In the springtime

Okay, this posting features some cool pics from different activities.  I will do my best to give an accurate description of each one. 

In the springtime of 2015, I accompanied Mike's Boy Scout to Topaz Mountain.  Being a qualified geology merit badge counselor, I was asked oversee this particular area of the trip.  The troop consisted of only four boys on this trip, but two others were not able to go because of family vacations.  

 

On the way to Topaz Mountain, we stopped at Drum Mountain.  It is called this because some say that if you are really quiet, you can actually hear deep, beating sounds coming from underneath the terrain that sounds like Indian drums.   

Well, I listened for this audio phenomenon, but I was unable to hear anything of the like.  But, we did find a great agate location, and collected some great samples.  One of the boys found a rock horny toad, and we all got to hold it before turning it loose.  

Horny toad.

A volcanic extrusion on Drum Mountain.

What does one do at Topaz Mountain?  Well, of course, collect Topaz, but this requires a lot of bending over.  Mike's posterior makes a good target for either a passing horse fly, an upset mule, or a swift boot kick.  

You may notice that the group is facing uphill.  The angle of the sun reflecting off the crystals determines the direction one faces.  Our group collected exclusively using this method.  In the upper right hand corner of this photo is a pit of worked rock.  Many people have use hand tools to try to recover the crystals, but splitting rocks is not my forte.  

During the camp, each scout took his turn at specified duties.  Mike, of course, made sure that things were done properly.  How do you prepare a "smash" burger?  Mike knows how, and his instructions for cooking are "low and slow."

A lonely dirt road winds its way to Topaz Valley.  The outcropping in the foreground is lava.  The background cliffs are composed of rhyolite.  On previous trips we have camped right up in the valley bowl, but because we were pulling the scout trailer, we camped in this spot.  

Years ago nice topazes about the size of the tip of a little finger could be found readily in the dry washes and on the hill sides, but now-a-days you have to be lucky to find them anywhere.  The place is really becoming picked over.  The scouts hiked up to the top of the ridges, and reported that crystals were plentiful, but that kind of climbing was to much for me.

In the springtime, Rachel performed in the violin section with her orchestra.  Her parents presented her with a beautiful bouquet after the concert.  

Mike, Rachel and Katie

Also last spring, Sam was advanced to the office of Teacher in his church men's organization.  This office is for males between the ages of 14 and 16.  

Sam and Jeff

Grandpa and Sam

Is this a bad camera angle or are we all leaning to the right?

Also in the springtime, at Dayle's graduadation, we got to see his mustang.  I nicknamed it the Green Hornet.  No wonder he was so popular in High School!