A Rockhounding Vacation
Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico
April 8-23, 2006
By Mike Streeter
mcstreeter@charter.net
Page 8
On Wednesday, we broke camp in Deming and drove about 60 miles east to Las Cruces. We had made prior arrangements to camp at the KOA there and, after we arrived and looked around, we were glad that we did. Not only was the campground very clean and modern, but we had a panoramic view of the Messilla Valley, Las Cruces and the jagged mountains to the east. The Rio Grande River flows southward through Las Cruces on its way to the Texas/Mexico border so that the valley below was lush and green.
Looking east at Las Cruces from the KOA
After setting up camp, we decided to head about 15 miles north to the town of Radium Springs. I had told Chrissy the day before that we should take that day off from collecting, but she has learned only to listen to me when I am rested. We drove to an area west of town that is best known for fantastic banded marble. We followed a series of rocky roads to an unnamed prospect seemingly in the middle of nowhere. There was little doubt that others had come before us as the ground was littered with broken rocks.
Radium Springs Banded Marble Prospect
We spent a couple hours roaming the area and banging on rocks. Fine banded marble specimens were abundant and easy to collect as the rock broke fairly easily.
Click on specimen picture to enlarge
Just as we had discovered with the Little Florida Mountains' thundereggs, the banded marble was highly fluorescent; only this time in a variety of colors to match the different compositions of the individual bands.
Click on each specimen picture to enlarge
By busting rocks, we discovered that there were well-formed chocolate-colored calcite crystals in some of layers. This material, too, was screamingly fluorescent under short-wave ultraviolet light.
Opal really seemed to take to the desert environment and I know that Chrissy enjoyed the dry heat and gentle breezes.
Chrissy and Opal Streeter
I've never met a dog more photogenic than our Opal. It almost seems like she purposely poses for pictures, like a doggie model. Look out Lassie, Opal is in the house!
Opal Streeter on Banded Marble Boulders
Since we had gotten a late start, the day seemed to end way too fast. Taking time to "smell the roses", we stopped at a couple high spots on our way back out to enjoy the scenery.
Dona Ana County, New Mexico
Dona Ana County, New Mexico
We drove back to the KOA and enjoyed a hearty supper. The night view to the east capped off a great day.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Report continued . . . . . . .
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