Fieldtrips

Northern Virginia Mineral Club
Official Collecting Trip Announcement
Vulcan Manassas Aggregate Quarry, Manassas, VA
March 19th, 2010, 7:30 am to Noonish (Subject to the Mine Reps wishes)
This announcement is largely rehashed from last year – yes. I'm getting lazy.
This here is your basic bonafide trip announcement from me, your trusty trip coordinator, to you, your trusty self. At 7:30 am sharp on March 19th, 2011 (meeting at the Mine Office) whole bunches of us trustys will gather to attend the safety briefing preparatory to descending to the many fathomed depths of the quarry itself.
For those of you unfamiliar with said quarry it is a great big empty. Half a mile across, 550 feet deep and essentially right next to the Manassas mall, shoppers at which have no idea of their proximity to hell. Even though it is Manassas...
Minerals Available:
Actinolite, var: Byssolite, Aegirine, 'Apatite', 'Apophyllite', Aragonite, Babingtonite, Biotite, Bornite, Calcite, 'Chabazite', Chalcopyrite, Cheesecakite, Clinozoisite, Coffeanddanishite, Cristobalite, Datolite, Dumassite, 'Feldspar Group', Galena, Greenockite, Grossular, Gyrolite, ChickenGyrolite, Hematite, var: Specularite, 'Heulandite', Ilmenite, Laumontite, Luncheonite, Malachite, Muscovite, Natrolite, Opal, Orthoclase, Pectolite, Prehnite, 'Pumpellyite', Quartz, Rutile, Rootbeerite, Scheelite, Scolecite, Silver, Sphalerite, 'Stilbite', Thaumasite, Titanite, Topaz, 'Tourmaline', Zircon
The quarry is perhaps best known, however, for it's hot fudge ice cream sundaes. ite.
Who is Invited:
Any and all members in good standing of any eastern federation affiliated club. Roanoke Club members also welcome. All humans under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Non-human higher primates also welcome. If they can dance.
If you, dear reader, are not a member you may go to our website, www.novamineralclub.org, print off the membership form, fill it out and show up at the trip meeting with that and the appropriate of membership dues. You'll be good to go.
Be reminded that the trip coordinator is generally due the deference normally accorded to an Ottoman Plutocrat. Full bowing and dipping of fezes. Fezzi? Fezzes?
Directions:
From Interstate 66 & Virginia 234 (bypass, not business. The bypass is 3 to 4 miles west of the business exits.)
1.	Head west on Exit 44	 0.9 mi
2.	Merge onto Prince William Pkwy/VA-234 S	 2.7 mi
3.	Turn left at Wellington Rd	 0.5 mi
4.	Turn left at Vulcan Ln
The destination will be on the right	 0.1 mi
8537 Vulcan Lane, Manassas, VA 20109
What to Bring:
Steel-toed Boots - a must. Toes are odd appendages but most of us are attached to them.
Safety Helmet - also a must. If you have nothing worth protecting in your head get a cheap one.
Safety Gogles - also a must, too. Blindness is a major drawback to collecting.
Heavy Work Gloves - also a must, too, as well. Like our toes, most of us have a fondness for our fingers.
Other Handy Objects - non-must-ish, but a good idea. Rock Chisels, Small Sledge Hammers, Large Sledge Hammers, Geologists Picks, March Madness Picks, Heavy Plastic Containers (for large specimens), Egg Cartons (for small specimens), First Aid Kits, Snacks, Water, Plastic Sheeting (to protect the interior of your car) and glass beads to trade with the mole people. They also take Visa, MasterCard and Amex.
Special Note:
Due to the severe economy, little blasting has been done at the quarry recently. Therefor, pickins may be slim. See? Full disclosure.
Lastly:
Due to the vagaries of weather, politics and my personal whims, the event may be canceled at any moment. If there is any question as to whether the trip will come off or if you simply want to go on the trip contact me at 
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  or 703.754.2050 and enjoy my humorous/deeply annoying answering machine message.
Even Lastlier:
Afterward we generally do lunch at a local eatery - all with appetites are welcome.