As the birds gather seeds and suet in the cold frosty morning we are organizing lists, studying state and national parks and reviewing lists of items to pack for our trip. We plan to leave on Sat. Feb. 16 for a night near Lebanon,TN and then a CORPS of Engineers Lake CG just south of Memphis.
Our first goal is Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This old resort with 6 hot springs bathhouses, one still operating looks really interesting! Nearby there are 2 other attractions of volcanic origin that we hope to visit. Our favorite jeweler at White Winds Stone Jewelry in Enterprise, UT told us not to miss the Mount Ida area for digging crystal clusters. Terry has had a fascination with Crater of Diamonds, State Park in Murfreesboro for years which is about an hour away. So this morning I went 'digging' for info and now I'm packing old clothes, garden forks and buckets for collecting!!!!
http://www.bluemooncrystals.com
http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com
The Diamonds State Park has a 37 and 1/2 acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of an ancient (100 million year old) volcanic crater that brought the diamonds to the surface. You can find 40 types of rock and minerals including amethyst, banded agate, jasper, peridot, garnet, diamonds and quartz. I'm ready, let's go!!
Our next goal will be Pat Mayse Lake CORPS Camp near Paris, TX. This is close to the Red River on the border with Oklahoma, an area known for great quantities of migrating birds in late winter. Since we love river wandering and birds, we plan to stay in the area for a week or so before we travel through Wichita Falls, TX and into New Mexico.
By early March we hope to visit Lake Mead NP and our Ranger friends there; Nate, Anna, Charles, Chris and maybe Johnathan. Then we'll wander over to Death Valley to visit with Ranger Kate!
Needless to say, we are getting very excited about our Feb. and March plans. Stay tuned for April-October!
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