A sense of freedom!

In the early afternoon, after leaving the WW II Internment Camp, we drove back to the Brush Beryllium Highway, then past the extent volcano.  The only thing left of it is a solid core surrounded by black lava flow.  Believe me, it is nothing like the volcanoes you see in the northwest; nevertheless, it is interesting.

Matt stands proudly by the flag.

I don't know why the Lord created this vast, high desert;  but I think He had in mind not only sheepherders and rock hounds, but also kids when He did.

This country has, in it's own way, a certain majesty that that can only be appreciated by those making the effort to come.  I think, it is attractive to kids  because they get a sense of freedom that is not experienced in populated areas.

Only lizards and stink bugs live here.

Of course, we all love to collect the shinny little crystals found virtually everywhere.

Setting up camp was easy this trip.  The campers before us left a nice pile of straw.  All we had to do was kick it around a little and set up the tent on top of it.  We used our Spring bar tent this trip, figuring it might be a little more sturdy if a strong wind popped up during the night.

The kids really helped set up the camp, and once the chore was finished they wasted no time in trying out their comfortable air mattresses.
 

Mike 

What is Jenna carrying?

Almost time to eat.

Nothing like a good book.

Girls read - Boys rest.

Once rested, the topaz hunting began and really never stopped until we left the next day.  At this spot, we cracked rocks.  Looks like hard work, huh!

You can find topaz three different ways:  1) Cracking rocks in the quarry,  2) Sifting sand in the dry washes, or 3)  Walking around looking for sparkles, which is my favorite way.

The camp fire is always an attraction when camping.  There is something special about a nice fire that draws one to it.

We were lucky enough to get the same campground we had 2 years ago.

Aw!  There is nothing like wilderness camping! 

Erin's first fire!

Erin, our Young Woman, got in the action by building her first camp fire.  She started by using the hatchet to make kindling, then stacked the little thin pieces into a tepee shape.  Then the big moment came - She lighted her first match, ever.  It was quite a sight.

After the tepee was burning really well, she build a log cabin structure around it using larger pieces of wood.  Soon a great fire was roaring.  

"Don't bug Rob!"

The next day the kids decided to help Rob, a fellow camper, look for topaz.  He said that he found a lot of nice crystals in this area, so after breakfast they joined him and his dog, while Mike and I watched from our camp.  My last words to them was "Don't bug Rob!"  By the way, he was more that happy to show us his prized topaz crystals.

At dusk, Mike enjoys the light of Erin's fire.

After the kids were in bed, Mike and I were just standing around, when he said, "Dad, do you see that beam of light?"  Sure enough, a white laser beam was casting a green circle on the mountain shown in the pic above.  It appeared as if the beam was originating from the town of Delta, about 50 miles away.  The town lights could be seen in the far distance.  The beam lasted for a couple of minutes then it turned off.

Anyone have any idea what this could have been?

On our way home, we slowly drove through the old mining town of Eureka.  I got a couple of pics of some now-vacant houses.   Check back soon as I will post a picture of what may be a Ghost! 

"Hurrah"

"SUPPLIES"

Hurrah, we finally found this place - the now vacant 'Topaz Internment Camp' located just out of Delta, Utah.  This was my first visit to this historic WW II camp, even though I have passed by it many times on previous rock hounding trips to Topaz Mountain.

Our first stop was at Delta's one and only Mickey D's for a little lunch.  I asked the young lady cashier for directions to the Internment Camp.  She said it was quite -a-ways from the center of town, and that is was best for us to head back to the Brush Beryllium highway, go west then turn south on the dirt road.

We did just that and things went well until we realized that we were lost; but after stopping a couple of times at ranch houses for directions, we finally arrived at the camp.

We took pictures first then ventured on foot to what we thought was part of the ruins, but soon realized, to our delight, that this structure was a old filled-in shaft mine.  

Rachel totes her notebook

Erin & Jenna

I have no idea as to whether on not the Japanese worked this mine back in the mid-40's, but I guess they could have as the timbers look old enough.  We found an old whitewall tire half buried near the mine - another timeline indication.

You don't see whitewalls anymore

Anyway, we carefully investigated the mine dump, wondering what was being mined.





We soon found what was being mined - a mineral the locals call FLUORSPAR.   Fluorite is used as a flux for smelting.

Many years ago I was the Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 683, and had taken the boys to Topaz mountain.  We actually were given a tour of a fluorspar mine.  Anyway, I knew immediately what the mineral was when Erin excitedly found a piece of it and showed it to me.

  


Soon we were all collecting beautiful purple samples of fluorite ore.

Mike proudly shows his samples.

After rock collecting at the mine, we made our way back to the vehicles, and headed west, only to find the main monument of Topaz Internment Camp.  The 'Stars and Stripes' was waving proudly over the site, and I was pleased to find that this monument was constructed as an Eagle project for the BSA.



 Now, there is nothing left of this WW II camp that held some 8,000 loyal Japanese American citizens, for no reason except that they were of the same race as our enemy.   Paranoia runs deeply in times of war, and I hope we Americans have learned a lesson in tolerance, from this distressing time in our history.

The following photos are a few closeup shots.

 

Mathew stands proudly next to a chain-link fence just behind the American flag.  Using bobbed-wire, someone crudely wove the name 'Topaz' into the links.  I guess one could read a symbolism into this - I know I did. 

  

Rachel & Matthew

Our happy little group just before leaving Sandy.

After leaving the internment camp site, we made our way to our next destination - Topaz Mountain.  Be sure to check back in a few days, as I will have exciting photos for you to see.