ROCK CLUB

FIELD TRIPS

Found on our ROCK May 2007 Field Trip

R.O.C.K. Monthly Field Trip Report

July 2008

The field trip for July was to Junction City to hunt for geodes. We left Fayette Mall at 7:30 with 4 people and proceeded to Wal-mart in Danville to pick up more Rockhounds. The temp was in the mid 80's. We promptly left Wal-mart and headed for Junction City at 8:30 and arrived at the first of 3 sites at about 9:00 am, only to find a Private Property Sign at the entrance. We then proceeded down the road to the second location, the group was very surprised at the quality and the quantity of the geodes in the dry creek bed. There were a lot of nice geodes found at this site. After about an hour we moved down the creek to our second location and located some larger geodes, that had crystals about 1/2" to 3/4" long. After about 45 minutes mother nature decided we had been there long enough and started raining on us, so we called it a day.

All together this was a good hunt that should be done again after a very heavy rain or in the spring
Field Trip Co-chair, Bill Van Dyke

R.O.C.K. Field Trip Report - June 16th, 2008
also known as The Strange Encounter with Nature;

It was a small turnout for the June R.O.C.K. Field trip to Boyle County, KY. Our quarry for the day was quartz crystal-lined geodes from several new locations that Bill discovered. Our first stop was about 17 miles from Danville. We left the main drag just before a small bridge and parked above a small creek. After gearing up we walked down the embankment. At first it looked like your average Kentucky creek. But at the bottom of the embankment I could see that the creek banks fanned out into several huge gravel bars. They were 20 to 30 feet wide and maybe 100 yards long. Geodes were scattered everywhere.

A little while after we arrived, we had a very fortunate encounter with nature. We were able to observe an extremely rare creature crossing the creek It is the first one I have ever seen. More later.

The geodes at this first stop ranged from golf ball to bowling ball in size. We spent probably 1.5 hours hunting and never traveled more than 50 yards in any one direction. Bill then suggested that we try a second location on the same creek several miles further west. Everyone loaded up their finds and mounted their vehicles.

We followed Bill for several miles and then reached our second stop. Once again we were able to park right nest to a short dirt ramp down to the creek. Once again we were treated to gravel bars as far as the eye could see. The creek was shallow and clear. In fact I just waded through it with just my shoes. No need for boots, the weather was lovely, sunny and warm with a slight breeze. Two of the younger members of the troupe decided to relax on the gravel as the stream flowed over their legs.
Meanwhile I was working up a sweat swinging away with my four pound hand sledge and chisel.

You know, one of the worst sounds in the world sometimes occurs while you are swinging a hammer at a chisel. It's not that eardrum splitting ring that occurs when you hit it just right. On the contrary, it is sort of a dead sounding thud. What makes it so bad is that when you hear it, you know that what you just hit was not chisel. The worst part about the thud sound is not the sound itself, but the fact that it is almost always followed immediately by an intense jolt of pain. I have to confess that were it not for shielded chisels, my right thumb would most likely be but a distant memory by now.

After filling two milk crates and two five-gallon buckets, Rita and I decided we would can it a day. Surprisingly we were the first two to leave. The others were still enjoying this beautiful site it various ways. Walking, hunting, resting and playing in the water were all taking place as we loaded our booty into the truck. We said our good-byes and started out for home.

My find of the day was a cookie jar geode about the size of a bowling ball. I call it a cookie jar because only a small section broke off when struck. 90% of the rough sphere
remained intact. The hole is just big enough to see the complete inner lining of small clean clear quartz crystals (photo 1). We also found a nice medium size sphere with lavender quart (photo 2).

Now back to the amazing encounter we had with nature. We were fortunate enough to observe a fully grown pale-foot strider crossing the shallow creek. I believe it was a female. She moved slowly but showed good balance in traversing from bank to bank. I guess this species is not as rare as I thought because we actually saw a second pale-foot strider at the second location. It looked identical to the first.

These two hunting spots were absolutely beautiful. There are enough geodes there to host many more field trips. Travel time is just over one hour. Parking is only feet away. There are geodes, fossils, nice chalcedony nodules, a little flint and maybe more. Great find Bill!

Your Slightly Sun-stroked Field Trip Guide, Steve

Photo 1

Photo 2

June 2008
The field trip for June was to Junction City to hunt for geodes. We left Fayette Mall at 7:30 with about 10 people and proceeded to Walmart in Danville to pick up more Rockhounds. The temp was in the mid to high 70's. We promptly left Walmart and headed for Junction City at 8:30 and arrived at the first of 2 sites at about 9:00 am. The group was very surprised at the quality and the quantity of the geodes in the stream. There were a lot of nice geodes and some coral heads that were found at this site. After about 2 hours we moved down the creek to our second location and located some larger geodes, that had crystals about 1/2" to 3/4" long. We also had some kids (both large and small) that decided that they had enough of geode collecting and decided try and catch come fish, they succeeded with about 7 minnows. All together this was a five star hunt that should be done again.

April 2008
The field trip for April went to Greasy Ridge Creek. There were a total of 4 hunters that braved the wind to look for geodes.
Two hunters went down to the Hwy 80 road cut to look and 2 decided to go back home. We managed to pick up a couple of bags of geodes and other rocks. This will be a good location to look in the future if the water is down. 4 star hunt
Bill

April 2008 The field trip for April went to Greasy Ridge Creek. There were a total of 4 hunters that braved the wind to look for geodes. Two hunters went down to the Hwy 80 road cut to look and 2 decided to go back home. We managed to pick up a couple of bags of geodes and other rocks. This will be a good location to look in the future if the water is down. 4 star hunt Bill

March 2008
Tuesday, March 11, the forecast for Friday and Saturday is mid-40's and rain. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, no change in the forecast. Friday it rained most of the day. Friday evening - Steve to Rita, I wish there was a way we could call off tomorrows filed trip;. Rita - We at least need to drive to Hardee's in case someone shows up. Steve, You're right.

Saturday morning, 06:00. Still dark, but it's not raining. Good news! The Weather Channel says that there is a gap in rain line and the rain may not start back up until noon. Bad news! It's 43°F with a wind chill prediction in the mid-30's. Hey, we've hunted in worse than that! Rita - You can hunt. I'm staying in the truck to work on my bible study.

07:15, pack up the gear, layer up the clothing, pack extra everything and away we go. We arrived at Eastland Shopping Center (the first meeting place) at 07:40. The only vehicle in sight is The Grape Steve to Rita - What's Nan doing here. We pulled up right beside The Grape from behind. I get out and approach the driver's side from behind. As I touch the window, Nan is startled to waking state. She opens the door and exclaims, Don't scare me like that. She said that she was reading, which is her explanation for why she didn't see the BIG RED TRUCK pull up about two feet away.

Nan explain that there was someone who wanted to join the club and she had arranged to meet her there. She was going with us to Estill County but was going to visit a friend and not take part in the hunt.

Our 08:00 departing time arrives and it's still just The Grape and the red truck. So, off we go to the 09:00 meeting at Hardee's in Estill County. We arrived at Hardee's a little before 09:00. There is a familiar figure crossing the parking lot and several more inside. We went in the traditional meet and greet. At least we won't be hunting alone. We totaled seven Rockhounds, a small but determined group. The good news is, it still is not raining.

Of we go to the creek. We didn't get ¼ mile before I realized we lost someone. They got out of the parking lot first. Hopefully they went on ahead. I apologize (rookie mistake).

We arrived at the creek and park. Did I say creek! This baby had Class 2 rapids, no doubt the result of Friday's rain. We spent a little extra time deciding which side of the creek to explore, as we couldn't be sure if we would find any safe crossing spots down-stream. Rita and I and the three people a managed not to lose started down the creek bank. It was immediately obvious that the creek had been recently flowing way over its banks. There were dead branches and other debris in huge piles 20 feet beyond the tree line. Oh! Did I mention, still no rain. It was cool but the tree-lined hollow really cut the wind.

We hadn't gone 100 yards when Debbie picked up a fist size nodule at the first gravel bar. It looked like it might be hamburger rock, but it wasn't obvious. Better keep that one, I suggested. Debbie was way ahead of me as the nodule was already finding a home in her backpack. Down the creek bank we trod. There was a nice gravel bar on the opposite bank which I had hunted previously. I said, I can cross behind that big fallen tree. Everyone else just kept walking with smirks on their faces, not doubt hoping for a little entertainment. To their disappointment, I managed to get across without incident. The rushing water came within about 3 inches of topping my over-the-thigh waders, however. I thought to myself, you're pretty sure-footed and you easily top 200 lbs. with all this gear, but you might be tempting fate if you try that again.

Each of us periodically picked up small pieces of various quality. Most would have to be cleaned and cut to determine their true character. We made our way down to what we call the island, a large gravel bar in the middle of a wide spot in the creek. We spend about 30 minutes checking it. The skies were starting to get a little darker. Everyone decided not to go any further. Slowly we started back. I stopped at several small gravel banks that the others had hit on the way down. I had been stranded on the opposite side until we reached the island. I managed to rescue a few small pieces that the other had missed.

Rita and I were the final two back at the cars. It was just starting to rain. Ray was there having a snack. I spotted the pick-up of the couple that I lost, parked a little ways down the road. They were no where in site. I hope they had good hunting.

I cut a few of the pieces we collected after we got home. We didn't do a well as on February's trip but there are few keepers as well as some nice tumbling material. One piece of translucent red and purple chalcedony will go in the next batch of tumblings. It could be very nice. It is the front piece in the photo of our finds. I also tried to capture a shot of the rapids. No photo can convey the power of rapidly running water. It has to be experienced. Please be careful if you try it.

Although we only hunted for 2.5 hours, it was enjoyable to spent a couple of hours taking in the beauty of the hollow with fellow rock-hounds.

Happy Hunting
Steve Geode Dude De Fosse

Dan, John & Ray

Quartzite AZ field trip January 2008

February 2008
As the sun rose over the frost covered hills of central Kentucky, several die-hard R.O.C.K. Members can be seen gathering at the Eastland Shopping Center parking lot for February's club field trip. Today they would attempt to find the scarce but highly prized specimens of Kentucky's state rock. As the minutes tick by approaching the scheduled 08:00 departure, a second group was gathering several rows over. None of the vehicles were familiar. As we watched, the group grew into the teens. Was it possible that these were all new club members anxious to make their first attempt at landing some prized agate? An investigation was in order. It turned out that these folks were part of a hiking club that had planned to meet at the same place and time before their departure for parts unknown. They were a friendly bunch although I did notice several of their smiles go blank when after being asked if we were there for the hike and I responded, No, we're rock hunters. Maybe my accent confused them and they thought I said head hunters. Well, anyway, we wished them a good hike and returned to our vehicles. It was time to depart.

Six of us left for the second meeting spot. By the time we gathered up those waiting at Hardee's and reached the Fairgrounds to do our vehicle reduction exercises, our number had grown to 21. Our host, let's call him Mr. Smith, assumed the lead and led us out of the parking area. After some miles of many direction changes, elevation changes and some gorgeous rural scenery, we pulled of the main road right before a bridge and parked in a small clearing. Recent rains had raised the usually trickling creek to near river proportions. The sound of water rolling briskly over rock and under branch composed the perfect symphonic accompaniment for our hunt.

Everyone stepped into their boots or waders, packed their supplies and then turned toward Mr. Smith. He responded, this way, and the hunt was on.

After a few minutes of easy hiking we reached the first gravel bar. Members started to scatter. Some hunted the bar while others proceeded down the creek. No eureka was heard at this first stop but the occasional piece of hamburger rock, fossil and chert found their way into our buckets and bags.

The temperature mellowed as the sun got higher. The water was as cold as you would imagine for February so we limited our time in the up-to-the-knee depths. One member experienced just how cold the water was, and just how slippery wet rocks can be. Fortunately her pride was the only injury and she weathered the episode with good humor and continued on. All-in-all it was a great day to hunt agate.

After about 30 minutes of hunting we were at a wide spot in the creek. We witnessed our host pull a very nice specimen from the creek bank We met at the center of the shallow rapids where he held out a fist sized chunk of agate with zones of translucent pale purple and several wide bands of yellow. This was the real deal. Here was proof that prized specimens awaited the diligent hunter and this location had great potential.

Slowly the group started to string out over several hundred yards of the creek. At some points my wife and I were out of sight of the folks on either side. We could hear occasional yelps in the distance. We hoped these were elicited by desirable finds and not more excursion into the 30-something degree water.

After several false alarms, my thrill of the day came as my wife and I approached an island gravel bar which several folks were just leaving. There is was in about 10 inches of still water. Something yellow contrasting with the surrounding gray and brown. Gem scoop do your stuff. It was half of an agate geode with the break face mostly yellow and some dark red zones along one side. I t was about the size of half of a large apple. This one hasn't been cut yet so I can't tell you about the true color or quality.

The hunt continued until about 1:30 pm. Small groups slowly returned to the departure point to compare their finds and partake of some sustenance. By the rate at which our waling pace was slowly, I thought that maybe we had saved a few too many specimens. Luckily we only trekked about a mile from our parking spot. If it had been 1.5 miles I fear we would have had to stop and do a little high-grading. As you can see in the picture, we collected two medium sized pieces of Kentucky agate and a good sampling specimens with potential. There are several nice pieces of plain agate, and several intact geodes. One of these tuned out to be unspectacular gray chalcedony. The pinkish one was solid clear quartz which is going to get a chance to show it potential in the vibrating lap.

I would like to thank our Mr. Smith for leading us to this wonderful location. He spent time showing the new and younger member what to look for and his searching technique. This is the eleventh or twelfth Kentucky agate hunt I have been on and by far the most successful. I have gone on 95% of the monthly field trips and I would rate this trip as one of the top three I have been on since joining the club seven years ago. I rate this filed trip 5 out of 5 stars.

Your Happy Hunters, Bill and Steve

January 2008 Lincoln County
Lexington R.O.C.K. members met in front of Dillard's at Fayette Mall at 08:30 a.m. on January 12th for the first leg of the January R.O.C.K. field trip. It was a frosty morn and the turnout was small, just two vehicles. We departed at 8:35 for the Walmart in Stanford, our usual second rendezvous point for field trips headed south. Six hardy Rockhounds were waiting when we arrived. Our caravan now numbering five vehicles was quickly on the road to our destination to hunt quartz crystal geodes.

We pulled onto the property where we had permission to park. After reacquainting ourselves with the owner's dog, Tahoe, we dawned our boots, hoisted our buckets and tools and headed for the creek. It was still brisk but the sun was starting to ease the chill.

We started out bunched near the bridge but slowly spread in both directions down the creek. With all the rain that we had during the week the creek was running fast and deep in some places. Those without over-the-knee boots were living dangerously. For the first hour or so several respectable specimens were rescued from the icy water. The owner arrived and several of us chatted with him for a little while.

It was about mid-morning when Phil broke into the basketball size geode he had been carefully working. His care was rewarded as the geode split nearly in two revealing impressive groupings of clear and milky quartz crystals and a bonus of loose double-terminated crystals some approaching an inch long. This was clearly the find of the day.

While too cold to stand still, the weather was perfect for creek walking and swinging hammers. Several members started peeling off some of their protective layers. Around noon, several hunters decided to move on to a second location, King's Mountain. We walked all the way around the bend and only came up with about 5 to 10 good specimens. I know that this area is hunted a lot, but this time it looked like the lavender geodes were extinct. We came across a section that looked like it was marked by wooden stakes, with no geodes to be found in the area.

Back at the creek, another member and his two sons arrived. After hellos they quickly set to work, Dad hunting the gravel bars and the boys checking out the creek and throwing a few rocks (leaverite, of course).

My wife and I hunted until about 1:30. We had three five gallon buckets nearly full of geodes. We kept about half of them intact for cutting later this Winter. Just as we were walking to the truck after thanking the property owner, Nan arrived, just in time to see a few of the finds. Everyone seemed to enjoy the tolerable weather and good hunting. On a scale of 1 to 5, Bill rates this trip at 4 stars.

Your Happy Hunters, Bill and Steve

Tahoe

Do I really have to go on this Field Trip ?

DECEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT

13 members visited the mineral museum at Berea College. There was a lot of Kentucky agate on display. The weather was too cold to hunt.

Nan Mink

NOVEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT
I will give the Nov 10th F.T. to Lake Cumberland a 4 star hunt. I would have went to a 5 star hunt but only 11 hounds made the 100 mile one way drive from Lexington to the lake. Most hunts I have 20 or more hounds. I will tell you up front you missed out big time.

Yes, it was in the 30's when we departed Lexington. But when we got to the lake it was in the 50's, the sun was out, no wind, you can drive right up to the lake, we did not have to put one foot in the water. As you walked along the lake shore the water lapping at you feet, birds were singing in the red & yellow trees all around you, the sun shining. The drive down and just being there was a great thing. The rocks were all exited. It was just the best day to go rock hunting.

I do have to say in Cumberland fossils are the most common kind. Crinoid heads and stems of all sizes & types for the pickings. Corals of all type - nice pieces too! There was lots of iron and rust, slate, some calcite, and geodes mostly to the small sizes. I did get a small, pink snowball quartz geode for my work.

F.T.C. Nan

Surface rocks in the western Lake Cumberland area
Clinton, Russell, and Wayne Counties, Kentucky
Guidebook and roadlog for Geological Society of Kentucky 1978 field conference

(choose the 3rd one on the list from the following link)

Lake Cumberland - Geology Guidebook

OCTOBER FIELD TRIP REPORT

With all the old and all the new R.O.C.K. club members I was looking to set a new record for the number of hounds on a Field Trip. The most is 23 hounds the least is 3 hounds. I only had 21 hounds on the Oct. 13th F.T. to Dog Walk, KY looking for quartz geodes of all size and colors. We had a very good day, low temps, no rain, mostly sunny, drive up to creek. Down side? Yes, the creek was in a cow field. The Find of the Day? Of all the buckets I looked in, that yellow quartz geode with an opening as big as my fist and the skin just over an inch thick. It broke in just the best way, and it was found by kids. The football-shaped geode quartz with a bright red chalcedony lining was an eye catcher as well. I will give this a 4 star hunt.

SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT
Field Trip Leader Nan Mink was on her way to rock camp at Wildacres during this month's field trip. ROCK club member Austina Nguyen graciously agreed to give us a report in her place. Thanks so much Austina!

Wow! It is not often a creek is so filled with geodes and the water is so low that one can see the crayfish scuttling through the mud. To me it is one of the easiest hunting places to be. Public parking was next to creek, an easy trail leads directly to the hunting ground, and the best part: it is public ground-- no permission needed.

It was a beautiful day with the feeling of autumn approaching. We can all feel it with our breath slightly frozen in the cool breeze when we turn our heads to inspect a potential gem. We can see it with our fellow hunters wrapping their sweaters and jackets closer to their bodies as they kick over rocks and pull down boulders. And we enjoyed it, especially when a rock gets cracked that is filled with hidden treasure. It is like Easter Egg hunting for adults!! The best part it happens more than once a year.

After all the hunting, we all compare the abundance that we all came across. This place really is easy hunting. The winner was a root beer geode. Some of us asked How was it done? Answer: It was found by hiking a longer distance than anyone else, staying longer than anyone else, and opening every rock. The lesson to be learned from that day: persistence-- it does pay off.

AUGUST FIELD TRIP REPORT

The August 11th field trip was as good as it gets. We had sunshine, drove up to the creek, a shaded creek to hunt in, the creek was way down, 100 acres of farm to hunt on, 22 hounds to hunt with, geodes of all sizes up to 100 pounds and over to find, and you get all the rocks you can get home. This farmer grows cows and the biggest geodes I have seen in the wild.

We found calcite of yellow, brown, red, green inside quartz geodes. There were also geodes of just quartz crystals in red, yellow and clear. I saw a lot of Drusy quartz in and outside of geodes. Find of the day? Under 5 pounds a flat egg shape was cut open. It has an outside of clear quartz with a wide band of red quartz. The entire opening was covered with black chalcedony. NICE! Under 25 pounds, I saw 3 geodes of all quartz and they tie. Over 125 pounds, if bigger is better? That yard rock that went to Lexington had Drusy quartz and red knots on the outside and when it was whole it looked a lot like hamburger. All went as planned and everyone got home safe. I have to give this a 5 star hunt. If you don't believe it, just go on a ROCK field trip to see it for yourself!

JULY FIELD TRIP REPORT

Twenty two hounds came on the July 14th ROCK field trip to Lincoln County. I think I can get away with saying geodes were abundant in this creek, and all sizes from hold in your hand up to wrap your arms around it to pick up.

The day was the best I could order. Sunshine, temperatures in the 80s, shade all the way down the creek, drive right to the creek, our hostess was the best. The find of the day? We could only vote it down to the 2 best finds. Both rocks are baseball sized geodes with quartz openings. Yellow, clear, smoky quartz; red, green, brown chalcedony and fossils were found on the hunt. I have to give this a 5 star hunt. A big Hi to all new club members!

JUNE 2007 FIELD TRIP REPORT

Fifteen hounds made the June 16th field trip to Indiana to hunt for fossils in a quarry. We had a great day to hunt. The temperature only went up to 92 degrees and there was no rain. We try to make two out of state trips a year, and we have one out of state trip behind us now.

First stop we were deep in a limestone sea bed with fossils of crinoids head, horn coral, brachiopods and all kinds of coral and things. There were fossils out of quartz, jasper, calcite, graphite, limestone and more. Second stop was higher up in the top soil. You walk along the wash and pick up all types of sea plants and animals as fossils.

Find of the day? That is a hard one this month. The large plate of limestone with lots of perfect sea shells and things will make a nice yard rock. A long piece of coral fossil out of quartz was nice. A horn coral over 2 feet long and as wide as 6/8 inches was the biggest horn we have seen and it may get the top vote. As always, it took all of us hounds to make it a 5 star hunt, but Ed put it together.

Thanks Ed!

There were side trips. Dr. Clark the historian put the Falls of the Ohio on the top 10 list to see in Kentucky. Going in and out of Indiana we drove right over it. Some hounds stopped to see the fossil bed that is under the Ohio River at the state park. Don't go on a hot day, there is no moving air down at the Ohio River. Then, to top off our day a short stop at the road cut off I-64 to hunt brachiopods. What a day!

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