spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Jan 28, 2012 1:11:06 GMT -5
NEVER had that problem with this, all very solid. I didn't know what I was picking up, and thought well I have enough of this clear agate now. Wow was I surprised when I cut it, but again that was on the back side, oh and the baby whale that is laying out on the bottom is a must see (yes a real baby whale, the bones and blubber are black and tan in that order) Sheri can confirm but I can't find my pics of it. Some pics are on my flickr, mostly the way in and some of the area, the name is spikesstoneworks . The dry creek bed we traveled was pretty cool so was the calcite on the dunes though I really couldn't capture that. It takes a 4 wheel drive and some nerve to get to the back side though.
Due to some stuff that happened I had to drive out though I hadn't driven that kind of thing before and made it fine so no real worries. A walking stick helps there and bring water. I don't think I have anything uncut to show it in the rough but will sing out when I see the first one. The walking stick or a cane also helps where we will take you for red plume at wwr.
Spike
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Jan 28, 2012 22:39:31 GMT -5
So its still no camp fires at stillwell ? i have mesquite if we can have one !
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Jan 29, 2012 0:59:56 GMT -5
As far as I know still not, Jeri is bringing her camp stove (range only) and since there will be electricity I will be bringing my big crock pot. There isn't room for my bbq grill or my convection toaster oven (so will see if I can make biscuits in the crock pot) So far the off the cuff plan is to bring food for a couple of days then stop at a store in Alpine as we leave WWR. I will also have a fold out table that will be making the trip, thinking as it gets closer we can move plans to pms so the other folks won't have to suffer through the planning?
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Feb 6, 2012 8:05:03 GMT -5
Is Stillwell busy this time of year if so should reservations be made now ? i will be driving a fj cruiser silver or a maroon ford P/u. So how many r/hounds are going ?
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 6, 2012 16:59:47 GMT -5
No reservations needed. Just talked to Stillwell... Will post an update this evening. Back to work! Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 6, 2012 20:25:41 GMT -5
I called Stillwell today and talked to Kay (Nan's sister)... Rocks are still 50 cents/pound. No other charges for rockhounding. Campfires are allowed if contained by metal, NOT rocks... A metal ring on the ground or in a Bar-B-Q pit. Electric and water, per day, is $19/site for 2 people, additional people $7 each. She said there's a site with E & W (near where we stayed last year) that can hold multiple tents. We could share that one and split the total or each get our own site. They also have 3 'bunkhouses' that rent for $45 - $65 - $75 per night for the first 2 people. Not really sure how many they hold. She explained it to me, but I got confused. I think she said they have a toilet and refrigerator in them. Later, jeri
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 6, 2012 21:22:09 GMT -5
I'm willing to share the E&W site! I have a 2 person tent, so it doesn't take up much space.
That would make it easier to take an air mattress and a space heater.
I'm getting psyched about the trip!
Remember: don't drive with your lights on in the daytime unless you want to get pulled over.
Chuck
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 11, 2012 23:28:42 GMT -5
;D Less than 3 weeks to go!!! ;D Rockhounds planning to attend: darstcreek77 / Name? Hard Rock Cafe / Chuck spikeict / Mark roswelljero / jeri Rockhounds trying their best to attend: Rock Hobbit / Sheri Wyked Wyre / Susan Rockhounds that would love to be there, but probably won't: Silver Lass / Dorothy Brimstone / Robert Blarneystone / Dan rockmanken / Ken damammy / Donna Did I miss anyone? A couple of FYIs: 4-wheel drive is the preferred transportation mode. You can get around without it, but it's necessary to get to some of the better places. My truck only holds 2 adults in the cab. If you're adventurous you can risk riding in the back. Weather: This is the desert! Weather can vary wildly from day to day. According to weather.com the average temps are in the mid 70s during the day and mid 40s at night. www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USTX0111?month=1 However, last year it got into the 90s at Stillwell. In 2010 at WWR it got down to the mid 20s at night. Sunscreen: BRING IT!!! No if's and's or but's!A tip from damammy: If you don't want your air mattress sucking the heat out of you, put a thick blanket under it. Later, jeri
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Feb 12, 2012 20:12:54 GMT -5
Allen
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 12, 2012 21:58:25 GMT -5
Thanks! So how much mesquite are you bringing? I'm excited they said we could have a campfire! ;D Later, jeri
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Feb 13, 2012 7:59:36 GMT -5
we need a steel ring to have a camp fire .
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 15, 2012 23:54:16 GMT -5
The Stillwell website was recently updated... Here's a few that I noticed... WE NOW HAVE FREE WI-FI!!! WE NOW HAVE ACCOMMODATIONS for folks who don’t have an RV of their own. We have three facilities available that sleep up to 4 adults. Campfires (within metal rings) and pets are welcome! Rock hounds have hundreds of acres to explore. All campsites have campfire rings... CAMPFIRES ARE PERMITTED with a metal ring, and of course, can never be left unattended. ~~~~~ Sounds like they have campfire rings... I'll email them to make sure. Later, jeri
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 17, 2012 17:30:22 GMT -5
Brought this over from last year's thread... Pay attention to the SHAPE of the biscuits. That's what you look for at WWR because everything is pretty much the same color, unless it's broken. Definitely go to Blarneystones' Youtube, if you want to get a feel for the terrain. Some of the places we hunt at WWR are pretty far from where we can park and there's a lot of climbing hills and descending gullies. A walking stick is very useful for that and to move stickers out of the way. I prefer to carry my rocks in a backpack or shoulder bag as opposed to a bucket. (Save the bucket for washing rocks.) I also bring lots of boxes/containers to keep my rocks separated by where I found them. Later, jeri
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Feb 19, 2012 17:17:32 GMT -5
I called stillwell ranch today and asked about a steel ring she didnt know for sure I might be able to get one if i can get by tracys house and get it . The lady at the ranch said it had rained a little NoW that is great news wash that dirt and dust off them rocks . how many people are showing up ? getting closer .
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 21, 2012 11:10:08 GMT -5
As far as I know, there are 4 people going (barring any emergencies): darstcreek77, Hard Rock Cafe, Spike and me. Wyked Wyre said due to personnel problems at work, she won't know for sure until it happens. Rock Hobbit hasn't said anything about going lately. Do either one of you have a camp stove? Or know how to use the type that runs on Coleman fuel? Here's the thing about the stove I have... It's a KampKook model WCS 11 (a collectible). As far as I can tell it was made in the 50s. I found it in my attic. It looks brand new; probably never used. At first I thought it was a recent Coleman stove. Anyway, there aren't any instructions with it. I've never actually cooked on it. Last weekend I managed to get one burner to stay lit. The second one I'm not too sure about. The whole time I felt like I was messing with a bomb! LOL I don't mind trying to use it, but if you have a propane stove that would probably be better. Other than your tents, what kind of gear are you guys bringing? I've been having internet problems at home and not a lot of free time to post at work. I'll do my best to check in here daily. Later, jeri
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Feb 21, 2012 12:47:11 GMT -5
I have 2 Coleman stoves. They can be a little intimidating at first, but they're easy once you get the hang of them. The second burner runs off the first, so getting the controls set right can be a little tricky.
Here's my list so far: tent air mattress sleeping bag space heater? stove(s?) cooking gear lantern meals snacks water coffee and coffee maker buckets ice cream pails hammer squirt bottle backpack hydration pack camera gear hat hounding clothes hiking boots warm clothes for night flashlight sunscreen first aid kit camp chair knife leatherman shovel (Stillwell let me dig last time I was there, provided I filled my holes) garden claw hiking gps driving gps
rocks or slabs to trade?
Chuck
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Feb 21, 2012 21:35:30 GMT -5
A lot of what we are bringing cept I have a belt shovel that folds out to a mini shovel. There is a couple of areas at stillwell that a shovel might come in handy, not so much WWR. Coffee maker? want to confirm that as if I don't bring one it will help with space (the truck will be packed to the gills already). Jeri has a first aid kit from hell btw I was SUPPOSED to call Stillwell about the fire ring Allen, glad you did. We will figure something out about that between now and then, we do want a fire and something to cook on which brings me to putting in the grill from the bbq for doing that. If nothing else I can get some rebar from work to support the grill over coals no matter what size we end up with. Rocks or slabs to trade, yeah I learned last time to do that , will round some stuff up. Spike
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spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher
Alba gu bra! In Promptu
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413
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Post by spikeict on Feb 21, 2012 22:10:46 GMT -5
Forgot to mention Meals and snacks, some of that is planned (meals) and we will figure out the rest mid way (will stop in Alpine for the rest) (this is where you made me laugh Jeri). Snacks you should prolly take something with you at wwr as the red plume trek takes a few hours and we would like to go the East side which takes as much if not more.
There we will find a very wide variety of agate, most every kind of moss you can think of and "Jagate", flower garden etc. There is also feldspar somewhere around "T" mountain I haven't found that yet but want to.
Getting into the east side is pretty easy, all down hill, but getting out is another matter. There is a pretty good grade so 4 wheel drive is needed (or Dans old 2 wheel drive that could climb mountains) Once in, there is a very large area to hunt in and some untouched areas I really want to get to. They might be a bust but have been very compelling to the eye.
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Feb 21, 2012 22:55:17 GMT -5
Do you know when yall are going to wwr , I will probly go sunday or monday as I will be leaving tuesday .
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Post by roswelljero on Feb 22, 2012 0:30:55 GMT -5
Good list Chuck! If you have room, please bring a stove. I'll bring mine and maybe you can help me figure out how it works... Do you know the good places to hunt at Stillwell? We only poked around there for a few hours, but we all found some nice stuff... Don't know what I have to trade that anyone would want, but I'll look around. Spike likes to make fun of my big first aid kit. It's more like the contents of a medicine cabinet in a plastic box. That one stays at camp. I have a medium/normal size that stays in the truck and a mini size that I carry with me. They ALL have tweezers because one year someone 'sat' on a cactus while they were hounding. I suggest going to WWR on Monday because I think Chuck may not get to Stillwell until Sunday. However, March 5th is the day that Trey Woodward died last year. We can talk more about it when we're all together. WWR is definitely an all day trip. I plan to pack a lunch, not just snacks. I'm thinking it may be a good idea to eat supper in Alpine that night instead of trying to fix food when we get back to Stillwell. I hope you guys are planning on group meals. We'll probably bring beef stew (frozen) so all we have to do is heat it in the crock pot while we're out hounding... Someone mentioned making fajitas and that sounds awesome! Allen, please, please bring mesquite. Spike wants to grill steaks and I can't think of a better fire to do it on... Is your vehicle 4WD? I could try to find an old 'washtub' to build a campfire in. That would work, wouldn't it? Later, jeri
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