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The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. 4138 Steve Reynolds Boulevard Norcross, GA 30093-3059 |
GMS Field Trip
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Fish!
GMS Field Trip
Roswell, GA
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Dr. Bill Witherspoon, co-author of Roadside Geology of Georgia, Fernbank Science Center geologist, and GMS member, led a fascinating geology walk along Vickery Creek in Roswell, Georgia. He explained the geology of the area and its significance in Roswell history. It was a pleasant hike and we learned many interesting things about what we were seeing and how geology can shape history. Dr. Witherspoon will be leading a similar walk on Saturday, September 13 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am followed by a presentation at 11:00 at Bulloch Hall. Please see his website at http://georgiarocks.us/events/ for more information.
After the geology hike, we swarmed the Swallow at the Hollow, a Roswell barbecue restaurant where everything is made fresh, including the bread and smoked sausage. It was a perfect place to relax and chat with other rockhounds over a delicious lunch.
Last stop was FlameTree Glass, where we marveled at the beautiful glass sculpture, beads, and pendants in the shop and perused brochures of upcoming classes. Then we piled into the studio to watch glass demos. Lance McRorie, co-owner of the FlameTree, demonstrated hollow work as he crafted some wedding goblets. Alex Craig, a visiting glass artist, was working on a pendant using a technique called “fuming” where gold and silver are incorporated into the glass. I jumped right in and followed Maureen McRorie as we each made a silly blue fish with little spots and big red lips! Then Maureen made a hysterical big jawed fish that she donated to the GMS collection.
As the day wound down, field trip chair Charles Carter gave everyone as many 5 gallon buckets as they wanted. The buckets were donated by a Roswell soil analysis lab so they still had some dirt in them, but they were greatly appreciated and were a wonderful way to end another fun field trip!
Many thanks to Dr. Witherspoon, Lance and Maureen McRorie, Alex Craig, and Swallow at the Hollow for making this a fun and memorable field trip!
Lori Carter, on behalf of
Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair
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Geology Hike -- Vickery Creek
Photo by Lori Carter
Dr. Bill Witherspoon, co-author of Roadside Geology of Georgia and GMS member, led a geology hike
to teach field trip participants about the geology of Roswell and how it affected the history of Roswell
Photo by Laurie Rodriguez
We started with a quick lesson about the general geology of the area.
Photo by Ginny Loman
Our group filled the beautiful covered bridge over the creek
Photo by Lori Carter
Dr. Witherspoon explained the tremendous power of the water in the creek and how it
shaped not only the creek, but Roswell history too
Photo by Laurie Rodriguez
Many thanks to Dr. Witherspoon for the fascinating geology walk!
Lunch -- Swallow at the Hollow
Photo by Lori Carter
Everything at the Swallow at the Hollow barbecue restaurant is made fresh
so it was a perfect place to relax and have lunch after our hike
Photo by Lori Carter
Rockhounds packed this Roswell landmark
Glass Demos -- FlameTree Glass
Photo by Mickey Cecil
Lance McRorie (left) and Alex Craig (right) demonstrating various glass art techniques
Photo by Laurie Rodriguez
Lance was working on a wedding goblet
Photo Laurie Rodriguez
He uses the flame to melt the glass so he can work it into the shape he wants
Photo by Mickey Cecil
(Left to right) Alex Craig, Maureen McRorie, and yours truly working glass
Photo by Mickey Cecil
Full house!
Photo by Mickey Cecil
Field trip participants rocking cool sunglasses while watching glass demos
Photo by Mickey Cecil
I tried my hand at making a glass fish while a new little friend looked on
Photo by Mickey Cecil
Glass rods are melted in a hot flame and applied to a metal rod called a "mandrel"
Photo by Mickey Cecil
An overhead view of the torch with glass rods arranged for ease of access
Photo by Mickey Cecil
Maureen and I had so much fun making glass fish!
Photo by Lori Carter
Alex Craig made a pendant using a technique that incorporates gold and silver into the glass
Photo by Lori Carter
Lance working on the goblet
Photo by Lori Carter
Close up of the goblet as the base was beginning to take shape
Photo by Lori Carter
Watching glass demos can be mesmerizing
Photo by Lori Carter
Some finished goblets similar to the goblet Lance was demonstrating
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