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Discussion: Smokey Mountains Adventure
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washatonian |
Smokey Mountains Adventure
Oct 21 2008, 3:52 PM EDT
It was my intent to ROCK OUT in Franklin,NC. I was heading to Young Harris Georgia to attend a couple of Lapidary classes at the William Harris School of Lapidary Arts the last two weeks of September. I had purposely made plans to stay 2 stay in Franklin,NC the weekend before the start of class so that I might have a opportunity to enjoy the flavor of the community and do a little mining for some of those elusive Ruby's and Sapphires.I arrived 9/19 from Asheville,NC via Hwy #19 driving through Maggie Valley and Cherokee passing by stunning scenes and landscapes and stopping quite often to absorb the sights and smells of the Smokey Mountain culture.I made a pit stop in Cherokee, where the native peoples have lived for many thousands of years. Here is where I found the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway. Two absolutely magnificent road trips full of beauty and history with plenty of pull-offs. It was on the Blue Ridge parkway on my return to Asheville I came across a flock of 11 wild turkeys walking single file along the roadside. It was a sight to see. I spent more time in Cherokee than I had planned realizing it wasn't long enough to truly see everything in that growing town. The reservation community is a bustling place with the presence of an expanding Harrah's Cherokee Casino. I was fortunate to have arrived on a weekend that the Southeastern Tribes were having their annual Cultural Arts Celebration at the Indian fairgrounds where I also paid a visit to the Museum of Cherokee Indian. It was a treat to absorb some of that experience but alas I was on the road again after a 3 hour layover. I turned South just outside of town on Hwy #441 travelling through National Forrest valleys and woodlands to Franklin where I would stay for two nights at the Days Inn.In the morning I would locate the operational mines in the area in the hopes of finding my first ruby/sapphire or any other treasure. 2BCont.. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?
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washatonian |
1. RE: Smokey Mountains Adventure
Oct 21 2008, 4:35 PM EDT
pg2 SMA cont..As usual I was up before sunrise this Saturday, September 20th. Settling in the night before I had studied the list of gem mines in the vicinity I had made earlier which included the Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire mine - Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine - Gem World - Gold City Gem Mine - Jackson Hole Gem Mine - Mason's Ruby and Sapphire Mine - Rose Creek Mine - Sheffield Mine - The Johnson's Pl;aka Mason's Mountain Mine. I elected to go to the Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine as I felt comfortable that I could find it's location which appeared to be off the beaten path. After fueling up on motel convenience coffee and cereal I was promptly on the road at 7:40 am. Destination the Cherokee mine, motherland of the CHEROKEE CHEIF RUBY, a 1070 ct ruby found there 15 years ago. I was pumped as I left town maneuvering the twisty back road paths of the countryside where minutes later I would pass over the Tennessee River. Continuing on Hwy #28 I turned right onto Cowee Creek Rd winding my way through the Cowee valley until I turned onto Ruby Mine Rd following it to the Cherokee Mine where I excitedly arrived at 8:15 am ready for action. NAUGHT......seems I was a tad early for these operators and my presumption that business began at 8am was simply my vivid imagination at work. Nine is the norm here. So being one who is slightly impatient and reluctant to sit and wait, off I went over the hills and back through the woods, backtracking to the Rose Creek Mine, the turnoff to I had noticed and passed on my way to the Cherokee and which was approximately 15 - 18 miles back. The Rose Creek Mine had been my second choice to mine/sluice at and I new they were also open on Saturdays as well but again to mu surprise they didn't open their doors till 9am as well. I was not about to let this early bird attitude of mine dampen my enthusiasm to complete my quest. After stretching my legs and scoping out the operation I did an about face,this time cont. Do you find this valuable? |
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washatonian |
2. RE: Smokey Mountains Adventure
Oct 21 2008, 4:58 PM EDT
pg3 SMA cont..I was intent on not leaving the Cherokee mine until they open. Arriving back at the mine just after 9am I found the gate open and proceeded down the entrance to an open area where I pulled up and parked next to an outbuilding which acted as a visitor and admission center,supply and refreshment shack. It was manned by one of the mine friendly's who took my $7.00 admission fee and proceeded to give me a short course in gem identification, local history and what I could expect to find in the buckets of dirt which would cost an additional $2.50 apiece.A reasonable charge I felt. He then pointed me in the direction of the permissible parking zone adjacent to the sluice line. I grabbed my sluicing screen said thank you and proceeded to parking lot. It all sounded great I was totally excited at the possibility of finding a monster stone he he. I would soon learn that looking for Ruby's and Sapphires in that reddish rich clay and dirt was something my agate eyes were unacustom to seeing and looking for. 5 hours and 5 buckets later I called it quits realizing that if I were going to see and visit Franklin's rock & gem museum I had only 1 hour before they closed for the weekend.I departed the Cherokee this afternoon with very little but a good time. I would return again to this Valley to search for gems again. Do you find this valuable? |
pvjjh |
3. RE: Smokey Mountains Adventure
Oct 22 2008, 8:19 PM EDT
Nice report Andy, as usual you have a way with words. Sounds like a busy time there. Just got to work more material to get them biggin's. Those small ones if good quality can be worked and made into beautiful stones. I'll go with ya the next time you head back! (I wish) lol Thanks for sharing. Paul Do you find this valuable? |
TallTomSr |
4. RE: Smokey Mountains Adventure
Oct 22 2008, 10:32 PM EDT
Excellent report Andy.Makes a guy wish he was back there. tom Do you find this valuable? |
