From time to time I like to share some of our mining-related side trips with you.
I know not everyone is so into this stuff but my last one seemed to get a lot of comments so — even though this is SUPER-late (this was one of the side trips Frankie and I did during our last 2019 Tucson trip and it’s almost time to head out to AZ again!)… I FINALLY had the time and desire to sit down and edit the video over my recent sabbatical.
It’s a fun little hobby of mine (editing videos) but I’m certainly no Casey Neistat. 😉
We love to do an offshoot side trip while out in Arizona for the annual gem show and take full advantage of our time there. Arizona is so interesting to me with all its open desert landscapes and ABUNDANT natural mineral resources.
We’ve hit Tombstone a few times now (we absolutely LOVE the place!!) but each time we go, we get to see, learn, and appreciate something totally new about the area.
This time we explored the Good-enough Silver Mine on a guided 45-minute tour going 100 feet underground.
By the way, Mongo, our guide, did a great job convincing me to take the 3-4 hour deeper mine exploration (half-mile hike underground) of the Toughnut Mine. So I’ll def. be hitting that one on our next trip out there!
The mining here was done the good ole’ fashioned way: all by hand and candlelight, no electricity and obviously, no power tools.
We got to see the silver veins all the miners were after back in the day — but I was more interested in the byproduct minerals like:
- malachite
- azurite
- chrysocolla
- and turquoise. 😉
After climbing back out of the mine, we walked around the corner back onto Tombstone’s main street, Allen Street. Then we took a beeline and hit Big Nose Kate’s Saloon for some lunch and then headed over for some local mineral jewelry shopping at Arlene’s!
I’ve purchased some lovely White Buffalo stone jewelry at Arlene’s before. This trip, Frankie got a money clip crafted by Effie Calavaza. Ms. Calavaza is a well-known New Mexico Zuni Tribe artist. Her work is easily recognized by her trademark snake symbolism. (Apparently, the Zuni view the snake as a positive sign of cleansing, renewal, and rebirth).
Hope you enjoy this vlog as much as we did experiencing it! Please, let me know in the comments below if you want me to vlog about my upcoming Toughnut Mine experience this year.
Crystal Blessings,
Yes!!! Would love to go on road trip with ya some day to dig some gems!!!
Sounds Pretty exciting. I look forward to hearing about your return trip.
Headed out next week, KAthy. I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
I’m no expert, Lori. Just bumbling around and having fun. I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Love hearing about your adventures! One of these days I will get to the U.S. …..and will need a container ship to bring my haul home!
I would love to hear about your exploration of the Toughnut mine! That sounds like you see some interesting things and come across some good crystals!
You got it, Brendan! I’ll do my best. I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
I would love to hear about you Toughnut mine tour. Love watching you gem show postings as well.
Thanks Brenda! I’ve got it on the agenda. 🙂 I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Oh you bet I want to hear about the Toughnut mine your !!!!!!
Thanks for the input, Hope You got it! I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Please do…love to hear about this!
Thanks so much for the input. I’ll be videoing for sure then. I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Yes…..living through you!
Glad you enjoyed, Brenda! I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Yes! I loved reading about the mine. Sounds like a fabulous experience
Jane, I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
How wonderful, your keeping my bucket list full so please yes share all your mining trips. I can have more than one bucket! 🙂
YES! Two buckets 😀 I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
I didn’t see any video blog in the email.
Found it! Ya little miner lol!
Haha! Beth, you’d love it.
Would love to hear all about!
You got it, Laura! I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
I’m new to all this so I would love to hear about it also I’ve never read any blog before so how do I find yours?
You’re here in the blog now Shelli. 🙂 I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Yes girl…Id love to hear all about it and see lots of pics!! Have fun and be safe!!????????????????????
You got it … and video too! I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Absolutely shareas much as you can!
Will do, Sandi ♥ I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
I’d love to hear about it, I almost feel like I’m there with your wonderful descriptions!
Aww, thanks, Christina. I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Yes!!! Love the mining info. Sounds like so much fun!! I’m in NY so try to go to Herkimer Diamond mine every year!!
Oooo, I’ve heard that’s a really great place to mine! I just realized the video wasn’t included in this post. Added it in there. 😉
Thanks for sharing. Loved going with you into the mine.
My total pleasure, Dixie. ♥
I LOVED it! I am from Tucson and living now in MIchigan. My heart is in southern AZ, though. I hope to see more of these videos and it takes me home. I laughed when I read you “met:” a family of javalina! They can be very aggressive when baby is with them, so glad you had a safe visit! Really enjoyed this thank you so much.
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