BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
HELL’S CANYON GEM CLUB
Serving the Valley for
61 YEARS
P.O. BOX 365
LEWISTON, IDAHO 83501
PURPOSE OF HELLS CANYON GEM CLUB, INC.
The purpose of this nonprofit, social club is to promote the rock hound hobby by providing opportunities for the collection, working
and displaying of gems and minerals, as well as educational programs in the field of geology.
MEETINGS: 2nd Friday of each month
Board Meeting 6 pm Regular Meeting 7 pm
VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Dues: Adult [per person] $15.00; Junior [under 18] Free with a responsible adult membership.
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Steve Rand
Mel Wilks
open
Marilyn Sharp
Linn Enger
208-791-2325
208-301-3939
509-758-7580
509-758-4218
208-746-4957
1st Year Trustee
Betty Wilks
1st Year Trustee
Torch Yates
2nd Year Trustee
Dan Cease
2nd Year Trustee
Lon Sharp
Federation Director
Jeremy Giard
Federation Delegate Gail Giard
HELLS CANYON WEBSITE: http://www.hellscanyongemclub.com
WEBMASTER: Rick Westerholm: [email protected]
208-301-3939
208-743-3358
509-254-1720
509-758-4218
509-758-2581
509-758-2581
===================================================================================================================================
HOW TO FIND OUR MEETING PLACE
Page 1
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello Rockhounds,
Hope everyone is out enjoying the summer weather and enjoying some field trips, if you have some ideas for field trips or would like
to lead a trip let us know and lets get together and do some rock hounding. Remember there will be no meeting in August, so make
sure you come to the September meeting its time to start putting things together for the show. September is also the month to get
a nominating to find our officers for next year. Hopefully Bruce will be healed up by September to continue with his mineral
identification class. So enjoy and we will see everyone in September
are
===================================================================================================================================
July 2013 Meeting Minutes
Lots of slots available to volunteer at show, signup sheets will be passed out at September meeting.
WSMC trip to Lolo pass for Smokey quartz meet at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday mountain time.
David asked for volunteers for Lewiston Library presentation on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Federation show coming up in Butte Montana on August 9,10 and 11th.
Garnet claim no digging this year, exploring our options.
Get your Display ready for the show, Linn has signup sheets.
Mel discussed a consignment auction for rock materials ,has a collection to sell for Orville and Rose, if you
would like to consign with him --his auction is going to be in Genesee sometime in September call 208-2850143 for more information.
Jerry, Marylou and Rick went to Wyoming and got some nice specimens from the blue forest.
There will be no August meeting.
Meeting adjourned.
=========================================================================================================
At my age, rolling out of bed in the morning is easy. Getting up off the floor is another story.
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
Map Quest really needs to start their directions on step #5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
=========================================================================================================
Page 2
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
David and Jacque Dabritz, along with their
daughter and four granddaughters gave a
very interesting and educational
presentation at the new city library on
the 17th of July. They were helped by
fellow club members, Michael Horne and
Linn Enger. The presentation was
attended by several dozen young people
(some with parents) from around the
valley.
Thank you
David, Jacque, Michael and
Linn for all you do to promote our
hobby.
Life is like a camera…Focus on what’s important, Capture the good times,
Develop from the negatives, And if things don’t work out, Take another shot!
Page 3
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
Sept. Meeting program by Bruce Borgelt--- review of minerals and into Petrology (the study of rocks) and how to identify them.
=========================================================================================================
Puzzle of the month---- Where are these mountains located??? Answer at the end of the newsletter.
=========================================================================================================
THE BLUE FOREST TRIP
About five years ago, when I first saw some petrified wood from the Blue Forest in Wyoming, I vowed someday
“I’m going there to dig!”
In May, we heard Rick Westerholm, who has been there many times, was going
again, and so we asked to tag along. The trip corresponded with my sister and brother-inIaw's 50th wedding anniversary. So our first stop was to take a three tier anniversary cake
to Wilderness Gateway Campground on the Lochsa River where we shared with them.
- Leaving there June 14th, we headed on to Lolo, Montana and turned South on
Highway 93 through Hamilton and Darby back toward Idaho. We camped at a small forest
service campground just north of Sula, Montana. Early the next morning we were traveling
again still on highway 93 back into Idaho to Salmon, Challis, and then down to Mackay
Reservoir where we camped in a BLM campground with electrical hookups for only nine
bucks. A great buy!
That afternoon, we followed our “Rock Hounding in Idaho Guidebook," and found a
site with Root beer Jasper. It was fun and we picked up quite a few rocks from just the top of the ground. This
site was within a few miles of Mackay and we got specimens with little effort. A good meal, a good night sleep,
Page 4
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
and we were traveling again. We headed for Mackay where we met Rick at the Chevron Station. Finally, I'm
truly on my way to the Blue Forest!
We drove onto Arco, where we switched Highways to 26 and headed for the freeway at Blackfoot. Moving
right along, we took Interstate 15 south of Pocatello to McCammon. There we took highway 30 toward
Wyoming. Our first stop in Wyoming was fueling up in Cokeville. We then moved on to Kemmerer, which was
the closest town to the Blue Forest. We traveled on Wyoming Highway 189 then turned on to Highway 372
going toward Fontinelle Reservoir. We pulled into Slate Creek Campground by the reservoir. It is another BLM
campground, no water, but nice bathrooms! nice picnic tables and fire pits with no charge to camp. After
collecting water and snacks, we headed out to dig.
The road is no longer a highway, but could easily be traveled by car. It is an interesting drive out to the dig.
About eight to ten miles, left around a yellow gas meter, make sure you follow the road left around a long ridge,
turn right at the old rusty barrel, and where the plastic Walmart sack is tied to the sagebush, turn into the dig!.
WOW! Where is the forest?? There is a not a tree in sight! It is just sagebrush as far as you can see. There
are holes dug everywhere. You can continue to dig in them, or choose a new site of your own. Each choice
may prove good or bad. Either way you will do some digging to hit pay dirt.
The first foot or so is usually easy digging of dirt, then you hit shale. If the shale is sort of rounded up, you
have a good chance of finding wood under it. You will find a rounded piece of petrified algae under the shale. If
you're lucky, when the algae is broken you will find wood, sometimes good, sometimes, not so good. Sunday
afternoon, within an hour, Jerry had found a very promising piece of algae that he was carefully digging
around. When he broke it open, there was a single rod, about one and a half inches in diameter going right
through the algae. No great find ...
You can also find reject pieces around some of the holes,
and since we had never been there before, we did pick up quite
a few of these pieces. As we have cleaned some of these up,
some are pretty nice. We continued digging all day Monday. It
was very hot that day and we used
lots of water. We found some
pieces that we thought were nice.
Rick kept digging for the trophy
piece. His saying, “hit it, we only
have so much time to dig!!" Rick
was a good guide. We used his
knowledge well, and he earned his
jar of jelly.
Tuesday morning, we again all dug together with varying results. Rick left to
see his mother about noon. Jerry and I
continued to dig throughout the afternoon.
We went out Wednesday to dig, but by
noon the wind was blowing soo hard, I
could hardly stand up. By mid-afternoon
we returned to the trailer. The wind was
still blowing soo hard, that we moved the trailer from under the
cottonwood tree. It was still standing in the morning, and wind had
quieted sometime in the night. We packed up that morning and
returned towards home. I will admit, it was hot, it was dirty and it was
hard digging, but when we pulled out a piece of wood, it was all
Page 5
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
worthwhile!
We headed back through Kemmerer, where we stopped at Bob's Rock Shop, almost completely filled with
petrified wood. It was a cool shop. As we headed towards home, we returned to Cokeville, then followed
Highway 89 north just inside Wyoming. This was a beautiful green forested drive. We came back into Idaho, at
Alpine, and spent another night of camping at a BLM campground at Palisades Reservoir. This reservoir was
far from full. Snow and water were on the short side this spring. We spent one night in Idaho Falls with my
college friend then headed basically the same direction home. We camped again at Sula and saw twelve
bighorn sheep rams with big horn curls, eating above camp at dark.
Since we have returned home, I have been using Muriatic Acid, which I bought at Erb's Hardware to clean
some of our wood. It is fun to see what it looks like with no algae and dirt around it. All in all it was a great
week. I'm glad to say I went to the Blue Forest with the underground trees!!
Submitted by,
Jerry and Marylou Northrup
=========================================================================================================
Recipe(s) of the Month
Prospector's Cake
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup cold coffee
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Put flour, 3/4 cup sugar, cocoa, soda, and salt into an ungreased 9X9 baking dish. Stir with
fork to mix.
Form 3 wells in flour mixture. Pour oil into one well, vinegar in one and vanilla in one.
Pour cold coffee over all ingredients and stir with fork until well mixed. Do not beat.
Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35-40
minutes.
Page 6
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
=========================================================================================================
TENTATIVE LIST OF WSMC FIELD TRIPS FOR 2013
The WSMC sponsors field trips through various rock clubs in the state. These trips offer the general public as well as the experienced rockhound the opportunity to
collect a wide variety of materials from agate and jasper to crystals and fossils. Experienced guides familiar with the sites are on-hand to help find good quality
material. Check with the local clubs in your area for further information. AREAS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO COLLECTING: LUCAS CREEK, ADNA, DIATOM
PITS (FRENCHMAN HILLS). No motorized vehicles allowed: Green Mountain (Kalama) and First Creek.
Check out the latest trip info, and tool listings at: mineralcouncil.org. (Updated: January 17, 2013)
Date
Host
Site
Meet @
Material
8/17
NW Opal
Greenwater
9:00 @ Ranger St, Enumclaw
Agate, Jasper
Contact: Tony Johnson or Ed Lehman
9/7,8
Pow
Red Top
8:00 @Teanaway R Camp
Agate, Jasper, Geodes, Jade
9/14
NW Opal
Little Naches
9:00 @ 410 &FR 19
ThunderEggs
Contact: Tony Johnson or Ed Lehman
10/19
Msvl
Money Creek
9:00 @ Camp Ground
Pic Jasper, Ore
11/16
Msvl
Blanchard Hill
9:00 @ I-5 240 exit gas station
Stilpnomelane
Tools_____________
Dig, Lt & hard rock tools
Lt hard rock
Dig & Light hard rock tools
Light hard rock tools
Hard rock tools
(* Deposit must be received no later than 30 days before trip date to reserve spot; deposit fully refundable.) Participants must be age 16 or older; no
children or pets, please; maximum of 40 participants so get your reservations in early!)
ALWAYS CALL TO CONFIRM TRIP DATES AND DETAILS!!— SEE BELOW
Abbreviation
Evt
LkSd
Msvl
Msvl-Wasco trip
MtBk
Nw Op
Pow-Wow
Spkn
WSea
Yak
Host
Everett Rock & Gem Club
Lakeside Gem & Min Club
Marysville Rock Club
Contact
E-mail___________
Brad Johnson (206) 403-3073
[email protected]
Andy Johnson (509) 546-1950
[email protected]
Ed Lehman (425) 334-6282
[email protected]
Stu & Kathy Earnst (360) 856-0588
[email protected],
27871 Minkler Rd, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
Mt Baker Rock Club
Kris Menger (360) 927-0994
kmenger@ comcast.net
NW Opal Association
Tony Johnson (253) 863-9238
[email protected]
All Rockhounds Club
Cliff Matteson (253) 475-8433
[email protected]
Rock Rollers of Spokane
Mike Shaw (509) 251-1574
[email protected]
West Seattle Rock & Gem Club Brian Waters (206) 290-2312
[email protected]
Yakima Rock & Min Club
Jerry Wichstrom (509) 653-2787
[email protected]
Trips are open to all. Most 2 day trips include Sat potluck, Sun free breakfast, tailgating, swap, and horse shoes. Small fee required for Pow Wow and
Madras trips. FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Ed Lehman at [email protected] or (425) 334-6282. Or see mineralcouncil.org
Page 7
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
PERIDOT
AUGUST BIRTHSTONE IS PERIDOT & SARDONYX
Peridot (pronounced pear-a-doe)is a gemstone that forms deep
inside the Earth and brought to the surface by volcanoes, in
Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of
fire and volcanoes. Peridot is a gem-quality transparent
variety of olivine. The crystal structure of Peridot (magnesium
iron silicate), is orthorhombic. The Peridot is one of the few
gemstones that come in only one color. The depth of green
depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal
structure. It is also often referred to as "poor man's emerald".
Some of the finest peridot stones are called “evening
emeralds” because they appear greener under artificial light.
An island in the Egyptian Red Sea named
Zabargad(St.John’s Island), which means olivine in
Arabic--has been mined for peridot since ancient times. It
is a small desolate island – nothing grows, there is no
fresh water, and it is scorchingly hot all year round
except the middle of winter. Zabargad is not a
volcanic island, but rather is believed to be an upthrusted
part of upper mantle material. In some locations on the
island, fissures are lined with gem crystals ranging from
millimeters to several centimeters.
Although peridot is mined all over the world, most mines
tend to be small and produce only a small quantity of the
Peridot olivine with minor pyroxene, on vesicular basalt.
gem every year. Besides the world-famous peridot
deposits in Zabargad & Pakistan, peridot is found in
Myanmar, which is known for its silky texture and light inclusions that provide extra gold sparkle.
Peridot from the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona, with its deep brown-green hue, is
especially valued in Native American jewelry. Peridot has also been found in some meteorites.
Peridot is among the oldest known gemstones. The “topaz” on the breastplate of Aaron, High
Priest of the Hebrews in the Old Testament, was believed to actually be peridot. Ancient
Egyptians, around 1580 B.C. to 1350 B.C., created beads from peridot. For Greeks and Romans,
peridot was in popular use as intaglios, rings, inlays, and pendants.
The peridot was regarded since ancient times as the symbol of the sun. The Greeks believed that
it brought royal dignity upon its wearer. During the Middle Ages, peridot was pierced, then strung
on the hair of an ass and attached to the left arm to ward off evil spirits. The Crusaders thought
that peridots were emeralds, and brought them back to Europe where they were featured as
ornaments in churches.
Peridots were a prized gem late in the Ottoman empire (1300-1918). Turkish Sultans collected
what is believed to be the world’s largest collection. The gold throne in Istanbul’s Topkapi
museum is decorated with 955 peridot cabochons up to 1 inch across, and there are also peridots
used as turban ornaments and on jeweled boxes. The largest stone is believed to be a 310 carat
gem that belongs to the Smithsonian. A 192 carat stone of fine clear olive-green is part of the
Russian crown jewels, in the Kremlin.
Page 8
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
SARDONYX (ONYX)
Sardonyx is a variety of the silica mineral called chalcedony(kæl’sedeni). This sort of mineral
contains layers of tiny quartz fibers, which are stacked on top of each other to give a banded
appearance. The layers in these stones range from
translucent to opaque. The stones vary in color, too.
They may be white or gray, ranging to many colorful
varieties.
Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and
brownish-red bands. The word Sardonyx is derived from
the Greek, Sard meaning “reddish brown,” and onyx
meaning “veined gem.” The best stones are found in
India. They are also found in Germany, Czechoslovakia,
Brazil, and Uruguay. In the United States, sardonyx can
be found in the Lake Superior region and in Oregon.
Cameos and intaglios are often carved from sardonyx.
Cameos are figures carved on a stone, where the white layer appears as relief, and the colored
layer is the background. Intaglios are the reverse of cameos. They are incised figures on the
stone, where the stone is carved through the dark layer to reveal the light layer.
Sardonyx is a relatively common and inexpensive gemstone. It was a favorite gemstone in ancient
times, popular not only because it was attractive, but also because it was widely available. Unlike
most rare gemstones that could only be bought with the wealth of royalty and nobility, sardonyx
could be obtained by many less-wealthy people.
=========================================================================================================
You might be a rockhound if:










If you consider personlizing your license plates with "I GOT ROCKS!
If you have been told not to wash rocks in the Motel bathroom.
If when checking into a motel they point at you and tell you not to get that clay on
their white towels.
You park on the gravel even though it is a longer walk to the store so you can
check it out.
You fake talking on your cell phone and walking around that gravel lot so people
don't think your crazy.
Every time you go to the grocery store you take 300 of their free circulars to wrap
your finds in the next weekend.
You only bought a pickup truck because you can rinse off your specimens in the
car wash.
You've ever been asked to leave the car wash, because you're getting it too dirty.
You were the only kid in the sandbox who ever dug through the bottom.
You know you're a rockhound if you read this list and realize, 'how did they know
what I did?
Page 9
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
STANDING COMMITTEES
GEMSHOW COMMITTEES
1. Bulletin Editor—Lynn Enger, Ed Shoemaker, Mel Wilks, and
Dan Cease
2. Membership Chairman---Lon & Marilyn Sharp
1. Show Chairman---Steve Rand
3. Juniors Chairman---Mike Horne
3. Show Treasurer---Marilyn Sharp
4. Field Trip Chairman—
4. Dealer Chairman---'Gail Giard
5. Program Chairman ---
5. Advertising Chairman--- Steve Rand
6. Show & Tell Chairman---David & Jacque Dabritz
6. Displays Chairman--- Linn Enger
7. Claims Chairman---Rick Westerholm, Linn Enger and
Randy Squires
8. Historian Chairman---
7. Demonstrations Chairman---Mel Wilks
9. Library Chairman---
9. Silent Auction Chairman---Jerry Northrup
10. Sunshine Chairman---Mel & Betty Wilks
10. Kids Corner---Doug & Sally Debruin
11. ALAA---Linn Enger
(American Lands Access Association)
11. Admissions---Lola Collinsworth
2. Show Co-Chairman---Linn Enger
8. Floor Plan Chairman---Rick Westerholm
12. Security---Randy Squires
==========================================================================================================
NFMS MEMBER CLUBS’ SHOW SCHEDULE
(Partial list)
August 9-11
Fri 9-5, Sat 10-5
Sun 10-5
September 14-15
Sat 10–5, Sun 10–5
September 21-22
Sat 9–6
Sun–10–5
September 28-29
Sat 10–5, Sun 10 –
4
October 5-6
Sat 10–6, Sun 104:30
Butte Mineral and
Gem Club
NFMS 75th
Anniversary Show
Marcus Whitman
Gem and Mineral
Society
Hellgate Mineral
Society
Billings Gem and
Mineral Club
Springfield
Thunderegg Club
Butte Civic Center
1340 Harrison Avenue
Butte MT
Pete Knudesen 406-723-8524
1301 West Gold Street
Butte, MT 59701
Walla Walla Co. Frgrnds,
Com. Center, 9th Street &
Orchard, Walla Walla WA
Hilton Garden Inn, 3720
North Reserve Street,
Missoula MT 59806
Billings Hotel and Convention
Center
1223 Mullowney Lane
Billings MT
Guy Lee Elementary School,
755 Harlow Road, Springfield
OR
Jack L Edwards 509 520 1182
[email protected]
Bob Riggs 14 Holiday Lane
Missoula, MT 59801,
406 543 3667
Doug True 406 670 0506
[email protected]
Jim Nelson 541 687 8100
[email protected]
Patrica Engleman
[email protected]
om
Page 10
BOULDER BUSTER Volume #48 Issue # 8, 2013
==========================================================================================================
THE TOILET SEAT
My wife, had been after me for several weeks to paint the seat on our toilet. Finally, I got around to
doing it while my wife was out.
After finishing, I left to take care of another matter before she returned. She came in and undressed
to take a shower. Before getting in the shower, she sat on the toilet. As she tried to stand up, she
realized that the not-quite-dry epoxy paint had glued her to the toilet seat.
About that time, I got home and realized her predicament. We both pushed and pulled without any
success whatsoever. Finally, in desperation, I undid the toilet seat bolts.
My wife wrapped a sheet around herself and I drove her to the hospital emergency room.
The ER Doctor got her into a position where he could study how to free her (Try to get a mental
picture of this.).
My wife tried to lighten the embarrassment of it all by saying, "Well, Doctor, I'll bet you've never seen
anything like this before."
The Doctor replied, "Actually, I've seen lots of them .
I just never saw one mounted and framed."
=========================================================================================================
Another view of the China Mountians, (Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park), the unusual colours of the rocks are the result of red sandstone and
mineral deposits. Can you locate the two people on the walkway in the left hand picture? (below and right of center).
More pictures at this link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/9550531/Colourful-rock-formations-in-the-ZhangyeDanxia-Landform-Geological-Park.html?frame=2343132
Page 11