The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc
The Friendly Federation - Founded in 1976 to serve.

DMC Program of the SFMS
Field Trip Committee

An Official Field Trip of the Mobile
Rock and Gem Society (Host)

An Official Field Trip of the Knoxville
Gem and Mineral Society

9:30 am Central time, Saturday, February 28, 2004

What: The finds are marcasite, pyrite nodules and fossils from the Cretaceous period.

Where: Sumter County, Epes, Alabama

Misc.: Children are allowed under adult supervision. Pets are allowed on leash. No Fee site.

Bring: Buckets or bags, small hand shovel and scraper, newspaper for wrapping fossils. There is no restaurant nearby, so bring food, water and drinks. Wear layered clothing for our unpredictable Alabama weather.

Lodging: There are approximately 20 motels and four campgrounds in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which is 52 miles northeast of Epes. Livingston, Alabama is approximately 8.7 miles west of Epes on U.S. Highway 11 and has two motels, Comfort Inn and Western Inn. Demopolis, Alabama is 30 miles south of Epes and has seven motels and
two campgrounds.

Directions: Epes is on U.S. Highway 11 which runs parallel with Interstate 20 and 59. We will meet at or near the R & E Quick Stop County Store and Service Station on Highway 11 at the intersection of Highway 21, which is approximately 1/4 mile west of the Tombigbee River bridge. Meeting time is 9:30 am, Central time, Saturday, February 28, 2004

Contact: Larry Landry, Field Trip Chairman (251) 653-8459, e-mail address: maryloulandry@aol.com 

"Field Trips are open to all members of associated clubs of the DMC program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee and to all members of SFMS member clubs who have provided their membership with SFMS liability insurance. Because of insurance requirements, members of the GENERAL PUBLIC are NOT invited on this or any DMC program field trips!" The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc
The Friendly Federation - Founded in 1976 to serve.  DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee"

---

Report on the DMC
Diamond Hill Mine, SC Quartz Dig

On Saturday Dec. 13, nineteen braved the winter weather to dig for quartz at the Diamond Hill Mine near Antreville, SC. Actually, the weather turned out to be perfect for digging. Overcast and high 40's. The nasty rain promised in the forecast never showed up until everyone had left for the day. Participants flocked from all parts of the southeast to participate in the digging frenzy. There were both familiar and unfamiliar faces from Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Florida, and even a couple guys from Pennsylvania who were members of a western North Carolina club. Everyone went home with many treasures and smile on there face. The "booty" was substantial. The skeletal quartz was top quality. Some of the best the mine has ever given up. Recent activity with heavy equipment had made the prized material readily accessible. Also, several participants did well in the "smoky quartz pit." Blocky crystals of light smoky color up to 1.5" long were found. By far, the big trophies of the day were unearthed by the "demon diggers" from PA. To the delight of all that attended, they had more large plates of skeletal quartz than they could carry off. The largest plate probably weighed almost 200 pounds (trimmed) and took three people to carry. It was like Christmas.

Jim Maudsley, Field Trip Chairman, Athens (GA) Rock and Gem Club