North Carolina Gem Mines??

[TinCocodrie]

Hi Group
My wife and I are new to Trailmanors and we purchased a 2008 3023 last fall. We've been camping a few times and love it. In mid April we are traveling from Louisiana to Spruce Pine NC--Bear Den Campground and will be there for a week or so. My wife has always wanted to visit the gem mines and find her own gems. Does anyone have ideas where we can go? We know of a few gem mines in the area and would love to find a small out of the way gem mine to visit. Has anyone been to Bear Den campground?
thks
T

[wbmiller3]

The NC mountains have a lot of do-it-yourself gem mines. You mostly come up with garnets, but it can be fun.

We live in the area (Johnson City, TN - about an hour's drive from Bear Den CG)

Bear Den Campground is very pretty - we've stayed there a couple of times. Be sure to have plenty of sewer hose and water hose as sometimes the hookups can be pretty far away.

There are lots of small gem mines in the Spruce Pine area. We've never been to one so can't recommend one but you can just take your pick. There is a small Minerology Museum just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Spruce Pine. It's very small but interesting with lots of samples of minerals found in the area.

Regards,

Bob

One thing I forgot to mention - bring some warm clothes - the NC mountains can get pretty chilly in mid-April.

[TinCocodrie]

Thanks Bob and Karen
will bring extra hose and warm clothes
I'll be checking the weather before we leave- living in South LA is not pleasant as summer approaches and we look forward to cool weather
I'm originally from Minnesota and miss the springs and falls
thks again