New Mexico Rockhounding Series (From 2005, Lengendary Field Collector, Ray D., at Eureka Mine Vista, Northern NM)
My wife and I have been so blessed to have become good friends of some of the most esteemed mineral field collectors in New Mexico, and have taken a number of trips there to explore the wonderful world of minerals and crystals in situ (natural state). Field collecting would typically involve great traveling and facing a variety of obstacles to reach the destinations—sometimes a matter of extremely challenging drives through some of the most remote areas with no real established roads or taking long treacherous hikes upon parking the 4-Wheel Drive, with heavy digging gear in hand and backpacks.
However, once the collecting area is reached, the experience is truly a special one. Often times the sites involve old abandoned mines, quarries, or natural caves. And sometimes, simply out in the open in desert areas or mountains . . .
It harkens back to the time of old prospectors and miners out West. In any event, Ramon (Ray) DeMark, perhaps the most highly respected legendary collector, has invited us on numerous occasions to collect in these fascinating areas and his personal claims. A long time retired officer and fighter pilot in the Navy, he has always possessed a deep passion for minerals in their natural crystal state, and has been the author of a number of first time discoveries, not only in the New Mexico region, but even the UP of Michigan and other areas. His partners, Brian Huntsman and Mike Sanders, to name a few, are also great collectors in the field, and when we have the opportunity to meet with them, the rewards are invaluable. Our friend from New Jersey, Mike Machette, has also become quite a good friend there, and absolutely loves the time spent out West in search of interesting minerals.
New Mexico Rockhounding Series (From 2005, Lengendary Field Collector, Ray D., at Eureka Mine Vista, Northern NM)
My wife and I have been so blessed to have become good friends of some of the most esteemed mineral field collectors in New Mexico, and have taken a number of trips there to explore the wonderful world of minerals and crystals in situ (natural state). Field collecting would typically involve great traveling and facing a variety of obstacles to reach the destinations—sometimes a matter of extremely challenging drives through some of the most remote areas with no real established roads or taking long treacherous hikes upon parking the 4-Wheel Drive, with heavy digging gear in hand and backpacks.
However, once the collecting area is reached, the experience is truly a special one. Often times the sites involve old abandoned mines, quarries, or natural caves. And sometimes, simply out in the open in desert areas or mountains . . .
It harkens back to the time of old prospectors and miners out West. In any event, Ramon (Ray) DeMark, perhaps the most highly respected legendary collector, has invited us on numerous occasions to collect in these fascinating areas and his personal claims. A long time retired officer and fighter pilot in the Navy, he has always possessed a deep passion for minerals in their natural crystal state, and has been the author of a number of first time discoveries, not only in the New Mexico region, but even the UP of Michigan and other areas. His partners, Brian Huntsman and Mike Sanders, to name a few, are also great collectors in the field, and when we have the opportunity to meet with them, the rewards are invaluable. Our friend from New Jersey, Mike Machette, has also become quite a good friend there, and absolutely loves the time spent out West in search of interesting minerals.