I was really sick.
Not from COVID, I had taken at least 5 tests all negative. I was traditionally sick. Remember that?
Anyway, didn't matter, I was keeping my partner up all night coughing. I had some time off work, so I loaded up and went to one of my favorite locations in the entire state of California.
Clear Creek Management Area in the New idria mining/serpentenite district
It had just rained, and there was some in the forecast for that area. I've already been out there many times. I knew the soil drains so fast mud is almost impossible. I have a lifted Forester, tires fit for the terrain, spare fuel and everything I'd need if I did get stuck.
I was going out, sick as hell to collect what I think/thought was nephrite, jade, gem quality serpentines and anything else BESIDES plasma agate.
Welp
I ended up coming home with everything I wanted to and them of course, a lot of plasma agate.
Not only that, but at the same time there was a rockhound Facebook group meetup if about 20 people. I ran into one of them, we hunted around a little bit near the jade mill area. I decided to stay solo, as I was sick after all. That, and a major goal for me to go there is to not see other people. Picked a bad weekend for that lol.
Didn't step foot in the Aurora mine either. The convoy of people stopped by and invited me to go mine in there, but I had already filled up with enough and heading into an unstable mine with a large group of strangers isn't exactly my slice of pie. They also had some pretty interesting flags on display.
I poked around some areas I have not been before. Found some bricks that were fabricated at the creek, pretty awesome find. And part of a rock drill bit, the larger hand operated ones.
I can't wait to get back. That place is all I think about.
Pictures below.