the gem state

That's right - Idaho's nickname is the gem state (also known as "more than just potatoes") due to its abundance of rare minerals - and the state gem in these parts is the star garnet.  On my newly formed "Idaho bucket list" was to go mining for the dark black purplish gems at a nearby open mining facility close to Clarkia (about an hour & half away) called Emerald Creek Garnet Area.  Don't ask why it is called Emerald Creek and not Garnet Creek...

So yesterday after co-op kids, my faithful side kick Rebekka (co-op kids creator) her two kiddos (Bella & Jack), Isabelle, and I loaded up on snacks, sandwiches, and lots of water and headed North.  Not knowing quite what to expect we were pleasantly surprised by the dirty (very dirty), hot, and excitement of garnet mining.

first you find a spot to dig

then you dig (Bella)

then you check out to see where other people dig (Jack)

then you sift (or stand and look pretty)

then you sleuth (wash your rocks with water)

or stand and watch

then you pick out your gems (Rebekka)

voila - a handful of garnets!

It was lots of fun!  We only did the whole process a handful of times each - you can tell some people are there from morning till dusk.  But we were all excited to show off our gems and think about what we might do with them.  I plan to go into town to our local gem shop and see what they charge to tumble and possibly make beads out of a few we found to make some special Idaho keepsakes.

After mining we headed to Laird Park, which was about half way home, for some much needed cleaning and relaxing by the Palouse River.  

tired momma & isabelle

Tonight we will be packing for our trip west - and planning - yes we haven't exactly figured out all the details but we know it will include Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula - that is a good enough start right?!