Geode Beds

The sound of thunder shook the desert as Joe’s overloaded vehicle attacked the winding and desolate road, the same trail made famous by the Pony express! The only difference between those early explorers and Joe was the half ton per second clouds of dust billowing from the tail end of our cargo trailer. Our destination was the Dugway Geode beds and we were not delivering mail; we were in search of Geodes. The strange and ever so beautiful rhyolite rocks with cavities filled with multicolored crystalized quartz.

Eighteen of us embarked on this mining adventure and most everyone had already been there a few times, however it was the first visit for Coltin and I. The trip out is long and best taken during daylight hours. Unfortunately, Friday was our chosen departure date which means we have to wait for all of the adults to finish work for the day before starting the adventure. Trips like this cannot be accomplished in a single night; this is why we must leave on Friday. A troop 17, adventure isn’t quite the same without having to set camp in the dark! Once past Vernon you turn onto dirt roads and that is where all the fun begins. Coltin and I were running late and it was just the two of us in "Yota" my 95' Toyota Camry. If you choose to partake in this adventure leave the car at home and bring a truck. A Camry is not designed for off road and there was a time or three or maybe six we were on only three wheels! After many twist, turns, and twelve tons of dust we found our destination. I honestly do not remember what time we finally made it but we were all tired. Once the tents were pitched we decided to set up the kitchen in the morning. We did a little stargazing and hit the bags for a early rise!

These guys were raring to go!

Camp after breakfast!

 Shootin' the bull, after breakfast!

Geode hunters!

Eat your heart out Indiana Jones!

There's a hole, there's a hole!

Pay dirt!

Precarious!

Going back for another load!

Look at this one!

It's hammer time!

Leave no trace!

"Yota"

Saturday night sunset in the high desert!

Now, if you are a fan of the Science channel's Through the Wormhole. I want you, in your best Morgan Freeman voice to say: "Through the Geode"!

The first picture had a hiding scout! Legend! As you can see this is a tough shot! I had to convince thirteen young hyperactive men to hold still while I focused a camera through the hole of a small Geode!

The adults were a little easier to have hold still, just barely!

My photo prop!

This time of year is perfect for visiting the Geode bed, I don't believe it made it over 75 degrees the whole weekend. Happy digging!

 

 

Adventures in the Wind Rivers

Episode 8.


Our exciting conclusion, well exciting for us anyway! We had just spent seven grueling days backpacking across 30 miles of some of the roughest county in the United States. The dream destination of thousands of anglers and other crazy backpackers. Home to the infamous Wind River Golden Trout, not the puny ones the people's republic of California keeps locked up in the Kern river drainage. I am talking about the monsters that still prowl the lakes and streams of the winds. Greg caught a nice one, but lost it before a picture could be taken and Coltin may have caught one also. We will have our revenge, perhaps not this year but next for sure. I have already began making battle plans and I will devote this winter to getting myself into better shape.

I awoke to find that everyone else was already emerging from heir tents and we made quick work of camp. We were on the trail right at 7 am. The boys had their warp drives engaged and we struggled to keep up!

Crossing the outlet, along the way out.

Sunrise over Miller as we were leaving!

Lousy fishing but a beautiful lake!

They sure dislike waiting for us at every trail junction.

One last look back at the trail we had just burned up!

Can we please go?

About time you guys showed up! They covered 3.8 miles in just over an hour!

Even Dawnette beat Greg and I back.

What do you mean we have to wait until you get back?

Greg, Trevyn, Garrick and I took the car and flew down to Pinedale. Greg spoke with Tressa and she was just outside of town. I left them next to the Forest Service office and boogied back up for the rest of the Chargers. The entire shuttling process took about and hour and Greg had doughnuts waiting for us when we met back up with them. Greg is the man! We loaded up the vehicles and hit the Wrangler Café for breakfast. Wow what a difference the thought freshly cooked food makes to your outlook. While waiting for our food Greg and Tressa went to check the truck at the repair facility. Since they were unable to determine the problem with the engine there was no charge. After breakfast we loaded back into the cars and headed for home. As for Greg's truck he came back with a trailer and brought it back home. According to him the trip back from Pinedale was plagued with flat tires and other assorted problems. As of the final draft of this blog his truck was fixed and it appears that is was the wiring harness for his fuel injectors. Glad it all worked out for him!

This was quite the adventure, I was privileged enough to spend an amazing weak with a five terrific kids and two great friends. The miles were long and the aches were deep and I can't wait to do it again.

Keep your boots laces tight!

Ryan