MICROBITS BULLETIN OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MICRO-MINERALOGISTS

 

PRESIDENT Dan McHugh       VICE PRESIDENT Alan Wilkins      SECRETARY Susan Hansen       TREASURER Bob White       BOARD OF DIRECTORS Juanita Curtis Jack Nieburger Paul Adams Ann Seminaris (Alternate)   FEDERATION DIRECTOR Beverly Moreau       DUES $10 Single, $15 Membership Plus   MEETINGS Third Saturday in even numbered months, 10:00 a.m. till…? Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center 7621 Granite Hill Dr., Riverside   MICROBITS EDITOR Beverly Moreau (see Federation Director) bcmoreau@4dnet.com

President’s Message   During these lazy days of summer, your President has only random thoughts and musings.  First, the 2003 Pacific Micromount Conference will soon be upon us, and it is time for our Club members to begin discussing the conference and possible speakers.  So far, Sugar White has agreed to give her annual “What’s New in Minerals” presentation on Friday night, and Bill Wise has volunteered to present “Vanadium Minerals: Part 3” on Saturday.  If anyone knows of other persons who are willing to speak at the conference, now is the time to mention their names so we can confirm and fit them within our program.    It is also time to begin thinking about the format of the conference, accumulating specimens for the sales table and auction, and working with Sugar White so that she can photograph the specimens that will be available at auction.  Sugar has been gracious in making her time available to photograph specimens, and we do not want to unduly impose upon her by asking too much in the way of photography, too late.   As a postscript to the article in this newsletter on the “Green Lead Mine,” the author did additional research through the State and now believes that the mine he visited was the “Desert View,” not the “Green Lead.”  The locations of these two mines has been a long standing topic of disagreement, and if anyone knows precisely where the Green Lead Mine is, Jack Nieberger and I would be happy to hear from you.   Finally, what do Spessartine, Kentrolite, Tephroite and Bixbyite have in common?  They are all manganese minerals, and our mineral species for the August meeting will be  “manganese” minerals.  I am sure many of our club members have interesting specimens of the extensive number of mineral species having manganese as a principal element.  Hope to see all of you, and your specimens, at the August Meeting..                                                                                     Dan For the Meeting   For the August 17 meeting, bring your lunch and scopes, and any manganese specimens you might have, plus any specimens you have from recent field trips.    Directions:  From the 60 freeway (east or west), exit on Pyrite Avenue, go north under the freeway to the first signal (Granite Hill), turn right, and continue east on Granite Hill to the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center.

Web Site for SCMM:

 

 

Sunshine Corner

  Horst Windisch needs a little sunshine sent his way.  He suffered a concussion in an auto accident June 1st, and spent seven days in the hospital.  Then, while recuperating, he suffered a dizzy spell and fell, requiring stitches in his forehead.  He’s improving, but slowly.

horstwindisch@freemail.absa.co.za

  Kaj Toft has given us an update on his pro-gress with treatment for cancer of the esoph-agus.  He is undergoing 12 weeks of chemo-therapy for a new tumor, with no apparent spread of the cancer to any major organ.  With the aid of a nutritionist and other “alternative medicine” practitioners, he is working to boost his immune system to maximize the effects of the chemo.  Our best wishes to you, Kaj.

   

Let us hear from any others of you who might need some kind words and good wishes.  Your friends are here for you.

____

 

Just a thought:

Don’t try to give advice:  Wise men don’t need it, and fools won’t heed it..

_____

What’s Buggin’ You?

By Joe Hafeli, Former CFMS Safety Chair

  All of the things that bug or irritate you are not necessarily bugs.  The everyday things around you make you miserable or downright sick.  Be particularly aware of your surroundings and of what may be lurking there.

  Mosquitoes, although not normally serious, can be quite annoying.  On the other hand, they can also spread malaria and encephalitis, both of which are quite serious.  Be aware of standing water and dump or drain it, as this is the breeding place for mosquitoes.

  We must always be aware of deer ticks.  They are known to carry Lyme Disease.  After you are bitten, usually a bullseye type of rash is followed by muscular aches, headaches, and fever.  One of the best ways to defend yourself is to wear light colored clothing, long sleeves, and tuck your pant legs into the top of your socks.  The next line of defense is to have a companion check you out for the possibility of ticks.  Some people feel it takes twenty-four hours to infect you when you are bitten.  Check yourself every day when you are in and around grassy and brushy areas. 

  Bugs can also get into your eyes and ears.  Rinse eyes with clear water.  See a doctor if pain persists.  A bug in an ear can be immobilized with about six drops of mineral oil in the ear, then get to a doctor for removal. 

  Be aware of other stinging and biting insects such as yellow jackets, bees, and even ants.

  Calamine lotion can sometimes soothe the irritation.  Insect repellants containing “Deet” can be quite helpful, but be sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully, and get the proper dosage for adults versus children.

  Many other irritants are very common, such as poison oak, poison ivy and sunburn.  Always remain aware of your surroundings and protect yourself

Be Safety Conscious.

Rock Writings, 9/97

 

Get Your Rockhound Sticker

  The new Rockhound sticker for your vehicle window is now available.  This will be a sign to other rockhounds that you are involved in the hobby and will facilitate getting to know each other. 

  You’ll recall an article in the last issue of MicroBits about the development of the sticker.  It made its debut at the CFMS Show and Con-vention in Placerville in mid July and was also on sale at the AFMS Show in Port Townsend a week later.

  Look for the sticker on sale during the August 17 meeting.  At 50 cents each, it will be a good investment for your future rockhound adventures.

 

Mineral Specimens Donated by Member Roger Barnett

  Just before I left for the CFMS Show and Con-vention in Placerville early in July, I received an e-mail from Roger Barnett’s daughter.  She said that her Dad had a box of mineral specimens he wanted to donate to SCMM, and asked if I might know of anyone who was going to the AFMS meeting in Port Townsend, Washington following the CFMS meeting.

  As luck would have it, Pat LaRue (Executive Secretary/Treasurer and Past President of CFMS) readily agreed to track Roger down at the meeting and bring back the specimens.

  The specimens are from the Foote Mine of Kings Mountain, North Carolina and from Graves Mountain, Georgia. 

  Pat told me she would bring the specimens to the August 17 meeting, as she wants to renew her membership and get back into micromounting. 

  After serving two (yes, two) terms as President of CFMS, she was appointed Executive Secre-tary/Treasurer, and on top of that, works a full-time job.  A busy lady!

- Editor

Mike Kokinos

2002 AFMS Scholarship Honoree

  Each year, the American Federation of Mineral-ogical Societies selects one Honoree from each of its seven Federations.  Mike Kokinos, our long time SCMM member, was honored at the CFMS Awards Banquet in Placerville as this year’s AFMS Scholarship Honoree from the California Federation. 

  The Honoree selects a University within our Federation boundaries offering courses in the Earth Sciences, and the AFMS Scholarship Foundation awards two-year scholarships to two graduate students at that University. 

  Mike selected the University of California at Santa Barbara.  At the Awards Banquet, he met and visited with Martin Wong, one of his  students receiving the AFMS Scholarship.  Martin was introduced to the attendees and gave a brief resume of his studies.  Mike’s other student, Matt Rioux, is working on a research project in Alaska this summer.

  Congratulations, Mike!

C

 

This article comes to us from Franklin, New Jersey.  The “Dan Jr.” referred to in the article is none other than our President, Daniel J. McHugh, Jr.  Dan tells me his Dad is a member of the Franklin Ogdensburg Mineral Society in New Jersey. 

 

GREEN LEAD MINE

San Bernardino County, California

By Daniel J. McHugh, Sr.

A two-week visit with my son, Dan, and my daughter-in-law, Karen, in Grand Terrace, California, has become a part of our lives that my wife, Anne, and I look forward to every year.  Tram rides in the San Jacinto Mountains, visits to the west coast sea cities, treks through desert country, shopping in Palm Springs, and golf at top-shelf courses all have become part of the enjoyment of our left coast visits.

A few days before our vacation’s end, Dan asked me if I would like to do a little night collecting for fluorescent minerals.  My look of anticipation was all he needed for an answer.

The next day, sledge hammers, black lights, water and trail food packed into his Expedition, we started up the winding highway into the San Bernardino National Forest.  Our initial destination was Big Bear Lake, where we met Jack Nieburger, a friend of Dan’s and mineral-collecting enthusiast.   We spread out a few topographical maps, along with a few hand-drawn directions, and I then found out that we were going in search of the Desert View Mine, a gold-seeking venture which never (ahem) panned out.

Jack led the way from Big Bear up a road on the outside of the small village, which changed from macadam to dirt, and I mean dusty dirt.  We had to practically tailgate Jack, and the yellow cloud of dust put up by his 4 X 4 barely let us see his backside.  Imagine this: going upward, now with rocks, small crevices, and sharp U-turns at 7 or 8 thousand feet, for about twenty miles, and you will get the dusty picture.

I was laughing as we were bouncing around, and Dan told me this is a “freeway” compared to what is up ahead.  We stopped at a pass between two small peaks and got out to look at maps and terrain.  Thinking we were now in the area where the Desert View should be, we all went into the woods in different directions.  Nobody had found any signs of old mining operations, and it was only about one hour from darkness.

The decision was then made to visit the Green Lead Mine, which Dan and Jack had both visited once and found a few interesting minerals.  Back into our vehicles and we proceeded further up the mountain.  The dirt road has now turned into two tracks, with foot-high weeds growing in the middle.  This path through the thick underbrush was about two feet narrower than Dan’s car, resulting in horrible scratching sounds by the thick brush rubbing the sides of the vehicle.

Finally, the road ended.  We got out, and a few feet ahead was a dark slab of a wall with mineralized dump-like rocks strewn around the landscape.  This was the Green Lead Mine.

Daylight still prevailing, we did some inspection of the visible rocks.  Finally, I heard Dan yell from down below, “Hey, Dad, come down here and see the mine!”  I tediously worked my way down the steep, rocky, wooded slope, and in this small opening stood Dan.  He invited me to go into this dark, foreboding, four-foot hole in the mountainside.

Cautioning me not to disturb the few bats hanging around, we crawled in and Dan manned the black light while I used the flashlight.  We found red fluorescence in many of the wall and ceiling rocks, with an occasional glimmer of green.  Dan was looking for the golden fluorescence of wollastinite.  I was somewhat relieved when we exited this tomb, though we saw no yellow or gold fluorescence.

With the sun going down over the hill, the three of us stood outside of the mine, and with a lively mineral conversation, waited for darkness.  Bats started leaving the cave and few of them buzzed Dan’s ear as we stood chatting.                                                                               (Continued next page)

GREEN LEAD MINE  (Continued)

Now it was dark, with a beautiful, bright moon giving us enough light that we didn’t break our necks.  Within a few minutes, Jack found a huge boulder that lit up the area with a green glow when hit with the Super Bright.  Smacking this apart gave us all some great specimens of Green Lead willemite.  Only small spots of gold (yellow) fluorescence were found, until Dan picked up a boulder, and upon smashing, had some great yellow-gold fluorescing wollastinite.

We packed what we thought we could carry and slowly made our way back up to the cars.  On the way, of course, we had our black lights on, and it was then that Dan spotted a beautiful rock with a band of red calcite juxtaposed with a band of beautiful blue calcite.  We packed several specimens of this extraordinary find.

We stumbled back up to the cars with our prizes and Jack, who was staying overnight on the mountain, gave us a hand-drawn map to get back to civilization.  Dan and I still chuckle at his one instruction, “Turn left at the pine tree.”

We managed our way down the dark, winding path of a road, and finally came back to our waiting spouses during the wee hours of the morning.

A trip to the Green Lead is not for everyone.  I cannot understate the tough mountain terrain, or the primitive, rugged road-paths up to its location.  But, it was amazing that the quality and quantity of red, green, and yellow minerals made me think I was back home in Franklin, gathering calcite, willemite, and wollastinite.  We also spotted a few rocks with purple streaks.  We wondered if this could possibly be hardystonite.  We plan on inspecting these prizes and possibly adding a little data to fluorescent specimens.

At the June meeting of the FOMS, the members were shown the Green Lead samples under a short-wave lamp, and there was indeed, a sense of surprise that great fluorescence is not limited to Franklin and Sterling Hill.

As I previously stated, this mountain trek is not for everyone.  I read an excerpt from the Southern California Micro-mineralogists’ “Microbits” newsletter that talked about collecting at high altitudes.  It cited the symptoms and dangers of collecting at these elevations.  Other than a little huffing and puffing to keep up with Dan and Jack, I was not noticeably affected by the thin air.

It was a most memorable trip, and I’m trying to prod Dan, Jr. into the next visit to this mine.  The paint job on his Expedition was scratched horribly from the punishing underbrush.  Before he gets the car repainted, maybe we can venture up the mountain one more time!

  

 

 

Julie Curtis-Steele sent me the following article which came to her from Jack Nelson, Editor of the Mineral Mite, newsletter of the Micromounters of the National Capital Area.  This is such a typical situation, I thought it would be good to reprint here so that all of you can see the dilemma that exists when Club members are too busy to write.  And by the way, I supplied the title for the article. – Editor

“Hi, Just saw this from Lanny Ream in the latest issue of Mineral News and I think that this publication is very important to our mineral collecting  community.  I hope you will read this and sit down and write some articles  for this important monthly publication.  If you don’t subscribe to this great publication, then try it and you will find it very valuable!  You can subscribe  by going to http://www.mineralnews.com/MinNews/mnorder.html.

Let’s all help!  Good wishes,

Jack Nelson.  

Here is the item from the editor and publisher, Lanny Ream:”

 

A further note from your Editor – This article reminds me of a story I heard recently. 

In church one Sunday, the Chairman of the Church Finance Committee stood before the congregation with this comment:

“I have good news and bad news.  First, the good news:  We have enough money to build the addition to the sanctuary.  Now for the bad news:  It’s still in your pockets.”

! What are you waiting for?  Get those pens, typewriters and computers busy! :

MicroBits needs your articles, too!

 

INAUGURAL MINERAL SEARCH SAFARI TO TANZANIA

  Dr. Walter Bowser, of Mineral Search Safaris, will lead an exciting Safari which will include gems, minerals, natives, cultural and wild animal parks.  Says Walt, “Combine some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, with big game on the hoof and mineral digging and searching, along with native artifacts, and you have my idea of a fantastic, exciting, and wonderfully informative vacation.”

  You will be on the ground in Tanzania from the 15th of November (2002) through the 25th, 11 days total.  This will require a day or two in the air before, since from the west coast only KLM actually does the route.  The trip includes a trip to Amsterdam over the Pole and then down south to Tanzania.  Total flying time is about 16 hours, about the same as from here to Australia.  You will have a chance to visit gem mines, collect gems, minerals, local crafts, and lots of photographs, as you will have some of the best big game viewing in the world.

  The cost of the Safari will be around $3,500 plus air fare.  He is trying to get a group air fare rate for the trip.  Cost is inclusive of almost all meals, transport and lodging.  There will be lodges, hotels, and tent hotels.  He has been assured that the hotels are first class.  While the lodges are rustic, they are first class.

  You will be visiting tourmaline mines, game parks, tanzanite mines, possibly gold mines, and other precious and semiprecious stone mines, and will be able to purchase many gemstones of Africa. 

  Visit his website to see more information:  www.mineralsearch.com

  If you are interested in joining the Tanzania Safari, contact Walt Bowser at either his e-mail address, geologo@earthlink.net or at 4884 Agate St., Las Cruces, NM  88012.  Phone:  505-382-9014 or 9018.

Mineral Search Tanzania.

(Trumpet fanfare, please)

Karibu Sana to Tanzania. (Very Welcome.)

Day 1. Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport where you will be met by the Mineral Search Adventure team and Dr. Walter Bowser. Transfer to Impala Hotel for overnight stay. After settling in your rooms meet for a drink by the pool for a quick briefing on your Mineral Search Safari.

Day 2 .After breakfast depart for Tarangire National Park for a day of game viewing. Tarangire is renowned for its baobab trees, large herds of elephants and tree climbing pythons. Picnic lunch within the park.  Overnight at Kikoti Luxury tented camp.  After dinner there is the opportunity of a night game drive.

Day 3 .After breakfast drive to the region of  Lemshuiku. This region mines rhodalite, tsavolite or tsavorite.  After lunch visit the mines. Overnight at our own private camp.

Day 4. Full day exploring the mines and the region.  While here there is the opportunity to interact with the local people, Maasai.  Overnight at our private tented camp.

Day 5. After breakfast you will visit the Lemshuiku small mines.  After lunch drive to Arusha for your overnight at Impala hotel.

Day 6  After an early breakfast you will drive to Mererani where the famous Tanzanite stone is mined.  There will be the opportunity to see a working mine.  Today there will be the chance to purchase Tanzanite, either cut or as a rough stone.  Overnight at the Impala Hotel Arusha.

Day 7. After breakfast drive to Mkomazi Game reserve, where we will be based for three nights while exploring this mineral rich region of Umba river. As our camp is within the park, there will always be the chance of seeing wildlife as we depart each morning and arrive in the evening.  Today we will explore the region where rhodalite, amethyst and green tourmaline is mined.  A visit to the mines will be within the day.  Overnight at our private tented camp.

Day 8. After breakfast drive to the Umba Region. The journey to Umba takes us through breathtaking landscape and local villages that have not been touched by the outside world.  Picnic lunch enroute.  Umba region is famous for scapolite, chrome tourmaline, umbalite, malaya garnet, red garnet, rhodolite, yellow, brown and green tourmaline and amethyst.  We will visit the mines and meet the miners.  At all mines there will be the opportunity to purchase stones in the rough from the miners.  Overnight at Mkomazi camp.               (Continued next page)

Mineral Search Tanzania.  (Continued)

Day 9. A full day in the Umba region to further explore mines of interest from the previous day.  Overnight at Mkomazi camp.

Day 10. After breakfast drive back to Arusha arriving late afternoon.  Lunch will be at a hotel in Moshi which is the town that lies at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa.  Dinner as a group at Redd’s restaurant, situated within a coffee plantation.  Overnight at Impala Hotel Arusha.

Day 11.  Today is a day of leisure in Arusha town, possibly souvenir shopping.  There are a few places of interest that can be visited in an afternoon or morning, e.g., Meserani snake park.  As we journey we will decide the activity, if any, for this day.  Some may prefer to spend the day relaxing by the pool at Impala before the transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport late afternoon for your flight home.

Health and Safety Precautions.

Tanzania is a very politically stable country.  Arusha’s main industry is tourism, as it is the gateway to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.  The people are warm and friendly.  For your health we recommend that you have the series of vaccinations recommended by your health department for travel to sub Saharan Africa.  Anti-Malarial medication should always be taken.  As with any travel arrangements, we recommend that you take out full travel insurance.  We are registered with The Flying Doctor service as a company.

The water which will be provided to you for drinking, washing of teeth, etc will be pure mineral water.  On your first evening in Arusha you will be briefed on the area and the things to do and not to do.  For example, .never take a person’s photo without asking permission first.

Karibu Sana to Tanzania. (Very Welcome.)

 

  Dr. Bowser indicated that he would be pleased to have you contact him for ANY information on the trips he does to Tanzania, China or Russia.  Peru is coming shortly also. 

 

 

 

 

Beverly Moreau, Editor

So. California Micro-Mineralogists

bcmoreau@4dnet.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MICROBITS                           

 

August-September 2002

 

 

Meeting 10 a.m., Saturday, August 17

Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center, Riverside