Oklahoma III: Wichita & Arbuckle Mountains

Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page Volume 45

Issue 5

May 2014

The official publication of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. The RMFMS is a regional member of the American Feder- ation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and is issued monthly (except June and July). It is a privilege of membership of the RMFMS and cannot be exchanged by the editor for individual club newsletters from other regional federations. www.rmfms.org

Inside this Issue: Oklahoma III: Wichita & Arbuckle Mountains by Dr. Mike Nelson Treasurer’s Report 4

Endowment Fund Tickets 5 iving and teaching in western Kansas did not allow much interaction Klicks & Klacks from the Editor 5 with either igneous or metamorphic rocks, nor with Paleozoic Competitive Exhibits 6 L [email protected], rocks older than the Mississippian (and these age rocks are restricted www.csmsgeologypost.blog Unintended Consequence 7 to the southeastern most 50 sq. miles of the state). So, what to do? spot.com

ACROYs 8 How could a geology student become better acquainted with rocks that are not Ter- tiary, Cretaceous, Permian or Pennsylvanian in age? Well, it seemed like an easy an- Earth Science Poems 10 swer—road trip! So off we went either south or west, depending upon the time of year. A Postcard from Siberia 12 In early fall, the Colorado mountains were beautiful with color and outcrops vacant of SD National Grasslands 13 people. During the spring semester, Colorado was often cool-cold and snow lingered in Rocks 14 the high country. Therefore, Oklahoma to the south seemed like a good choice. The Field Trip Twelve Essentials 14 most interesting places to visit were the Wichita Mountains in the southwest, and the Ar-

There is Nothing Wrong with Us 15 buckle Mountains in the south central part of the state.

Just Passing Through 16 Fig. 1. Geologic map Soapstone 17 of Oklahoma (from Oklahoma Geological San Juan Mtns Mineral Symposium 17 Survey). The Arbuck- Is Your Computer Male or Female? 18 le Mountains are located to the south of Shows & More 18 Oklahoma City (and a Officers & Committees 11 little east) while the Wichita Mountains are to the southwest. Both appear on the map as isolated “blobs.”

These two ranges present some very interesting stratigraphy, and geologists still seem to be debating about the origin of the “basement rocks” cropping out in the mountains. If readers would travel to Colorado or Wyoming or New Mexico (and other western states), they would note that the oldest rocks, especially in the Laramide front ranges, are Precambrian in age—older than ~542 Ma. However, the igneous rocks, lots of rhyolite, granite, and dio- rite in the Wichita Mountains are perhaps latest Precambrian (Neoproterozoic: 1000Ma to 542 Ma) but are mostly Cambrian in age, something younger than ~542 Ma. and that is the really interesting part (Fig. 2).

The Wichita Mountains are situated in the southwestern part of Oklahoma (Fig. 1) and actually have some relief, maybe 500 to 1100 feet, and dominate the topog- raphy. I remember climbing Mt. Scott (Fig. 3) at ~2462 feet and essentially the highest peak in the range; Mt. Pinchot at 2479 feet is Fig. 2. Location of the South- on a special area of the wildlife refuge and off limits to ern Oklahoma Rift System penetrating the continent at visitors, while Haley Peak on private property is 2481 about 90 degrees to the edge (maybe). The oldest rocks in the Wichitas are known as of the continent. Map taken the Tillman “metasedimentry group” and represent from Hansen and others, 2011. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 2

latest Precambrian-early Cambrian marine sandstones that are now turned to quartzite. PUBLICATIONS However, beginning at about the same time as their deposition, massive volcanism and plutonic placement of granite was beginning in a structural basin termed the Southern Editor: Oklahoma Rift System (SORS) (Fig. 2). Some geologists argue that the SORS sequence represents a sea floor spreading event, a rift-rift-rift triple junction, with one arm extend- Betty Cain ing into the old proto-North American continent (known to geologists as Laurentia) 2702 E. Pikes Peak Ave. while the other two arms are now obscured by ocean basins (Hansen and others, 2011). Colo. Springs, CO 80909 The name Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen or Wichita Aulacogen has been given to the 719-634-8205 Oklahoma arm since the arm ultimately failed (an aulacogen). However, Thomas [email protected] (2011) believed the plutonic events are part of a large fault zone extending inward into the proto continent. These magmatic rocks in Oklahoma also seem related to other Circulation Manager: igneous events stretching from New Mexico to Utah and Colorado. Whatever the Bill Cain (see above) cause, the igneous rocks in southwestern Oklahoma (latest Precambrian? to Cambrian 719-322-6089 in age) represent a major tectonic event along the southern margin of proto North America; the older Raggedy Mountain gabbro group and the Navajoe Mountain bas- [email protected] alt group are unconformably overlain by the widespread Carleton Rhyolite Group and Subscriptions: the intrusive Wichita Mountain Granite Group (Fig. 4). The latter two units are the igne- Gene Maggard ous rocks that form the rugged mountains and are well exposed and easy to observe (Fig. 5). All in all, the Wichitas are a great place to visit, to observe the buffalo (bison) at 8318 SE Highway 77 the wildlife preserve, and see some igneous “basement” rocks that are not Precambri- Leon, KS 67076 an in age. 316-742-3746 [email protected]

Rates—$3.50 a year for the

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News only. $7.75 a year for both the Rocky Mountain Federation News and the RMFMS Directory. Fig. 4. Map showing location of the Wichita Moun- tains in southwestern Oklahoma. Igneous rocks Directory only—$5.00 Fig. 3. Mt Scott in the Wichita Mountains Order from Supplies Chair, is the most easily accessible peak in the dominate the mountains in the south, near Fort Range. Public Domain photo. Sill, and are the most visited section. North of Kim Blanton the Meers Fault there are large exposures of the 728 E. Sandy Dunes Dr. Starting before the conclusion of the Wichi- Ordovician (488-443 Ma) Arbuckle Group lime- stones. Map taken from Hansen and others, 2011. Sandy, UT 84094 ta magmatic event and continuing after, 801-604-1263 sediments begin to erode from the surrounding highlands into the rift or fault basin [email protected] (SORS). In addition, marine sedimentary rocks, limestone, sandstone, shale, were deposited, on and off, in Oklahoma from late Cambrian through the early Mississippian Deadline (~359-345 Ma). By the late Mississippian (~328-318 Ma), SORS was rapidly subsiding and Bulletin submissions deadline filling with clastic particles later forming a shale. is the third week of the By the Pennsylvanian (beginning ~311 Ma ), “things” begin to change in Oklahoma as a month prior to publication result of what is termed the Ouachita Orogeny—plates of South America and Africa date; i.e., the deadline for bumping in to the southern margin of North America. In Arkansas and parts of east Ok- the August bulletin is the lahoma (see previous articles), the collision resulted in formation of thrusted and folded third week of July or earlier mountains called the Ouachita Mountains. In the Mountain West states, the collisional as requested. event produced large block fault mountains—the Ancestral Rocky Mountains. And, in southern Oklahoma, the old SORS was no longer accepting sediments but was activat- Unless otherwise marked, ed by vertical uplift and faulting into a highland area and shedding off large clasts that materials from this publica- later cemented into sandstones and conglomerates. The erosion continued into the tion may be reprinted by early part of the Permian (~251 Ma); but by the late Permian (~290 Ma), the mountains members, giving credit to (uplifted SORS) were covered and buried by sediments. Jurassic and Triassic (~228-145 the author and the Rocky Ma) rocks are virtually unknown from western Oklahoma and Cretaceous (~145-65 Ma) Mountain Federation News. rocks were probably deposited are mostly eroded away. The current Wichita Moun- tains are the result of landforms that were established in the Pennsylvanian/Permian and brought to light with Cenozoic erosion. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 3

The Arbuckle Mountains are almost straight south of Oklahoma City along I- 35 north of the Texas-Oklahoma border. These hills are not really very high, ~1400 feet, there is not much relief—perhaps 600 feet, but they represent a different sort of environment and are popular with visitors. They do have some old rocks, and one time on a field trip I was able to visit a large granite quarry in the Tishomingo Granite, ~1.4 Ga. These rocks are, in turn, overlain by the Cambrian Carleton Rhyolite (seen in the Wichitas), and maybe 15,000 feet of Paleozoic rocks (mostly marine). The Arbuckles have a similar geological history as the Wichitas, and they were both part of the SORS. The big difference is that in the Wichitas, igneous rocks predominate while Fig. 5. Mt. Sheridan with granite (light-colored) in the Arbuckles sedimentary rocks are common, and many are quite fossil- overlying dark-colored gabbro. Public Domain photo. iferous. In addition, the USGS noted “the Arbuckles contain the most diverse suite of mineral resources in Oklahoma: limestone, dolomite, glass sand, granite, sand and gravel, shale, cement, iron ore, lead, zinc, tar sands, and oil and gas; all these minerals are, or have been, produced commercially” (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov).

The geologic stories of the Wichita and Arbuckle mountains are much too complex for a short article like this. Unfortunately, I had to use much geological jargon in the paragraphs above, and for this apologize. I did try to insert approximate dates for the geological terms indicated by Ma=millions of years ago. I guess an easy way to look at their history: 1) rifting and/or faulting with accumulation of Cambrian igneous rocks; 2) stable continent and accumulation of mostly marine rocks Cambrian- Fig. 6. Honey Creek, originally producing from a spring (s), drops 77 feet at Turner Falls (near Davis) and is early Pennsylvanian; 3) uplift of the SORS in late Pennsylvanian from ten- probably the most photographed feature in Oklahoma. sional forces of the nearby Ouachita Orogeny; 4) erosion in the Cenozoic Public Domain photo. producing current landforms that were first established in the late Paleozo- ic. Editor’s Note: Growing up in Oklahoma during the ‘50’s & ‘60’s, I can remember that every kid in I have to admit that my visits to the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains were the state wanted to go to one of those “church many decades ago when collecting by rockhounds and students was in camps” at Turner Falls each summer. That was much different circumstances. We simply contacted quarry owners by Oklahoma’s Disneyland! mail, received permission (especially for non-working weekends), and collected invertebrate fossils to our heart’s content. In addition, everyone took home a few pieces of granite since the only igneous outcrops in western Kansas were at local cemeteries. As a result, I really don’t have fossil specimens (in museum collections) or minerals from either the Arbuckle or Wichita Mountains and could not inform readers about any collecting localities. I will leave that up to the members at Tulsa.

In addition, the Oklahoma Geological Survey will allow you to download: copies of Guidebook 26, Geology of the Arbuck- le Mountains along I-35, Carter and Murray Counties Oklahoma (Robert O. Fay). The publication describes the geology at the numerous road cuts along I-35 north of the city of Ardmore; Guidebook 21, Geology of the Eastern Wichita Mountains, Southwestern Oklahoma (Gilbert and Donavan); Guidebook 23, Petrology of the Cambrian Wichita Mountains Igneous Suite (Gilbert); and Guidebook 24, The Slick Hills of Southwestern Oklahoma—Fragments of an Aulacogen (Donovan). The Slick Hills are the limestone part of the Wichita Mountains located north of the Meers fault. Go to http://www.ogs.ou.edu/ pubsDLGBs.php. Finally, the last time that I traversed through the Arbuckle Mountains, the Ardmore Geological Society had installed informative information on a number of road signs. I presume they are still along the highway.

SOME TRIVIA: Much land in the igneous rock part of the Wichita Mountains is tied up in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge (~60,000 acres). President William McKinley, in 1901, established the mountains as a “Forest Reserve”. It took President Theodore Roosevelt, in 1905, to designate it as a “Game Preserve”, the forerunner of the federal refuge system. In fact, the refuge is the oldest in the nation. One of the critical reasons for the establishment of the refuge was to protect endangered species. Bison, six bulls and nine cows, were introduced in 1907 with stock coming from the New York Zoological Park. Texas Longhorn Cattle were also introduced to help preserve the “purity” of the strain. Unfortunately, the original Oklahoma elk subspecies, Merriam’s I think, is extinct so the Refuge imported Rocky Mountain Elk in 1911. There were also a number of other smaller mammals and birds introduced to this protective island.

REAL TRIVIA: Shortly after McKinley’s designation of the Forest Reserve, he was assassinated by an anarchist in in 1901. He Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 4

was succeeded by his Vice President, Roosevelt. McKinley was the last President to serve in the Civil War.

AND MORE: An assassin also tried to take down Roosevelt in 1912 as he was campaigning for a third term as President run- ning in the Progressive Party (vernacular—Bull Moose Party). The bullet (32 caliber) went through his steel eyeglass case and 50 pages of a speech (Roosevelt was a real talker) and three inches of his chest, but did not penetrate his pleura. Roosevelt gave his speech (Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot; but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose) with blood staining his shirt and carried the bullet around forever (too dan- gerous to remove).

Roosevelt entered the presidency via an assassin’s bullet while another would-be assassin’s bullet ended his campaigning right before the 1912 election and, therefore, his chance to re-enter the office. Now, that is real trivia.

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society (2014), Spanish mining activity existed in the Wichitas as early as the mid- 1700’s. Evidently, they were not very successful. However, in the 1890’s, prospectors wandering around in the granite found evidence of these old Spanish mines (and I use the term mine quite loosely). By 1895, a “gold rush” was on to the Wichitas but, in a similar situation as the Black Hills of South Dakota, the land was part of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Indian Reservation. As usual, miners and settlers put pressure on the U.S. Congress, and by 1901 the Reservation was open to settlement and mining (a question—was this why McKinley designated the Forest Preserve?). In the next 10 years, over 2000 gold claims were filed with no one, as far as I can tell, “getting rich,” except some promoters. A few surface veins were located and holes/mines penetrated into the granite but nothing really paid.

Comancheria, the ancestral home of the various Comanche tribes and bands, occupied much of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Perhaps their most famous warrior was Quanah Parker of the Noconis Band. Parker was the son of Cynthia Ann Parker, a captured Caucasian from Texas, and Peta Nocona. Most historians, but not all, believe Quanah was born (ca.1850) in or near the Wichita Mountains.

REFERENCES CITED Hanson, R.E., R.E. Puckett, Jr., D.A. McCleery, M.E. Brueseke, C.L. Bulen, and S.A. Mertzman, 2011, The Cambrian Wichita Bimodal large Igneous Province in the Southern Oklahoma Rift Zone: Large Igneous Provinces Commission http:// www.largeigneousprovinces.org Oklahoma Historical Society, 2014, Gold: Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, www.digital.library.okstate.ed Thomas, W.A., 2011, The Iapetan Rifted Margin of Southern Laurentia: Geosphere, v. 7.

Treasurer’s Report by Gene Maggard

uiet time for the Treasury is finally here. Reports, dues and insurance premiums are all in, and the last Q major bill, the 2014-15 insurance premium, has been paid. Last major bill at least until the convention. Convention expenses will become due at that time. Paying the insurance premium is a good thing because it means that we continue to have the liability coverage for all subscribing clubs.

The premium this year was $4,567 as compared to $4010 last year. The main reason for the increase is that we have 766 more individual members enrolled than last year. Total individual enrolled membership is a major rating factor for the insurance premium determination. It makes no difference whether members pay dues or not. The insurance company uses TOTAL membership to assess their risk. Some people seem to have a hard time understanding that concept and think that they should only pay the $.65/member for dues paying members. Causes me grief every year trying to collect the additional $5 or $10 from various clubs that underpay the insurance premium.

We used the $.65 amount for the second straight year. We collected $4,771 on 7,349 members covered. Multiply 7,349 times .65 and the result is 4,776.85, a $5.85 underpayment. No, I did not try to collect when the underpayment was $.65 or $1.30. We over collected by $204. This figures out to be $.03/member. I think that I will recommend in the 2014-15 budget that we stick with the $.65.

The whole insurance thing is a big headache for your treasurer. I hope that people realize what a good deal your club is getting for very excellent liability insurance coverage at a VERY moderate price, and understand that the insurance Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 5 coverage and premium is for all club members, whether dues paying or not.

Federation finances at midyear look to be in good shape. See you at the convention, I hope. There are no mountains near T Town, but it is a great place to visit. I wonder if there will be any nifty field trips. Peggy and I had a great time last year with the Wasatch bunch, led by the Blantons. Have a great summer and find some terrific treasures.

Be a Winner - Get Your Endowment Fund Tickets Now! By DeLane Cox, Chair ave you purchased your tickets yet for the Endowment Fund drawing? The Federation convention is H in July in Tulsa, and the drawing for Endowment prizes will be held there on Saturday. Someone will get the great gifts that have been donated. YOU could win…IF you purchase a ticket. Cost of the tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five. Each Federation will have a ticket drawn from the tickets bought in their Federation. This ensures that at least one person in each Federation receives one of the drawing prizes. Then all tickets will be put together, and the remaining prizes will be drawn for. I will be responsible for getting all of the RMFMS tickets to the show for the drawing. You do not have to be present to win. The winners will receive their prizes some way, either by mail or by another person from a club near you who will hand-deliver it. All of the money raised from the Endowment Fund goes to special projects for the American Fed- eration. Funds go toward the revitalization of old programs in the libraries for clubs to use for their meeting program. Funds also go to help with the Junior Rockhounds of America program for our kids’ badges that they earn. And, the funds go to help with judges training classes that are held to train the people who judge the competitive cases, both in the local federation and the Ameri- can Federation shows. All of these programs are very worthy of our sponsorship. So, if you or your club would like to have tickets, please contact me, DeLane Cox. I have the tickets in my possession and can get them back to you in return mail. You can email me ([email protected]) that your checks are coming, and I will be expecting them. Or, you can just send them by US postal mail (my address is on the officers page), and I will get tickets back to you—spee-dee delivery. The 2015 Rocky Mountain Federation convention will be in Cody, Wyoming next year in July. Great place to visit; great place to go rockhounding!

Klicks & Klacks from the Editor by Betty Cain

his is our last newsletter before the convention and show in July, and I wanted to encourage everyone T to attend this great event. The opportunity to combine our annual federation show with the AFMS show only comes around once every seven years (is that kinda’ like the life cycle of a midget cicada?). An- yway, if you’ve never attended either the regional or national conventions and shows, this is your golden ticket. The Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society members are busily preparing to make your visit a memorable experience. In addition to the amazing show cases and outstanding vendors, this is your chance to view rockhound democracy in ac- tion and to see how the “big boys” do it. Breakfast with the Editors & Webmasters will be an exciting event with many awards being presented; the first-ever regional S.C.R.I.B.E. meeting is being held after the Breakfast; and the Annual Awards Banquet should be a glamorous affair for mingling with fellow rockhound from across the country. There will also be several great field trips following during the show.

Speaking of field trips, hubby and I ventured out again to participate in the Enid and Shawnee clubs field trip to The Great Salt Plains in Oklahoma to dig hour-glass selenite a couple of weekends ago. We experienced the road trip from hell when attempting to go to Quartzsite in January and really needed to “test the waters” on a trip a little closer to home. It snowed the night before we left (same as it did in January). Oh no, déjà vu? Noo, noo, noo, noo; we were in the outer dimensions again. That brand new alternator from the January trip went out, and a huge rock smashed the Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 6

new windshield! We arrived very late, set up camp in the wrong campground, missed the digging, but finally connected with the group in time for the best part of a field trip - the pot luck. What a great bunch of folks; we felt right at home. The Sunday return trip started out good, but two (count ‘em, two) flat tires had us limping home at 45-50 mph on five tires. Our hound dog, Penny June, was so nervous when the last flat tire started to sling the tread off of the dually that she threw up and DOWN all over the carpet! Believe me, you cannot stop quick enough to get an 78 lbs. dog out of the RV!

We have been officially crowned the King & Queen of RV Hard Luck. However, I will not let that stop us from going to Tulsa in July! We may plan to leave home a day earlier, just in case. With new rubber all around on C3 (Cain’s Cruzin Cabin), all the mechanical problems fixed, and a new windshield installed, I think we’re ready to hit the road again. I hear that the Tulsa folks are planning the Great Salt Plains as one of their exciting field trips for the show. Here are a couple of things about The Great Salt Plains that we learned from the experienced rockhounds. You should wear OLD clothes and non-leather shoes (the salt is hard on fabric and leather). Bring something to sit or kneel on like a piece of tarp, plastic, or garden kneeling cushion. You’ll need something to dig with such as a garden trawl or small shovel. Drink- ing water is a must - it gets very hot out on the flats. If you have a beach umbrella, bring it. Change clothes before you get back in your car if you don’t want salt everywhere. The crystals are fragile, so bring something to carry them in back to your car. When you dig a hole on the flats, they quickly fill up with muddy brown water which you can use to rinse off the salt and sand on your specimens. The specimens abound so good hunting!

Now a little something about the area. This is an Oklahoma State Park and a nominal fee is charged for overnight camping. They offer electric/water hook-up spaces complete with a picnic table. A dump station is available. For the more adventurous, tent sites are also available. Modern, fully equipped cabins are also available, and reservations are required. Just Google “Great Salt Plains, Oklahoma” for a link to their website for details, pictures, and other valuable information. This is a really nice place to go rockhounding and camping, but be advised that you have to drive to the nearest town for other services. The mailing address is Jet, OK and is located at the top of Oklahoma, near the Kansas border. See you at the show!

Competitive Exhibits for Joint AFMS/RMFMS Show by Richard Jaeger, Comp Exh Chair

The Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society will be hosting the joint American Federation/Rocky Mountain Federa- tion show in July of 2014. We would like to have a number of competitive exhibits from members of the Rocky Mountain Federation. I have been to many shows in the RMF over the years and know that many of you have excellent displays which would do well in competition. In order to be successful in competitive exhibits you need to have a copy of the AFMS UNIFORM RULES – or at least a copy of those sections which relate to your exhibit. There are two ways you can get this publication. 1) You can order a complete set of the Uniform Rules from the RMFMS Supplies Chairman for $7.50. Her contact information is: Kim Blanton; 728 E. Sandy Dunes; Sandy, UT 84094. Ph: 801-604-1263; E-Mail: [email protected]. 2) You can also download the Uniform Rules from the American Federation Website: . On the Home Page – click on “Downloads” and then click on “AFMS Uniform Rules – updated 1-1-14”. If you choose to download only part of the Uniform Rules you should, at a minimum, download Section 1, Part 1 “General Rules & Definitions” (I would suggest downloading all of Section 1). Then you should download the section re- lating to your type of exhibit. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 7

Section II, Division A is “Open Rules” (Miscellaneous) Division B is “Minerals” Division C is “Lapidary” Division D is “Jewelry and Art Metalcraft” Division E is “ Educational” Division F is “Fossils” Division G is “Petrified Wood” Division H is “Scrimshaw” Division UV is “Fluorescent Minerals” I will try to answer any questions you may have concerning Competitive Exhibits. Contact me at 918-481-0249 or e-mail me at [email protected] I really urge you to consider a competitive exhibit; it would greatly enhance the quality of the show. The competitive exhibit application form can be found on the RMF website: or the American Federation Website: . Hope to see you in Tulsa in July.

An Unintended Consequence Shirley Leeson, ALAA President

he January annual meeting of ALAA at Quartzsite was a resounding success! This after we found out our two key T note speakers cancelled! Who stepped up? First it was Jack Caufield, ALAA’s representative for Quartzsite and who issued the formal comments on the La Posa Travel Management Plan. This was basically the issue that had brought the people to the meeting, the closure of roads in the BLM area surrounding Quartzsite. In addressing his concerns, he made the public aware of what was going on under the cover of fun during the hectic days of ‘the Quartzsite experience’. Many went away with a clearer picture of the roll of the BLM and the public lands they ‘manage’, and do not forget, you must make ‘comments’ when they are asked for, and saying ‘I don’t want the roads closed isn’t going to cut it.”

Next to step up was Harry Baker, President of Califor- nia Off Road Vehicle Assn (CORVA). Harry has spoken to us in the past on the need for off road and rockhounds to work together to keep all the roads open on public lands. Stressing that we may have litigation in our future in order to keep the roads open. Harry is special because he comes from a rockhound background and also leads a successful off-road organization.

Kim Campbell Erb is an ALAA Board member and also a member of the California BLM Desert Advisory Council where she works to support open space and multiple use of our Desert. Please see an article elsewhere on what may be in store for rockhounds if the BLM get a permit and fee process in place.

Jack Johnston, of South Jordan, Utah, a prominent member of the Utah Off Road organization. Jack also joined ALAA recently to coordinate their group with ALAA.

Helen Baker, Harry’s wife, a well known person in her own right on off -road issues, and a strong opponent of the Marines taking Johnson Valley away and expanding their base even further, spoke last. She had a number of talking points on how to deal with the government. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 8

The most important piece of information was to make yourself invaluable to legislators and their staff. Offer to help, give history and background on pending legislature and land issues. Make yourself known to the Forest Service and BLM in your area. Make yourself the ‘go to person’ on land issues. And, we also learned from the audience, that there have been interesting events for the miners in the Quartzsite area. Steve Hunt, a local miner, has been in touch with us since the meeting. With suggestions from us, he was able to reach the right person to have the BLM rangers stop the harass- ment of him staying on his mining claim. More on this later. What we all came away with was there were a lot of angry and concerned citizens who don’t know what to do and need direction; and we also learned that there were far more off- road people there than rockhounds who attended this important meeting. Go figure.

Unless we can all unite and work together, we will loose everything we hold near and dear - rockhound field trips on public lands. To get your club involved in the ALAA, go to www.amlands.org and complete the membership form.

The ALAA is a 501(c)(4) organization. Its purpose is promoting and ensuring the rights of the amateur hobby collecting, recreational prospecting and mining, and the use of public and private lands f, government regulators, and public land managers. Contribu- tions to or educational and recreational purposes; and to carry the voice of all amateur collectors and hobbyists to our elected offi- cialsthe ALAA are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Tax purposes.

AFMS Rockhound of the Year (ACROY) by Bill Cain, Chair

Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society Frank and Eloise “Ellie” Rosenberg serve on the CSMS Board of Directors, Ellie as the editor of the CSMS newsletter, Pick&Pack, and Frank as a member-at-large. They also serve as the CSMS Librarians. Frank and Ellie have been associ- ated with CSMS since the mid 90’s and became active members again in 2008. They are both interested in and belong to the CSMS Crystal and Lapidary subgroups. Ellie is beginning to learn jewelry making. Frank enjoys taking pictures of many of the club’s activities for the Pick & Pack. Both have been chairing the club’s Silent Auctions for the past several years. The Silent Auctions raises money for scholarships and education. Frank and Ellie are active volunteers at the Denver Mu- seum of Nature and Science, working in both the geology lab and the Interactive Explora- tion Rocks and Mineral Station. Frank became hooked on rockhounding, when as a child in 1955, spent a couple of weeks at a dude ranch in Cook City, Montana where he found his first piece of petrified wood with druzy quartz crystals. Frank and Ellie became more serious collectors when in the early 70’s while still living in New York, they collected smoky quartz crystals with an experienced collector friend at Moat Mountain, New Hampshire. That same year saw their first collecting in Colorado using a borrowed copy of Richard M. Pearl’s book “Colorado Gem Trails and Mineral Guide”. They still recall the experience of visiting such places as the Sedalia Copper Mine and the Hartsel Barite Mine in a rented Ford LTD since a jeep was not available. Frank had to promise the rental agent it would not be used off road. Since then, Frank and Ellie have collected from coast to coast in this country including collecting Tour- maline at the Stewart lithium mine, Pala CA, Fluorite in Safford, AZ, Selenite Crystals in Jet, OK, Garnet in ME as well as Amethyst in Thunder Bay, Canada, Labradorite, in North River, Labrador, “Green Stone”(Jade) on the beaches of Hokiti- ka, New Zealand, and Fluorite from the Ana Mine, Berbes, Spain.

Topeka Gem & Mineral Society Marjorye Heeney no doubt is a true rockhound. All though she may not go out to hunt rocks like the rest of us, she does buy many, many of our grab bags throughout the year. She enjoys giving these bags to children and adults, and most of the time she does not even know the people, but she enjoys seeing their reaction when they discover the different types of rocks or fossils inside the bags. She talks to the adults about the Topeka Gem & Mineral Society and about the educational values the children and adults can learn by joining the club. Marjorye Heeney is a “Great Ambassador” for The Topeka Gem & Mineral Society, and we are honored to nominate her for AFMS Rockhound of the Year.

Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 9

Lake George Gem & Mineral Club The Lake George Gem & Mineral Club has selected and hereby nominated Bob Carnein to be our 2014 AFMS Rock- hound of the Year. Bob is a retired professor of geology and helps Steven Veatch, an active professor of geology, to help plan field trips, and the learning plan or curriculum for each club during the academic year. At the present time, Bob is trying to help Veatch start a Pebble Pups club in Canyon City. Twice a month, for four hours, Bob spends time at the Cripple Creek District Museum where he photographs, identifies, and helps Steven Veatch on a project catalogs the entire collection using archival methods that may be put online so that the museum has wider circulation and be- comes scientifically quite value. Bob serves with Steven Veatch and other Lake George Club members as a science fair judge at the Lake George Charter School. Bob has helped Steve edit, review, and improve so many of the written work of the pebble pups. His work has enabled their writing to be published in local newspapers, magazines, and international journals. The Pebble Pup Program at CSMS and the Lake George Gem and Mineral Club would not nearly be as effective as they are without Bob. Bob is a true blessing to the hobbyists of both clubs. Junior AFMS Rockhounds of the Year Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society We nominate Zach Sepulveda as the 2014 Junior AFMS Rockhound of the Year from the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society. Zach was selected for this honor because of the many things he does to further our hobby in support of the Pebble Pups and Earth Scholars. In March of this year, presented a poster at the Ice Age Symposium held by the Western Interior of Paleontology at the Colorado School of Mines. His paper and artwork also appeared in the programs and abstracts of the symposium. In October Zach was the presenting author on a paper about preliminary research on fossil wood found up to 3 feet in the depths of the Cripple Creek Volcanic complex. Zach presented the paper at the 125th anniversary of the Geologi- cal Society of America's Annual Meeting. This is the professional conference where geoscientists announce and present a talk on their findings. Zach's conference room was quite crowded due to the unusual nature of his subject. Zach had just turned 16. Furthermore, Zach was a co-author on a second paper that was presented at the same convention by Steven Veatch, a geoscientist and leader of the Pikes Peak Pebble Pups. An article appeared in Rock and Gem magazine about this accomplishment. Zach was one of the contributing authors on a paper about an update on the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District at the New Mexico Mineral Symposium at the New Mexico Mining and Technology Institute at Socorro, New Mexico. Zach co-presented the paper with Steven Veatch. Zach's name was listed in the program and abstract of the symposium. Zach's name was also included in the publication of the expanded abstract of this presentation in the scientific, peer-reviewed New Mexico Geology journal. Zach and some of the other Pebble Pups were invited to meet with the local newspaper, the Gazette, for an interview. The Gazette serves El Paso County, the largest county in El Paso County. The Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society's Pebble Pups has a 17-year-old-student who is deaf and mute. Zach is skilled in signing and works at each meeting to be sure this student understands and enjoys his experience at our meetings. Zach will be helping him with attending our field trips starting this spring. Zach has contributed a number of research articles, artwork, and earth science poetry. Zach is being considered as an artist-in-residence at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument for 2014. Zach has helped with all of the field trips to ensure the younger pups are safe and find things. He is very kind to and sup- portive of all of the pebble pups. Zach has helped with the public outreach programs of the Pikes Peak Pebble Pups that include:  The Science Olympiad at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs  Territory Days at Old Colorado City  Family Geology Days: Western Museum of Mining and Industry  Speaker at the Denver Gem Show 2013  Cool Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Zach spoke at the "Teaching Outside the Box" conference at the University of Denver this last week. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 10 Junior AFMS Rockhounds of the Year (cont’d) Lake George Gem & Mineral Club The LGGMC would like to nominate three of our outstanding Pepple Pups to be our co-nominees for the 2014 Junior AFMS Club Rockhounds of the Year.

Ciena Higginbotham is a Pebble Pup with the Lake George Gem and Mineral Club. She has continually met deadlines on articles about our hobby for six months. With each article, she has been assigned a project of original artwork to go with the article. Ciena attends the club regularly and has brought new pebble pups to the meetings. Ciena is being considered as an artist-in-residence along with Zach Sepulveda at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument for 2014. [Note: If Zach and Ciena become artists-in-residence at the Florissant Fossil Beds National, it would be the first time teens have held this prestigious position in the national park service. Zach would work on poetry; Ciena would do artwork and poetry. They are also expected to conduct an outreach session at the park about their work, ex- plain how it was created, and perform readings/showings while Baroque music plays serenely in the background and servers provide finger food.] Ciena has been published many times in the local newspaper.

Jerrod Gallup and Nathan Gallup, fraternal twins, are strong supporters of the Lake George Gem and Mineral Club. Both boys are in 3rd grade. They came to Cool Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to help with the public outreach. Jerrod Gallup wrote a one-page article about a mineral that included a haiku poem. An international magazine was so impressed, not only with the work, but the idea. The editors now want it to be a regular column, so we have to hustle around to line up all of the pebble pups from both clubs to create their page and be sure they meet the deadline. Jerrod was honored at his elementary school with his principal present and a reporter from the local newspaper. In the next publication his brother's column will be published, when we will repeat the process where Nathan will be handed the magazine with his article in front of the school principal. We will also have the newspaper reporter there and a member of the Teller County Board of Commissioners who will represent the people of Teller County.

Jerrod Nathan

Earth Science Poems from Colorado Pebble Pups & Earth Scholars

The clumps of crystal Gold in the river So you may want to catch it That are in a pegmatite The clumps of crystal Patience always pays Waiting to be found That are in a pegmatite Waiting to be found

Poet bio: Luke Nielsen is 9 years old and lives in Colorado Springs with his family of six. He is in third grade at The Classical Academy where his favorite subject is science. Luke enjoys rock hounding and his favorite mineral is amazonite. He also enjoys reading and creating new in- ventions. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 11

There it stands silent A magnificent red rock Will it ever move

Poet’s bio: Reed Noller is 11 years old and in 5th

grade. His favorite subject in school is Art, and he attends his school art club. Outside of school, Reed

loves to play hockey and learn about rocks in the

Balanced Rock in Garden of the Colorado Springs Pebble Pups. Gods, Colorado Springs. Vintage postcard from the Pebble Pup Col- lection. Note steps chiseled into the rock. The steps are gone today.

Caution Thrown Away

The promise of life Of a slow, fiery demise? In this oozing, Caution thrown away black morass The fateful leap is taken Is naught but a lie At first, there is warmth A sickly sweet seduction And mountains of food to eat

That I can never escape Just like I had wished The primeval cold But my footing slips Eating at my weary bones It's all to soon, all at once Never goes away All I had is gone That deadly warm temptation Never to be seen again

It beckons ever stronger By the bright eyes of my kin A victim-less crime Eons pass me by To eat what's already dead As my charred remains are raised Lying at my feet Slowly to the sun I shall be cherished by man Just a little jump across And my spirit lives in him

That roiling promise of death Is it worth it now? Note: The poet is experimenting The trial in search of warmth? with Tanka, a classical Japa- Of a full stomach? nese poetic form that consists of This vintage postcard shows a Smilodon sneaking up on a prey animal that is 5 lines generally following the Is what I gain worth the risk stuck in the tars of the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, CA. This postcard pattern on these numbers of is part of the Pebble Pup postcard collection. There is no copyright. syllables: 5-7-5-7-7. Zach has expanded the traditional Tanka to 7 stanzas.

Poet’s bio: Zachary Sepulveda recently moved to the Pikes Peak region from San Diego, CA. He became interested in paleontology by visiting the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles as often as he could. He is a junior member of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society and is part of the Pikes Peak Pebble Pups and Earth Science Scholars Program. Zach is 16 years old and is in 11th grade at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 12

Learning about space Is amazing and is cool Home: The Milky Way

Poet’s bio: Caden Rothzeid is an 8 year-old, 3rd grader from Explorer Elementary school. He loves robotics, earth sciences, building with Legos, and being active in Boy Scouts. Caden just won 1st place in the Bears Cub Scout Den in the 2014 Pinewood Derby race. He enjoys helping his dad take apart computers, playing video games on his iPod, especially MineCraft, and he love setting up traps and alarms with his Spy Gear. He is also enjoyed Chess Club and Student Council at school this year.

A Postcard from Siberia by Julie Shimon, Colo. Sprgs Mineralogical Soc.

hen you are nine years old receiving mail is always exciting; perhaps even more so when it’s a highly anticipat- W ed postcard, handmade, and coming to you from an unexpected friend in Russia. There is a really great story behind Jack's most recent mail delivery. Last summer Jack wrote a story about a lecture on Nasutuceratops titusi. Of all the images available online of this interesting dinosaur his favorite was one created by Andrey Atuchin, an artist in Rus- sia. We sought permission to use his artwork and then weeks later Jack was back on email to Andrey asking permission to interview about his profession.

That interview became one of Jack’s favorite writing projects ever. Not only did he learn about a very interesting job—natural history illustrator—but he also got a glimpse into the life of Andrey and his family in Russia. Since the interview we have remained in touch and the opportunity came up again to work on a project together. Jack’s school is doing a project to collect postcards from different states and countries. We asked Andrey if he’d like to do a postcard trade. For our part, it was simple to find some fun postcards of Colorado landmarks and write notes and draw pictures (Jack’s sister) and send them to Russia. Andrey, however, was a great sport when he replied that he’d love to trade postcards but since he couldn’t get one in Kemerovo he was going to make one for Jack!!

As you can imagine, this was one piece of mail we couldn’t wait for. Andrey said it took two weeks for the delivery to arrive from Moscow for him to get started. That delivery was a beautiful photo of a snowy Siberia, taken by a photographer friend of Andrey’s who lives near Baikal Lake in Siberia. The other side of the card contains Andrey’s original artwork. When Andrey emailed that his postcard was Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society Pebble Pup in the mail to Jack we settled in to be patient. Little did we know that while it Jack Shimon displaying his postcard from his paleon- tologist friend who lives in Siberia, Russia. The card took two weeks for the photo to travel within Siberia, it only took one week for it is from Andrey Atuchin who is also a paleo artist. to go from Moscow, across the ocean, and into our mailbox!! Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 13

Concerns for South Dakota National Grasslands – Again! By Jan Baumeister, RMFMS SD PLAC & ALAA Rep

ince 1980, we rock club members, later joined by cattlemen and other organizations of people who use our Federal S land, started fighting to keep total wilderness designation out of the most scenic areas of the Buffalo Gap Grass- lands areas, namely Indian Creek, Red Shirt, and original Fairburn beds east of Hermosa. These areas are highly desired for hunting our State Agate, the Fairburn. The original Fairburn Agate allotment east of Hermosa became instant wilderness when the Forest Service closed all trails except one mile with a turn-around trail north of the picnic site 15 miles east of Fairburn! You may view the beautiful scenic area of Indian Creek with just one stop on the mesa overlooking this huge valley. Hundreds of buttes, formed with grey Pierre Shale at the bottom, different layers of soil a deep gold or a shade of dark pink, topped with white clay and cedar trees may be seen. You can look across the miles while viewing the dry creek bed coming out of the badlands draining to the Cheyenne River. The Forest Service put in a nice rock trail down this steep ‘Cardiac Hill’, bull- dozed a new trail with sloped creek crossings southward for 8 miles, and have been doing a great job of keeping the trail main- tained after floods. This is what wilderness groups have been trying to turn into a land prison to keep out only those who cannot hike for miles or can’t afford the luxury of owning or renting horses to enjoy agate hunting, photography, and activities enjoyed by families. Red Shirt area has beautiful Fairburn Agates of a rare color combination and well-known variety of highly agatized wood in the badland buttes and drainage creeks. The public has an opportunity to ask for re- opening of certain trails presently closed this winter for new Forest Service trail evaluations! Attending a recent public meeting of one of the fifty wilderness organizations, I learned that there is a proposed draft being drawn up for a Conservation Management Area Designation bill to be presented to SD Senator Tim Johnson. He tried in 2010, with the backing of over 50+ of these wilderness organizations, but the bill never came to a vote thanks to the use of these areas for military training, especially for the helicopters. This organization voiced because this is Senator Johnson’s last year in office, the wilderness groups are trying one more attempt to close this land! It takes a full SD State Delegation to pass such a bill. The only difference in a Wilderness bill and their future proposed Conservation Management Plan is their idea of healthy conservation emphasis to meet the land’s dominant uses, just livestock grazing and primitive recreation allowed and-no motorized vehicle use, which in- cludes ATVs the ranchers use! The spokesperson said there are a dozen ranchers targeted to change their opinions against the present regulations set by the Forest Service! Worried about various public influences, they are trying to halt the various usages of our government land. They state that Forest Service receives “on-going requests for special uses, increased use of ORV’s, filming crews”, etc., and “military training exercises could resume”. National Guard training still may presently be halted by a lawsuit from one of these wilderness organizations this past year stating their “concern about uranium in this soil”. Yet, they are not concerned about letting Canada Mining Corporation’s workers using a deep aquifer to wash out uranium pollution near Edgement in southwestern Black Hills. Our National Grasslands belong to every citizen in the United States. No matter what state you live in, you can stop any future legislation ahead of time and protect the future of our major Fairburn Agate Beds! Outdoor organizations and rock clubs can provide information to their members, and pass the word to the outdoor groups and their headquarter federations via newsletters or local newspapers. Urge everyone to write/call/e-mail our South Dakota Congressmen asking them NOT to allow proposed wilderness bills to be registered and passed in the Senate for Indian Creek and Red Shirt areas of Buffalo Gap Grasslands, South Dakota. The more contact calls they receive before a future proposed bill, the better! SD Senator Tim Johnson, http://johnson.senate.gov (292) 222-5842 or (800) 537-0025 SD Senator Tom Thune, http:thune.senate.gov (202-224-2321 or (800)850-3855 SD State Representative, http:noem.house.gov (202)-235-2801 or (855)-225-2801

Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 14

Rocks Andrew Alden, www.about.com used with permission

he world is full of sayings and proverbs. Here are a few that spring from the qualities of geological things: rocks, riv- T ers, and mountains. Most of these come from special-dictionary.com, but some are edited. That's OK because so many of these sayings are translated, and also because everyone who speaks a proverb says it their own way and makes it their own. Proverbs based on rocks refer to both the objective and symbolic qualities of stones—their permanence and resistance; their weight, inertness, and contrast to living things; their imperviousness, obstruction, and infertility; their strength, passivity and stolidity; their anonymity, single-mindedness, and monotony. Geologists know these things about rocks, but they also know rocks as tellers of stories and sensitive recorders of the conditions that created them. Compared to other people, geologists are rock whisperers. If there's one central saying in geology, it's this: "The best geologist is the one who has seen the most rocks."  Eggs have no business dancing with stones. (Various)  United we are a rock, divided we are sand. (African)  Show no fear to the man who picks up a big stone. (Arab)  You can't get blood from a stone. (Various)  The ship that won't obey the rudder will obey the rocks instead. (European)  A rock in the middle of the sea is never afraid of the rain. (African)  Slander won't destroy an honest person: when the flood recedes the rock is there. (Chinese)  The stone in the water does not know how hot the hill is, parched by the sun. (Nigerian)  If a man believes in a stone, that stone will serve him well. (Arab)  Even the stone you trip on is part of your destiny. (Japanese)  A rock offered by a friend is like an apple. (Sicilian)  A rolling stone gathers no moss. (European)  Those who remove mountains begin by taking away pebbles. (Various)  Men trip not on mountains, they stumble on stones. (Chinese)  You buy land, you buy stones; you buy meat, you buy bones. (African)  Insults must be written in sand and compliments carved in stone. (Arab)  What is learned in youth is carved in stone. (Various)  Water wears away the hardest rock. (Various)

Field Trip Twelve Essentials by Dean Norman, eTumbler 6/13; via The Hard Rock News, 4/13; via The Clackamette Gem 4/14

1. Matches & Lighter - Use “Strike-anywhere” matches. Whatever you do, don’t use “Strike-on-box’ matches.” It is impossible to light “Strike-onbox” matches on anything other than the special striker strip on the box. Once you have the “Strike-anywhere” matches, place the matches in a waterproof case—small plastic waterproof match containers sold at sporting goods stores work fine—and include a striker. A piece of emery board makes a good striker. In very wet conditions, you’ll want to have a dry striker along with your matches. When you need a fire, you don’t want to mess around trying to light matches on wet rocks. Matches, which weigh nothing and easily fit in your pocket, are one of your most important survival tools. Not only does fire allow you to survive a cold, miserable night, but it is an important moral booster as well. Also, bring a Bic Lighter, it can double as a fire starter to light the matches if the lighter flame gets low. 2. Fire Starter Tinder - Always include fire starter with matches. Always. There are times when even the best woods- man or woodswoman will not be able to make a fire without it. Fire starter assures that you can get fire going quickly, no matter how bad the conditions. Place some fire starter in your pack, but also put a small chunk of fire starter along with your matches and a striker in a waterproof case. Toilet Paper (dry) can also be a good fire starter. Another good fire starter is cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly, then placed in a zip lock bag, will light even when wet. 3. Map - Many people who have been rescued could have easily gotten themselves out of trouble by simply having a good map along. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 15

4. Compass - Even if you carry a GPS device, you still need a compass. Although, GPS units provide a reasonably accurate fix of your location, they do not provide accurate bearings. If you know how to follow a compass bearing, you can guide yourself out of thickly forested areas, featureless winter landscapes, foggy sagebrush areas, etc. 5. Flashlight, Extra Batteries and Bulb - A flashlight—or better yet, a headlight—is another one of those tools, like a map, that is simple and cheap insurance. Should night overtake you, it gives you the ability to find your way back to the trailhead. The Glow-Stick is another good light source. It is not good for finding trails in the dark, but is a useful light for overnights. 6. Extra Food & Water - Having extra food and water is critical in emergency situations. It helps ward off- hypothermia in cold, wet weather, and it keeps you thinking clearly in a crisis. Bring along a granola bar, or energy bars, just a couple will help. A small water container can be refilled when crossing streams. 7. Extra Clothing - Even if it’s a sunny day and you’re on a short day hike, you should carry at least a rain poncho. It keeps you dry and also serves as wind protection. A good hat (wool or pile) stocking hat is also high on the list of extra clothing since a large amount of body heat is lost through the head and neck area. When decid- ing what to take, stay away from cotton which is worthless when wet. 8. First Aid Kit - Be prepared for emergencies. Carry basic first aid supplies such as sterile gauze and pads, band- aids, moleskin, etc. 9. Pocket Knife - With a pocket knife—a multi purpose Swiss Army knife is ideal—you can make field repairs, shave branches to make kindling, punch holes to repair a tarp, cut nylon cord, etc. 10. Whistle - Yelling doesn’t go as far as a whistle. You can blow in a whistle all night long without getting tired, but if you yelled all night, you will most likely become horse and not able to answer anyone calling that’s looking for you. 11. Hand Held Radio - A Talk-About, Midland or similar hand held radio, where everyone in the party is on the same channel and frequency code. People back at camp not going on the field trip should also have one and know the channel and check in times. Cell phones usually do not work well in the woods and do not always receive a tower. 12. Shelter - When all is considered, the best way of surviving wet or snowy nights is to have some type of roof over your head and a dry floor under you. One of the best shelter options is a combination of a lightweight nylon poncho, nylon cord and a lightweight space blanket. The poncho can be tied to trees or placed over a rudi- mentary snow shelter to keep out wind and weather—and in a pinch it doubles as a rain jacket. Use a nylon poncho or tarp. Avoid plastic ponchos and tarps. They rip easily and become brittle in cold weather. For a dry floor underneath you, a lightweight space blanket is a good choice. They are inexpensive, light, and aren’t much larger than the size of a bar of soap. Since such lightweight space blankets, however, can tear easily, they are best used as a floor and not depended upon as a tarp over your head.

There is Nothing Wrong with Us! Did you ever stop and think, It is hard for them to comprehend, And perhaps analyze. The joy we all derive. How ridiculous our hobby looks, From fellowship, and the great outdoors, Through other peoples’ eyes? And to just be alive!

A group of grown-up people, The unknowing ones may scoff and jeer, In a field on hands and knees, They just don’t understand. With noses nearly to the ground, That each of us is rich, indeed, Raised rumps is all one sees. With prizes from our land.

Or this same group of people, So if they think we’re slightly daft, Lugging sacks filled up with rocks. Or perhaps one rock short. It’s no wonder that the uniformed, They are the losers, because we know, Think we have “Rock-Pox”. Our hobby is a great sport. From Rock Chips, 10/13, via Rock Talk, 4/14 And when they see us fairly drool, Over someone else's find. Is it any wonder that they think, That we have lost our mind?

Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 16

Just Passing Through by Matthew Durning, The Voice, March, 2014

don’t remember how or when I collected a dozen rock hound collecting site books of New Mexico and surrounding I States but I have them. They have a special section in my bookcase along with periodicals of geological interest. There are also some of such intricate specialized interest, that when I attempt to read them I turn into a cow looking at a new gate and awaken sometime in the future. But if seen by others on my shelf, what awe they would have of me! Each glance of these books is followed by the learned mantra “they’ve all been picked over, not worth going there.” This mantra, again, is learned from others, not by actual experience. One such book, “Rock Collecting Near Lordsburg, New Mexico”, by David Mullis is one of my favorite publications. Glancing through it, it has first-hand accounts of collecting at these sites and hand-drawn maps. It is intriguing by its intimacy with the area and information. As I thumbed through it, on cue, “they’ve been picked over, not worth going there,” tumbled from my mouth. I felt like a lemming rushing towards the cliff. So I decided to see for myself. Perhaps lofty for me, I decided to go to each site and see for myself; no rush, as I like to say. Illustration - Not the actual map I mentioned this to Al, my rockhound friend from Las Cruces, NM. He immediately seized on the idea and put my feet to the fire. In no particular order, we choose the site “111 Ranch”, page 15 to try first. After that, we were going to the “Constellation Mine”, page 34. After driving several hours to the “111 Ranch” on route 70 North of Wilcox Arizona, we pulled off into the collecting area as shown on the map. This is vast open remote desert area of rolling hills, dry washes, gullies, and flat lands. The book indicated we could find rhyolite, petrified wood, and bone. The roads into and around the area are very good. We drove a couple of miles in and scouted large areas on foot. Finding nothing but a few scattered chalcedony piece,s we drove and walked on and on and on. We did not find anything the author found; we don’t doubt it’s there but not where we were looking. It took some of the wind out of my theory, but we agreed it had not been picked over; it was just more elu- sive than other areas. We drove back towards Lordsburg, NM on Rt. 70, turning off onto the Red Rock road Rt. 464. I had been there a couple of times before and collected great specimens and several scars, but that’s another story. The “Constellation” psilomelane mines are a group of approximately 10 mine sites that circle a small group of low mountains. The road to the parking area is good but stop and walk from there because it’s extreme 4X4 from there on, ok for an ATV. The trail by all the mines, winds around the mountain, and it’s worth exploring. There are open pits and an open mine that went 45 degrees into forbidding darkness. We spent a few hours there before it got dark and slept in Lordsburg that night. It is a good camping spot, too. We then returned the next morning.

Psilomelane to me is a fascinating mineral. To others it is a dirty blackening plague to lapidary equipment. I sought out the “agatized” variety that polishes up to a metallic shine with agate banding. I found a few pieces after a lot of looking and exploring. Definitely not picked over there. After filling our bags, the wind began to howl so we left. From there we drove back through Lordsburg onto Animas St. We continued approximately 8 miles to the “Lordsburg Fluorite” area. This area has several mines that appear to line up with what must be a long, wide fluorite vein. The author talks about finding octagonal cubes of fluorite rather than the cubic. Be prepared to dig down 6 inches to locate them. We dug a few areas in the hills, and it was promising. We did find dark green fluorite but not in the sought after octagonal cubes. This area is definitely a whole day area. The setting sun and fatigue got to me, and we pulled out and returned to Las Cruces.

Well, that’s three down out of twenty seven sites. Several I’ve been to before, but I guess I have to return to, just to prove the critics wrong, it’s not picked over ‘till we say it’s picked over.

Wyoming in 2015!!

he Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies approved Cody, Wyoming as the site of the 2015 RMFMS T Convention and Rock Show. The Wyoming State Mineral and Gem Society (WSMGS) will host the RMFMS Conven- tion and the WSMGS State Rock Show will be hosted by the Cody 59ers Rock Club and the Shoshone Rock Club. The dates for the 2015 RMFMS Convention will be July 16, 2015-July 18, 2015. Stan Strike WSMGS President (307-250-1244)

Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 17

SOAPSTONE From The Glacial Drifter Apr. 2014

he Chinese have treasured soapstone for centuries and used it to carve their delicate figurines. The Eskimos use it T to make lamps and cooking pots. In ancient Babylon, it was used to make signet rings and other items of jewelry. In North America, the early pioneers used it to make laundry tubs. But this is not why it is called soapstone. The mineral gets its name because the waxy polished surface looks and feels like soap. Geologists classify soapstone as a hydrous magnesium silicate and call it 'steatite', a mineral related to talc. Its main ingredients are magnesium oxide, silicone, and moisture. It is one of the softest of stones, easily carved with a knife. Its colors may be pearly or bluish gray, milky white, or pastel yellow. A few rare samples are a vivid apple green. Some are opaque, others are translucent like foggy glass. Since early times, artists have treasured its lovely colors and soft carve-able qualities. It makes durable linings for boilers and electric furnaces because it insulates both heat and electricity. It resists all stain and corrosion, and is used for laboratory table tops. As a filler ingredient, powdered soapstone gives body to certain papers and paints and a spreading quality to face powder. Soapstone is classified as a metamorphic rock, a mineral completely altered from its original form by tremendous forces within the earth's crust. The original form was mostly like lava, rich in magnesium and silicates fused in the furnace of some ancient volcano. For ages it was buried amid the seething activity of growing mountains. Steaming underground water and enormous pressures gradually remodeled and refined its texture. The original mineral was metamorphosed, completely changed into something quite different. The various colors were added traces of magnetite, chlorite, mica and other ingredients that seeped into the recipe. Considering its long history of hardships, it is not surprising that soapstone has learned how to resist heat, electricity, and corrosive acids. But, it is surprising that the lovely soft material is not marred by its past experiences. Most of the world's steatite minerals are mined in North America, and both soapstone and talc, its somewhat softer rela- tive, are found in the western mountains of California. More massive deposits are in the Appalachians. Near Schuyler, Virginia, the soapstone mines are along a belt 30 miles long and occur in blocks, some thicker than 300 feet and more than 1500 feet long. Source: via The Agate Picker, Pebble Pusher, Smoke Signals, and ROCK CHIPS

If you have a soapstone carving which has begun to look a little dull, heat the object in the sunlight, and while it is still warm, apply paste wax. Rubbing should restore the soft luster. This same treatment can be used for an emergency touchup of a jade bracelet. An electric light bulb, or other moderate heat source, may be used instead of the sun. Source: via Rockbound Roundup, Pebble Pusher, Smoke Signals, and ROCK CHIPS To polish soapstone, cut the shape desired with a hand saw. Carve to shape with a knife. Sand with 200 - 400 grit sand- paper. Smooth with 000 steel wool. Heat in strong sunlight or warm oven until warm to the touch. Rub with clear paste wax while talc is still warm. Source: via Diggin's-from Dakota, via other bulletins, via PROSPECTORS PICKINGS; all was reprinted from The Glacial Drifter March 1983

Sep. 5-7, San Juan Mountains Mineral Symposium, Ouray, CO; lectures and field trips; sponsored by Friends of Mineralogy, Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, and the Friends of the CSM Geology Museum. You can see more info about it on the FM-Colorado Chapter website, http://friendsofmineralogycolorado.org/, and a LOT more on the symposium's new Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ouray-Silverton-San-Juan-Mountains- Mineral-Symposium/ 224883727702374 It will be held at the Elks Lodge in downtown Ouray; there will be an icebreaker reception and keynote talk there on Friday evening, Saturday lectures from a selected group of presenters who are very knowledgeable about San Juan’s geology, mining history, and minerals; a Saturday eve. dinner and talk (the two evening presentations will be of special "general interest", one on geologic history, one on mining history), and a choice of field trips on Sunday, plus directions for more self- guided field trips on Monday or whatever future time you may choose to do them. Registration cost will be about $60 (banquet will be extra). This will be a busy time of the year in Ouray so as soon as you decide to come, making lodging reservations well in advance is definitely recommended. We already have about 40 people who have expressed interest in attending the symposium (we're not quite yet taking formal reservations or payments), and we expect at least 100 to attend; the capacity of the meeting room is 150. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 18

Is Your Computer Male or Female? by Joe Yablonski, 6/98 Ripple Rock Bugle (BC)

hips have long been characterized as female, e.g.,"steady as she goes" and "she's listing to starboard". Recent- S ly, a group of computer scientists (all males) announced computers ALSO should be referred to as being female. Reasons to believe computers are female:  No one but the Creator understands their internal logic.  Native language used to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to others.  "Bad command/file name" is as informative as "YOU KNOW why I'm furious-with you!"  Even small mistakes are stored in long term memory for immediate retrieval.  As soon as you commit to one, you spend half your paycheck on accessories for it. Another group of computer scientists (all female) think computers should be referred to as “male”. Reasons to believe computers are male:  Lots of data, but are still clueless,  Supposed to help solve problems, but half the time, they ARE the problem!  As soon as you commit to one, you realize -if you waited- you could have obtained a better one.  To even "get their attention", you have to turn them on.  Power surges shut them out for the night. Via El Gambrisino, Feb 2014 I’m ready for the show; are you? Rock On at the Show!

To have your RMFMS member club sponsored events listed here, email Shows, June 6-8, 2014 Colorado Springs, CO bettycain3 @comcast.net. You may include other info about your Annual Pikes Peak Gem & Mineral Show, Western Muse- show if you wish but will only be printed as space permits. Events & um of Mining & Industry, USAF Academy North Gate Exit All RMFMS clubs are also encouraged to register their event listings on of I-25; contact Kim Packham, 719-360-0665, run- the RMFMS web site at: www.rmfms.org. Email your submissions to [email protected] the Webmaster at [email protected]. June 21-22, 2014 Victor, CO May 2-4, 2014 McPherson KS The second annual Gem & Mineral Show sponsored by the South- McPherson Gem & Mineral Club Annual Show, 4-H Fairgrounds, ern Teller County Focus Group (STCFG) in Victor, Colorado will be 710 W. Woodside, McPherson; contact Kim Vasper, 620-241-7732, held June 21-22. in downtown historic Victor and is free to the [email protected] public; contact [email protected], or 719-689-2675. May 3, 2014 Lakewood, CO July 4-6 2014 Farmington, NM Colorado Mineral Society Annual Auction, Holy Shepherd Luther- San Juan Co. G&M Society Annual Show, Civic Center 200 W. an Church, 920 Kipling, Lakewod; contact Richard Nelson, 303-697 Arrington, Farmington; contact Mickie Calvert, 505-632-8288, [email protected] -1574, [email protected] May 3-4, 2014 Kingman, AZ July 11-13, 2014 Tulsa, OK Mohave County Gemstoners Annual Show, Kingman Academy of AFMS/RMFMS Federation Show & Convention hosted by Tulsa Learning HS, 3420 N. Burbank, Kingman; contact Mary Gann 928- Rock & Mineral Society, Tulsa Fairgrounds Park Central Park 757-8121. Hall; contacts: Finis Riggs, 918-587-4400, [email protected] or May –8-10, 2014 Logan, UT Ben Thomas, 918-557-2334, [email protected] - SEE YOU Cache Rock & Gem Club Show, Bridgerland Vocation School, 1400 THERE! N. 1000 West, Logan; contact Gary Warren, 435-720-1775, [email protected] Jul 26-27, 2014 Rapid City, SD May 16-18, 2014 Sandy, UT Western Dakota G&M Society Annual Show, Rushmore Plaza Civic Wasatch Gem Society Annual Show, Salt Lake Co. Equestrian Center, 444 Mt. Rushmore North; contact Sony Hemsher, 605-431- Park, 2100 W. 11400 South, South Jordan, UT; contact April Rob- 2755, [email protected] inson, 801-824-4984 [email protected] Jul 31-Aug 4, 2014 Tarry, MT May 23, 2014 Florissant, CO Multi-Federation Field Trip; contact Dale True, Trip Chair, 406- A night of brand-new meteor showers of comet 209P/Linear and see 670-0506, [email protected] the Milky Way at the Florissant Fossil Beds; meet at the Visitor Center, 8:30p-10p. Rocky Mountain Federation News—May 2014 Page 19

RMFMS Officers, Executive Committee, and Committee Chairpersons 2013-2014 OFFICERS Oklahoma/Arkansas 2nd Committee Member Ribbons 801.399.0785 Virgil Richards DeLane Cox Kaye Thompson [email protected] President 26815 51st St See Past President 1830 Mesita Ct. Wyoming Diane C Weir Broken Arrow, OK 74014 3rd Committee Member Colo. Springs, CO 80906 918.640.9592 Vacant 719.636.2978 2300 S Union Ave [email protected] UNIFORM RULES Roswell, NM 88203 Program Library Scholarship COMMITTEE 575-317-6146 S Dakota/Nebraska Jennifer Biddle Sandy Cannedy [email protected] Sony Hemscher 1620 Kingsway St 15071 County Rd 1170 Jim McGarvey PO Box 376 Sapulpa, OK 74016 Binger, Okla. 73009-5006 Vice President Piedmont, SD 57769 405.656.9019 See WY State Director Jeri House 918.361.1957 605.431.2755 [email protected] [email protected] Lee Whitebay, Chair 1604 Sunset Place [email protected] Publications Contest Supplies 4669 N Prentice Rd Roswell, NM 88203 Ponca City, OK 74604 Utah Beth Simmons Kim Blanton 575.622.3688 580.765.2074 Tom Burchard 1420 S. Reed 728 E. Sand Dunes Dr. [email protected] [email protected] 875 E. 4500 S. Lakewood, CO 80232 Sandy, UT 84094 Secretary S. Ogden, UT 84403 303.986.9693 801-604-1263 Peggy Maggard [email protected] B. Jay Bowman 801.479.4286 [email protected] 191 Bowman Rd 8418 SE Hwy 77 [email protected] Trophies Ponca City, OK 74601 Leon, KS 67064 Safety Robert L. Carlson 580.761.5966 316.742.3746 Wyoming Vacant See NM/TX State Director [email protected] [email protected] Jim McGarvey PO Box 116 Webmaster Jennifer Biddle Roger Burkhalter Treasurer Kinnear, WY 82516 PUBLIC LAND ADVISORY See Fossil Technical 307.856.6188 See Program Library Gene Maggard Robert Carlson [email protected] [email protected] 8418 SE Hwy 77 See NM/TX State Director Leon, KS 67064 Webmaster Contest Arizona/Nevada Jack Thompson 316.742.3746 STANDING COMMITTEES DeLane Cox Bill Jaeger 1830 Mesita Ct. [email protected] See Past President 3441 E Astro St Colo. Springs, CO 80906 Hereford, AZ 85615 Historian Circulation 719.636.2978 520.803.6590 Bill Cain SPECIAL COMMITTEES Updated 3/2/14 Cinda Kunkler [email protected] 210 NE35th St Address on page 2 Topeka, KS 66617 Convention Advisory AFMS Club Rockhound of Harry Kilb 785.286.1790 Robert L Carlson the Year Award (ACROY) 3411 Tomahawk Dr Lake Havasu City, AZ [email protected] See TX/NM State Director Bill Cain 86406 Address on page 2 Editor—Publicity 928.855.1630 PAST PRESIDENTS Betty Cain AFMS Endowment Fund [email protected] Address on page 2 DeLane Cox Colorado DeLane Cox Finance See Past President Tim Austin 8152 Spanker Ridge Dr. Robert Haines, Chair 2918 Plymouth Rd Bentonville, AR 72712 All American Club 104 S. Brookside St. Vacant Grand Junction, CO 479.254.0894 Wichita, KS 67218 81503 970.263.7404 [email protected] 316.683.9021 Boundaries [email protected] Robert L Carson Bill Smith Wayne Cox See NM/TX State Director Mike Nelson PO. Box 311 8152 Spanker Ridge Dr. See Int’l Relations Hardtner, KS 67057 Bentonville, AR 72712 Credentials 620.296.4652 479.254.0894 Vacant Kansas [email protected] [email protected] Mike Nelson Directory See Int’l Relations Fluorescent Technical Kay Waterman STATE DIRECTORS Pete Modreski 1334 N. McFarland Place Nebraska 3555 Mill St Claremore, OK 74017 Leroy Meininger Arizona/Nevada Wheat Ridge, CO 0033 918.521.4386 81 Toluca Lane Gering, NE 69341 Russ Stewart 303.425.9549 [email protected] 308.623.2661 1300 N. Matterhorn Rd [email protected] International Relations [email protected] Payson, AZ Fossil Technical Mike Nelson 928-474-9712 Roger Burkhalter 645 Popes Valley Dr New Mexico/Texas [email protected] 16560 E. Maguire Rd Colo. Springs, CO 80919 Vacant Colorado Noble, OK 73068 719.522.1608 N Dakota Beth Simmons 405.899.4260 [email protected] Rodney Hickle 1420 S. Reed [email protected] Junior Program 1631 28th Ave SW Lakewood, CO 80232 Insurance Diane C Weir Central, ND 58530 303.986.9693 Gene Maggard See President 701.794.3342 [email protected] 8418 SE Hwy 77 Long-Range Planning Oklahoma/ Kansas Leon, KS 67064 Judy Beck, Chair Arkansas Lyle Koerper 316.742.3746 See Nominations Bill Lyon 1644 Valleyview Court [email protected] 112 N. Hillcrest St Robert L. Carlson Ofcrs & State Directors Wichita, KS 67212 Lapidary Tech See NM/TX State Dir. Ada, OK 74820 316.722.7115 580.332.8666 are elected by the House Mike Snively 3rd Committee Member [email protected] [email protected] 8495 W. Starr Circle Vacant of Delegates Littleton, CO 80128 Doris Perkins New Mexico/Texas Name Badges Robert L. Carlson 720.981.0752 405 SE Ave G I Richard Jaeger 1585 Los Pueblos [email protected] Idabel, OK 74745 580.286.3133 Executive Committee 3515 E 88th St Los Alamos, NM 87544 [email protected] Mineralogical Tech Tulsa, OK 74137-2602 consists of Officers, 505.662.5534 Jim Hurlbut [email protected] S Dakota State Directors, and two illegitimusnoncarbor 2240 S Adams Jan Baumeister [email protected] Denver, CO 80210 Parliamentarian 3901 Hall St immediate Past North Dakota 303.757.0283 Gene Maggard Rapid City, SD 57702 Presidents See Treasurer Ray Oliger [email protected] 605.342.5517 516 N 20th St Nominations Permanent Address [email protected] Bismarck, ND 58501 Judy Beck, Chair Robert Carlson Utah Committee Chairs 701.223.4986 3021 E Country Club Rd See NM/TX State Director Jim Alexander are appointed by the [email protected] Saline, KS 67401 Program Competition 360 5th St President. 785.823.7069 Jennifer Biddle Ogden, UT 84404 [email protected] See Program Library

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