Post by fiftiesrock on Jan 18, 2009 22:13:46 GMT -5
My First Gem and Mineral Show
A few weeks ago I had read where they were going to have a ‘Gem and Mineral’ show in Fredericksburg on January 17-18 and I thought that since I was getting into this rock tumbling hobby I needed to go and see the ‘Pros’. Besides admittance and parking was ‘free’. You do not see that very often---something free.
I had been to a number of ‘Coin Shows’ over the past 15 years and always had a good time with the collectors and dealers and on occasions finding a good deal along the way. Plus when it comes to rock/mineral collection and tumbling I was as green as the ‘Jolly Green Giant’. I am willing to bet I could learn something by going to the show.
Now I could not go on the first day (Saturday) as I had some other things to tend to (honey—doos if you know what I mean). So my great excursion to Fredericksburg was going to take place on Sunday. The show opened at 10AM and it was a 2 hour drive there, so I could leave at 8AM which is a good time to get going. I had been thinking over the past few days that going on Sunday would probably mean all the good stuff would be gone OR the dealers would not want to lug all that stuff back home so some good deals could be made. I had a 50-50 chance on the deals side of the coin (or rock if you prefer).
I got up early Sunday morning and briefly scanned my rock and mineral books so I did not seem like a total ‘boob’ when talking to the ‘Pros’. Close to departure time I changed clothes and put on my best T-Shirt (The black one that says ‘There are no stupid questions---But there are a Lot of Inquisitive Idiots’). I then went over and patted the wife and kissed the dog and out the door I went.
My trusted Ford Taurus was ready to go. Traffic was light through Austin as it always is on Sunday mornings. On the other side of Austin I started to thinking about ‘rock’ and started admiring all the ‘road cuts’----there could be something there----maybe no one has looked yet. But some of those ‘road cuts’ were steep and I would need rope, pitons and someone belying me while I climbed; who am I kidding I don’t take falls like I used to and I would not have the strength to climb 10 feet much less 40 feet. Oh well I can still dream can’t I?
In Johnson City I made a pit stop and at the turn I saw the ‘Country Cupboard’ café. Now they brag about having the best chicken fried steak and I have eaten there before. I cannot say absolutely that they have the best as I have not tried them all---but I can say from my personal experience they are in the top 3 on my all time list. My thoughts changed from ‘rocks’ to ‘chicken fried steak’. Just for a short period of time.
I entered Fredericksburg and made the turn from 290 onto 16 at 9:50AM. Not bad time if I say so myself. Now16 is one of my most favorite roads. I have been on almost every part of it, from down south up to that state above us that has some kind of football team that shall remain unnamed. For me it is like Route 66 is to the rest of the country. A lot to see on 16.
I pulled into Lady Bird Johnson Park and I have not seen as many RV’s since I was in Brownsville one time during the winter. Down south they call them ‘Snow Birds’ but I have no idea what they are called in Fredericksburg.
I pulled into park and there were not very many cars there and I thought ‘good---less crowds’. Went up to the door and a lady gave me my door prize ticket. I never win any of those door prizes, but I take the ticket anyway because ‘Fate is the Hunter’. First thing I did is find the men’s bath room and when I came out I was serious about doing some looking and away I went.
WOW---there is a lot of beautiful items at that show. Beautiful to me anyway and after going up and down one time looking at everything the thought struck me that I am out of my league. These people are serious. Makes everything I have done so far to be a ‘PBI’. Looking at all the beautiful material that people have created was a humbling experience. I said to myself ‘Charles---you have a long way to go and such a short time to get there’.
But I am hooked on this hobby so I decided to do what my grade school principal used to say all the time ‘strive to persevere’. So I went up and down the aisle several times and talked to some of the ‘Fredericksburg Rock Hounds’ and started seeing some items and what I might be able to do with it considering my limited knowledge. I did come prepared and had two boxes in the car so I went back out to the car and got one box and ‘strived’ to fill it up.
After 3 hours I had filled my two boxes and had them secured in the car. I got in and said ‘bye’ to my first ‘Gem and Rock Show’. It was unforgettable and I did learn some things along the way. I learned I am going to have to get me a ‘Vibe’, a bigger rock saw, and learn how to make ‘Cabs’ and polish ‘Slabs’.
The trip back seemed very short as the whole time I was thinking about my ‘booty’ in the car and what a fun time I was going to have sorting it out. I did stop at a road cut on the other side of Elroy and picked up a couple of pieces of red jasper and some interesting quartzite. I was so engrossed I went by the ‘Country Cupboard’ and did not even think of a chicken fried steak. Maybe next time!
Don’t ask me what I bought because all I can tell you is I bought some Jasper, Agates, and some stuff that even the ‘Rock Hounds’ did not know what it was.
It was a very good day and I am very happy. In the end is that not what counts the most is having a good day and being happy when your head hits the pillow. I could not ask for more except for an unlimited supply of #60 Grit.
;D
Charles
A few weeks ago I had read where they were going to have a ‘Gem and Mineral’ show in Fredericksburg on January 17-18 and I thought that since I was getting into this rock tumbling hobby I needed to go and see the ‘Pros’. Besides admittance and parking was ‘free’. You do not see that very often---something free.
I had been to a number of ‘Coin Shows’ over the past 15 years and always had a good time with the collectors and dealers and on occasions finding a good deal along the way. Plus when it comes to rock/mineral collection and tumbling I was as green as the ‘Jolly Green Giant’. I am willing to bet I could learn something by going to the show.
Now I could not go on the first day (Saturday) as I had some other things to tend to (honey—doos if you know what I mean). So my great excursion to Fredericksburg was going to take place on Sunday. The show opened at 10AM and it was a 2 hour drive there, so I could leave at 8AM which is a good time to get going. I had been thinking over the past few days that going on Sunday would probably mean all the good stuff would be gone OR the dealers would not want to lug all that stuff back home so some good deals could be made. I had a 50-50 chance on the deals side of the coin (or rock if you prefer).
I got up early Sunday morning and briefly scanned my rock and mineral books so I did not seem like a total ‘boob’ when talking to the ‘Pros’. Close to departure time I changed clothes and put on my best T-Shirt (The black one that says ‘There are no stupid questions---But there are a Lot of Inquisitive Idiots’). I then went over and patted the wife and kissed the dog and out the door I went.
My trusted Ford Taurus was ready to go. Traffic was light through Austin as it always is on Sunday mornings. On the other side of Austin I started to thinking about ‘rock’ and started admiring all the ‘road cuts’----there could be something there----maybe no one has looked yet. But some of those ‘road cuts’ were steep and I would need rope, pitons and someone belying me while I climbed; who am I kidding I don’t take falls like I used to and I would not have the strength to climb 10 feet much less 40 feet. Oh well I can still dream can’t I?
In Johnson City I made a pit stop and at the turn I saw the ‘Country Cupboard’ café. Now they brag about having the best chicken fried steak and I have eaten there before. I cannot say absolutely that they have the best as I have not tried them all---but I can say from my personal experience they are in the top 3 on my all time list. My thoughts changed from ‘rocks’ to ‘chicken fried steak’. Just for a short period of time.
I entered Fredericksburg and made the turn from 290 onto 16 at 9:50AM. Not bad time if I say so myself. Now16 is one of my most favorite roads. I have been on almost every part of it, from down south up to that state above us that has some kind of football team that shall remain unnamed. For me it is like Route 66 is to the rest of the country. A lot to see on 16.
I pulled into Lady Bird Johnson Park and I have not seen as many RV’s since I was in Brownsville one time during the winter. Down south they call them ‘Snow Birds’ but I have no idea what they are called in Fredericksburg.
I pulled into park and there were not very many cars there and I thought ‘good---less crowds’. Went up to the door and a lady gave me my door prize ticket. I never win any of those door prizes, but I take the ticket anyway because ‘Fate is the Hunter’. First thing I did is find the men’s bath room and when I came out I was serious about doing some looking and away I went.
WOW---there is a lot of beautiful items at that show. Beautiful to me anyway and after going up and down one time looking at everything the thought struck me that I am out of my league. These people are serious. Makes everything I have done so far to be a ‘PBI’. Looking at all the beautiful material that people have created was a humbling experience. I said to myself ‘Charles---you have a long way to go and such a short time to get there’.
But I am hooked on this hobby so I decided to do what my grade school principal used to say all the time ‘strive to persevere’. So I went up and down the aisle several times and talked to some of the ‘Fredericksburg Rock Hounds’ and started seeing some items and what I might be able to do with it considering my limited knowledge. I did come prepared and had two boxes in the car so I went back out to the car and got one box and ‘strived’ to fill it up.
After 3 hours I had filled my two boxes and had them secured in the car. I got in and said ‘bye’ to my first ‘Gem and Rock Show’. It was unforgettable and I did learn some things along the way. I learned I am going to have to get me a ‘Vibe’, a bigger rock saw, and learn how to make ‘Cabs’ and polish ‘Slabs’.
The trip back seemed very short as the whole time I was thinking about my ‘booty’ in the car and what a fun time I was going to have sorting it out. I did stop at a road cut on the other side of Elroy and picked up a couple of pieces of red jasper and some interesting quartzite. I was so engrossed I went by the ‘Country Cupboard’ and did not even think of a chicken fried steak. Maybe next time!
Don’t ask me what I bought because all I can tell you is I bought some Jasper, Agates, and some stuff that even the ‘Rock Hounds’ did not know what it was.
It was a very good day and I am very happy. In the end is that not what counts the most is having a good day and being happy when your head hits the pillow. I could not ask for more except for an unlimited supply of #60 Grit.
;D
Charles