Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society
GEM-O-RAMA
See  Flyer - 2008 show  for dates and times
2009 Show Update - 17 October 2008


1.    NEW 17 October 2008  -  The 2008 show is history and preparations have already started for
       next year's show. The weather in 2008 was problematic, especially the three days before the show.
       The problem was wind. It was so strong on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday that it blew away
       most of the lines in the parking lots. We were out Friday evening by moonlight relininng the lots.
       It was also quite cool with high temperatures under 70oF.  Selling ice water and cold soda on the
       field trips was largely an exercise in dark humor.

       This year we anticipated greater attendance because of the "Dirty Jobs" show. So we asked asked
       our parking attendants to park the cars in the field trip very close together not more than 2-3 feet of
       spacing. It was a good thing we did because we had 25% more cars than last year, yet we
       were able to fit everyone into the parking lots without a problem. We really appreaciate
       everyone who helped make this possible. I am sure we will have to park equally close next year as
       well.

       The mud field trip this year was the best ever. There was more mud than ever before - 35 truck
       loads, each weighing about 20 tons. It was also spread well with just one truck load in each pile
       This made the crystals more accessable and made moving around the area much easier. The brine
       troughs were also spread around the area to make them more accessable.

       The blow hole field trip was also very good, except for the demonstration. The demonstration had to
       be cancelled because of a serious accident to the drill rig less than a half hour before the scheduled
       departure for the field trip. The drill rig actually tipped over on its side as it was backing over the hole
       The technicians planned to use for the demonstration. The ground gave way under the left rear wheel
       and over it went. While it looked bad, the company had it upright again in just two days.

       The pink halite field trip was disappointing to many collectors. As happened last year the weather
       again worked against having good collecting on this field trip. Trona has been so dry the past two
       years that nearly all of the brine pools in the northern half of the pink halite area were dry. And
       with dry brine pools, no pink halite can crystallize.  We tried to warn people of this and suggest
       that they collect in the southern half of the area, and those that followed this suggestion were
       successful. I wandered all around the pink halite area and I was able to take pictures of over 50
       very nice pink halite specimens.  If you had trouble finding a nice specimen this year, listen to
       what we tell you next year and perhaps you will have success as well. We want you to find nice
       specimens.

      If you have a suggestion on how to make the show even better, please email it to the email address
      below. Even small or simple ideas are welcome since these may make the show better for everyone.    

      Until next year, may your dreams be filled with visions of crystals and you filled with the
      metaphysical powers of Hanksite, Halite, Borax, Sulfohalite, Thenardite and Trona.

      Sincerely,
      Jim Fairchild, your Gem-O-Rama reporter in Trona, California

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Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society
P. O. Box 966
Trona, CA 93592-0966
Phone (760) 372-5356

Home  Site Map  | Revised 10/17/2008

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