Welcome to the 50 Plus Crowd

'Time-out Vacations' Webpage !

 

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Forget about the crowds!

Engage your body and mind with these family friendly vacation ideas.

I want to share with you some of my “not so normal” vacation experiences.  Remember though, this website is for all of the 50 Plus Crowd, so share with everyone your most enjoyable vacation experiences as well.  If you would like to send us information about your experiences, please use the Comments form at the bottom of the page to tell everyone about your most excellent vacation.  

 

 

Gold Prospecting

I remember clearly, it was 1986 when I joined the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA).  It wasn’t my first experience with prospecting and panning for gold, but it did provide me with a unique opportunity.  The “Buzzard” (George Massie—GPAA founder) was rounding up folks from all across the country for the yearly summer trek to Nome Alaska.  Determined to see Alaska (on the wild side) at least once in my life, I set everything else aside and took the plunge… two weeks in a wilderness camp near Nome (even then they had toilets and showers at the camp there).  Those impressive memories of the trip are as vivid today as they were during the summer of ‘86. I first experienced fresh salmon during that trip.  From the creek to the plate in 15 minutes.  Cooked over an open pit fire, it was like eating candy.  Without a doubt, that was one of the best summers of my life.  I learned a lot from watching how others panned and used both store-bought and home-made equipment to get the gold.

 

It’s only recreational prospecting, but the experience can be quite exciting at times.  The most important thing is that you’re outdoors, you’re getting great exercise, you’re meeting great people, and of course… having fun reduces stress.  We did see Moose, Bear, and Fox. We hiked up Cripple Creek one night, although it never did get dark out.  We couldn’t believe it when someone said “we better turn back now so we won’t miss chow”, referring to breakfast.  We had been walking for almost 10 hours and never realized it. 

 

There were people of all occupations at the camp…doctors, lawyers, and even your everyday blue collar workers like me (no Indian Chiefs on that trip).  For many, gold prospecting was a completely new experience.  It is easy to learn to pan and the equipment you need to start out is very inexpensive.  There are many volunteers at the GPAA clubs and events more than willing to help a “sourdough” get started.  Nowadays, there are many other national and local gold prospecting and metal detecting organizations for you to choose from.  Soon, I will be adding a list of the most important links for you to access their websites directly from this page.

 

 

Gem Fossicking

I can’t tell you how easy it is to find gems. You probably just wouldn’t believe it.  You really need to find out for yourself.  The key is to know where to go to look for the raw material.  Did you know that for about $10.00 you can go to a gem mine and sit down at a water trough and wash the “dirt” yourself.  You get to keep whatever gemstones there are in the dirt that is dug up by heavy machinery and presented to you in small buckets.  This is where the fun begins.  You get to sit and clean gravel as long as you want (the buckets of dirt are quite cheap).  Beware, you can get hooked.  Once you start you don’t want to stop.  It makes for a great day of adventure and is significantly less expensive than many other modes of entertainment.  You keep what you find! Let me show you a picture of the earrings I set for my daughter when she finished High School.  They are beautiful Sapphires that were originally one stone that had a crack in it.  I took it to a lapidary shop in Franklin, NC and had it professionally cut and polished.  The finished product was a pair of cab (cabachon) cut stones, 10.53-carats and 11.02-carats.  The picture below does not give the earrings justice.  They actually look more bluish under some lights and more pinkish under others.  You can see a picture of Charissa's earrings in the panel on the right side of the page or to see a better view click Here.

 

I believe it was on another excursion to the same area of North Carolina that I found the big Star Sapphire shown in the next picture.  It was not a particularly pretty stone due to the large number of inclusions that may be rutile needles.  It also has minute fractures throughout that give it a spectacular character.  A point light source like a flashlight or the Sun produce a beautiful 6-point star that appears slightly off center due to the cut of the stone.  Only recently, I took the 22-carat star out of hiding and had it set by a jeweler with two small diamonds.  It is indeed a fine looking piece now.  You can see a picture of Tanya's 22-carat sapphire in the panel on the right side of the page or for a better view click Here. You can use the BACK button to return to this page.

 

 

Diamonds

I only wish I could say that I have found diamonds, but even two trips to Arkansas left me empty handed in that department.  I still keep an eye open these days when I’m panning for gold, wherever I am.  Many of the early diamond finds in America were related to gold panning activities.  As recently as the 1980’s, a diamond was found in the bottom of a gold pan.  I had the privilege of holding this particular diamond in my hand in 1986.  The finder was panning for Gold near Clemson University and to the best of my knowledge it was about 3-carats in size. Like Gold, Gems are where you find them!

 

 

Other Gems

Many other gems, minerals, and fossils are probably hiding right in your own neighborhood.  Research is the name of the game and with the Internet, it is getting easier each year.  One of the best starting points is your State Geological Survey.  Also, search the Internet for local clubs such as Rockhound and Metal Detecting clubs.  Your local historical society can provide you with additional information and long forgotten maps of your area.  Do your research in the winter and head out in the Spring.  It’s great family fun and certainly more educational than sitting in front of the TV.

 

 

Recent Finds

The “Crater of Diamonds” State Park is making news again! In September 2008, a retired school counselor found a beautiful 4.68 carat diamond.  His wife Carol must be very happy.  Perhaps partly because of her name and because one of his favorite singers is Neil Diamond, Mr. Burke has named the find “Sweet Caroline.” You can click on “Crater of Diamonds” to visit their Website.

 

 

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Tanya's 22-carat Sapphire

Charissa's Sapphire Earrings

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