Member,

American Federation of
Mineralogical Societies

GEM CITY ROCK and MINERAL SOCIETY

Member,

Eastern Federation of
Mineralogical and
Lapidary Societies

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Field Trips

Upcoming Trips

We are planning to collect Stag Horn Coral Fossils at a site near Batavia, NY (Buffalo area) some time in September, 2010. (We will be tentatively choosing dates at the Show, and firming it up at the September meeting.) We will, as usual, meet at the "TravelCenters of America" -- or "TA" -- at the Harborcreek exit of I-90 at 9:00AM. As you pull in toward the gas pumps, there is a motel to the left with a parking lot in back which is a good place to meet up and form carpools. We'll see how many people we have and how many vehicles we'll need to take.

The trip will be open to anyone over 5 years of age, though anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (no more than 2 children per adult) and must have a permission form / release signed by a parent / guardian. For insurance purposes, anyone participating must either be a club member (you may join that morning – dues are $15/individual adult, $10/individual junior, $20/couple or parent+one child, $25/family) or be a Boy Scout or Girl Scout traveling with a troop on a tour permit (they have their own insurance).

We will be collecting fossils weathered out of a small creekbed, and walking up and down in the creek (mostly under 6" deep, but there are a few pools over a foot), so wear rubbers or galoshes, and bring dry shoes / socks for the ride home (dry pants would be a good idea too). Also bring buckets for collecting (or coffee can or cool-whip tub with lid), water bottle, clothing appropriate for the weather forecast, and a hat / sunscreen. Gloves and a trowel might be handy. Bring drinks / snacks, since it's a 2-1/2 hour drive each way, and we'll probably stop for fast food, so bring some cash. Since we'll be carpooling, also bring some gas money.

You can check a previous time we went, on Sunday, April 26th, 2009. Of the eight of us who went, three were first-timers –- but unfortunately, we had no kids! None of our families with kids could make it. We are hoping this year some kids can come. If you are interested in joining us, email the club at info AT gemcityrockclub DOT org.

Check out the reports of previous trips below.

We are also planning to choose a date to go see the DINOSAURS! at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, sometime after the Gem Show, probably in August -- we'll choose a date at the show.

AND -- we are planning to go back to Herkimer County, NY to collect Herkimer Diamonds (a special form of Quartz crystal) over Labor Day Weekend (see a 2005 trip report for a better idea of the trip). We will once again plan to camp at Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground, since the people there are very nice, and so are the ameneties -- and the crystals!

We will be making more specific plans at the Show, and at the August meeting.