Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Today I opened all the 55 gallon drums of rough and spread the goodies out. Tomorrow I'll be sorting and will be doing a few photos. I hope to post some photos here soon.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
- Rough Has Arrived
Palm Harbor, FL -USA
The ton and a half of beautiful rough Koroit boulder opal that I shipped home from Australia has arrived. Tomorrow I'll be getting up early and opening some of the drums.
Yes, yes, soon I'll have some of it ready to sell. If you're interested, please email me: gene at koroit dot com.
More later . . .
The ton and a half of beautiful rough Koroit boulder opal that I shipped home from Australia has arrived. Tomorrow I'll be getting up early and opening some of the drums.
Yes, yes, soon I'll have some of it ready to sell. If you're interested, please email me: gene at koroit dot com.
More later . . .
Sunday, December 13, 2009
- Closer and Closer . . .
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Inch by inch the ton and a half of rough Koroit opal is getting closer . . . My customs broker called last week and told me that apparently the shipment had cleared US Customs and would be delivered soon . . . hmmm, soon, whenever that might be . . .
Dawn is very organized and has been a huge help. She wants to get our business paperwork in order and be careful to inventory and keep track of everything. This means it would simplify my life if I were to get rid of all the older rough I have on hand right now so I won't need to keep it segregated from the new rough.
Therefore, I'm going to be moving out the rough I have on hand, selling it quickly . . . if you'd like some, please let me know (email: gene at koroit dot com). I'll also be selling some of the new rough as soon as it arrives. We'll be putting together parcels of different sizes and different values - from just a few small pieces to a 55 gallon drum full.
If you're curious, drop me an email . . . nothing says Merry Christmas or Happy New Year like a box of rare and beautiful rocks!!
Inch by inch the ton and a half of rough Koroit opal is getting closer . . . My customs broker called last week and told me that apparently the shipment had cleared US Customs and would be delivered soon . . . hmmm, soon, whenever that might be . . .
Dawn is very organized and has been a huge help. She wants to get our business paperwork in order and be careful to inventory and keep track of everything. This means it would simplify my life if I were to get rid of all the older rough I have on hand right now so I won't need to keep it segregated from the new rough.
Therefore, I'm going to be moving out the rough I have on hand, selling it quickly . . . if you'd like some, please let me know (email: gene at koroit dot com). I'll also be selling some of the new rough as soon as it arrives. We'll be putting together parcels of different sizes and different values - from just a few small pieces to a 55 gallon drum full.
If you're curious, drop me an email . . . nothing says Merry Christmas or Happy New Year like a box of rare and beautiful rocks!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
- Shipment is Getting Closer
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
The ton and a half of rough Koroit opal I shipped from Australia to the USA is scheduled to arrive here in Florida sometime this week.
As you can imagine the 2 month journey of these 55 gallon drums full of beautiful rocks from the other side of the planet is fraught with peril. I have had some unpleasant surprises before. I'll be excited and relieved when the treasure arrives.
I would like to generate a few dollars before the end of the month . . . If you'd be interested in acquiring any of this treasure for yourself, please feel free to contact me: koroit (at) gmail (dot) com.
The ton and a half of rough Koroit opal I shipped from Australia to the USA is scheduled to arrive here in Florida sometime this week.
As you can imagine the 2 month journey of these 55 gallon drums full of beautiful rocks from the other side of the planet is fraught with peril. I have had some unpleasant surprises before. I'll be excited and relieved when the treasure arrives.
I would like to generate a few dollars before the end of the month . . . If you'd be interested in acquiring any of this treasure for yourself, please feel free to contact me: koroit (at) gmail (dot) com.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
- A few mining photos
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Here are a few photos from my recent trip of the open cut . . . there will be more soon.
The hole is about 60' x 90'. The excavator is sitting about 25' to 30' below the surface and would reach down about another 20' to the opal level. In one of the photos below, you can see where we dug down to an old tunnel. The nice sliced nut came out of this hole.
Here are a few photos from my recent trip of the open cut . . . there will be more soon.
The hole is about 60' x 90'. The excavator is sitting about 25' to 30' below the surface and would reach down about another 20' to the opal level. In one of the photos below, you can see where we dug down to an old tunnel. The nice sliced nut came out of this hole.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
- Home again home again
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
I'm back home.
Yes, I am tired . . . particularly after having to waste so much time discussing, debating and getting a bit agitated with several Delta Airlines agents. I am going to avoid flying with Delta again and strongly suggest you do the same. Do not ever fly with them to Australia. . . . I could go on and on, but I am tired.
Soon after I got off the plane from Sydney and through US Customs and was feeling good about being back in the USA, I was about to get on a line at the Delta counter at LAX and who walked right by? . . . an American icon, Ron Jeremy. I love LA.
Thank you Dawn for picking me up at the airport and for being with me.
It's great to be back home.
.
I'm back home.
Yes, I am tired . . . particularly after having to waste so much time discussing, debating and getting a bit agitated with several Delta Airlines agents. I am going to avoid flying with Delta again and strongly suggest you do the same. Do not ever fly with them to Australia. . . . I could go on and on, but I am tired.
Soon after I got off the plane from Sydney and through US Customs and was feeling good about being back in the USA, I was about to get on a line at the Delta counter at LAX and who walked right by? . . . an American icon, Ron Jeremy. I love LA.
Thank you Dawn for picking me up at the airport and for being with me.
It's great to be back home.
.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
- Bye bye Australia
Brisbane, QLD - Australia
This trip, like every other trip before, was predictable and very unpredictable, as well as quite a learning experience. The lessons have been significant, but hardly cheap . . . but we don't need to go into those details.
Tonight I might wander around Brisbane and take a few photos of the city after dark. There's a new footbridge which looks like it might be very interesting at night.
Early tomorrow morning I will be heading back home to the USA, to the other side of the planet.
During a long layover in LA on Friday, I might wander away from the airport . . . and wander over to a particular tattoo shop . . .
I'm tired and very eager to get on the plane and get back home . . . and yes, most certainly, I am very eager to once again, be back together with my dear Dawn.
.
This trip, like every other trip before, was predictable and very unpredictable, as well as quite a learning experience. The lessons have been significant, but hardly cheap . . . but we don't need to go into those details.
Tonight I might wander around Brisbane and take a few photos of the city after dark. There's a new footbridge which looks like it might be very interesting at night.
Early tomorrow morning I will be heading back home to the USA, to the other side of the planet.
During a long layover in LA on Friday, I might wander away from the airport . . . and wander over to a particular tattoo shop . . .
I'm tired and very eager to get on the plane and get back home . . . and yes, most certainly, I am very eager to once again, be back together with my dear Dawn.
.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
- Trips Internal & External
Sunshine Coast, QLD - Australia
Yesterday I enjoyed the luxury of a leisurely drive from Toowoomba to the Sunshine Coast along a route I had never taken. Readers of my rambles have heard me talk about the dry & dusty outback & probably know about many of Australia's beautiful beaches, but there are so many different landscapes and personalities to Australia.
Yesterday's trip took me through gently rolling hills, up and down and curving along narrow roads, winding through pastures populated by tranquil cows and a few horses, small towns and along Lake Somerset. The gentle landscape, the occasional views of the water and almost hypnotic (certainly therapeutic) curves in the road brought to life long gone memories of the many hours and many miles I traveled along similarly beautiful back-roads in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine over 10 years ago.
A timeless sort of peace was with me for most of my trip - the sun was bright, the trees - gums, conifers (a few of those wacky looking Fraser Island Firs), the birds and the cows all added to the sense of peace, calm and tranquility, just taking each turn and new vista as it was presented to me.
Around a bend, near the side of the road, was something - ah, a large and freshly killed king brown snake - of course one of the most deadly snakes in the world. It seemed to say rather clearly, attention, beware, even within apparent peace and beauty lies the specter of danger and death. A painting by Poussin, "Et in Arcadia ego", came to mind - but that's another long and winding tale.
I enjoyed a simple lunch of greasy fish and chips at a small-town take-away place. While sitting there eating, a curious and apparently unrelated series of people paraded through, a disproportionate portion displaying a variety of interesting tattoos, including one young lady who proudly lifted her shirt to display a winged dragon she had done the previous day. On the way back to the USA I'll have a layover of about 16 hours in LA. I guess the universe agrees I should go and visit High Voltage Tattoo between flights.
.
Yesterday I enjoyed the luxury of a leisurely drive from Toowoomba to the Sunshine Coast along a route I had never taken. Readers of my rambles have heard me talk about the dry & dusty outback & probably know about many of Australia's beautiful beaches, but there are so many different landscapes and personalities to Australia.
Yesterday's trip took me through gently rolling hills, up and down and curving along narrow roads, winding through pastures populated by tranquil cows and a few horses, small towns and along Lake Somerset. The gentle landscape, the occasional views of the water and almost hypnotic (certainly therapeutic) curves in the road brought to life long gone memories of the many hours and many miles I traveled along similarly beautiful back-roads in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine over 10 years ago.
A timeless sort of peace was with me for most of my trip - the sun was bright, the trees - gums, conifers (a few of those wacky looking Fraser Island Firs), the birds and the cows all added to the sense of peace, calm and tranquility, just taking each turn and new vista as it was presented to me.
Around a bend, near the side of the road, was something - ah, a large and freshly killed king brown snake - of course one of the most deadly snakes in the world. It seemed to say rather clearly, attention, beware, even within apparent peace and beauty lies the specter of danger and death. A painting by Poussin, "Et in Arcadia ego", came to mind - but that's another long and winding tale.
I enjoyed a simple lunch of greasy fish and chips at a small-town take-away place. While sitting there eating, a curious and apparently unrelated series of people paraded through, a disproportionate portion displaying a variety of interesting tattoos, including one young lady who proudly lifted her shirt to display a winged dragon she had done the previous day. On the way back to the USA I'll have a layover of about 16 hours in LA. I guess the universe agrees I should go and visit High Voltage Tattoo between flights.
.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
- Bye bye Koroit
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
This morning I finished packing and closed the ming camp in Koroit and said goodbye at the end end of another mining season.
I'll try to fill in a few more details about the season when I get to Brisbane in a few days. It looks like you'll need to wait for the photos until I get back to the USA.
Yesterday while shaving (preparing to get back to civilization), something caught my eye, no not some disgusting hair growing out of my ear, but some peculiar critter on the floor not far from my foot. It was a 5 or 6 inch long colorful and nasty looking centipede which could have been a co-star on some episode of Star Trek. I was aware that these creatures bite and their bites are very painful and I won't even go into details about the resulting sweating and vomiting and the fact that often a few months after the bite a sizeable chunk of the area around the bite will fall off of your body. Luckily I was wearing my boots (don't you wear boots when you shave?) and even though it was an amazing and beautiful animal, I terminated it with extreme prejudice.
Now I need to get back on the road - heading east to the coast and civilization. Tonight I'll be spending the night in a hotel somewhere - with electricity and indoor plumbing and creature comforts and no centipedes.
.
This morning I finished packing and closed the ming camp in Koroit and said goodbye at the end end of another mining season.
I'll try to fill in a few more details about the season when I get to Brisbane in a few days. It looks like you'll need to wait for the photos until I get back to the USA.
Yesterday while shaving (preparing to get back to civilization), something caught my eye, no not some disgusting hair growing out of my ear, but some peculiar critter on the floor not far from my foot. It was a 5 or 6 inch long colorful and nasty looking centipede which could have been a co-star on some episode of Star Trek. I was aware that these creatures bite and their bites are very painful and I won't even go into details about the resulting sweating and vomiting and the fact that often a few months after the bite a sizeable chunk of the area around the bite will fall off of your body. Luckily I was wearing my boots (don't you wear boots when you shave?) and even though it was an amazing and beautiful animal, I terminated it with extreme prejudice.
Now I need to get back on the road - heading east to the coast and civilization. Tonight I'll be spending the night in a hotel somewhere - with electricity and indoor plumbing and creature comforts and no centipedes.
.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
- Nuts
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
. . . we found a few nice nuts . . . details later . . . it looks like you'll need to wait for photos until I get back to the USA . . .
Thanks so much to Richard and L - they're helpful, friendly, fun, honest and have been great people to work with.
.
. . . we found a few nice nuts . . . details later . . . it looks like you'll need to wait for photos until I get back to the USA . . .
Thanks so much to Richard and L - they're helpful, friendly, fun, honest and have been great people to work with.
.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
- Level
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
Gotta be quick & get back to Koroit . . .
An excavator broke down - we borrowed one from a neighbor.
We reached the level and have pulled out some color - there's more digging ahead.
The temperature has cooled down a bit - last night was in the 40s - cool temps make digging much easier and more comfortable.
It's all good!!
. . . back to the mine . . .
.
Gotta be quick & get back to Koroit . . .
An excavator broke down - we borrowed one from a neighbor.
We reached the level and have pulled out some color - there's more digging ahead.
The temperature has cooled down a bit - last night was in the 40s - cool temps make digging much easier and more comfortable.
It's all good!!
. . . back to the mine . . .
.
Monday, September 21, 2009
- Hoses, a Hole & a Hello
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
Things look promising. I won Lotto - I just collected my winnings, $31.55! It might not be millions, but it still is appreciated.
Something else appreciated was a very nice dinner at the very clean and tidy home of Lyn & Richard (cooperopals.com). They're good folks and dinner was delicious . . . and I didn't have to do the dishes. Thanks also for letting me send a few emails and for the tour of your cutting room. It's always interesting to see how other folks cut.
L and Richard have been busy digging - steadily moving mountains of dirt. As a matter of fact, while I'm here in town typing this and getting groceries, they're in Koroit digging. The hole is now about 90' x 40' and about 20' deep. There's another 15' to go to get to the level. Because of trouble with a few hydraulic hoses, there have been a few slight delays. It looks like some of the opal level will be exposed by Friday.
The walls of the excavation show promising signs about what lies below - pink / red / maroon sandstone with broad white streaks . . . apparrently good indicators.
For those of you unfamiliar with digging, the dirt which has been dug out of the ground occupies more volume when you pile it up then when it was packed tightly in the ground . . . about 3 times the volume. So when you dig a big hole, you have lots of dirt, piles of dirt. Each time you move the dirt takes time and costs money. A big part of successful excavating is knowing what to do with the dirt - planning ahead. Thank goodness L is an expert and really knows what he's doing. Richard is learning quite a bit from L. The two of them work together very well. I'm very grateful to have both of them there working so efficiently - as I said, they're moving lots of dirt . . . and doing it quickly and efficiently.
Thanks to Kim & Len for their continued hospitality and for letting me use their computer.
Soon a farewell to Glen. Safe travels and Happy Anniversary!
Yesterday I saw a small goanna (a type of lizard) - a bit over a foot long. They tend to come out only once it has really started to get rather warm. A couple of days ago a neighbor encountered a brown snake at his camp only about 300 meters from my camp. Don't worry Dawn, I'm keeping my eyes open.
Hello Dawn - even though we talk often, I miss you . . .
.
Things look promising. I won Lotto - I just collected my winnings, $31.55! It might not be millions, but it still is appreciated.
Something else appreciated was a very nice dinner at the very clean and tidy home of Lyn & Richard (cooperopals.com). They're good folks and dinner was delicious . . . and I didn't have to do the dishes. Thanks also for letting me send a few emails and for the tour of your cutting room. It's always interesting to see how other folks cut.
L and Richard have been busy digging - steadily moving mountains of dirt. As a matter of fact, while I'm here in town typing this and getting groceries, they're in Koroit digging. The hole is now about 90' x 40' and about 20' deep. There's another 15' to go to get to the level. Because of trouble with a few hydraulic hoses, there have been a few slight delays. It looks like some of the opal level will be exposed by Friday.
The walls of the excavation show promising signs about what lies below - pink / red / maroon sandstone with broad white streaks . . . apparrently good indicators.
For those of you unfamiliar with digging, the dirt which has been dug out of the ground occupies more volume when you pile it up then when it was packed tightly in the ground . . . about 3 times the volume. So when you dig a big hole, you have lots of dirt, piles of dirt. Each time you move the dirt takes time and costs money. A big part of successful excavating is knowing what to do with the dirt - planning ahead. Thank goodness L is an expert and really knows what he's doing. Richard is learning quite a bit from L. The two of them work together very well. I'm very grateful to have both of them there working so efficiently - as I said, they're moving lots of dirt . . . and doing it quickly and efficiently.
Thanks to Kim & Len for their continued hospitality and for letting me use their computer.
Soon a farewell to Glen. Safe travels and Happy Anniversary!
Yesterday I saw a small goanna (a type of lizard) - a bit over a foot long. They tend to come out only once it has really started to get rather warm. A couple of days ago a neighbor encountered a brown snake at his camp only about 300 meters from my camp. Don't worry Dawn, I'm keeping my eyes open.
Hello Dawn - even though we talk often, I miss you . . .
.
Friday, September 18, 2009
- A Repaired Ram, Digging & Ooops
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
My friend, who I'll refer to as "L", arrived this morning at 2am with a repaired ram. Later, after dawn, along with another friend and the owner of the other excavator, Richard (cooperopals.com), we reinstalled the ram into the arm of the excavator. I'll spare you the details of moving the ram which weighs about 3/4 of a ton and wiggling and delicately moving the ram so it would line up with the right holes in the arm of the excavator . . . it all fit back together properly and worked beautifully . . . until a hydraulic hose blew . . . that meant an early lunch . . . but by now L probably has replaced the hose . . . we'll be digging again tomorrow morning and should be down to the opal level in about 3 more days - it feels like it's 3 days until Christmas (I hope)!
It's getting warm here - it has been over 100 degrees . . . more and more lizards are out and about. I haven't seen any snakes.
Dawn had a bit of bad news for me. Her son James had a fender bender today. Luckily he and the other folks involved are all ok. He was using my car . . . but no worries James . . . accidents happen. I'm glad you are ok and nobody was hurt.
.
My friend, who I'll refer to as "L", arrived this morning at 2am with a repaired ram. Later, after dawn, along with another friend and the owner of the other excavator, Richard (cooperopals.com), we reinstalled the ram into the arm of the excavator. I'll spare you the details of moving the ram which weighs about 3/4 of a ton and wiggling and delicately moving the ram so it would line up with the right holes in the arm of the excavator . . . it all fit back together properly and worked beautifully . . . until a hydraulic hose blew . . . that meant an early lunch . . . but by now L probably has replaced the hose . . . we'll be digging again tomorrow morning and should be down to the opal level in about 3 more days - it feels like it's 3 days until Christmas (I hope)!
It's getting warm here - it has been over 100 degrees . . . more and more lizards are out and about. I haven't seen any snakes.
Dawn had a bit of bad news for me. Her son James had a fender bender today. Luckily he and the other folks involved are all ok. He was using my car . . . but no worries James . . . accidents happen. I'm glad you are ok and nobody was hurt.
.
Monday, September 14, 2009
- A Ram & Rambling
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
(I didn't get much sleep last night so the usual elegance of my prose probably will be lacking in the words below . . . the story will be told rather simply . . . )
Another friend with an excavator has joined us. Yesterday morning there were 2 excavators digging at my mine - they plan to be there for the next 6 weeks. It is amazing to watch them at work and see how much dirt they can move. They've dug down to a depth of about 20 feet and need to dig about 15 feet deeper to the opal level which is at about 35 feet below the surface.
One of the excavators had a bit of a leak of hydraulic oil from one of its rams. Yesterday afternoon the ram was removed and is now on its way to have its seals replaced. It should be back at work in about 2 days.
Working with excavators is new to me. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but as a kid who used to play with toy trucks in my sandbox, the step up to a real excavator is quite amazing. A few days ago I was helping my friend do some maintenance on his 40 ton excavator. I had to crawl underneath it to tighten about 30-something nuts and bolts. Of course the machine was running so that it would be able to rotate so I could get to the nuts. Crawling around in the bowels of a running 40-ton excavator was a new experience for me as well a very greasy, oily, noisy and smelly one as well.
Usually when I come to Koroit, I bring at least one book. This time I brought a copy of Shoenfield's Mathematical Logic, however, as interesting as it is, I have had virtually no time to read it. I have been working nearly all day every day.
. . . and to my favorite reader . . . almost every day I awake at about the time the sun rises - as another day begins I think of you dear Dawn. Thank you - I love you - I miss you . . .
.
(I didn't get much sleep last night so the usual elegance of my prose probably will be lacking in the words below . . . the story will be told rather simply . . . )
Another friend with an excavator has joined us. Yesterday morning there were 2 excavators digging at my mine - they plan to be there for the next 6 weeks. It is amazing to watch them at work and see how much dirt they can move. They've dug down to a depth of about 20 feet and need to dig about 15 feet deeper to the opal level which is at about 35 feet below the surface.
One of the excavators had a bit of a leak of hydraulic oil from one of its rams. Yesterday afternoon the ram was removed and is now on its way to have its seals replaced. It should be back at work in about 2 days.
Working with excavators is new to me. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but as a kid who used to play with toy trucks in my sandbox, the step up to a real excavator is quite amazing. A few days ago I was helping my friend do some maintenance on his 40 ton excavator. I had to crawl underneath it to tighten about 30-something nuts and bolts. Of course the machine was running so that it would be able to rotate so I could get to the nuts. Crawling around in the bowels of a running 40-ton excavator was a new experience for me as well a very greasy, oily, noisy and smelly one as well.
Usually when I come to Koroit, I bring at least one book. This time I brought a copy of Shoenfield's Mathematical Logic, however, as interesting as it is, I have had virtually no time to read it. I have been working nearly all day every day.
. . . and to my favorite reader . . . almost every day I awake at about the time the sun rises - as another day begins I think of you dear Dawn. Thank you - I love you - I miss you . . .
.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
- Great Rocks & Moving the Excavator
Cunnamulla, QLD - USA
More pretty rocks have been found. Yesterday we spent a few hours slicing and cutting.
My friend handed me a few pieces of rough to cut for him. One of the pieces contained a bright thick blue band of opal in hard dark ironstone. It was a delight to cut. The result was a large rounded triangle of very bright blue/green clean faced opal - bright bands of color and shifting pattern as you move the stone. . . the kind of rock that really makes you either speechless or just go "wow". I'll try to add a photo here in a few days. Yes, it's for sale . . . it looks like the price will be at least $4,000 and worth every penny - you'll be the only kid on your block with one!
I need to say bye bye and get back to Koroit - my friend is going to be moving his excavator over to my mine this afternoon . . . I've been waiting for this moment ever since I first bought the mine.
.
More pretty rocks have been found. Yesterday we spent a few hours slicing and cutting.
My friend handed me a few pieces of rough to cut for him. One of the pieces contained a bright thick blue band of opal in hard dark ironstone. It was a delight to cut. The result was a large rounded triangle of very bright blue/green clean faced opal - bright bands of color and shifting pattern as you move the stone. . . the kind of rock that really makes you either speechless or just go "wow". I'll try to add a photo here in a few days. Yes, it's for sale . . . it looks like the price will be at least $4,000 and worth every penny - you'll be the only kid on your block with one!
I need to say bye bye and get back to Koroit - my friend is going to be moving his excavator over to my mine this afternoon . . . I've been waiting for this moment ever since I first bought the mine.
.
Monday, September 7, 2009
- Digging in Koroit
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
For the past few days I've been helping my friend with his mining - he's been finding some very pretty material.
Within about a week the excavator should be moving over to my place to start digging there. It will take a few days to get down to the level (the layer where ironstone & opal are found) - the level at my mine is about 33 to 36 feet deep. Once we're down to the level the color will be exposed . . . I'm very excited to see what will be revealed.
I will try to keep you updated. Hopefully I'll be able to get some good or at least informative video and photos of the process.
The sun is back - it has been mostly clear with a few clouds here and there.
On the way to town this morning I saw the usual suspects - about 10 kangaroos and 5 emus . . . luckily I didn't hit any of them. I've seen several lizards including a few down in my mine, but luckily no snakes. This past winter was not very cold - so it appears many of the snakes did not go into their usual hibernation. Several of my friends have warned me that they have seen snakes around. So far, there have been none I have seen.
Dawn has been at work changing the look, layout and coloring of the blog - I think she's made good progress. As always her work and talent are appreciated greatly.
Off to get some groceries, give Dawn a call, then back to the mine.
.
For the past few days I've been helping my friend with his mining - he's been finding some very pretty material.
Within about a week the excavator should be moving over to my place to start digging there. It will take a few days to get down to the level (the layer where ironstone & opal are found) - the level at my mine is about 33 to 36 feet deep. Once we're down to the level the color will be exposed . . . I'm very excited to see what will be revealed.
I will try to keep you updated. Hopefully I'll be able to get some good or at least informative video and photos of the process.
The sun is back - it has been mostly clear with a few clouds here and there.
On the way to town this morning I saw the usual suspects - about 10 kangaroos and 5 emus . . . luckily I didn't hit any of them. I've seen several lizards including a few down in my mine, but luckily no snakes. This past winter was not very cold - so it appears many of the snakes did not go into their usual hibernation. Several of my friends have warned me that they have seen snakes around. So far, there have been none I have seen.
Dawn has been at work changing the look, layout and coloring of the blog - I think she's made good progress. As always her work and talent are appreciated greatly.
Off to get some groceries, give Dawn a call, then back to the mine.
.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
- Arrived in Koroit
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
On Wednesday I arrived in Cunnamulla and quickly drove out to Koroit. All seemed to be well at my camp and down in the mine.
When I opened the doors of 2 out of 3 of the sheds at my camp, I was greeted by rather large, well fed redbacks. Luckily they don't move too quickly and were easy to eliminate.
Down in the mine at the base of the shaft was a poor, thin, hungry, cold and slow moving bearded dragon (a common type of lizard). I picked him up, put him in the bucket and took him up to the surface. He seemed to be happy when I let him go at the base of a tree.
Yesterday (Thursday) I had a bit of a dig and found a bit of color - some small nuts.
It's been a bit rainy so the excavator has been slightly delayed. In 2 or 3 days (at least within a week) excavator digging should start. We're going to start in an area of the mine that could be very exciting and I think will yield some beautiful rocks . . . more later once the pretty rocks are exposed. . . .
.
On Wednesday I arrived in Cunnamulla and quickly drove out to Koroit. All seemed to be well at my camp and down in the mine.
When I opened the doors of 2 out of 3 of the sheds at my camp, I was greeted by rather large, well fed redbacks. Luckily they don't move too quickly and were easy to eliminate.
Down in the mine at the base of the shaft was a poor, thin, hungry, cold and slow moving bearded dragon (a common type of lizard). I picked him up, put him in the bucket and took him up to the surface. He seemed to be happy when I let him go at the base of a tree.
Yesterday (Thursday) I had a bit of a dig and found a bit of color - some small nuts.
It's been a bit rainy so the excavator has been slightly delayed. In 2 or 3 days (at least within a week) excavator digging should start. We're going to start in an area of the mine that could be very exciting and I think will yield some beautiful rocks . . . more later once the pretty rocks are exposed. . . .
.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
- Arrived in Australia
Brisbane, QLD - Australia
The eagle has landed. I just arrived in Brisbane. In 24 hours I'll be in Koroit.
I'll admit, I'm a bit jet-lagged, tired, dizzy and my eyes hurt. Due to my jet-lagged state my prose might not be as eloquent as usual . . .
I did want to mention a little bit of travel critic info . . .
Many of you may not realize Delta has just started flying to Australia. Due to the fact I had a pile of Delta frequent flyer miles, I decided to spend a mere 140,000 miles for a round trip on Delta. The 2 main cities one would arrive at from the USA are Sydney and Brisbane. I like to fly into Brisbane because from there I can catch a puddle-jumper flight to Cunnamulla, then drive to Koroit. At this time there is no flight from Sydney to Cunnamulla. Delta only flies into Sydney, so I needed to purchase a Sydney - Brisbane round trip on another carrier.
Yesterday my Delta connections became severly screwed-up within the USA, resulting in a bit of tension and over an hour on the phone and getting rerouted through Cincinnati . . . and barely making it to my flight in LA. The flight from LA to Sydney was on a Boeing 777, which is a wonderful airplane. However, Delta's service was rather poor. Food is not really a big deal to me, particularly on a plane . . . and to say that airplane food was bad is like, well, like saying airplane food is bad, like saying the sky is blue . . . however, this food was not just bad, it was terrible, ghastly, inedible.
A 777 is one of those nice new planes that has personal video screens for everyone - even those of us who sit in the cheap seats. Yet the selection of entertainment choices provided by Delta was nothing short of pathetic. I did watch "Little Miss Sunshine", which was a wonderful movie - so not absolutely everything was terrible, but their selection falls far short of the selection offered by their competition.
I noticed they offered a few things from HBO like reruns of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". However, they had the nerve to charge $2 to view each selection from HBO. Larry David does make me laugh, but not that much.
I'm not a drinker, but they charged for mixed drinks and as far as I know, their competition does not.
If you plan to be flying across the south pacific, I would recommend either Air New Zealand or Qantas and that you skip Delta.
Even though some details of the trip here were not ideal, I am happy to be here and am looking forward to getting out to the mine and seeing what beautiful rocks that excavator will unearth.
A note on the excavator, unearthing and mining in general -
Without going off on too much of a preachy metaphysical ramble I wanted to share a few thoughts. (Keep in mind I am jet-lagged & dizzy, but not quite delirious - so these words may not flow as smoothly as they should) I believe we are all connected - to each other, to the earth, to the universe - the whole thing. . . everything is connected . . . (that's one of the reasons you should be good and do the right thing, because when you do something bad or hurt someone or something else you are also hurting yourself - I digress). In some cases it may seem like mining is raping and pillaging the earth. In some cases it is. I have a great deal of respect and gratitude for what mother nature has made available to me. To me it seems nature has placed some incredibly beautiful objects in my path - I am simply picking them up and sharing them with the world, not taking or robbing, but celebrating. Those are just a few thoughts. . . if you have any questions about more of the details, feel free to ask.
My eyes are killing me . . .
. . . more later when I get out to Cunnamulla
.
The eagle has landed. I just arrived in Brisbane. In 24 hours I'll be in Koroit.
I'll admit, I'm a bit jet-lagged, tired, dizzy and my eyes hurt. Due to my jet-lagged state my prose might not be as eloquent as usual . . .
I did want to mention a little bit of travel critic info . . .
Many of you may not realize Delta has just started flying to Australia. Due to the fact I had a pile of Delta frequent flyer miles, I decided to spend a mere 140,000 miles for a round trip on Delta. The 2 main cities one would arrive at from the USA are Sydney and Brisbane. I like to fly into Brisbane because from there I can catch a puddle-jumper flight to Cunnamulla, then drive to Koroit. At this time there is no flight from Sydney to Cunnamulla. Delta only flies into Sydney, so I needed to purchase a Sydney - Brisbane round trip on another carrier.
Yesterday my Delta connections became severly screwed-up within the USA, resulting in a bit of tension and over an hour on the phone and getting rerouted through Cincinnati . . . and barely making it to my flight in LA. The flight from LA to Sydney was on a Boeing 777, which is a wonderful airplane. However, Delta's service was rather poor. Food is not really a big deal to me, particularly on a plane . . . and to say that airplane food was bad is like, well, like saying airplane food is bad, like saying the sky is blue . . . however, this food was not just bad, it was terrible, ghastly, inedible.
A 777 is one of those nice new planes that has personal video screens for everyone - even those of us who sit in the cheap seats. Yet the selection of entertainment choices provided by Delta was nothing short of pathetic. I did watch "Little Miss Sunshine", which was a wonderful movie - so not absolutely everything was terrible, but their selection falls far short of the selection offered by their competition.
I noticed they offered a few things from HBO like reruns of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". However, they had the nerve to charge $2 to view each selection from HBO. Larry David does make me laugh, but not that much.
I'm not a drinker, but they charged for mixed drinks and as far as I know, their competition does not.
If you plan to be flying across the south pacific, I would recommend either Air New Zealand or Qantas and that you skip Delta.
Even though some details of the trip here were not ideal, I am happy to be here and am looking forward to getting out to the mine and seeing what beautiful rocks that excavator will unearth.
A note on the excavator, unearthing and mining in general -
Without going off on too much of a preachy metaphysical ramble I wanted to share a few thoughts. (Keep in mind I am jet-lagged & dizzy, but not quite delirious - so these words may not flow as smoothly as they should) I believe we are all connected - to each other, to the earth, to the universe - the whole thing. . . everything is connected . . . (that's one of the reasons you should be good and do the right thing, because when you do something bad or hurt someone or something else you are also hurting yourself - I digress). In some cases it may seem like mining is raping and pillaging the earth. In some cases it is. I have a great deal of respect and gratitude for what mother nature has made available to me. To me it seems nature has placed some incredibly beautiful objects in my path - I am simply picking them up and sharing them with the world, not taking or robbing, but celebrating. Those are just a few thoughts. . . if you have any questions about more of the details, feel free to ask.
My eyes are killing me . . .
. . . more later when I get out to Cunnamulla
.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
- To the airport
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Several of you have asked for lots of details in my posts . . .
Dawn is on the way. I might say hi from LAX.
later . . .
.
Several of you have asked for lots of details in my posts . . .
Dawn is on the way. I might say hi from LAX.
later . . .
.
- Off to the Outback
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Good morning.
In a few minutes Dawn will be here to pick me up. She's going to be taking me out to breakfast, then to the airport. . . . I probably should stop typing and finish packing!
A few short hours from now I'll be in the air, on a trip that will keep me away from home for 2 months to find treasure. I can feel that this is going to be a very productive trip and time will go quickly . . . however, I'm going to miss home . . . I'm going to miss Dawn.
. . . I'll miss her, but she is always with me, we are always together and have been together for a very long time . . . :)
I'm also going to miss my family - particularly my 3 nephews and their father, my wacky brother . . . I hope Jake continues to feel better and will be talking like crazy when I get back home.
ok, I admit it - I'm a bit sappy . . .
. . . now off to the other side of the world to find some amazing rocks!
.
Good morning.
In a few minutes Dawn will be here to pick me up. She's going to be taking me out to breakfast, then to the airport. . . . I probably should stop typing and finish packing!
A few short hours from now I'll be in the air, on a trip that will keep me away from home for 2 months to find treasure. I can feel that this is going to be a very productive trip and time will go quickly . . . however, I'm going to miss home . . . I'm going to miss Dawn.
. . . I'll miss her, but she is always with me, we are always together and have been together for a very long time . . . :)
I'm also going to miss my family - particularly my 3 nephews and their father, my wacky brother . . . I hope Jake continues to feel better and will be talking like crazy when I get back home.
ok, I admit it - I'm a bit sappy . . .
. . . now off to the other side of the world to find some amazing rocks!
.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
- Koroit Rough directly from the Mine?
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
In about 24 hours I'll be getting on the plane and starting the almost 30 hour journey to Australia . . . . . yes, traveling for 30 hours can be a bit uncomfortable and tiring, but I'm going all the way to the other side of the planet. Call me simple, but I still think it's pretty amazing that a regular non-astronaut guy like me can get to the opposite side of the earth in only 30 hours.
I'm flying non-stop from LA to Sydney - which is about a 14 hour flight. Hopefully I'll either have an empty seat as a neighbor or someone who is painless, maybe even interesting. . . . and of course I hope they have recently showered. On my last trip back from Australia I was trapped next to a large guy who was surrounded by a rather pungent "aura".
Now to the point of this post - if you would be interested in purchasing any rough from me while I am at the mine, please email me (koroit at gmail dot com). Please remember, while in Australia I'll probably only be checking my email about once a week. . . . so if my response is not rapid or if I am not able to chat and chat and chat, please do not take it personally. I do not know how much internet access I'll have.
. . . back to last minute this & that . . . .
.
In about 24 hours I'll be getting on the plane and starting the almost 30 hour journey to Australia . . . . . yes, traveling for 30 hours can be a bit uncomfortable and tiring, but I'm going all the way to the other side of the planet. Call me simple, but I still think it's pretty amazing that a regular non-astronaut guy like me can get to the opposite side of the earth in only 30 hours.
I'm flying non-stop from LA to Sydney - which is about a 14 hour flight. Hopefully I'll either have an empty seat as a neighbor or someone who is painless, maybe even interesting. . . . and of course I hope they have recently showered. On my last trip back from Australia I was trapped next to a large guy who was surrounded by a rather pungent "aura".
Now to the point of this post - if you would be interested in purchasing any rough from me while I am at the mine, please email me (koroit at gmail dot com). Please remember, while in Australia I'll probably only be checking my email about once a week. . . . so if my response is not rapid or if I am not able to chat and chat and chat, please do not take it personally. I do not know how much internet access I'll have.
. . . back to last minute this & that . . . .
.
Monday, August 24, 2009
- In a week
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
A week from now I'll be somewhere over the south pacific on my way to Australia. . . . off to 2 months of mining, but this time with an excavator!
It looks like it will be quite an adventure & hopefully quite a bit of opal.
I'll keep you informed.
.
A week from now I'll be somewhere over the south pacific on my way to Australia. . . . off to 2 months of mining, but this time with an excavator!
It looks like it will be quite an adventure & hopefully quite a bit of opal.
I'll keep you informed.
.
Monday, August 10, 2009
- Going Soon
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Although I have not yet determined the exact travel dates, it looks like I'll be on my way back to Australia at the end of this month and mining in Koroit for about 2 months.
This could be the most productive 2 months of mining I have ever experienced. A neighboring miner will be bringing his excavator over to my mine early in September and will be digging until the weather gets too hot - probably sometime in late October.
When one uses an excavator or bulldozer to mine it is called open-cutting. Two months of open-cutting my mine will most likely yield much more opal than I have ever mined in an entire season. I plan to be taking plenty of photos and shooting lots of video. Of course this is very exciting.
I expect to be updating this blog while I'm in Australia. However, how frequently should I update it? (probably will be once a week) . . . & how much detail do you want to read? How many of you are reading this?
If there are a bunch of you out there reading this, please let me know. If I'm only talking to myself, then I might not be posting very much. (After spending time in the outback you get a little too comfortable talking to yourself.) From the emails I've received I know occasionally there have been quite a few of you taking a look. If you're reading this & are interested, please either email me (koroit at gmail dot com) or leave a comment here (please note: If you leave me a comment here, it will be anonymous. If you want me to know who it is from, please either leave your name or email).
I expect to be shipping quite a bit of rough opal home from Koroit. If you would be interested in any rough or cut stones, please let me know. Depending on what you are looking for, I might be able to send you some material directly from Australia.
.
Although I have not yet determined the exact travel dates, it looks like I'll be on my way back to Australia at the end of this month and mining in Koroit for about 2 months.
This could be the most productive 2 months of mining I have ever experienced. A neighboring miner will be bringing his excavator over to my mine early in September and will be digging until the weather gets too hot - probably sometime in late October.
When one uses an excavator or bulldozer to mine it is called open-cutting. Two months of open-cutting my mine will most likely yield much more opal than I have ever mined in an entire season. I plan to be taking plenty of photos and shooting lots of video. Of course this is very exciting.
I expect to be updating this blog while I'm in Australia. However, how frequently should I update it? (probably will be once a week) . . . & how much detail do you want to read? How many of you are reading this?
If there are a bunch of you out there reading this, please let me know. If I'm only talking to myself, then I might not be posting very much. (After spending time in the outback you get a little too comfortable talking to yourself.) From the emails I've received I know occasionally there have been quite a few of you taking a look. If you're reading this & are interested, please either email me (koroit at gmail dot com) or leave a comment here (please note: If you leave me a comment here, it will be anonymous. If you want me to know who it is from, please either leave your name or email).
I expect to be shipping quite a bit of rough opal home from Koroit. If you would be interested in any rough or cut stones, please let me know. Depending on what you are looking for, I might be able to send you some material directly from Australia.
.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
- Happy 4th
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
. . . a quick hello to say Happy 4th of July - Happy Independence Day !!!
I'm sorting & selling rocks & getting ready to head back to Australia - not sure of exactly when, but pretty soon. . . . . there are so many pretty rocks just waiting there - only a few feet below the surface of the outback.
Dawn's son James has returned from his trip to Germany. He loved it - yes, it was one of those eye-opening, life-changing experiences. Now he sees the world from a much broader perspective. Thanks so much to everyone who helped him to have this wonderful experience - you made a difference.
.
. . . a quick hello to say Happy 4th of July - Happy Independence Day !!!
I'm sorting & selling rocks & getting ready to head back to Australia - not sure of exactly when, but pretty soon. . . . . there are so many pretty rocks just waiting there - only a few feet below the surface of the outback.
Dawn's son James has returned from his trip to Germany. He loved it - yes, it was one of those eye-opening, life-changing experiences. Now he sees the world from a much broader perspective. Thanks so much to everyone who helped him to have this wonderful experience - you made a difference.
.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
- Best Wishes & A Parting of Ways
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Several of you have asked, so I thought I would make something clear. Without going into details, as a result of a number of things and after much thought and many attempts to make the situation work, I felt Paul and I should go our separate ways. While I wish him the best in his new marriage and any future endeavors, he will not be returning to my mines in Koroit and we will not have any connection professionally.
Several of you have asked, so I thought I would make something clear. Without going into details, as a result of a number of things and after much thought and many attempts to make the situation work, I felt Paul and I should go our separate ways. While I wish him the best in his new marriage and any future endeavors, he will not be returning to my mines in Koroit and we will not have any connection professionally.
.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
- Back in the US of A
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Happy Mother's Day!!
I'm back home . . . and still a bit tired.
Although it was not a very good trip to Australia (for many reasons), I did bring home a few pretty rocks. Tomorrow I'll be hard at work playing with the rocks.
. . . more details later
.
Happy Mother's Day!!
I'm back home . . . and still a bit tired.
Although it was not a very good trip to Australia (for many reasons), I did bring home a few pretty rocks. Tomorrow I'll be hard at work playing with the rocks.
. . . more details later
.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
- In Cunnamulla
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
I'll be spending the next few days in downtown Cunnamulla (pop. approximately 1,217) helping some friends . . . then on Sunday I'll be on the plane to Brisbane, then on my way back to the USA.
I did spend time down in the mine digging and sweating . . . and, luckily, finding. The jackhammer did lead me to some pretty rocks. It really is quite a rush to discover and liberate these rare and beautiful stones. Mother nature does some amazing work.
This was a quick trip - only 5 weeks. It is a bit frustrating to open the mine, clean things up, pull out the generators, get the cutting equipment set-up, etc etc and then, just a few weeks later, have to go through the entire process in reverse - but that's what happens with a short trip. The mine shaft is closed and the generators will be quiet until I return in maybe a month or two.
As I previously mentioned my PoO (Plan of Operations) was approved. The use of an excavator has been approved. Now I need to wait for the excavator. It appears at the very latest an excavator will be digging on my lease in early September. There is some possibility digging will occur earlier. Once the open-cut begins, I expect to be smiling. Several folks have asked about the digging process - I hope to give you a few details soon.
Koroit has been very quiet. It appears that it will be a very quiet season in Koroit - not much mining and not much production - very little treasure coming out of the ground. . . . which is a bit funny, because even though most other miners will not be digging and producing this season, it looks like there is a very a good chance this could be the year of my greatest production of gorgeous opal.
stay tuned, I'll keep you informed . . .
.
I'll be spending the next few days in downtown Cunnamulla (pop. approximately 1,217) helping some friends . . . then on Sunday I'll be on the plane to Brisbane, then on my way back to the USA.
I did spend time down in the mine digging and sweating . . . and, luckily, finding. The jackhammer did lead me to some pretty rocks. It really is quite a rush to discover and liberate these rare and beautiful stones. Mother nature does some amazing work.
This was a quick trip - only 5 weeks. It is a bit frustrating to open the mine, clean things up, pull out the generators, get the cutting equipment set-up, etc etc and then, just a few weeks later, have to go through the entire process in reverse - but that's what happens with a short trip. The mine shaft is closed and the generators will be quiet until I return in maybe a month or two.
As I previously mentioned my PoO (Plan of Operations) was approved. The use of an excavator has been approved. Now I need to wait for the excavator. It appears at the very latest an excavator will be digging on my lease in early September. There is some possibility digging will occur earlier. Once the open-cut begins, I expect to be smiling. Several folks have asked about the digging process - I hope to give you a few details soon.
Koroit has been very quiet. It appears that it will be a very quiet season in Koroit - not much mining and not much production - very little treasure coming out of the ground. . . . which is a bit funny, because even though most other miners will not be digging and producing this season, it looks like there is a very a good chance this could be the year of my greatest production of gorgeous opal.
stay tuned, I'll keep you informed . . .
.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
- Some Treasure, Some Sunshine
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
After spending a few days organizing and unpacking my camp and reattaching various electrical cords, on my first day of digging, luckily, I found some color - a few small nuts. It is always a thrill to find even a few pieces of this beautiful and incredible material which has been hiding a few feet underground for the past few million years.
I'll be spending the night in Cunnamulla tonight, then in the morning, giving a friend who has been digging opal for about as many years as I have been alive, a ride out to Koroit.
It has been raining every day for about the last week. When at the mine, rain can be very annoying and confining. When one lives in a 10ft x 10ft garden shed, being confined can be rather unpleasant. Rain also makes it muddy, sloppy and makes the ladder slippery and even more dangerous. The sun has been out today - hopefully the rain is gone.
I'll be digging tomorrow.
Again, thank you Dawn for so very much.
.
After spending a few days organizing and unpacking my camp and reattaching various electrical cords, on my first day of digging, luckily, I found some color - a few small nuts. It is always a thrill to find even a few pieces of this beautiful and incredible material which has been hiding a few feet underground for the past few million years.
I'll be spending the night in Cunnamulla tonight, then in the morning, giving a friend who has been digging opal for about as many years as I have been alive, a ride out to Koroit.
It has been raining every day for about the last week. When at the mine, rain can be very annoying and confining. When one lives in a 10ft x 10ft garden shed, being confined can be rather unpleasant. Rain also makes it muddy, sloppy and makes the ladder slippery and even more dangerous. The sun has been out today - hopefully the rain is gone.
I'll be digging tomorrow.
Again, thank you Dawn for so very much.
.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
- Arrived in Koroit, PoO Approved
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
I've arrived in Koroit. Luckily my camp is still intact - apparently there were some fierce winds that whipped through during my abscence, but everything seemd to be ok. It appears a city of mice took up residence while I was gone, however they now are in the process of vacating my residence.
The situation underground looked fine. A little bit of water had dropped down into the mine and had made a few slightly muddy spots, but I did not see any snakes or snake tracks.
My PoO has been approved. For those not fluent in the Queensland Department of Mines / EPA lingo, "PoO" is short for "Plan of Operation". In order to commence mining on an opal lease the leaseholder must file a plan of operation, detailing where the digging will occur and what will be done to rehabilitate the land after mining etc. I was very happy to learn my PoO had been approved so I will be able to open-cut my lease this season . . . now I just need to wait for the excavator to arrive.
A very big thank you to Dawn for taking care of things in the USA while I'm in Australia.
Time to get back to work . . .
.
I've arrived in Koroit. Luckily my camp is still intact - apparently there were some fierce winds that whipped through during my abscence, but everything seemd to be ok. It appears a city of mice took up residence while I was gone, however they now are in the process of vacating my residence.
The situation underground looked fine. A little bit of water had dropped down into the mine and had made a few slightly muddy spots, but I did not see any snakes or snake tracks.
My PoO has been approved. For those not fluent in the Queensland Department of Mines / EPA lingo, "PoO" is short for "Plan of Operation". In order to commence mining on an opal lease the leaseholder must file a plan of operation, detailing where the digging will occur and what will be done to rehabilitate the land after mining etc. I was very happy to learn my PoO had been approved so I will be able to open-cut my lease this season . . . now I just need to wait for the excavator to arrive.
A very big thank you to Dawn for taking care of things in the USA while I'm in Australia.
Time to get back to work . . .
.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
- Tomorrow to Koroit
Warana, QLD - Australia
Moments ago Suzi and Paul left to go on their honeymoon. They were married on Saturday in a very simple and charming ceremony among lush green rolling hills, almost mountains, in the often cloud and fog clad area of Maleny. I was the best-man and did have a prime vantage point of the procedings - and in part due to that vantage point, at some moments, my vision became a bit obscured, both literally and figuratively . . . the vision of this poor romantic lad was obscured by those almost-tears forming in my eyes along with thoughts, dreams and flights of fancy forming not in my mind, but more in my heart and soul . . . yes, you know those dreams . . . perhaps I've said too much, but I almost always do . . .
After the ceremony, during the reception, Andrew, a fellow Koroit opal miner and one who speaks rather freely, said to me along with several other people within earshot, "hey, Gene, you were getting all choked-up up there and almost started balling". I admitted to him he was correct.
Early tomorrow morning I will be saying goodbye to the coast and many creature comforts and will be heading to Koroit . . . please wish me luck.
.
Moments ago Suzi and Paul left to go on their honeymoon. They were married on Saturday in a very simple and charming ceremony among lush green rolling hills, almost mountains, in the often cloud and fog clad area of Maleny. I was the best-man and did have a prime vantage point of the procedings - and in part due to that vantage point, at some moments, my vision became a bit obscured, both literally and figuratively . . . the vision of this poor romantic lad was obscured by those almost-tears forming in my eyes along with thoughts, dreams and flights of fancy forming not in my mind, but more in my heart and soul . . . yes, you know those dreams . . . perhaps I've said too much, but I almost always do . . .
After the ceremony, during the reception, Andrew, a fellow Koroit opal miner and one who speaks rather freely, said to me along with several other people within earshot, "hey, Gene, you were getting all choked-up up there and almost started balling". I admitted to him he was correct.
Early tomorrow morning I will be saying goodbye to the coast and many creature comforts and will be heading to Koroit . . . please wish me luck.
.
Friday, March 27, 2009
- On Tuesday . . .
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
On Tuesday I'll be on the way to Australia. If you need any last minute Koroit opal rough, please let me know ASAP. I still have a bit of time to get some treasures in the mail.
If you need an opal fix while I'm gone, feel free to email me or Dawn at: opaldawn@gmail.com. It will be a better idea for you to email Dawn since she will be checking her email everyday.
. . . back to work.
.
On Tuesday I'll be on the way to Australia. If you need any last minute Koroit opal rough, please let me know ASAP. I still have a bit of time to get some treasures in the mail.
If you need an opal fix while I'm gone, feel free to email me or Dawn at: opaldawn@gmail.com. It will be a better idea for you to email Dawn since she will be checking her email everyday.
. . . back to work.
.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
- A Week
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
In a week I will be on the way to Australia . . . actually in exactly a week I think I'll be killing time in LAX waiting to get on the plane.
My first significant duties upon arrival downunder will include serving as bestman in Paul's wedding. He'll be getting married April 4th. After a brief period of recovery I'll be driving to Koroit on April 6th.
As you may know, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are the opposite of the seasons in the northern hemisphere. As the USA is moving into Spring, the southern hemisphere is moving into Autumn. However, it still is rather warm in Koroit, which means there likely will be a few snakes still out and about and not yet hibernating.
On the morning of April 7th, please keep your fingers crossed on my behalf. That is when I will be arriving in Koroit and opening up my camp for the first time this season. Opening the camp consists of a day or two of rather dull and tedious labor conducted with eyes wide open on the lookout for snakes, spiders, mice and various forms of damage and or decay. Of course I'll also venture down the ladder into the mine - looking out for new spider webs and nests on the ladder and at the bottom, snakes which either fell down the shaft or were washed down the shaft during storms.
While I'm in Australia I expect to be checking my email about once a week. Dawn will be staying here in the USA and can be reached at: opaldawn@gmail.com.
. . . back to work
.
In a week I will be on the way to Australia . . . actually in exactly a week I think I'll be killing time in LAX waiting to get on the plane.
My first significant duties upon arrival downunder will include serving as bestman in Paul's wedding. He'll be getting married April 4th. After a brief period of recovery I'll be driving to Koroit on April 6th.
As you may know, the seasons in the southern hemisphere are the opposite of the seasons in the northern hemisphere. As the USA is moving into Spring, the southern hemisphere is moving into Autumn. However, it still is rather warm in Koroit, which means there likely will be a few snakes still out and about and not yet hibernating.
On the morning of April 7th, please keep your fingers crossed on my behalf. That is when I will be arriving in Koroit and opening up my camp for the first time this season. Opening the camp consists of a day or two of rather dull and tedious labor conducted with eyes wide open on the lookout for snakes, spiders, mice and various forms of damage and or decay. Of course I'll also venture down the ladder into the mine - looking out for new spider webs and nests on the ladder and at the bottom, snakes which either fell down the shaft or were washed down the shaft during storms.
While I'm in Australia I expect to be checking my email about once a week. Dawn will be staying here in the USA and can be reached at: opaldawn@gmail.com.
. . . back to work
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Monday, March 2, 2009
- James' School Trip
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Thank goodness I am feeling better and am actually back to work. I still do not have the results of the chest xray, but I feel much better, not quite 100%, but good enough to work on some rocks.
Dawn's son James is planning to go on a school trip to Germany in June. He's collecting money for the trip (see link below) . . . I told him that I would cover whatever additional cost he's not able to collect as long as he tries to collect some of the expense, keeps being an A student and promises not to get drunk or do anything too foolish while overseas.
Any contribution to James' trip will be very appreciated . . . and I'm talking about appreciating it with a bit of Koroit rough to say thanks. More details about his trip are available on request.
Thank you !!!
Dawn's son James is planning to go on a school trip to Germany in June. He's collecting money for the trip (see link below) . . . I told him that I would cover whatever additional cost he's not able to collect as long as he tries to collect some of the expense, keeps being an A student and promises not to get drunk or do anything too foolish while overseas.
Any contribution to James' trip will be very appreciated . . . and I'm talking about appreciating it with a bit of Koroit rough to say thanks. More details about his trip are available on request.
Thank you !!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
- Still Sick
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Sorry Koroit fans, I'm still sick & not getting much work done . . . today I went for a chest X-ray.
later . . .
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Sorry Koroit fans, I'm still sick & not getting much work done . . . today I went for a chest X-ray.
later . . .
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
- Selling Rough
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
I hope to have a few parcels of rough Koroit opal up for sale on my website (www.koroit.com) by the end of the week - by Friday, Feb 27. I hope to be adding new parcels at least once a week.
The link to the rough for sale page is: Rough for Sale
If you'd like to be added to my email list to let you know when I will be adding new parcels, please email me (click HERE to email me).
Feel free to let me know what you're looking for & your requests.
We hope to be making some significant changes to my website soon - any of you Dreamweaver wizards out there feel free to throw in a few suggestions or tips.
On a personal note - my cold which has tortured me for about 2 weeks is showing signs of leaving . . . I hope to be back to normal & fully functional very soon.
thanks again
.
I hope to have a few parcels of rough Koroit opal up for sale on my website (www.koroit.com) by the end of the week - by Friday, Feb 27. I hope to be adding new parcels at least once a week.
The link to the rough for sale page is: Rough for Sale
If you'd like to be added to my email list to let you know when I will be adding new parcels, please email me (click HERE to email me).
Feel free to let me know what you're looking for & your requests.
We hope to be making some significant changes to my website soon - any of you Dreamweaver wizards out there feel free to throw in a few suggestions or tips.
On a personal note - my cold which has tortured me for about 2 weeks is showing signs of leaving . . . I hope to be back to normal & fully functional very soon.
thanks again
.
Monday, February 16, 2009
- Back from Tucson
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
We're back home from Tucson . . . and will be back at work in a day or two.
The shows in Tucson this year were very slow - very few buyers were there. I don't have access to any "official" stats, but it appears that 2009 was the worst attended Tucson in 20 years - based on my observation and my discussions with other exhibitors.
Our sales were far from impressive, but we did sell more than enough to cover our expenses.
Unfortunately, just as we were almost finished with Tucson, I picked up a nasty cold. It has been a bit stubborn, but we should be cutting & selling more rocks in a day or two . . .
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We're back home from Tucson . . . and will be back at work in a day or two.
The shows in Tucson this year were very slow - very few buyers were there. I don't have access to any "official" stats, but it appears that 2009 was the worst attended Tucson in 20 years - based on my observation and my discussions with other exhibitors.
Our sales were far from impressive, but we did sell more than enough to cover our expenses.
Unfortunately, just as we were almost finished with Tucson, I picked up a nasty cold. It has been a bit stubborn, but we should be cutting & selling more rocks in a day or two . . .
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
- Cutting Opals
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
A week from now we'll be in Tucson showing & selling. Here are a few opals I've just cut & will soon be on the way to Tucson . . . .
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Sunday, January 11, 2009
- Cutting Rocks
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
. . . just a quick and simple update -
I'm cutting opals getting ready for Tucson. Here are photos of a handfull of today's opals on dop sticks before I cut them.
More soon . . . .
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Friday, January 2, 2009
- Arrival
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
The shipment of rocks and hardwood from Australia arrived at about noon today.
Although I have established a stronger sense of faith in many areas of my life, I still breathe at least a small sigh of relief when I see those drums full of treasure I last saw about 2 months ago on the other side of the planet, being unloaded from the back of the truck here at home.
Here are a few photos:
(I've updated the post from 12/31/08.)
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