Hello Everyone,

What a wonderful field trip! Everyone had a fantastic time and found a lot of great material. We had 69 that signed the disclaimer plus about a dozen that didn't get to sign in. The weather was nice all weekend, short sleeve shirt weather during the day.

I arrived at the camping area at around l:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Some of our group was all ready there and had the campsite in good order. By the time I got unpacked and set up, it was almost dark. That night was the start of some great nights around the fire.

Day two, Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): We all decided to go to the Pebble Terrace area for a few hours and be back to camp by 1:00 p.m. to get ready for our Thanksgiving potluck dinner. We spent the morning walking around looking for marine life fossils, petrified wood and jasper-agate of many colors. After arriving at the collecting site, I explained what we were looking for and how to find it. Much of the material was laying on top of the ground so all of us were able to find something. When we got back to camp there was a large group getting ready to eat. There was so much food, five turkeys and all kinds of good tasting food to go with them. To finish off the day, we enjoyed another great time around the fire before bedtime.

Day three, Friday: We were off to the Arizona side of the Colorado River where Dave Guin was our leader for the day. When we arrived there, Dave gave us a history lesson on the geological features of the area and about the petrified wood we would be looking for and how to find it. Everyone found a few nice petrified wood specimens. On our way back to camp we stopped in the town of Pal Verde at Kinney's Rock Shop. Dale, the owner was glad to see us. Some of us purchased items and others just enjoyed looking at his large collection of rocks and minerals. Back at camp, we all had a another nice time around the fire in the evening.

Day four, Saturday: We headed off to the Cinnamon Beds to find some nice nodules and geodes. Steve Blocksage was our leader for the day. He did a real great job at getting us there and showing everyone where and how to dig. You had to work really hard at digging, they don't just jump in your bucket. I found about 75 pounds, one was the size of a soccer ball most were the size of baseballs. I can't wait to cut them. Back at camp most of our group had left for their homes. The few of us that was left had another great time around the fire.

Hope to see you all at the Gold Rock Ranch Area the weekend of December 19 - 21 for another great field trip. For more information on up coming CFMS South Field Trips email me at RUROCKY2@aol.com or phone me at (909) 845-3051

Till next time,
Bob Fitzpatrick