Howdy all!
I attended my first Chapter meeting yesterday with the Allegheny Chpater of the GPAA. They are located in Greenville PA, and have access to a wonderful property.
The meeting was held at the property. It was easy to find and parking was plentiful.
The members were very pleasant and quick to welcome me. I got to speak to Rob Smith, the current president of the chapter and he welcomed me with open arms. He was very informative as to the group activities, rules and regulations, site rules, protocol, and even introduced me to some other members.
After buying some raffle tickets, I scouted the site while the other members began eating from the Pot Luck meal (I had just eaten breakfast in town). After the meal, Rob called the meeting to order and we began discussing all sorts of things.
Toward the end of the meeting, I expressed that I had a hard time finding information online about the group, and offered my assistance to change that. My offer was quickly and graciously accepted!
So, please take the time to check out
GPAA Allegheny Chapter Website
GPAA Allegheny Chapter Facebook Page
GPAA Allegheny Chapter Blog
I will definitly be active with the chapter, so please check us out, and feel free to E-Mail Me Anytime!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Was a Long Winter Break!
Howdy all,
just wanted to let you know that the "winter" break is just about over! Right now I am challenged by spring rains flooding out my favorite spots! I have yet to have a successful outing in 2011, but that won't keep me from trying!
Also, please feel free to check me out at my FaceBook page and I started a new Twitter account! I plan on having some awesome adventures this year, so I will keep you posted!
On a Hounding note, I was looking at some samples I had collected last fall. They were oxidized quartzite specimens that looked very rust colored. I had cut a few in half with the tile saw to reveal that they were still clear to milky inside. As I collected these samples the day I sprained my ankle so bad, they kind of got left out in the weather for the winter. The local rains and snow had some good cleaning action.
Looking at them today, I noticed some shiny "specks" in the matrix. I got out my lighted viewing lenses and amazingly enough, the specks are gold inclusions! I am not talking about major amounts, but the four samples I looked over all had them! Some more than others.
Just goes to show you, the "Yellow Fever" can strike at anytime and any place! I will go back to that location once the weather and water level allows!
Till then! Stay safe and have good times!
just wanted to let you know that the "winter" break is just about over! Right now I am challenged by spring rains flooding out my favorite spots! I have yet to have a successful outing in 2011, but that won't keep me from trying!
Also, please feel free to check me out at my FaceBook page and I started a new Twitter account! I plan on having some awesome adventures this year, so I will keep you posted!
On a Hounding note, I was looking at some samples I had collected last fall. They were oxidized quartzite specimens that looked very rust colored. I had cut a few in half with the tile saw to reveal that they were still clear to milky inside. As I collected these samples the day I sprained my ankle so bad, they kind of got left out in the weather for the winter. The local rains and snow had some good cleaning action.
Looking at them today, I noticed some shiny "specks" in the matrix. I got out my lighted viewing lenses and amazingly enough, the specks are gold inclusions! I am not talking about major amounts, but the four samples I looked over all had them! Some more than others.
Just goes to show you, the "Yellow Fever" can strike at anytime and any place! I will go back to that location once the weather and water level allows!
Till then! Stay safe and have good times!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Central Maryland Rock and Mineral Collectors Exchange
Howdy all.
Had the pleasure of attending my first meeting with the Central Maryland Rock and Mineral Collectors Exchange. I have been a part of this Meet-Up group for several months now, but my work schedule prevented me from attending meetings. Now that I have an adjusted schedule, I got to go to one.
First off, we met at the Meet-Up Creator's house. He was very nice and accommodating. I was a bit late due to some serious traffic and the first trip to the location, but nobody seemed to mind. Wayne has a lovely home and the space was very warm and friendly.
When I first walked in, I noticed that there were about 6 people there. They had set up on Wayne's kitchen table and were discussing some mineral samples. One of the members had brought his daughter with him to get some help identifying local mineral samples for a school science project. All the members were very happy to help, and I bet she got a good grade on the report!
Everyone is encouraged to bring samples and specimens with them to show off and discuss. I brought a bag of samples from our trip to North Carolina, as well as my Blue Quartz from Barleywood Farms. Everyone took their time looking at many things and discussions blossomed.
Two more members showed up during the next hour and discussions lead to the upcoming trip to Utah. The group is heading out to some Rock hounding sites for a few days! I am jealous. I would like to go, but it is not in the cards.
After some lengthy discussions on trip details, samples, specimens, and such, a few members had to go. With a bit more space, Wayne was kind enough to bring out some special samples he had collected or acquired over the last three years. He has some amazing stuff and does some great lapidary work!
I was very happy to have met these people in person and greatly look forward to my next meeting in November!
Had the pleasure of attending my first meeting with the Central Maryland Rock and Mineral Collectors Exchange. I have been a part of this Meet-Up group for several months now, but my work schedule prevented me from attending meetings. Now that I have an adjusted schedule, I got to go to one.
First off, we met at the Meet-Up Creator's house. He was very nice and accommodating. I was a bit late due to some serious traffic and the first trip to the location, but nobody seemed to mind. Wayne has a lovely home and the space was very warm and friendly.
When I first walked in, I noticed that there were about 6 people there. They had set up on Wayne's kitchen table and were discussing some mineral samples. One of the members had brought his daughter with him to get some help identifying local mineral samples for a school science project. All the members were very happy to help, and I bet she got a good grade on the report!
Everyone is encouraged to bring samples and specimens with them to show off and discuss. I brought a bag of samples from our trip to North Carolina, as well as my Blue Quartz from Barleywood Farms. Everyone took their time looking at many things and discussions blossomed.
Two more members showed up during the next hour and discussions lead to the upcoming trip to Utah. The group is heading out to some Rock hounding sites for a few days! I am jealous. I would like to go, but it is not in the cards.
After some lengthy discussions on trip details, samples, specimens, and such, a few members had to go. With a bit more space, Wayne was kind enough to bring out some special samples he had collected or acquired over the last three years. He has some amazing stuff and does some great lapidary work!
I was very happy to have met these people in person and greatly look forward to my next meeting in November!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Gold Prospectors Association of America - GPAA
Hello again!
October has been an interesting month so far. With a change in my work schedule, co-worker vacations, and a generally hectic life at home, I have not had as much time to truly enjoy collecting over the past few weeks. This doesn't mean I haven't been busy though!
Today's post is about the GPAA. The Gold Prospectors Association of America. It has been a few years since I first got involved with this group. Back in 2005, Stacy and I started watching the Outdoor Channel. The first show to catch our attention was Gold Fever, then Prospecting America. More recently, they have added Alaskan. These three shows sparked an interest in Gold Prospecting for me and Metal Detecting for Stacy.
We had just relocated our family from Maryland to Pennsylvania, so we were not too familiar with our local minerals and locations. I was excited about the prospect of getting out into the local streams and rivers and try panning. I was even excited to try my hand in the back yard. Ironically, this is where our shared hobby first manifested itself.
Stacy was wonderful and signed me up for the GPAA. I got the complete starter kit! A big gold pan, my guide, video, snuffer bottle, vial, stickers, hat, etc. What a wonderful gift!
In return, we got Stacy her first Metal Detector. It was a lower end model from the local shops, but it was a metal detector none the less! We set out on our first adventure! Right into the back yard!
I set up a nice panning station with some raw material, a water source (hose), a big metal wash basin to pan in, some little shovels, and some excitement! I started to pan through the dirt in my own back yard.
Stacy was working her way through the backyard slowly sweeping back and forth with the detector. She had gone no more than 5 feet when she was digging for a "hit".
A simple TV show had brought us closer together. By joining the GPAA, we were closer as a family as well. The entire family was out in the back yard digging in the dirt and trying to find "Treasure"!
Now, bear in mind, we found a BUNCH of treasure. Rusty nails, some old chain, a few coins (pennies mostly), and some old bullets. Yes, we had live ammo in our back yard.... As for my panning operation, I found a lot of heavy "Black Sand" in the soil. I was surprised and excited by this. Where there is black sand, you sometimes find gold!
I later learned that Johnstown PA, being the coal mining city and Steel Industry city that it is, has lots and lots of "heavies" in the soil. I mainly found slag and iron pellets used to fill in the driveway. Stacy cleaned up most of the metallic junk in the yard.
Real life had left us in what we begin to think of as a mineralogical wasteland.
A few years began to pass (as they do with four kids!) and we were unable to fully expand on that great start. We continued to watch Gold Fever, Prospecting America, and a few other shows about rocks and minerals, but we didn't have much time to act on them. The "Fever" just continued to grow inside of us.
A few weeks ago, I renewed my membership in the GPAA. Stacy and I have been looking forward to some more outings and trips to GPAA claims and mining sites. This organizations helps people learn the many aspects of gold prospecting and treasure hunting. It teaches respect for the outdoors and your surroundings. Many people think that prospectors and seekers are destructive people by nature (we do dig into the ground to find things sometimes), but the vast majority of us tend to leave our surroundings better off than we found it.
I have yet to go on an outing where I didn't remove at least one piece of garbage from the site I was on. I take out everything I bring in, and even take out more garbage than I made or brought in.
My passion for this hobby has always been there, but groups like the GPAA help me explore the wonderful world in a more responsible way. I hope you take the time to check them out, watch some of the shows (Tom Massie is a riot to watch), and explore your world. It is a truly fascinating place, but you have to stop and look around to see it!
October has been an interesting month so far. With a change in my work schedule, co-worker vacations, and a generally hectic life at home, I have not had as much time to truly enjoy collecting over the past few weeks. This doesn't mean I haven't been busy though!
Today's post is about the GPAA. The Gold Prospectors Association of America. It has been a few years since I first got involved with this group. Back in 2005, Stacy and I started watching the Outdoor Channel. The first show to catch our attention was Gold Fever, then Prospecting America. More recently, they have added Alaskan. These three shows sparked an interest in Gold Prospecting for me and Metal Detecting for Stacy.
We had just relocated our family from Maryland to Pennsylvania, so we were not too familiar with our local minerals and locations. I was excited about the prospect of getting out into the local streams and rivers and try panning. I was even excited to try my hand in the back yard. Ironically, this is where our shared hobby first manifested itself.
Stacy was wonderful and signed me up for the GPAA. I got the complete starter kit! A big gold pan, my guide, video, snuffer bottle, vial, stickers, hat, etc. What a wonderful gift!
In return, we got Stacy her first Metal Detector. It was a lower end model from the local shops, but it was a metal detector none the less! We set out on our first adventure! Right into the back yard!
I set up a nice panning station with some raw material, a water source (hose), a big metal wash basin to pan in, some little shovels, and some excitement! I started to pan through the dirt in my own back yard.
Stacy was working her way through the backyard slowly sweeping back and forth with the detector. She had gone no more than 5 feet when she was digging for a "hit".
A simple TV show had brought us closer together. By joining the GPAA, we were closer as a family as well. The entire family was out in the back yard digging in the dirt and trying to find "Treasure"!
Now, bear in mind, we found a BUNCH of treasure. Rusty nails, some old chain, a few coins (pennies mostly), and some old bullets. Yes, we had live ammo in our back yard.... As for my panning operation, I found a lot of heavy "Black Sand" in the soil. I was surprised and excited by this. Where there is black sand, you sometimes find gold!
I later learned that Johnstown PA, being the coal mining city and Steel Industry city that it is, has lots and lots of "heavies" in the soil. I mainly found slag and iron pellets used to fill in the driveway. Stacy cleaned up most of the metallic junk in the yard.
Real life had left us in what we begin to think of as a mineralogical wasteland.
A few years began to pass (as they do with four kids!) and we were unable to fully expand on that great start. We continued to watch Gold Fever, Prospecting America, and a few other shows about rocks and minerals, but we didn't have much time to act on them. The "Fever" just continued to grow inside of us.
A few weeks ago, I renewed my membership in the GPAA. Stacy and I have been looking forward to some more outings and trips to GPAA claims and mining sites. This organizations helps people learn the many aspects of gold prospecting and treasure hunting. It teaches respect for the outdoors and your surroundings. Many people think that prospectors and seekers are destructive people by nature (we do dig into the ground to find things sometimes), but the vast majority of us tend to leave our surroundings better off than we found it.
I have yet to go on an outing where I didn't remove at least one piece of garbage from the site I was on. I take out everything I bring in, and even take out more garbage than I made or brought in.
My passion for this hobby has always been there, but groups like the GPAA help me explore the wonderful world in a more responsible way. I hope you take the time to check them out, watch some of the shows (Tom Massie is a riot to watch), and explore your world. It is a truly fascinating place, but you have to stop and look around to see it!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
October 2010
Howdy All!
It has been a few weeks since my last post. Don't think it was because I haven't been busy though! Life and my Rock Hounding have kept me away from posting for a bit.
Stacy and I continue to explore our new passion. She and I had the opportunity to go out into the "Field" together a few days ago. It is interesting to see how different our perspectives are. She would pass over some things that caught my eye, and I did exactly the same to her specimens!
We chose a local spot (we only had a few hours) to explore together. To be fair, we went to lunch then I decided to show her a local favorite. There is a steep mountain road on the outskirts of Johnstown that has an interesting water run-off that cuts into a hillside.
The majority of specimens are of course Sandstone and Coal, but we also found some conglomerate and siltstone. Digging and picking through the trench, we each pulled out different things that we liked. Some of the sandstone was very fine quartz moving up to rather rough quartz sand. All of the stones have iron stains and even magnetite banding in them. Some of the finer samples have amazing wave formations in them from the previous river/stream/lake action as they were originally laid down.
My most impressive find was another "Pennsylvania" geode. This sample was about the size of a potato. Made of finely grained sandstone, the center once contained another material that rusted/eroded out. It has an opening about the size of a silver dollar and was filled with silt from the run-off. After washing it out, I now have a hollow Sandstone sitting in the kitchen! (Pics Soon!)
One of the other things I have been doing for the past two weeks was working on the tumbler we bout. We bought a double drum tumbler capable of 6 lbs. It is very convenient to have two drums as I have been trying different samples at one time. I have successfully tumbled our specimens from Gem Mountain as well as the first two stages of the Barleywood Farms Blue Quartz. I must say I really like that quartz!
We purchased the tumbler from Harbor Freight Tools. They carry rotary tumblers, grit packages, and even Vibratory Tumblers (we got a 5 lb Vibratory Tumbler as well). It was put to immediate use and the learning curve is pretty easy. It took the cats a few days to get used to it, but they no longer pay it any attention.
I renewed my membership in the GPAA (I will post separately about this), and have been working on research into future trips. I will keep everyone posted on the amazing fun we are having!
It has been a few weeks since my last post. Don't think it was because I haven't been busy though! Life and my Rock Hounding have kept me away from posting for a bit.
Stacy and I continue to explore our new passion. She and I had the opportunity to go out into the "Field" together a few days ago. It is interesting to see how different our perspectives are. She would pass over some things that caught my eye, and I did exactly the same to her specimens!
We chose a local spot (we only had a few hours) to explore together. To be fair, we went to lunch then I decided to show her a local favorite. There is a steep mountain road on the outskirts of Johnstown that has an interesting water run-off that cuts into a hillside.
The majority of specimens are of course Sandstone and Coal, but we also found some conglomerate and siltstone. Digging and picking through the trench, we each pulled out different things that we liked. Some of the sandstone was very fine quartz moving up to rather rough quartz sand. All of the stones have iron stains and even magnetite banding in them. Some of the finer samples have amazing wave formations in them from the previous river/stream/lake action as they were originally laid down.
My most impressive find was another "Pennsylvania" geode. This sample was about the size of a potato. Made of finely grained sandstone, the center once contained another material that rusted/eroded out. It has an opening about the size of a silver dollar and was filled with silt from the run-off. After washing it out, I now have a hollow Sandstone sitting in the kitchen! (Pics Soon!)
One of the other things I have been doing for the past two weeks was working on the tumbler we bout. We bought a double drum tumbler capable of 6 lbs. It is very convenient to have two drums as I have been trying different samples at one time. I have successfully tumbled our specimens from Gem Mountain as well as the first two stages of the Barleywood Farms Blue Quartz. I must say I really like that quartz!
We purchased the tumbler from Harbor Freight Tools. They carry rotary tumblers, grit packages, and even Vibratory Tumblers (we got a 5 lb Vibratory Tumbler as well). It was put to immediate use and the learning curve is pretty easy. It took the cats a few days to get used to it, but they no longer pay it any attention.
I renewed my membership in the GPAA (I will post separately about this), and have been working on research into future trips. I will keep everyone posted on the amazing fun we are having!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Gold Mine Road - Montgomery County Maryland
The history of gold mining in Maryland is very long and diverse. There have been many locations where placer gold and even minor lode gold has been found and mined. One of the oldest finds in Maryland is Brookeville. This quaint little town sits in the north county on Georgia Avenue (Route 97) just north of Olney. Brookeville was once the capital of the US for a day as president James Madison fled British troops burning Washington during the War of 1812.
Reddy Branch is a stream that flows thru the town into the Patuxent River to the east. This stream was used for many things over the years, powering local mills and supporting a local gold mine. Three street names in the area caught my attention and led to some research. The first was Gold Mine Road. The name itself is out of place for the region and has always been of interest. Given that the street is also rather old and has had that name for years was interesting. Directly off of the street is Prospect Point Ct. and Pyrite Lane. Seeing these names and looking at the topography of the area led me to investigate.
There is not much information readily available about the mine, but it is referenced by the MGS as having been a farm location with no recorded production. My personal experience in Maryland gold may shed some light on the area. Pyrite Lane is named for a rather large deposit of the named mineral being found in Quartz at that location. Prospect Point is on the other side of Gold Mine Road on the highest elevation outside the town itself. I believe that the locals found either some very small Gold placers or Pyrite inclusions on Quartz and began prospecting the area. With the find at Pyrite Lane, Gold prospecting basically stopped in the area as no significant deposits were found.
Looking at known locations of Gold in Maryland shows Brookeville sitting in an unfortunate location. Tracing a line thru all the locations, you will get a "Fan" like shape extending in all directions around Brookeville. It sits dead center of a "Dead" zone in placer deposits. To the southwest area the Rock Run formations of Potomac (Great Falls and Rock Run mines). To the northwest are several mines in Frederick County that were not Gold mines, but found the mineral while extracting other minerals as traces. To the north and northeast, the copper mines of Carrol County and Baltimore County had trace deposits of Gold as by-product.
Having said all of that, I had to check out the area.
Taking Georgia Avenue north toward Brookeville, Gold Mine Road is easily accessed. Keep driving down Gold Mine past Prospect Point (left) and Pyrite Lane (right) to the bridge. There are some local homes and businesses nearby, but I found a parking pull off right by the bridge. The stream itself is part of Hawlings River Stream Valley Park and is protected. Please use respect when in the area like you would any other natural resource.
The stream itself has little topography and is slow moving. No established paths exist along the stream, so hiking is at your own risk. Travelling downstream from the bridge, I encountered quite a few White Tail Deer, so bear this in mind as well. Avoid aggressive males during the rut season! I travelled the west bank between the stream and Chandlee Mill Road. Unfortunately, there is years worth of trash and debris along the road bank.
Walking along the hillside of Chandlee Mill Road, there are numerous Quartz samples littering the ground. Some are cobbles, but I also noticed several large boulders protruding from the ground. Below are assorted samples.
None of these samples was particularly spectacular, but they showed a few hints as to the mineralogy of the zone. They all showed fractures thru the entire piece, and pieces 2 and 4 showed signs of Iron Oxide (pink tint) in the cracks. The rusting is a result of the break down of the Pyrite materials inside the rocks leaching out of the cracks.
After a nice little walk thru the area, I decided to check upstream of the bridge to see the different formations closer to Prospect Point. Given that Prospect Point sits atop a hill on private land, I had to stay close to the stream. I did not yet have permission to search from the landowners, so I didn't want to trespass.
Upstream the rocks changed quickly as they were more exposed from erosion. Within 50 feet of the bridge, I came across a huge Gabbro boulder protruding from the ground. This boulder was large enough and resistant enough to cause the stream to divert around it and form a nice arc in the stream. Even though this boulder was covered with overgrowth and mainly below soil, it was very impressive.
Just beyond this first boulder, there were more protruding from the soil and leading to the higher elevations of the two hills that flank the stream at this location. Some of the other boulders showed intrusions of quartz and were worth a look see.
As I was leaving the area, I had to scramble thru some brush to get back to the road. In doing so, I actually stumbled onto a large Quartz boulder. Only the very top of it was protruding from the soil, but that was enough to get my attention. The formation was rather large and showed multiple points sticking out of the surface nearby. Given that it had grabbed my foot as I passed by, I decided to whack a small section off to see what was in the cracks. As is the norm for the area, there was a lot of rust in the cracks showing the break down of local Iron minerals.
On a final note for this area, it is lovely. The stream is fairly deep for the area, slow moving, and showed some great signs of fish. I didn't get into the bed as the bank is steep and not many gravel bars were apparent. I would like to further explore the hillside that is Prospect Point, but I will need to contact a few property owners to do so. There is also a nice farm on the east bank below the bridge that I would like to get permission to explore. I can see by the topography that the stream course once passed thru the farm and not in it's current location. A bit of digging on dry land should get me down to the old gravel beds and maybe some placer deposits!
Reddy Branch is a stream that flows thru the town into the Patuxent River to the east. This stream was used for many things over the years, powering local mills and supporting a local gold mine. Three street names in the area caught my attention and led to some research. The first was Gold Mine Road. The name itself is out of place for the region and has always been of interest. Given that the street is also rather old and has had that name for years was interesting. Directly off of the street is Prospect Point Ct. and Pyrite Lane. Seeing these names and looking at the topography of the area led me to investigate.
There is not much information readily available about the mine, but it is referenced by the MGS as having been a farm location with no recorded production. My personal experience in Maryland gold may shed some light on the area. Pyrite Lane is named for a rather large deposit of the named mineral being found in Quartz at that location. Prospect Point is on the other side of Gold Mine Road on the highest elevation outside the town itself. I believe that the locals found either some very small Gold placers or Pyrite inclusions on Quartz and began prospecting the area. With the find at Pyrite Lane, Gold prospecting basically stopped in the area as no significant deposits were found.
Looking at known locations of Gold in Maryland shows Brookeville sitting in an unfortunate location. Tracing a line thru all the locations, you will get a "Fan" like shape extending in all directions around Brookeville. It sits dead center of a "Dead" zone in placer deposits. To the southwest area the Rock Run formations of Potomac (Great Falls and Rock Run mines). To the northwest are several mines in Frederick County that were not Gold mines, but found the mineral while extracting other minerals as traces. To the north and northeast, the copper mines of Carrol County and Baltimore County had trace deposits of Gold as by-product.
Having said all of that, I had to check out the area.
 |
| Gold Mine Road and Reddy Branch |
 |
| Reddy Branch Stream bed |
The stream itself has little topography and is slow moving. No established paths exist along the stream, so hiking is at your own risk. Travelling downstream from the bridge, I encountered quite a few White Tail Deer, so bear this in mind as well. Avoid aggressive males during the rut season! I travelled the west bank between the stream and Chandlee Mill Road. Unfortunately, there is years worth of trash and debris along the road bank.
 |
| Quartz Cobbles at base of hill |
 |
| Quartz Sample 1 |
 |
| Quartz Sample 2 |
 |
| Quartz Sample 3 |
 |
| Quartz Sample 4 |
After a nice little walk thru the area, I decided to check upstream of the bridge to see the different formations closer to Prospect Point. Given that Prospect Point sits atop a hill on private land, I had to stay close to the stream. I did not yet have permission to search from the landowners, so I didn't want to trespass.
Upstream the rocks changed quickly as they were more exposed from erosion. Within 50 feet of the bridge, I came across a huge Gabbro boulder protruding from the ground. This boulder was large enough and resistant enough to cause the stream to divert around it and form a nice arc in the stream. Even though this boulder was covered with overgrowth and mainly below soil, it was very impressive.
 |
| Huge Boulder in Ground |
 |
| Gabbro with Quartz Intrusions |
 |
| Tip of the boulder that tried to trip me |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Catoctin Creek - Frederick County Maryland
 |
| Catoctin Creek road Crossing |
There is a large outcrop in the landscape that causes the stream to divert at this location. It is a wonderful chance to see how the local rock formations are still at work eroding the valley and hills.
 |
| Outcrop causing stream to divert around |
 |
| Catoctin Creek bed |
 |
| Close up of stream pebbles |
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