Well, I might as well post some pics of the Memorial Day Weekend
Reel Mine Dig of 2012, just for the record, mine you.

I have to say, for me, (I don't want to speak for Scott,
but I gotta feeling he would echo my summation),
it was about the worst weekend of digging I can remember,
EVER!
Yes, some folks found some beautiful pieces. I saw two
classic Reel Mine clusters that were found, and saw a couple
of others who were digging in some nice pockets of purple.
But for me, it was the weekend from Hell. Dug in ALL the
wrong places and saw NO pretty purple faces.
I'm glad I have a year before having to think about digging
there again.

But, as usual, a better group of prospectors to dig with
cannot be found. It was great to see some friends from
out-of-state. Since I wasn't finding anything I took the
time to take a few pics Sunday morning, the third day of
digging. Most of the holes are pretty well advanced by
this time.
This first pic is Scott talking with Bammer from Ohio who
always seems to settle into a nice little vein of purple
crystals right off the bat.
The second pic is a close-up of digging in the trench that
is now running thru the middle of the quarry. This is where
the two nice clusters were found.

And, now, pretty well worn out, we decided the best place
to fruitlessly dig, would be our old hole, from last year.
Atleast it's in the shade most of the time and a lot easier
digging.
Pat joined us for a while in the bottom of our hole which had
been furthered by a Scott from Tennessee on Saturday.
Pat is one heckuva digger, by the way.

Great report and pics, sorry to hear that the digging was so rough.  Thought about you guys being just down the the road.
Wish I could just come down, shoot pics and visit sometime.

It was good to meet you too, Mark.
Always nice to put a face with the name.
Sorry I had pretty much disintegrated by Sunday.
I'll let you know when I hear of the next openhouse at NAEM.

John, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have any problem getting
in to look around and take some pics.
Just tell them you know me.

And a few more pictures for the record book.  The beautiful cluster in the last two photos was found by our member Rebecca.  A great specimen and possibly the best found the entire weekend.

Joe come to the light.  You need a massage and quiet time. Scott great pictures!  Love the cluster

Me time, that is some of the most important things we can do for ourselves.  Just back from Banner Elk and a five hour chat about minerals with my Mom.  We could still be talking but wanted to be out of the mountains and the tourist traffic before dark...lol