's love.Once polished, place it in a prime location in your home, to be rubbed for good luck, and have a little plaque made which says, "After Steve tried, time and time again, to obtain this Stone, it was our family's united determination that finally triumphed in releasing it from it's icey grip in the mountain. Let this serve as example to all of our family, and as a symbol through the generations."
He PM'd me back saying it sounded like a good idea to him, then I PM'd him back:
If you're gonna do it, you should keep it your secret until it's finished. Polish it in your spare time, telling everyone that you're "just playing with it". In the meantime, you can get the plaque made at a trophy shop, out of either pewter or brass, and it won't cost much. Decide where you want to put it in your home, then once it's all polished and you have the plaque, put it in place when nobody else is home, and put a giftwrapped box over it with a big bow and a big note that says DO NOT TOUCH. Once everyone is home, gather them all around, and have your wife lift the box. Needless to say, there will be tears, hugs, kisses, and major brownie points for Dear Old Dad.
What do you think? Nice way to honor such a wonderful event?
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Jan 11, 2009 20:23:05 GMT -5
Wow... I'm speechless. Jo
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 11, 2009 21:12:02 GMT -5
What an awesome rock!! I would have dragged it home too, very cool
|
|
Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
|
Post by Slydog on Jan 11, 2009 21:34:38 GMT -5
I'm with Mel's wife--focal point in a pretty rock garden, and the placque idea would work quite nicely there too. I'd have loved doing something like that as a kid--no wonder everyone looked so happy!!!! Way cool!!!! Nona
|
|
Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
|
Post by Saskrock on Jan 11, 2009 21:57:42 GMT -5
Way to go!! Now you need to slice it and get 4 slabs about 2" thick. Make 4 huge round cabs and you could have the coolest hub caps ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great rock.
|
|
|
Post by beefjello on Jan 11, 2009 22:03:06 GMT -5
Good grief, that's one BFR alright! Nice job, you might wanna ship that one off to Catmandewe to get it slabbed! heh Mel.. "I got to get me a team of wimmens to pull my big loads of rock!" Bwahahaha!!
|
|