billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Dec 16, 2011 1:35:23 GMT -5
As I was going through past posts in this section, I started to think about local stream beds in Orange County. Has anyone been out to the Orange/Villa Park area? Any luck? Hart Park has a stream bed too.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 16, 2011 11:09:09 GMT -5
I grew up right next door in Riverside. Can't recall any good hunting spots in Orange County, but stream beds would be worth checking. Material sometimes gets carried along stream beds for many miles. Watch for those buzz tailed snakes in those dry, brushy areas. Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 16, 2011 12:06:12 GMT -5
My parents were long time members of the Searchers Club based in Orange County. Most of the members lived in Orange County. I don't recall any mention of rock collecting around there. I don't know of any agate locations anywhere "upstream" of you either.
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Dec 16, 2011 21:21:20 GMT -5
We lived in that area 20 years ago. It's so built up now. We used to go to sleep with the coyotes howling. I figure I'll check it out soon and at least get a few rocks for the garden.
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Post by paulshiroma on Dec 16, 2011 23:22:21 GMT -5
I think the "closest" places I found to Orange County were Wrightwood, Mt.Baldy and Acton. Wrightwood you can get actinolite. Mt. Baldy (actually the road on the way up), you can pick up corundum. It's down in the canyon to the east of the road going up to Mt. Baldy proper. The only problem is that you have to cross a creek and with all the recent rains, it might be impassable right now. Here's the links to the Mt. Baldy site: rockhound.tumblr.com/page/2edmar-co.com/adriano/field/CascadeCanyon/CascadeCyn.htmlActon has agates. You can find this one and the Wrightwood site in Mitchell's Gem Trails of SoCal book. You have to be pretty selective at the Acton site as a lot of it is pretty common stuff. We did find a few really good ones, include a two inch "thunder egg" (for lack of a better term) with a blue interior and some nice terminated calcite crystal - they were just pretty small. Here's some online resources to the Acton and Wrightwood site: www.highdesertinsider.com/html/actonaga.htmwww.highdesertinsider.com/html/rockhunting.htmlChristopher (christopher1234) went up to the Kanan road site with the CMFS field trip earlier this year and came away with a pretty good haul: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=locations&action=display&thread=44833Never found anything in OC proper, either. Paul
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Dec 17, 2011 0:21:29 GMT -5
Paul, have you tried any beach rockhounding? I work up in El Segundo near the airport. The Rockhounding California book by Gail Butler shows a couple of sites at the beach. It's a 10 minute drive. I guess I'll wait until a good storm pounds the beach area. Thanks for the info. My wife just had some cancer surgery and I think we are grounded for a few months. I thought if there were any sites I could sneak off to for a few hours would be fun.
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Post by paulshiroma on Dec 17, 2011 20:19:14 GMT -5
I used to work up in Culver City and, at the time, made the drive up from Garden Grove six days a week. Never tried any beach rockhounding. You used to be able to get barite down on the Palos Verde peninsula but I think that's been picked clean. Sounds like you could hit some of the beach locations during a lunch break or right after work. That would be great. With the rains we've been getting, you'll probably be able to find some good stuff.
Sorry to hear about the surgery. That's scary. I hope everything works out okay. My best to the both of you. The Wrightwood location is great f or a light day trip and a picnic. No strenuous hiking required and a beautiful location. If you two would just like to get out for an afternoon and get some "outdoor air" don't forget Crystal Cove State Beach. We go there frequently, sometimes just for a few hours, and it's close.
Again, my best to you both. Paul
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Dec 19, 2011 23:08:22 GMT -5
Thanks Paul. Went to a movie and it drained Tina a little. A little fresh air would help her even more.
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Post by paulshiroma on Dec 20, 2011 0:54:09 GMT -5
By the way, my family and I are just down here in Costa Mesa. Our old place was near Lampson and Magnolia. If you need anything just drop an email or PM. I'd be glad to run errands or drop off a meal if it would help. We understand the situation - some dear friends from church are in the middle of it all - and it can be difficult. So, feel free to impose on a RTH acquaintance!
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Post by tntmom on Dec 20, 2011 1:27:01 GMT -5
Billg22, my thoughts and prayers are with Tina and your family.
Paul, you are an awesome guy!
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Dec 24, 2011 0:39:06 GMT -5
Paul, Thanks for the kind offers. It's been such an eye opener. Tina is a teacher in the Garden Grove School District. Her first day after the surgery, she had 10 people drop by. I've never been around so many cookies. Her sister has come down from the bay area and will stay into the new year. It just blows me away how supportive everyone has been.
We are not too far from where you used to live. Our place is SW of Beach and Trask. I hope we can meet up one day and search out some real treasures. Please pass along our thoughts for your friends.
Thanks everyone for the well wishes. It really puts the magic in the season!
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Post by paulshiroma on Jan 7, 2012 23:12:40 GMT -5
Heya! Glad your sister-in-law was able to help out. That's cool of her! And awesome to see the support network you've got! I hope you folks had a relaxing Christmas and New Years.
My elder son, Andrew, is into the rock hounding hobby big time so, yes, we'll have to get together and head out one weekend. My younger son, Nathaniel, not so much - he's into trains - real ones, not the models although he enjoys his Lionel set. I try and pick sites where there's a BNSF or UP rail line so he can enjoy the rail traffic. I have to admit, it is impressive to watch.
Talk to you soon. Paul
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Jan 8, 2012 1:29:10 GMT -5
There's always Casey Jr and the Disneyland Railway!
We spent Christmas Eve and New Years Eve at the Park. Talk about crowds. NYE wasn't as bad as last year though.
Later, Bill G
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Post by paulshiroma on Jan 20, 2012 0:59:56 GMT -5
Those are Nathaniel's favorite rides at Disneyland ... along with the Monorail. We end up going around the park a lot. I've never braved the park on those holidays ... Love the decorations there during the holidays. Those folks know how to dress it up! Paul
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billg22
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 451
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Post by billg22 on Jan 21, 2012 12:57:01 GMT -5
Paul, One night at D-land wewere able to secure the LillyBelle cabosse and did around 10 round trips of the park. The only reason we left the car was a bathroom break.
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