More of Topaz Mountain

The view across from camp.

A Tarantula Hawk!! I had never seen one before! These are the largest of Wasp's and have THE most painful sting of all insects. On the Schmidt Pain Scale- these are 2nd to Bullet wounds. I screamed everytime one of these suckers flew past us. And to think I was trying to catch one! Yikes!!

A closed mine. You can still see the old railroad ties- where the carts were used.

This mine opening had collapsed. There use to be an arche above it. I hope no one was on there when it fell! They use to mine baryllium (not sure of the spelling!) The rocks are purple and not that hard. We dont know how deep these mines go. There are several openings to each mine.

My Parents! I could not have asked for better parents. They taught me how to love nature, love music, love each other, appreciate what you have and to simply LIVE!

*~ BrInlEy ~*

Brinley closely checking out a lizard that Alicia caught.

My favorite Lizard is a Horny Toad ;) . They are sooooo cute and look how little!

Another tiny lizard Alicia caught. She was impressive this trip! I can't believe how many lizards she caught. And so many types! I had never seen so many lizards... Ever. It was awesome!

Topaz Mountain

I was so glad to hear that our Schultz family was still planning on going to Topaz Mountain this year. I had not been there in years.

The topaz crystals at Topaz Mountain are naturally amber colored, but become colorless after exposure to sunlight. They look like little diamonds! The crystals formed within cavities of the Topaz Mountain -Rhyolite, a volcanic rock which erupted approximately six to seven million years ago (Tertiary Period) from volcanic vents along faults in the area. All the rocks there are volcanic in nature and are light in comparison to normal rocks. I wish I had taken a video clip of us moving some of the larger rocks... they look almost fake, because it is so easy.

We hiked up the right side of the old waterfall on the 6th or so- wash in.

We rode the 4 wheelers, found lots of Topaz & Apache Tears.

We had flash floods Sunday night. Never have seen rivers going through camp in the desert...but we did! It came with an amazing lightening show- that was a little to scary for me! After the lightening went right above us- across the sky and branched off... it was time for me and Alicia to go in the camper for the night!

It was an awesome trip and I loved being there! Here are some pictures of our awesome, short trip.

King Cobra Rock.

Topaz in the morning.

The Hike!

Alicia's 1st day of Junior High!

I asked Alicia at 7:00AM on August 22nd, "If you could go to school, in any car in the world... what would it be?" She replied "A Ford Mustang GT". I said- Ok... See you in 20!

Little did she know- My Dad was driving me over to get her- so we could take her to Junior High School on her first day, in his car... which is a 2008 Mustang GT.

I will always remember that drive... talking with my dad about so many things. Then picking her up and taking her to school- because she asked me if I would. Even when I told her I would be in Ryan's truck with the camper- she didn't care. As long as it was me that took her.

I love my girl so much. I know its a day- we both, will never forget.