Graves Mountain
Rockswap and Dig
Open House
October 3rd-6th, 2008

Report by: Pat Cummings
Photos: Pat Cummings and Rick Bernotas

People started to arrive at the gate as soon as the sun was up.

Junior had already started to put his big show together. He really does a lot of prep work before anyone gets there. As I sat there signing in members all day Junior was making trip after trip from his house to the Mountain with trailers full of tables, chairs, displays, tents, and even garbage cans. The next day he would make several more trips bringing all the food and beverages for the rockhounds to consume, as well as all his famous rutile crystals for people to ohh and ahh over. Oh yea and buy.

The venders also started arriving to set up for the big weekend. Lots of tents and boxes full of rocks started to appear.

A couple of the ladies collecting.

They found so much stuff they had to have help hauling it out.

Rick B. found a nice rutile.

Other side of same rock.

It was a beautiful day for a dig, bright sunshine and a nice breeze. You could see forever from the top of the mountain.

Some people preferred a shady spot to dig.

Some preferred to climb the trails and explore the nooks and crannies.

Even with the gas shortages and long lines at the pumps, 24 members of our group came through to enjoy this dig. You really have no idea how much work goes into putting this show on until you watch Junior and his family all pulling trailers in and out all day. Thanks to Junior and his whole family for putting on this show.

American Rockhound