GMS July Field Trips

**FIELD TRIP(S) FOR JULY**
An Official Field Trip of the GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY Harleyville, SC. LaFarge Cement Quarry 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 21, 2007 Free Site WHAT: Fossil Collecting Trip WHERE: LaFarge Cement Quarry in the Harleyville/Holly Hill area, South Carolina WHEN: July 21, 2007 COLLECTING HOURS: Participants should start arriving at 7:00 A.M. to check-in, sign a release form, and receive a brief safety briefing. The dig will be from 7 A.M. to 1 P.M. RESERVATIONS: We only have 15 slots for this dig. Please let me know in advance if you are planning on attending to be assured of a position. If children come to the dig, they MUST be in CLOSE proximity to their parent(s) at all times. The representative from the mine stated no young children are permitted in the mine All young people under 18 must be with an adult/parent at all times. This is a working mine. Nothing was said about pets; but I would advise against bringing them. This mine is primarily noted for its Eocene marine fossils including scallops, oysters, brachiopods, echinoids, shark teeth, ray teeth, etc. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Because this is a working mine, safety is most important. Hard hats and safety glasses are required . It is also recommended that you wear safety shoes (sturdy shoes), gloves, and appropriate outer clothing. Everyone must sign a release form prior to going into the mine. We will probably meet at our LaFarge Cement Quarry hosts "work trailer" to sign release forms and get a safety briefing before entering the mine. WHAT TO BRING: Bring something to collect into, picks, hammers, small shovels, a bag lunch, and plenty of drinking water. If the weather is nice, we may be able to drive into the mine, otherwise we walk (approximately a quarter mile or more). Also, bring a lunch since there are no restaurants close by. TRIP CONDITIONS: We will be limited to the first 15 for this field trip and there will be possibly be other organizations collecting with us bringing the total to around 100. LaFarge only opens up the mine to collectors once per quarter. Because of this condition, GMS Field Trip Chairman George Libby will be the point of contact for both the mine and the club participants. George’s email address and phone are as follows: WHERE TO STAY: Hotel/Motel Accommodations: The nearest hotels or motels are in Summerville, SC at Exit 199, in St. George, SC at Exit 77 off of Interstate 95, near Santee, SC at I-95 and Exit 102, and one in Harleyville, SC near the mine. In Summerville, SC: Economy Inn (843-875-7576); Hamilton Motel (843-873-0220); Sleep Inn (843-875-7567); Comfort Inn (843-835-2333); Hampton Inn (843-871-8300). In St. George, SC: Peach Tree Inn (843-636-9393); St. George Motor Inn (843-563-3029); Economy Inn (843-563-4195) and the Best Western (843-563-2277). Near Santee, SC: Comfort Inn (803-854-3221); Country Inn and Suites (803-854-4104); Days Inn (803-854-2175), and Hampton Inn (803-854-2444). In Harleyville, SC: Ashley Lodge (843-462-7800). CAMPING: Colleton State Park – Hwy. 15 S. in Canadys, SC (843-538-8206) Givhans Ferry State Park – 746 Givhans Ferry Rd. in Ridgeville, SC (843-873-0692) Lake Marion Resort and Marina – 510 Ragtime Trail in Santee, SC (803-854-2136) DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 26 (either direction) take exit 177 (Hwy. 453 Holly Hill / Harleyville). When you reach the top of the ramp, turn towards Harleyville. There is a road sign pointing the direction. The mine is less than a mile on the right. If you go past the mine, the Ashley Lodge is not far on the left. When entering the plant off of Hwy. 453 (Judge St.) proceed past the scales and the Administration offices and parking lot. Turn left at the first intersection. Follow that road and the trailer is down there near the end.

WHAT: Fossil Collecting Trip
WHERE: LaFarge Cement Quarry in the Harleyville/Holly Hill area, South Carolina
WHEN: July 21, 2007

COLLECTING HOURS: Participants should start arriving at 7:00 A.M. to check-in, sign a release form, and receive a brief safety briefing. The dig will be from 7 A.M. to 1 P.M.

RESERVATIONS: We only have 15 slots for this dig. Please let me know in advance if you are planning on attending to be assured of a position.
If children come to the dig, they MUST be in CLOSE proximity to their parent(s) at all times. The representative from the mine stated no young children are permitted in the mine All young people under 18 must be with an adult/parent at all times. This is a working mine. Nothing was said about pets; but I would advise against bringing them.

This mine is primarily noted for its Eocene marine fossils including scallops, oysters, brachiopods, echinoids, shark teeth, ray teeth, etc.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Because this is a working mine, safety is most important. Hard hats and safety glasses are required . It is also recommended that you wear safety shoes (sturdy shoes), gloves, and appropriate outer clothing. Everyone must sign a release form prior to going into the mine. We will probably meet at our LaFarge Cement Quarry hosts "work trailer" to sign release forms and get a safety briefing before entering the mine.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring something to collect into, picks, hammers, small shovels, a bag lunch, and plenty of drinking water. If the weather is nice, we may be able to drive into the mine, otherwise we walk (approximately a quarter mile or more). Also, bring a lunch since there are no restaurants close by.

TRIP CONDITIONS: We will be limited to the first 15 for this field trip and there will be possibly be other organizations collecting with us bringing the total to around 100. LaFarge only opens up the mine to collectors once per quarter. Because of this condition, GMS Field Trip Chairman George Libby will be the point of contact for both the mine and the club participants. George’s email address and phone are as follows:

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotel/Motel Accommodations: The nearest hotels or motels are in Summerville, SC at Exit 199, in St. George, SC at Exit 77 off of Interstate 95, near Santee, SC at I-95 and Exit 102, and one in Harleyville, SC near the mine. In Summerville, SC: Economy Inn (843-875-7576); Hamilton Motel (843-873-0220); Sleep Inn (843-875-7567); Comfort Inn (843-835-2333); Hampton Inn (843-871-8300). In St. George, SC: Peach Tree Inn (843-636-9393); St. George Motor Inn (843-563-3029); Economy Inn (843-563-4195) and the Best Western (843-563-2277). Near Santee, SC: Comfort Inn (803-854-3221); Country Inn and Suites (803-854-4104); Days Inn (803-854-2175), and Hampton Inn (803-854-2444). In Harleyville, SC: Ashley Lodge (843-462-7800).

CAMPING:
Colleton State Park – Hwy. 15 S. in Canadys, SC (843-538-8206)
Givhans Ferry State Park – 746 Givhans Ferry Rd. in Ridgeville, SC (843-873-0692)
Lake Marion Resort and Marina – 510 Ragtime Trail in Santee, SC (803-854-2136)

DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 26 (either direction) take exit 177 (Hwy. 453 Holly Hill / Harleyville). When you reach the top of the ramp, turn towards Harleyville. There is a road sign pointing the direction. The mine is less than a mile on the right. If you go past the mine, the Ashley Lodge is not far on the left. When entering the plant off of Hwy. 453 (Judge St.) proceed past the scales and the Administration offices and parking lot. Turn left at the first intersection. Follow that road and the trailer is down there near the end.