[Rockhounds] Idaho Metamorphics

[John Siebel]

Well, just back from day one of  the Idaho Metamorphics fiesta. Met Lanny 
along with List members Hilmar and Heidi Kroke, and Dexter and Margo (Inert 
last name here guys...sorry!) in Clarkia at 10:30 this morning. The weather 
couldn't have been nicer...sunny and 70's. We headed up hill and made a few 
stops finding (ta da!) nothing! Lanny was starting to get nervous as Hilmar 
and Heidi had driven here from Vancouver, B.C., while Dexter and Margo had 
come from Corvalis, OR. We did find some iffy garnet along the way but then, 
about 18 miles up the road, we hit the motherload of kyanite. Lanny found 
the first crystals in black schist then I found a few light blue crystals in 
white schist. Lanny then called us all over to an outcrop of white schist 
full of kyanite ranging from light blue to deep indigo up to about 1". None 
of it is museum quality but fun stuff nevertheless.

The road was rough and dusty so the drive was slow, but the scenery was 
fantastic. We made a few more stops for garnet as we ascended, finding a 
some sharp crystals up to 1 1/2". We'll see how they clean up. I left Lanny, 
Dexter and Margo at a nice camping area at about 6,000' where they should 
enjoy weather in the 30's tonight. Hilmar and Heidi are staying at the 
Forest Service Work Station with such luxuries as a coffee maker and 
microwave. I'm back home and, unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'm gonna 
make it to day two due to work obligations. The rest of the crew is heading 
over to Moses Butte tomorrow  where Lanny promises treasures galore.

Fun time had by all. Wish you were here - John