Vulcan Quarry Dig 2007 Oshkosh, WI

It was a restless night for me trying to sleep before the big dig at the Vulcan Quarry in Oshkosh, WI. I lay awake since 4:00 AM and decided to get up at 4:30 AM. I turned on the computer and went to McRocks to read the board quick and to learn the Everett and his mom couldn't make the trip. I called Randy to get up and all so Dad for he wanted to go along with us.

We had to leave town by 5:30 to meet up with Donna Nolte at Two Brothers in Oshkosh, WI. We got over the use car lot on the hwy to meet some other folks that wanted to come to this dig and see what it is like. Well we left on time and after a hour and 10 minutes of driving we got in to Oshkosh at the reasurant. We all sat down to a good breakfast and coffee. At 7:30 we left there for the quarry that is only a few blocks away.

We got there and there where some others waiting all ready. Well as more and more cars came and we lined up to go in but first we had to sign our wavers and pay the $2.00 fee so the workers can have a lunch later. (It was well worth the money and more for what we all found down in the pit.)

It took longer then they thought to get every one checked in but by about 8:15 we where on our way down to the quarry floor where the good stuff is at. The company truck started off to lead us down and when we got all parked The guy gave us a safety talk about where we can go and not go.

I started looking and soon I found this real nice rock with Marcasite in it. I trimmed it down some but it still was to big to carry to the van. So I kept on finding a lot of good stuff with the Marcasite in. Soon a young gail was having trouble finding anything and Cori told her she would help her find some good stuff. I decided to help her by giving her some real nice pieces. People where asking what to look for that where new to the quarry so I was helping them and trying to get good stuff for my self. I gave a lot of nice stuff the kids around me to help them out.

I want to thank Donna Nolte & Jeannette Merten for these pictures of folks working Hard in the quarry to fine great minerals.

After about one and half hours in this spot I decided to go over the south part of the pit by another area where they had dumped good minerals for us all to find. I started to find some nice pyrites and calcites with a little Marcasite. I found Lloyd Brown there just a working away finding good stuff that he wanted. My hand was starting to give me trouble so I slowed way down pounding on rocks to find good crystals. So I sat and visited with Lloyd for I didn't see him since last fall. At about 10:45 they sounded the horn for let us know to start packing up and get ready to leave the pit.

We went to the park for the swap meet and show off our goodies that every found. At around 1:30 most of the families where gone so we packed up and talked to Cori for a bit and she gave us a few Geodes from Area C61 down by Keokuk that we didn't stay for. We decided to stop in by Donna Nolte in Omro but she was gone yet so we headed home. On the way a few cops looked at us funny but I know why, our truck was overloaded with rocks!" Every time a gust of wind would hit us I had to hang on to the steering wheel LOL. We pulled in to the house around 2:45 PM. I went in side to take some pain killers and I'm sure I'll feel it in the morning.