We are getting a discount so the fee will be $10.00 per person.  Children welcome.* 12 and under admitted free with an adult.  The fee will be all day.  Mine your own material! (No per bucket or bag fee extra).  Keep all you find.**

You can expect to find mostly blue corundum, some bronze-brown & white.  As with most mine sites most material is specimen, but some gemmy & cab grade is found.  Much of this material will star or flash as a cats-eye.  The special thing about this site to many collectors over the years has been finding textbook typical crystals up to 1"+ dia. & 2-1/2"+ in length.  Some car-pooling may be in order depending on attendance and weather.

 As stated this is a mine your own material.  You will be digging in the bank of a branch or trench. The alluvial deposit is from two to ten feet deep depending on where you choose to mine.  The deposit is partially exposed for about 800' to 1000' in length.  You can screen in the branch (small stream) or barrels set up along the trench.

This can be wet, dirty work so dress accordingly. Change of clothes suggested.  If you are unable to dig your own, there is a sluice box and a pile of material beside it. If this is necessary for you, let me (Taylor Cantrell) know you will need the sluice box running, at least by May 1st, 2000.

Pets must be on a leash.

   Tools:  Gem screen, shovel, pick, buckets.

   Bring:  lunch, water, sunscreen, bug spray.

   Accommodations: 

In Canton, NC, at exit 31 on I- 40, west of Ashville.
Comfort Inn, double room rate $60.00 (828-648-4881).
Tell them you are with Dixie Mineral society, resv. suggested.

   Possible no-fee field trip on Sunday AM depending on interest.
   Other things of interest in area:
     Cherokee, NC - about 45 min.
     Biltmore house - about 30 min.
     Franklin Gem & Mineral show - wholesale & retail. May 12,13,14 -about 1-1/2 Hr.away.

* - Children not properly supervised will be enslaved for the duration and forced to work for the president of the host club.
** - Anything you can carry out.  If Mr. Woods has to use the backhoe he reserves the rights to a 50% share.