Another fun time and a first for me, was had when I attended the 2nd annual Crystal Ball Mineral Show as a helper for Scott, who would be attending as a return dealer. Truly I had no idea what to expect and I kept my mind open. In the end, I had one of the single funest evenings I've ever had. We set-up the show as a group and torn it down just the same and by the time I got back to my room, it was 4:00 a.m. But more importantly, my face hurt from smiling, what a fun time! Good job Brandy and Justin ( http://www.the-vug.com )!
On Friday, the 2nd of February, I made my trek to attend my friend Dave Waisman's, Westward Look Mineral Show ( http://www.westwardminerals.com ). As we've all come to expect, there were some all out breathtakingly beautiful mineral specimens on display and it was thrilling walking from room to room. For my trip to the show, I make an early morning of it and celebrate breakfast at the resort's Gold Room restaurant ( http://www.westwardlook.com/restaurants.aspx ). I absolutely love their french toast and if you'd consider, request an order with only half the regular peanut butter, you'll love it! At the show, there were several rooms that seemed to really stand out, foremost among these was Kevin Wards, Exceptional Minerals room ( http://www.exceptionalminerals.com ). There Kevin's native elements suite was just flat over the top exceptional! I particularly was smitten with his massive silver ingots, authenticated artifacts from the famous Spanish treasure ship, the Nuestra Senora De Atocha ( http://www.exceptionalminerals.com/tucson2007-13.htm ). Another room with its own buzz was Wayne Thompson's. Wayne has just recently released a new book titled, Ikons, through the folks at the Mineralogical Record ( http://www.minrec.org/bookdetail.asp?id=42 ) and he was busy signing copies at a feverish pace. It was nice to see him so happy and smiling. As always, the Westward Look Show never disappoints.
Later back in my own room, the day went by seemingly way too fast as usual. One of the high points of my day occurred later in the afternoon when friends stopped by to share some of their newest treasures. They had a wonderful twinkle in their eye as they held out their treasure and breathless, I was amazed! Before me was a wonderful selection of silky shimmering colored pearls. One after another they carefully unwrapped and there wasn't a white pearl in the entire lot! Golds and oranges and pinks and each one more spectacular then the one before it, and most amazing of all were the exotic seeming localities from whence they'd come, places like Tennessee and Massachusetts! I was truly blown-away and was amazed. Only in Tucson my friends, only in Tucson!
Gloria arrived in town on Saturday the 3rd of February and when she did, both the day and my Tucson experience turned perfect, like everything was complete, my girl here in the show with me! It was great and the fun factor just went right off the charts and tonight, tonight we'd celebrate! Every year there's a big ol' gang of us who all come together for one night, for one special evening where we draw all the tables together and take over one of Tucson's wonderful eating establishments. There we enjoy a sumptuous meal and revel in the good times, times shared with friends. This is the ultimate gift that Tucson shares with all of us, it's the perfect place for all of us to come together, where we can share our passions and enthusiasms celebrating life!
On Sunday, as Gloria was getting ready to leave, going to visit some of the other shows, I suggested she take the truck. She just shook her head and took off for the shuttle! Casting a backwards twinkling smile over her shoulder, I chided her about that enduring technological wonder, my 400,000 mile S-10 and silly girl, she didn't even slow down! Ah well, it was all good and this way I'd have a rig for lunch if I was so inclined, and thus a perfect day continued. Awhile later, Gloria called me from one of the gem shows, her comments, "John, we're way too poor to be at this show!", I just chuckled and told her to have fun and then later, my phone rings again, it's Gloria, "Oh John, I'm in trouble now!". It seems Gloria had found another show! Smiling, I told her not to worry, this was Tucson, have fun! I can only imagine her day, Gloria came back to the room later and was so many things, excited, embarrassed, a little sheepish and what's the word, oh yeah, she was excited! She just bubbled about all she'd seen and went on and on and me, I loved it! There was a sparkle in her eye and she was having a terrific time, perfect!
Over the next following days, Gloria and I attended several parties that friends were hosting around town. This is always fun and if I actually close the room, it's nice to get out under less formal circumstances to enjoy once again the multitudes of friends that Tucson magically brings together. Among these, one Gloria and I very much enjoyed, was the surprise birthday party for our friend Henry Schmidt. Henry and his wonderful wife Patsy have been friends of ours for years and operate a business under the name Mineral Miner. We met several years ago while working side by side at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society's Main Show and we've been friends ever since. Gloria and I had arrived a bit later then the majority of the folks and rather then being a bummer, this ended up being perfect. We were all able to find a nice quiet spot in the living room while the rest of the gang hung close to the t.v. watching the Super Bowl and were able to catch-up and talk. It was very satisfying having this close time, we yakked about this and that and we laughed until eventually the evening once again ended too soon. Thankfully our friendship will be lasting much longer!
Of the fifty plus shows occurring in Tucson during this time for me, Marty's shows are my first priority, then Dave's over at the Westward Look and finally, I never miss the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society's "Main Show" at the Tucson Convention Center ( http://www.tgms.org ). This year would be no different and I attended three of the four days the Main Show was open, always coming in very early and leaving soon thereafter to get back to open the room. There were so many awesome things to see this year ( as always!! ) and I know I missed something's, still, what an array of treasures! Everyone, and I do mean everyone, should make the attempt to visit the shows, the things you see, the emotions you'll feel, nothing is like Tucson. Nothing. I took lots of photographs and was amazed over and over by what was displayed but for me, there was a single SHOW STOPPER rock at the show this year and like a magnet, it just drew me over and wouldn't let me go, it was awesome! Of course, I'm speaking of the monstrous large, say 10 by 10 inch aquamarine on feldspar specimen displayed by Gene and Roz Meieran. For me and many others too I'd imagine, this was "THE" mineral specimen of the show. I've never seen another specimen that for sheer beauty could compare, this was as good as it gets!
Finally, I felt like I'd gotten out and had seen some good rocks at this year's show. Working the room is tough, there is so much going on everywhere all over town and I only get the chance to see such a tiny, small part of it, still, if I keep my door open, much of Tucson comes to visit and that is a very good thing! As an example, we've some friends who live in the Seattle area who have simply wonderful taste when it comes to minerals. This year, these same folks brought by a couple of their new treasures to show off and my, oh my, words just do not compare. Both of the specimens they showed us were big, over a foot long, and the one specimen was so superlative that Tom Moore of the Mineralogical Record mentioned it specifically, this piece, a stunning glassy foot long smoky quartz crystal, had come from Minas Gerais, Brazil and was absolutely covered over half its surface by gorgeous gemmy greenish-yellow brazilianites which neared lengths of approximately two inches. This luscious forest of crystals was startlingly beautiful. Their other specimen, a killer African dioptase with crystals near an inch in length was as equally beyond compare. What a gift that show and tell was, I can't wait until next year when if we're lucky, maybe they'll stop by so we can all go goo-goo and gaa-gaa again! Beautiful!
Not long after this, the madness that is Tucson began to take on a different face as folks all over town began slowly, oft times reluctantly, packing up their goods, another show run its course. As always, Gloria and I stay open right to the very end. We're among the first to arrive and the last to leave and personally, I'd have it no other way. This is our ultimate event and each year we put so much time and energy preparing for and then participating in the show that in some ways I truly hate to see it end. Still, this is a relentless time and after nearly a month on the road, its time to head back home, its time. And so, on Sunday February 11th, Gloria and I began disassembling the room, packing everything away. That afternoon the guys from Tucson Store Fixtures showed up and hauled the cases out, afterwards I rebuilt the room and joy of joys, after twenty plus days, I was able to enjoy the luxury of sleeping in a bed once again, our room 100% set back to normal.
We woke early on Monday and hit the road and drove and drove and drove. On Tuesday we pulled into our driveway in Port Angeles, Washington, another Tucson officially behind us. Before I could even begin unpacking the truck, I found myself already thinking about next year's show and of the adventures that will come to pass while once again attending the World's most awesome mineral, fossil and gem event. With all my heart, I hope and wish that we'll see you there, what a blast we'll have! There's always room for one more mineral fanatic! Thanks for coming along on another of our Tucson adventures everyone, we'll see you soon, Tucson 2008 is just around the corner!
All the very best, take care,
John
