Fieldtrip report:
Diamond Hill Mine,
Antreville, S.C.,
November 20th, 2004____________________________
Hello members, we had another great turnout for the trip to Diamond Hill in South Carolina this weekend, members came from all over for this fun dig. I met with Steve P. at the Armadillo at 7:00 Saturday morning, we were joined by Lawrence and Miles, we headed to the mine, on the way we met with David and Nilda and proceeded to South Carolina, while running my mouth I managed to miss a turn in Anderson, we all got a nice tour of the city, (twice). We arrived just before 10:00 to meet with the other members, everyone signed the required forms and then headed in different directions to collect. Lee and Scott Fleming and Richard and Shirley Green had drove down the night before from Raleigh, Brian had come up from Florida, Drew and Tate made the drive from Wytheville Va., Denny and Steve and Netra Cochran came down from Charlotte and I think most of our South Carolina members were present. This mine has changed alot over the last couple of years. The new owner has had heavy equipment at the site several times moving things around, there is a variety of quartz crystal and calcite and a few rare minerals to be collected, I think we all came home with samples of each.
Richard and Shirley Green, Raleigh.
Thomas and Marvin looked like two inmates from Levinworth.
After busting several tons of material, Thomas and Marvin examine a pocket in a boulder.
When Thomas was a kid, his Mother always told him to go play with his blocks, he thought she said rocks and he hasn't quit yet!
David and Nilda enjoying their first trip to the mine.
Members searching the piles for crystals.
Brian, ready for the hunt.
Drew, Tate, Lawrence and Miles working a vein of quartz.
I finally got to meet John Deneys Daughter Diane, a very nice lady, (much prettier than John 8^)).
Denny, Steve and Netra.
Tena and Jerry.
John and Diane inspecting a find.
Lee Fleming.
Brian examines a crystal.
After months of recuperating from his surgery, Denny is back in the game.
Steve and Netra.
Diane had never met her stepmother Tena, so I thought i'd get a group shot.
Closeup of a crystal plate that Scott found.
Scott Fleming and some of his finds.
Steve P. hunting for amethyst.
The upper pit.
Drew and Tate came all the way from Va. to join us on the dig, they camped overnight at the mine.
Upper pit.
Of course, no M.A.G.M.A. fieldtrip is complete without a grilled lunch for everyone, Jerry was the grill master as usual, he cooks a good weiner.
Lunchtime.
Drew helps Marvin with a small cabinet specimen!
A few of Marvins finds.
Thomas found a few rocks of his own.
The happy diggers!
These guys did'nt make the group shot, they refused to leave their claim!
We were so excited about the days dig we decided to have a celebration with fireworks, actually this was from the christmas parade in Asheville last night.
As always another great day with friends, until next time......
