peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 30, 2011 19:05:42 GMT -5
I will likely be there May 21 and May 22. Have no knowledge of this area. I may have use of a rental car. Questions: 1) Any good rockhounding/shops in the area? 2) Anyone who lives in the area and wants to do swap or meet-up?...I can bring Labradorite/Spectrolite and/or Green Tourmaline in Quartz to swap but I can't buy anything right now. I'm just swapping. Right now I'm a Delta Gold Elite so I don't have to pay to bring a box of rocks, so if you are interested in a swap, let meknow what you would like me to bring. In theory, Delta lets me bring 50 pounds but since I cannot lift 50 pounds I will probably bring 20 pounds unless you give me a really good reaosn to bring more? I have other materials, let me know what you are looking for if you don't need any LAbradorite or Tourmaline/Quartz. 3) Any suggestions of things to do? I mostly like day hiking and birding, but if there are good digs, rock shops, etc. there's nothing wrong in pointing them out.
Seems like a long shot but if anyone out there is from this area, I'm happy to hear your ideas.
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Apr 30, 2011 19:14:10 GMT -5
You north of me, I am in Anaheim
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Post by ColtChainmailJewelryDesigns on May 1, 2011 15:09:11 GMT -5
Sadly enough, I have just started out And have nothing to trade. Also Very busy this next month because of school graduating and such. Otherwise I would be happy to meet up with some of the other roller's here!
~Colt Chainmail~
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Post by paulshiroma on May 3, 2011 14:51:23 GMT -5
There's a great rock shop in Vacaville, about 45-60 minutes west of Rocklin (I'm assuming this is the Rocklin, just to the east of Sacramento). If you don't mind driving, you can take highway 80 west to the shop. It's right off the freeway and is an excellent operation. They've been there for over 30 years and have an extensive selection of gems, minerals, fossils, etc. Here's the name and address:
Consolidated Rock and Mineral
5115 Quinn Road, Vacaville, CA
(707) 448-5525
If you have the time, there's a nice retail area another exit or so west of Consolidated. You'll see this huge sign on the south side of the freeway, "The Nut Tree", left over from a prior retail establishment.
Have a safe trip.
Paul
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 4, 2011 9:49:44 GMT -5
Thanks, Paul. I'll check it out.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
|
Post by peachfront on May 6, 2011 9:24:12 GMT -5
OK, one more quick question if anyone knows. I will definitely have a rental car and I will have some time to drive around and investigate northern California (well, the book calls it northern California, it looks more central to me) so I will have a few days to hit Yosemite, etc. Thinking of driving along this Hwy 49 (?) for the old time gold history? Any cute or recommended stops along the way?
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on May 6, 2011 14:07:04 GMT -5
From Rocklin you can head either North or South on 49 and encounter all kinds of gold rush history, mines, cave tours and other attractions- these days you don't have to venture far off that road to find great wineries too. Lots of junky touristy stuff can be found, as typical with any such historic attractions region, but if you have some time to stop in towns and look a little beyond the main streets there are all kinds of cool things to be discovered. Yosemite is quite spectacular- if you haven't experienced the valley in person- even the best pictures really cannot do it justice.
Beware that driving time on 49 and other roads in the Sierra foothills is often much longer than the miles might indicate, much of it is so twisty that 30 mph is too fast, so figure on at least twice what you might allow to drive a given distance on straighter roads
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Post by paulshiroma on May 8, 2011 0:29:23 GMT -5
Since you'll be near Sacramento, you might want to take a few hours and check out Old Town Sacramento. It's got some fun things to check out there and has the California State Railroad Museum, if your into trains. My boys insist on visiting it whenever we visit my parents in Walnut Creek (about 90 minutes west of Sacramento).
You can also head south to Columbia State Historic Park. Essentially an entire town that's been classified as a State Historic Park. Very "gold-rushy" and fun. It's another place my boys like to visit when we're up north.
Rallyrocks is definitely right, though - be prepared for some long drives, time-wise. Those "highways" in the Sierra foothills are very twisty and will double your drive time.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 9, 2011 19:16:20 GMT -5
Thanks again, guys. Starting to get excited now!!! I never drive past a cave tour or a rock shop but I'm sure the railroad museum will get its share too. :-)
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Post by paulshiroma on May 9, 2011 23:38:47 GMT -5
Hope the flight to and from home is safe and uneventful. Given your frequent flier status, it looks like you do this a lot!
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 10, 2011 10:44:00 GMT -5
I do fly a lot. I suppose my most eventful flight was the one that got struck by lightning whilst trying to land in Atlanta after we came from Amsterdam. Don't get me started, ha ha. I'm probably lucky to be alive but we got diverted to an empty airport, landed safely, and eventually found a way to our destinations. Emphasis on the word "eventually."
I don't expect any such excitement flying to/from SMF, ha ha.
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Post by paulshiroma on May 20, 2011 23:12:41 GMT -5
So, did you get to the rock sale over in Rancho Cordova? Bring anything back with you? Hope the trip went well.
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 21, 2011 9:23:37 GMT -5
Will be heading over there in about an hour...wheeeee!!!
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Post by paulshiroma on May 21, 2011 10:19:24 GMT -5
Right on! My boyz and I all got sick this week and only Mommy is well so we're not going anywhere. So, I'll live vicariously through you - hope to see pics! LOL
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 21, 2011 18:54:28 GMT -5
It was a great experience! When I get home in a few days, I should be able to snap a few pictures of my finds.
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Post by paulshiroma on May 21, 2011 19:44:26 GMT -5
Excellent! Hope you have a safe flight back home!
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