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Annual Thanksgiving Rockhounding Field Trip to Wiley's Well Area by Adam Dean and Shep Koss CFMS Field Trip South Co-Chairs - 2008, 2009 | |
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Annual Thanksgiving Rockhounding Field Trip to Wiley's Well Area by Adam Dean and Shep Koss CFMS Field Trip South Co-Chairs - 2008, 2009 | |
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Shep Koss Report
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Wow! Can we talk weather? Even so we had well over 60 people show up not counting kids and dogs. We came in all sorts of vehicles and camped in RVs and tents in the mud and rain. For those who arrived Tuesday, they were met with all day rain lasting into Wednesday. For those arriving late Wednesday, we were greeted with a "roads flooded" sign where Wiley's Well Rd became graded dirt for twelve miles to the campsite. And flooded they were; numerous mud holes covered with water to the camp but when arriving, we were greeted by a warm campfire and hardy souls with friendly faces. By Thanksgiving morning over 15 vehicles carrying over 45 people were itching to hit the road to Pebble Terrace. After a brief lecture by Adam Dean and a signing of waivers we left to look for a variety of material including agates, jaspers, fossils, chalcedony and petrified wood. Much of each was found but we then found the weather changing again as a large storm cell came over the mountains appearing to aim for the campground producing bright lightning and loud thunder. We regrouped and headed back in case of flash flood in the ravines we had to cross but not before stopping near Opal Hill Mine to search the area for fire agate. Arriving at the camp and our waiting feast we found they had been pounded by the storm turning our camp in to streams and ponds. Our worst fear struck home. While our camps were dampened our spirits remained high and dry. After getting a warm fire going we feasted to our potluck dinner. Thanks to ALL who contributed and those who stayed behind to cook. |
The next day brought the arrival of even more Rockhounds but we found Adam and Teresa ran into transportation problems while running home for personal business and would be unable to return. They were sorely missed. After drafting Matt from the Palomar club and Jon Lovegren from the Orange Belt club to assist we revised our plans due to road conditions, made sure everyone was in a 4WD and headed for the psilomelane mine nearby. The flash floods the day before uncovered countless new veins of material and we scattered to hammer out and collect massive, botryoidal and druzy psilomelane. Then we headed for Hidden Saddle to collect black agate from veins and geodes. Saturday brought in even more Rockhounds as we hit three geode areas: the Cinnamon Beds, the Potato Beds and the Hauser Beds. Thankfully each day since Thursday morning brought more sun and warmer weather drying the roads. Each night at the campfire we were privy to meteors streaking across a magnificently starry sky. We sat well into the dark swapping stories and tales. Again, Matt and Jon did a great job of assisting and guiding. The week and the campout came to an end much too quickly and by Sunday morning (after being treated to a violin solo by a camper at sunrise) most of us headed for home and warm showers. Others waited until Monday to leave. All in all a good time, good food and good company was had by all. Coyotes serenading at night and violins in the morning. It was an adventure. Happy Hunting, Shep Koss | |
From: John Pickett | ||
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Thanks to all the wonderful cooks in the on our Trip. Thanksgiving dinner was incredible (never thought Thanksgiving dinner would be possible out in the middle of no-where with limited resources. What blew me away was that even the desert was home-made! (no pre-made Costco stuff) The Ham and Turkey were simply incredible. I usually don't do salad but even that was special! Emma led our festivities with grace. There's still a lot to be thankful for through these hard economic times. Pebble Terrace was a huge endless treasure chest. |
Thank you to our leaders Adam, Teresa and Shep! The rain was just bad enough to make it interesting and more fun. The rocks weren't cemented into the ground as usual on an up-note. Got a chance to meet Shep as he had to put up with me on the drive to Pebble Terrace. What a cool guy! He shared some of his treasure hunting stories with me! If you're curious you should ask him about his special find (I won't ruin the surprise so you'll have to ask him). Take care all! | |
From: Timothy Harned | ||
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A big thank you to Shep and Adam for leading our trips. Thank you to all the good cooks. The food and fellowship was great. The rain will leave a memory for all of us. |
We had everything including food, fun, rocks and ... a violin player! | |
From: Adam Dean | ||
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Well, I think Shep Summed it all up. It was a Successful trip, lots of good food, Rocks and friendship. The trip in was a lot of fun skipping though the puddles, the morning air was clean and a nice breeze scented with creosote greeted us along with an awesome sun rise. We ended the day with our belly's full of food, our sacks full of rocks and plenty of good stories around the campfire. I'm already excited about next year, hope to see you all there. |
Fifteen photos of this trip are above. Adam Dean | |