July 13th, 2024 Greenwater Field Trip Report

Field trip reports

On Sat. July 13th we went into the Greenwater area for black agate, tan jasper, and opal. It was a beautiful day but got into the 80s, so kind of hot. Fortunately that area has shade. We had 24 people in 13 vehicles. The black agate site is deep in the woods off of FR7222. We dug there for about 3 hours. Afterwards we went to the rock slide up FR 72 for green jasper. Last year there was a locked gate preventing driveable access to that slide, but this year it was open. I don’t normally like taking a big group there because it’s very steep. Only Gina and Julie ventured up slope while the rest of us stayed near the road. I’d say this site has more potential in the late spring after the road is opened from snow.and it hasn’t been picked over yet. Larger pieces of the green jasper that might have eroded out of the cliff over the winter will polish up nicely and look beautiful.

Attendees: Nik B., Julie & Gina M., Lorie, Michele M., Gina & Michael L., Josh & Eli D., Eileen & Rich & Katie (guests), Hannah & friend (guests), Alicia & Dave & Kaleb & Ethan S., Doug F., Claudia & Rachel V., Jack G. (guest), Michael C., and of course me.

Sun. August 18th is the CMS summer picnic at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum. 11:00 set up and 12:00 eating time. It’s pot luck plus an auction of club material. Good deals on nice rocks. That takes the place of our August field trip. Would love to see all of our members there.

Next trip into the mountains will be Sat. Sept. 14 to Frost Mtn. south of Cle Elum. Details will be announced 1 week before the trip.

Submitted by Roger Danneman CMS Field Trip Guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: July 18, 2024 — 8:26 am

Presidents Message

  • From the Top of the Rock Pile Our annual club picnic went off great. The grass and Arboretum area was not wet or muddy, plus it didn’t rain while we were there. We had the usual club members attend, plus a few new faces. I forgot to count how many people attended, but I estimate around 40. Thank you, Angie and Brian, for shopping for the food and setting everything up. Thumbler’s Tumblers donated a tumbler for our picnic auction and another one for our holiday auction in December. The new double-barreled 15# tumbler sold for $120, approximately one-third the …

Meeting Announcements

  • We are going to show a video of the most unusual and amazing things found in Amber. It isn’t just insects. We are also going to have a recap of how our Gem Show did last month. Show ‘n Tell: An item that has something trapped inside or a picture rock, thunder egg, or geode that looks like it has an insect, animal, or face inside.

  • This meeting will cover the “Geologic History of Washington State.” The meeting will be an interactive program designed to tell the story of the complex geologic history of our state. It works for kids as well as adults, with families working together to assemble the state.   Show ‘n Tell: Favorite rock or mineral from Washington.

  • Glen Ripper is a leading authority on Obsidian. He is a walking encyclopedia which should make this an interesting and educational meeting. Show ‘n Tell: Obsidian – let’s see your colors.

  •   We start the day off with a potluck holiday meal. The club provides roasted turkey and ham. Members fill in with their favorite holiday potluck dish. We follow our meal with the election of officers for the coming year. Our final activity is our club auction. It is a great time to pick up great bargains on rough rocks, polished rocks, slabs, fossils, opal, etc. Our Young Tumblers can use their Rock Bucks to purchase auction items. This meeting is also our semi-annual food drive for the Kent Food Bank. Please remember to bring something. The Food Bank has informed us that they need feminine hygiene products and grape or strawberry jelly. People donate loads of peanut butter but never jelly. They also receive very few donations of feminine hygiene products.

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