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Quest for the Baker ThunderEgg, Deming, NM
The cacophony of the clock-radio alarm
heralded the beginning of what was to be a great day - the day we were leading
the club trip to the Baker Ranch mine in New Mexico! Our faithful pick-up
was loaded with buckets, tools, plenty of water and food when we pulled
out of our driveway at 6:00 am and headed to the first meeting place in
Douglas, Arizona.
 Click to enlarge We thought we were going to be the first to arrive at the Chevron Station at 7:35 am but were surprised to find one member was already waiting and another not far behind! By the time we headed on to the next meeting place at Animas, New Mexico, there were 11 vehicles in the convoy.
 Click to enlarge In our directions for the trip we had stated the second meeting point was Betty's Gas & Grill in Animas, New Mexico. When we got to the Gas & Grill we were greeted by several other eager participants who wasted no time in pointing out our error - it was Linda's Gas & Grill. During the time it took for everyone to line up to use the one and only unisex bathroom we made our apologies to Linda, who didn't seem to mind!
 Click to enlarge Much to our relief our club president met us at Animas! We had been worried that he might be unable to join us that day, as he had been sick the previous week. (He had volunteered to lead interested members on another field trip on Sunday.) However, he had already sent word with one couple in the club that people from the Sunsites club had planned to join the convoy at Hachita. So they proceeded to that point where they gathered 3 more vehicles.
By the time we reached the cattle pens at Hermanas we had accumulated 16 vehicles filled with excited rockhounds who were impatient to get to work. So impatient that they were hopping out of their vehicles and picking up rocks, as those in vehicles that could go no further, parked and found rides to the site with others.
After wending our way over the rough, winding road that led to the mine, everyone eagerly attacked various spots of the mine dump. Those who had been there before helped identify what everyone was searching for.
There was a great variety of geodes and partial geodes for everyone.
One club member found a geode piece containing blue opal. Others, who delightedly dropped them in their buckets, found nice partial geodes with stalactites and crystals. Some simply dug quietly and accumulated a great selection of nicely rounded geodes to be taken home and cut open later.
Hopefully we will see the results of this trip at the club meetings, during the next few months. We heard many positive comments on the trip and hope everyone had as great a time as we did.
Our thanks go to: Robert Colburn (AKA the Geode Kid) for allowing us to visit his mine which is usually only open to the public during the Deming Rockhound Roundup in March. Larry & Anne Nelson for their invaluable assistance in suggesting the trip and providing detailed maps at our meeting. Bill Jaeger for leading trips to South Canyon and Radium Springs on Sunday.  Click here to enlarge
Be sure to visit our second shopping page featuring World-class
Thundereggs from the Baker Lode Geode Mine. We were
fortunate enough to collect these beautiful gems during some of our trips to Deming, New Mexico. Some nodules are filled with multi-colored Agate; some are lined with Quartz Crystals and common Opal; some (extremely rare) contain gorgeous Quartz Crystal encrusted Stalactites.
I want to wish you all the best in your rockhounding endeavors and remember...... Be Safe, Fill your holes, Close all gates behind you, and respect
the property of others. This will help protect the open access we
have come to enjoy in the Great Southwest.
I update frequently with new articles. Information contained in these
is from reliable sources and personal experiences with a little humor
thrown into the mix from time to time. So come back and visit often! NEW Rockhounds Store
Agate 2006 Baker Lode Mine, New Mexico Deming, New Mexico Oregon Sunstones The Big Luna Total Wreck Mine Virgin Valley, NV Opals Washington Camp Kids Corner:
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