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!

Having a seat just outside the mine.

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).

Frank’s Effie Calavaza Zuni money clip made with genuine turquoise and coral.

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,