Looking down into the vertical shaft of 900 feet at the Cero Gordo Mine was dizzying. To think that the mine owner had recently gone down that shaft with another to install 850 feet of rope light on the same hoist equipment, originally installed over 100 years ago, is astounding. We just completed a three-week trip that began with a tour of this now closed mine near Lone Pine, California. It was part of a field trip with the Lone Pine Gem and Mineral Society, of which we are members.

The highlight of our trip was rockhounding with our friends Thomas and Riley, in Nevada. They own a gold mine that began soon after the gold rush of the 1800s. Thomas, shown above at the mine opening related many stories of playing in the mine as a child, then owned by his grandfather. We are pictured in the mine, behind us the shoot holds back tons of gold ore just waiting to be mined. Thomas is an accomplished silversmith along with credentials and accomplishments too long to mention. Here is their website if you interested in learning more about them: DeepWellDesigns.com.

I am fascinated by early American petroglyphs, pictured above. We took a side trip from our time in Cedar City, Utah to see the petroglyphs outside of Parowan. American history, culture, geography, etc. is an endless discovery that we never tire of. Three fabulous shows were in that trip as well.

We are home for almost two weeks, busy getting ready for our next show in Nipomo, California, hosted by the Orcutt Gem and Mineral Society. This is their first show in three years, due to the pandemic.

Hope to see you there.