Center just right of downtown is the Tucson Convention Center. On the left is the GJX or Gem & Jewelry Exchange tent. On the right is the JG&M Expo tent. In the foreground is the Riverpark Inn on the near side of the freeway.
I should subtitle this one “Rocks in the Rain”. I’ll explain later.
We drove up Sentinal Peak or as the locals call it “A” mountain.
The “A”, of course, is for the University of Arizona and this peak sets right in the middle of Tucson. Tucson spreads out over 156 square miles, mostly desert. This place is huge. I’d guess at least 30 miles from one end of town to the other, but I could be in error on that. Bonnie hiked up the treacherous path of loose rock and shear drops, risking being bitten by a snake or a gila monster to get these pictures that kind of show the lay of the land.
La Quinta Inn on the corner and Howard Johnson on the left of the photo.
We parked and walked up and down the strip as we have in the past few days. Prices seemed to be coming down as they usually do the last week. Bonnie found some bargain beads, and I found a vendor selling the most amazing brown, gemmy, Rhodocrosite rough rock. I had to have some to cut at home.
'A" mountain where Bonnie tempted death to get photos.
We
Crinoids!!
again saw our buddy Jeff Anderson selling his agates, said hello and continued on. We checked out shows Bonnie had not been to at the La Quinta and Howard Johnsons, then leisurely re-checked the other motel shows. It rained off and on and the weather was only in the mid fifties.
My buddy Jeff Anderson and his agates.
The second time it rained most of the outside vendors closed up shop. When we left the area, the sun had returned.
During the second rain I knew from experience to look at some of the rough rock at the shows. You can really see what you are getting when it is wet.
The $16,000 dino eggs Gary should get for his office.
For you real rockhounds I bought a parcel of quartz crystals with inclusions including a small quartz crystal containing Edenite, some Epidote included quartz, A crystal of Lepidocrosite, and a large clear quartz crystal with very unusual green phantom crystals inside, and a few beautiful rutilated quartz crystals, some with the rutile needles running in the same direction. These will make spectacular cabs. Bonnie found a wonderful star rose quartz which we’ll add to our booth display.
I took a photo of a dinosaur egg klatch with an orange clearance tag of only $16,000, and also a better view of how the motel rooms are used for vendors. We’re looking forward to the big show at the Tucson Convention Center which starts Thursday. We might take the day off tomorrow to contain the hemorrhaging of my wallet. I gave you guys bonus pictures today. I hope you enjoy them.
Rained out! Check the motel rooms (mini showrooms) to the rear of the tarp.
Is there a shortage of Ocean Jasper?
A gem with a gem! Bonnie obviously liked this one!