Sunny 65

Now doesn't this look like the wild west?

Another wild west classic.

We needed a break from the shows today. There are huge crowds at the shows, in general, for the next couple days. We actually drove by a few shows and the lots were jam packed. A side trip to Old Tucson was on the agenda.

This is what my name would be in china (Don Lee)

Old Tucson, back in the day, was a popular movie studio for westerns like Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West (both the tv shows and the Wil Smith movie), and numerous movies with John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and the lot. You could do some on-line research if you want to know more. I think it has been 10-15 years since a movie was made there.

The place is just a tourist destination now, with a little train ride, a tacky haunted mine funhouse, some horse and stagecoach rides, and a few restaurants. We enjoyed a couple funny cowboy comedy shows and an wild west shoot-’em-up action adventure. Good fun.

Bird bath at Electric Park.

A whopper Zoisite filled with rubies. $4g. Electric Park RV

After the Tourist Trap we stopped in at the RV Show at Electric Park, made a quick go-round and bought some rocks to cut. We never went to the main show at Electric Park because we did not want to fight the crowds. Bonnie bought some petrified wood beads. She got a strand last year, but kept the necklace for herself. Maybe this time a customer will get a chance at it! She did pick the ones with the most color. We did enjoy returning and talking with vendors for a second time. Maybe more rock hunting tomorrow, but there is the crowds, plus the Super Bowl to consider. We’ll see what happens.

55 & sunny

Earlier this week I purchased some extra fine Trilobites from a guy from Delta, Utah. One of the Trilobites was a large “bug” with a little baby at its’ side. I make wire-wrapped trilobite pendants and this will make a very special one.

Madonna-bite and baby-bite

Delta is famous for Trilobites and this one is great. I was so impressed with this cutie that I went back to see if there were more. He did indeed have a stashed box of multiple Trilobites. One of the new ones has a baby riding on top of its’ mama. This was at the Hotel Tucson City Center at the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show (I know, we’ve been there three times).

Upstairs we noticed a camera crew that was set up for some taping of Steve Arnold, one of the Meteorite Men. We watched this happening as Steve tried to coax a good interview out of a little girl. Her dad said she talked all the time, but when the camera was taping she was a bit shy.

Good luck with this interview Steve.

We ran into both Geoff Notkin and Steve Arnold as they finished lunch and they graciously consented to a picture. We chatted and Geoff mentioned that one of his friends ask him how his voice was? He asked how she knew his voice was gone and she mentioned it was mentioned on a blog (mine). I told Geoff it was my blog where I mentioned we saw him at the Electric Park Show. Anyway, I’m pleased to report Geoff’s voice is back. Geoff said he enjoyed the blog. Thanks for checking me out Geoff. We were also impressed with Steve’s watch with its Muonionalusta face (you remember my favorite meteorites); very cool Steve. We found these guys to be just regular guys, not pretentious at all; very friendly and approachable. Just two normal guys with a cool job. Thanks guys. We’ll keep watching your adventures.

Geoff Notkin and Steve Arnold-The Meteorite Men

I should mention Geoff Notkin’s owns Aerolite Meteorites, LLC and his website website is Aerolite.org, and Steve Arnolds is also a very cool site with videos at Arnoldmeteorites.com. You can also check on the Meteorite Men at Science.discovery.com/tv/meteorite-men.

Bonnie doesn't know a cave bear just snuck up behind her.

We ran into John and Jane Matz from our rock club in Traverse City. It’s a small world.

We decided to check out the Main Avenue Mineral Fair and other small shows in the area. Most of these shows were comprised of Moroccans selling their fossils. I don’t buy them because it is so difficult to tell real from fake with their stuff. We did find one warehouse with a great deal of rough rock. I purchased some Picasso Marble, Exotica Jasper, and Sodalite.

Giant garnets.

Cavansite from India

Mara Mamba Tigers eye from Australia

It’s going to be warmer tomorrow, but maybe we’ll avoid the shows and crowds.

This is a bonus post for those of you that want to experience a taste treat famous in Tucson, the Sonoran Hot Dog.

This is how I observed it done:

Sonoran hot dog recipe

• Get a beef hot dog and wrap it like a mummy with bacon. Mesquite bacon is good.
• Fry it on a griddle until the bacon gets crisp. Some people like to fry the bacon a little first and then wrap it around the hot dog and then fry them both in the bacon grease. We know anything fried in bacon grease is going to be tasty!
• Take a hot dog bun or bolillo roll that has been slit to make a pocket in the middle. If you want you can toast them a little or, in the case of the bolillo roll, steam it for a minute to make it soft. These buns are very soft and fluffy unlike the hot dog buns we see at home. Work with what you have on hand or what you feel like.
• Put mayo, mustard and ketchup on the bun and insert the bacon-wrapped dog. If you want to squirt the mayo on top, like they do at the stands, mix it with a little lemon juice or water to thin it out. Put it into a squeeze bottle or sandwich bag with a corner cut off and squeeze it on top when you are done, along with the mustard and ketchup.
• Add warm pinto beans, cheese (shredded Mexican cotijo cheese, cheddar, whatever), chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, sliced or blended jalapenos or some type of jalapeno/green chili salsa.
• This is served with a large, grilled hot yellow pepper that is very yummy and sweet, but after a minute heats up your mouth. This fresh-grilled jalapeno that is served on the side is fully 2/3 the length of the hot dog. This is when you need a beer, or a warm 12 oz Pepsi or Coke imported from Mexico. If you don’t want to look like a Gringo, you drink it warm (no ice), from the bottle, like the Mexicans do.
• The Mexicans say just throw anything you like on the dog.
• These were featured on the Food Channel. Now I can cross this off my bucket list. Hey; these dogs give the artery clearing medication something to do.

The price of these dogs is only about $2.50 or $3.50 for a Sammy.

If you want to know more about the Sonoran dog or the restaurant, look it up. I also had a Sonoran Dog at BK Tacos in Tucson, and it too was tasty, but it did not seem the same as the one I got at El Guero Canelo.

Tucson this am 17 Traverse City this am 17 Are you kidding?

It was cold and sunny today with a biting breeze. We sent out 4 flat rate boxes today.

One of the really weird things we saw. Is Tuscon in China? I'm pretty sure Tucson is not (look close at the sign).

Remember the skulls piled at Electric Park? Check out what you can do with a little glue and some Turquoise.

The highlights of the day were finding a warm place to shop. We ended up at the Tucson Expo Center searching the back reaches of the JOGS Show. The druzy quartz we located was just spectacular. I wish I would have found this druzy before I had to give that foreign vendor at GJX so much cash (which I could use about now).

I asked if I could take this photo. I hope this keeps the photo police off me.

I asked Bonnie if I could take some pictures at the JOGS Show. She said there was no sign that she saw. Later we found their Vendor Booklet said “no Photos allowed”. I was just lucky that one of our friends had taken a few illegal photos so I can show you guys.

Typical Vendor room at the Holiday Inn.

The show at the Holiday Inn Holidome opened today, so we took the shuttle over to it. We did not buy anything there, but there were a ton of people that we did not feel like fighting. Vendors were inside as well as in a large tent outside. Some first floor rooms also had vendors.

I think my rant of the day is shoppers dragging around those wheeled super-sized luggage. One woman had a regular wheeled piece of luggage that was constantly blocking aisles. What are these people thinking?

Guard Bears at the Holiday Inn: AT A GEM SHOW! Un-bear-able!

There was certainly nice stuff at the Holidome, but I don’t like fighting crowds, so we left. We have another week so we’ll get back there.

The funniest thing I saw at the Holiday Inn were a couple bear skin rugs; AT A ROCK SHOW!

It is suppose to warm up tomorrow and by Sunday near 70 again. We heard reports of frozen pipes, and gas lines, closed schools, and temperatures turned down at businesses so the gas company could keep up with demand! Record lows today, AND record low highs (got that?)! At least there is no snow here.

Sunny and 50 diving to 33 in the pm-BRRR!

Ice in a bucket. Are you kidding. This is Tucson is it not?

The highlights of the day were the seminars we attended at the AGTA show covering the social media, Facebook, Twitter, web site blogging, and many other issues. Awesome and knowledgable speakers included Michael Schechter, Robyn Hawk, Daniel Gordon, and Dan Askew. Thanks to all these folks. Great job guys!

Another great amethyst cathedral.

Quartz Crystals-LaQuinta

After the morning training session we had a couple hours to kill and walked over to the GJX show across the street from the convention center. I found a wonderful vendor way in the back with some fine natural druzy cabs, and some additional enhanced druzy cabs. Wonderful material that I am excited to make jewelry out of.

After the afternoon training we drove down the strip and walked a couple shows at the La Quinta, and Howard Johnson’s.

Mastodon and Triceratops

Beads as far as the eyes can see-Howard Johnson's

The highlights of those shows included a fossil tent full of beasts and fish fossils. There were beads everywhere and some vendors told me I could not buy just a few pieces of rutilated quartz, but I had to buy a kilo of the stuff. Good luck to them! It was a very cold (for Tucson) 34 degrees and Bonnie kept asking if I was ready to go? Like every 5 minutes.

Rose quartz orbs.

We left when I was tempted with cold beer and dinner at a local brewpub.

Katie Hacker and Bonnie

But wait, there is more. I took Bonnie to a show strictly for Swarovski crystals, where we made a quick run thru. Bonnie got a short lesson from Katie Hacker, a famous beader seen on the public television series “Beads, Baubles & Jewels.” Her new product “Katydids” was the topic of exploration today. Watch for this in future beadwork from Bonnie!

I was impressed by this beaded hat.

Turquoise shortage...NOT

I think we are going to pack flat rate boxes tomorrow. We need to clean our mess up and get it shipped out. If it is could we may not go out at all tomorrow. (Bonnie: Yeah, right Don!) Stay tuned.

Rows of rocks.

Sunny and 63

This gives you an idea of how things look at AGTA. Sorry, no photos allowed on the floor.

Before opening-AGTA

Today we started out at the Tucson Convention Center and walked the aisles at the AGTA (American Gen Trade Association) show. This is a wholesale show and credentials are checked carefully. I have found in the past that this is primarily a high end gem and jewelry show.

Dealers specialize is selling wonderful pieces with much bling, mostly using facetted precious jewels. Many more vendors were peddling a very large assortment of precious facetted stones. This show has an excellent reputation for quality. No photography is allowed due to the proprietary nature of the jewelry and gemstones. I cannot begin to describe the amount and beauty of the gemstones at this show. Security for this show is very tight. The show pays the local police to have a large presence.

The largest show in Tucson is the GJX Show (Gem & Jewelry Exchange). There may be 400 vendors at this one show alone. Also a wholesale only show, it is held in a huge hard-sided tent across from the Tucson Convention Center. We had a shopping list of small, facetted stones, and found most of them. You will begin to see them in my work when I return home.

I think the busiest booth was Gary Wilson. He is from Traverse City, Michigan (near where we are located), and winters in Tucson. Gary always has high quality cabs of unusual materials. His four-sided booth was packed with people filling their trays with cabs. Most wire-wrappers do not cut their own cabs (unlike me), so they love Gary’s stuff.

OK here is my rant of the day. Good: We found some nice titanium vapor treated druzy.

BAD: The people from a large foreign gem-reknown country only wanted cash. We have found that most of these foreigners cannot get a credit card machine in America. Why do they even bother with these large trade shows? They must feel that most people carry around piles of on hunred dollar bills. You can bet that they claim a lot less than they take in when income tax comes around. Oh wait, they don’t pay tax. And guess what? They didn’t have any change! A cash only business with no change? They wouldn’t let you split up their packaging, wanting folks to buy 24 of the same color and size. Not surprisingly, they didn’t seem to have a lot of business. Anyway, this is my rant of the day.

Giant GJX Tent

Sentinel Peak (The locals call this "A" Mountain). Taken from Convention Center.

A couple side rooms off the main floor are interesting, as they are separated into groups from different places. One room is the Idar-Oberstein gem cutters. If you know anything about gem cutting and carving (especially agate cameos), you know the rich history of this area.

A second area contains the Brazilians, The Sri Lanka delegation, The Nigerians, and the Pakistan group, among others. We were most impressed with some of the remarkable agate cameos. It is unfortunate that the photo police are so strict, or I would share photos with you!

We just wore ourselves out today. When you get so tired that all the booths start looking the same, you better leave, which is what we did.

Rock Art-the cat in the foreground was carved by Jeff Schaezle from Billings, Montana (A Heart For Stone). Nice guy, I enjoyed our talk.

I KNOW we're in Tucson when I see orange trees at a hotel.

On the way home we stopped again at the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show at the Hotel Tucson City Center. I picked up a high-pressure rock cleaner. I have wanted one of these for some time. This device resembles a spray gun and is capable of a stream of water at 1600 psi. It’ll put a nasty cut on you or take your finger off if you don’t watch it. I’ll test this out on some quartz crystals in my shop. If you see me with fewer fingers, you know I messed up.

A guy likes a power tool, and this is a good one.

A fair-sized Campo Meteorite.

And also fair-sized amethyst geodes.

We have a couple classes we want to take tomorrow at the AGTA Show. Look forward to this and our continued adventures. Thanks for reading my blog, it’s been quite popular.