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FIELD TRIP FOR January 2003   An Official Field Trip of the Jacksonville Gem & Mineral Society (Host) 9:30 am, Saturday, January 18, 2003 Rucks Pit, Fort Drum FL. WHERE: Rucks Pit, Fort Drum FL. WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 9:30 am MEET: Hwy 441, Ft. Drum General Store, Ft. Drum, FL 9:30 am (not Ft. Drum Diner) COLLECTING HOURS: We will need
to check-in at 10:00 a.m. and receive a safety briefing. The dig
will be from 10 am to late afternoon.
ITEMS COLLECTED: There is an abundance of well-fossilized and calcified marine shells. The coquina matrix is in the Anastasia Formation (Pleistocene) and is composed of cemented marine fossils with calcite. Any cavities within these fossils may contain calcite crystals. Honey colored calcite crystals up to 1" in length can be found within large fossilized clamshells. Small calcite crystals within shells are very common. Fossilized bone and teeth can also be found at this location. FEE: A $10.00 fee (children 13 and under are free) will be collected. An adult must accompany children at all times. Pets will not be allowed. Please, no drop-ins or return visits. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: It is recommended that you wear sturdy shoes or boots and gloves. Daytime temperatures can vary as much as 40oF, so layered clothing is appropriate. WHAT TO BRING: Bring buckets or backpacks along with paper to wrap nice specimens, scratching tools, hammers, chisels, safety glasses, sunscreen, maps, lunch, and plenty of fluids. Collecting conditions are considered easy; however, safety should be a primary concern. SPECIAL NOTE: To ensure a good day of collecting, I would like to ask all field trip chairs to supply the total number of participants that will be attending. This will allow the mine owner and operators an opportunity to plan for our visit. This quarry has just recently been opened to group collectors, and the specimens being collected can be quite exquisite. Please notify me no later than January 6th with the number of attendees from each club. WHERE TO STAY: There are no motels
that are close to this quarry. If you are coming down I-95, the closest
motels will be near Vero Beach and I-95. If coming down I-75,
towns south of the Orlando area (Kissimmee or St. Cloud) would be closest.
These field trips are only open to the member clubs of the DMC/FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE. Members of associated clubs may not invite non-associated clubs, their members, or members of the general public on this or any DMC field trip. |