The claims are located near San Bernardino and the meeting place was just off the 15 Freeway at Hwy 138 off ramp, just north of the truck scales. The scheduled meeting time was 8:00am with departure to the claims at 8:20am.

About 15 of us were there early to have breakfast/coffee at McDonalds. We all got together in the back and told prospecting stories while we waited for everyone else.

About 7:50am, not seeing Jay (he’s never late) I took a walk outside and found Jay on the road across from the Chevron station along with several other TVP members.

About 8:15 we all got together on the road and at 8:20 headed out to the claims. What a sight, a real long line up of cars and trucks.

Anyway, we got to the turnoff and headed down the dirt road to the turn at the third railroad tracks.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, there was a train parked on the tracks and we all had to stop and wait for him to move. He had a red light (problems up the line) and couldn’t move until he got the green. We had no idea how long that would be.

Unfortunately you can’t use any other railroad access roads in that area and the railroad security was right there watching us.

We were parked on the larger of the Crystal claims and as we waited Jay gave us a very informative presentation on the area, its history, and what we could expect at the little Crystal claim. Thank you Jay, you always seem to know all about the areas we visit.

In talking to the railroad security we found out there was alternate way to get to the claims, and we were about to head back to go around when the train blow his whistle, which meant he was about to move.

So we were on our way again back to the claim with a total of about 30 prospectors, and if you have ever been to the Little Crystal you know that parking was really at a premium.

Before long the dust was flying with everyone digging, dry washing, panning and metal detecting.

Then the prospecting stopped when someone spotted two rattle snakes that had come out of a bush about two feet from where one of our prospectors was panning. Seems we are always running into the local wildlife, this time not so friendly. We left them alone and they finally went back into the bushes and everyone moved from that area.

In checking with everyone’s finds, most people were finding a little color, most of it being very fine flower gold.

I hope everyone had a good time, I did, and I’m look forward to seeing where Jay will lead us next month.

Tom