PANNING FOR GOLD:
Lionel had fun panning for gold in the freezing cold water. He was able to take home all he could find in 10 minutes...a huge cup full! Good thing it was just 'fools gold' or all the parents would have joined right in!! Every time the kids found 'gold', they had to yell "EUREKA!"...it was hysterical.
Sweet-Pea took the more dainty approach...she pulled the pan out of the water and sifted through it one finger at a time. Despite her slower attempt at finding gold, she made out well! She even managed to say "EUREKA" in her own soft spoken way, but had she been in California during the big gold rush, no one would have ever heard her!
DIGGING FOR FOSSILS:
This big cave had a huge fossil of a dinosaur on the bottom. (Well, not a real one, but a replica) The kids were to uncover it by using the same methods that paleontologists use - slowly, carefully and with a soft brush. They found the fossil and learned all about it - minus the whole 'millions of years' mumbo-jumbo.
MINING FOR GEMS:
Looking for the gems was cool! The kids gathered in this big dark cave where they all got buckets to fill. They had to sift through all the sand to find semi-precious stones. Whatever they found they could keep! Sweet-Pea had a great time picking up one little rock at a time.
Lionel stuck to the outside - away from the other kids. He was able to dig deeper and find some really cool stones this way...which he so nicely decided to share with his little sister.
PICKING OUT A GEODE:
The kids picked out a geode (still uncut) and watched it as our tour guide put it in the machine to cut it open. Her face was priceless as she unveiled the inside! It was very pretty, so the kids picked a great rock! You never know what you're going to get - some are duds, but you still have to pay for the rock you choose.
TIME TO SHOP:
Here the kids were posing in gallery of the gift shop. They had huge geodes, and other stones for sale along with jewelry, toys, shirts and tons more fun thing. Obviously som things were a bit pricey, but we did manage to buy a few inexpensive things to bring home.
Well, we had a blast and can't wait to go back again. Next time we'll bring Daddy and ask him if he'll buy me that $5,000 Amethyst geode that I had my eye on. Actually, the only 'rocks' I want him buying me are diamonds! hee hee
4 comments:
What fun..... my boys would have been in their element!
What a great venue!
Kind big brother for sure!!
Looks like a grand time!
I must find out about this, I want to go with the boys next week...!
We went today!!! It was incredible, we looooooved it!
Thanks so much for the info! You're the best.
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