Jan 2015 – Trip to Quartzite

The wonderings of Darell & Janie Ehlers, OGMS

We got away from the cold for a little while by going to Quartzsite, Arizona. Amongst all the shows and people and things to do, we decided to go out and see what we could find in the desert. A little west of Blithe, California we found some unique little square crystals. They were lying among the gravel found on the flat washes. They are black and cubic and are heavy. They are called goethite (after pyrite). They reflect the light of the sun so you can see their square shapes shining back. We also found some mostly clear sand blasted somewhat terminated quartz and some small pieces of petrified wood. Oh! and a couple of 50 caliber machine gun bullets. They probably came from the maneuvers of General Paton’s tanks that did practice in those areas. It’s hard to say, but it makes a great story.

Stay tuned for our next adventure…. Sometime this spring!
Darell & Janie

Picture #1 goethite (after pyrite) | Picture #2 Janie | Picture #3 Darell | Picture #4 50mm shells | Picture #5 Quartz Crystals

Picture #1 goethite (after pyrite)
Picture #2 Janie

Picture #3 Darell
Picture #4 50mm shells
Picture #5 Quartz Crystals