Collecting Thunder Bay Amethyst

This is what two months in the middle of the woods will get you.

We were invited by Lynden Swanson owner of the Blue Points amethyst mine, to spend the summer collecting these beauties. At first we were a little bit worried about spending two months in the bush with no phone, T.V., computer, running water or flushing toilet but after some thought about what we could find we warmed up to the idea. Apparently we were right to go and we even turned quite a profit. In the end we had collected over one thousand specimens.

Not your typical five star hotel.

This was are home away from home for the summer. Its not the fanciest place to live but it sure was cheap. At least it had all its windows. One of the neighbours windows had been eaten out by a bear two weeks before we came. I guess they learned there lesson about eating fried chicken in there trailer.  After two months we were happy to go home.

The Pit

This is a photo of the mine owner Lynden, clearing the work site with high pressure air. The way he work it is, first clear an area with shovels and then blow it off. After the area is clear you check for good places to drill. When you check for drilling, you must find places where there are no vugs in order not to destroy any of the amethyst hidden in the rock. After you've finished drilling you must call up old dynamite bill, a local prospector who does the blast. After the blast, you have to check the holes to see if all the dynamite went off. Then you search through the rubble for specimens and vugs. In the end it is a lot of fun.

Wildlife

If your ever in thunder bay, make sure to stop at the Blue Points mine, I guarantee you won't regret it. Everybody has a good time and makes alot of new friends.

Thistle

Even the weeds are nice out there.

Lupins

Lynden, apart from being a miner, is also an excellent gardener. These are just one type of flower that can be found in his garden. He also likes to grow all his own vegetables and shares them with everyone.

The Road Home

By the end of the two months we were glad to go home, but we were still going to miss all the new friends that we had made of the summer. We had a great time and have been invited back next summer. Now that we have had the experience, we will be better prepared for next summer.