Desert Messenger

May 7, 2014 www.DesertMessenger.com 15 CHECK OUT OUR NEW FULL MENU Monday Monday Night Football and Pool Tournament $1 Draft & Dogs! Tuesday Taco Tuesday Wed., Thurs. Karaoke 7pm Fri. & Sat. Hot Country Band Friday Fish Alaskan Cod $ 6 95 Saturday Steak & Shrimp Sunday Spaghetti & Karaoke 3pm 1090 Main Street Quartzsite, Arizona on the corner of W. Main Street and Kofa Road 928-927-6331 Open daily from 10am to 12 midnight LATE NIGHT MENU 10PM-Midnight The kitchen serves fresh food from 11am to midnight. MOUNTAIN QUAIL C AFE Open 7am - 7pm 7 DAYS/ WEEK 928-927-8890 Open Year Round! 490 N. Moon Mt. Ave., Quartzsite (corner of Moon Mt. & Quail Trail) B-10, Main St. Moon Mountain X Quail Trail N Hwy. 95, N. Central • DAILY SPECIALS • Thurs. SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS • Friday FISH Special • Sat. PRIME RIB Enjoy our Famous Bread Pudding ! Home Style Cooking! By Jenn Jedidiah Free for RocksInMyHead™ It's that time of the year. Winter has passed and the days are getting longer. There still is time to go out and play before the heat of the summer sets in. And there is so much to do here, in our beloved Quartzsite desert. There are ghost towns and petro- glyphs, stone cabins, and, of course, lots of opportu- nities to prospect for rocks, minerals, and gold. If you are no longer in Quartzsite, and the weather is beginning to get nice, take advantage of the many opportunities that abound wherever you are. When prospecting, whether for rocks, minerals, gold, or other treasure, many people have the tendency to rush out and expect to fi nd the mother lode. Given the many TV shows these days depicting gold pros- pecting and meteorite hunting, it is understandable that folks have a distorted perspective about pros- pecting. But it is important to approach prospect- ing with a more casual and practical attitude. Like gold, rocks and minerals are also found in spe- cifi c places for specifi c reasons. A basic understand- ing of geology is helpful in any sort of prospecting. Even if a person has no geology background, books and maps offer insights into local geology that is easy for a beginner to master. It's benefi cial to learn a little about the area where you want to prospect. Geography can be helpful, as well. Often times, old place names refl ect the wealth (or lack thereof) of an area. Places like Crystal Hill, Copper Basin, Gold Point, and Wonderstone Mountain give a prospec- tor clues as to what they might fi nd there. Maps that show topography and land use are also helpful. It is important to know what type of terrain you will be traveling through to get to the prospect- ing location, as well as what type of vehicle will be needed. Is the site in the mountains, or in a wash? Do you need 4-wheel drive, or will a standard car be able to access the site? Is it close enough to go in the ATV, or should you take the jeep? In addition, maps that show land use boundaries are important. Is the site near or on a National Park, State Park, Reserva- tion, or private property? Where is the border of the Military Base in relation to the prospecting location? This information is important to avoid unnecessary confl icts or problems. It is also important to prepare in advance for any excursion. Check the weather several times before heading out into the desert, including right before your trip. Take into consideration, also, what the Fun in the sun - time to go outside & play ADVENTURES WITH ROCKS weather had been in the days prior to your out- ing. For example, lots of rain can have adverse af- fects on roads, trails, and washes, but could also be benefi cial in exposing fresh material at collect- ing sites. Wind can make travel and other activities diffi cult, but may also help to keep the temperature somewhat cooler. In some places, storms can come up unexpectedly. Armed with this information, you can plan a trip accordingly to take advantage of cer- tain situations and avoid problems with others. Advance planning will help you to prepare tools and supplies for your excursion, as well. Having time to think about what tools and equipment to pack will ensure that you take everything you might need. It can be discouraging to fi nd out that in the rush to get out the door, you left an important tool behind. Or you can take extra things that you may not think are important at fi rst, but then are glad you had once you're out at the site. Another reason to plan ahead and prepare is to be sure you have enough food, water, and emergency gear for all involved. The desert can be deceptive. Warm, sunny days can change abruptly into less pleasant conditions. Nights can get cold. The dry air can dehydrate a person quickly despite cool tem- peratures. A breeze may make the temperature seem lower than it is. The unexpected can happen. Even short distances out of town can be dangerously far SEE ROCKS PAGE 19 SILLY AL'S PIZZA Famous Gourmet Pizza 175 E. Main St. EAT IN OR TAKE OUT! Reservations Accepted! Large Groups OK! Serving Quartsite at Same Location for over 20 years! Check our calendar! www.sillyalspizza.com 928-927-5585 LIVE MUSIC FRI & SAT. 7PM with ERN CUNNINGHAM SUMMER THURSDAY SPECIALS: $ 1 TACOS & $ 2 MARGARITAS! FREE WiFi! $1 Draft Beer 10-2 Everyday! KARAOKE DJ TUES-THURS 7PM with KEVIN JAMES

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