blown 87

Geocaching sounds a lot like snake hunting.

Any way, most folks are going to be to busy looking at cars, driving cars, or drinking in the parking lot to go snake hunting.

DR

Hmmm, the thought of coming to the Gem and Mineral Mining Capitol of North America to geocache instead of actual mining...seems kind of weird when you know the history of the area..

From Wiki:
"The Spruce Pine Mining District is a swath of the valley of the North Toe River in northwestern North Carolina that is home to one of the richest deposits of gems and minerals in the world"

Around here you could possibly find a rare gem on the ground behind a bush.

Less than 2 years ago this was found right here in my area...



"Reaching below a crystal, he saw what looked to be part of a 7UP bottle.

It was an emerald crystal. A very big emerald crystal. Some 310 carats of it.

Dubbed the "Carolina Emperor," the gem has been trimmed to 64.83 carats and is called the largest cut emerald ever found in North America. It is being compared to an emerald that once belonged to Catherine the Great of Russia"

A few quick trivia facts about the "Spruce Pine Mining District" surrounding the area where we live. The minerals from here are shipped all over the world.

Quartz

"Comprising about 25% of the rock (in the local rock), the quartz has now become one of the most strategic minerals of the entire world. Because of its extreme purity, it is used in several critical process steps during the manufacture of computer semiconductors (chips). At present, no other quartz in the world can match the processed quartz purity from the Spruce Pine District. As a matter of fact, EVERY computer chip in the world uses Spruce Pine quartz in its manufacturing process.

Also of high value to the lighting industry, the Spruce Pine quartz meets stringent purity requirements to serve as extreme high temperature light tubing required for light bulbs installed in automobiles, streetlights, and film projectors."

Mica

"Mica, another ingredient from the rock of the Spruce Pine Mining District comprises about 10% of the rock mass. Once highly valued for wood- and coal-burning stove windows (often called isinglass) and for radio tube insulators during both world wars, it is now used as an industrial products special additive.

Mica is also produced from the Spruce Pine Mining District for use as special electrical insulators, automobile metallic flake paint, women’s make-up, and as a reinforcing additive in special plastics and paints. It is used in oil well drilling fluids to seal and lubricate the bore hole during drilling".

"Mica was mined to fuel the demand for the newly-developed Edison electric motor in 1878. The motor required the electrical insulating properties of sheet mica."

Feldspar

"Feldspar is a major ingredient in the manufacture of many types of glass, from automobile windshields and computer screens to baby food bottles and electric light bulbs. Feldspar comprises about 65% of the rock from the Spruce Pine pegmatite and is a major source of aluminum, sodium and potassium for glass manufacturing. Feldspar provides aluminum, which improves glass workability during forming, retards glass blooming, improves glass strength and imparts resistance to thermal shock. About 110 pounds of feldspar is used to make a ton of container glass (bottles and jars) and about 100 pounds is used to make a ton of flat glass (auto windshields and window glass)."

So if you want to go on a REAL Treasure Hunt... you are gonna be in the right area to do it!!

blown 87

That is cool DR, never knew that.

Courtshark

Now hear this... Sharkwoofer install at SITM, most likely Friday evening. Be there! It should take all of 15 minutes... I hope (intending to pre-wire everything if time permits). Not sure what craziness the current audio set up holds for me, though... Alpine CVA-1003 flip screen head unit is connected to... ???? Will find out tomorrow!

SeanR

Be careful if you all are going through Tenn.

M. Requin

Darn DR that really brings some memories back! My dad used to take me up to Spruce Pine rockhounding, and my HS buddy - college roommate was an honest-to-god expert on NC minerals. There's a kaolin mine up there where I found a giant single garnet crystal (spessartite, I still remember) sitting on my bookshelf right now, 2" across. No emerald, but to a young kid it might as well have been.

Makes missing SITM again this year just a wee bit harder, but I owe myself a really good b'day present next year (it's a biggie) and I think I know what it will be!

davek9

Task Master...

robot808

AO, he's posting again.

Sueden

Bob looks like you'll be chasing the weissach again this year !

robot808

Dennis, the sound of your car is so sweet, chasing it is the best seat in the house. However, I am taking my dad along this year, and frankly I think trying to keep up with you guys would scare the $hit out of him.
I think Greg, Rob and I are going to be Group B this year. At least, that is what we have been talking about.
I am happy as hell that you are coming again this year.

robot808

Speaking of, Greg and Rob, are you guys up for starting out with the rest of the crew?
I would personally love to get some time in with the lead pack, and then kind of settling into our own pace a little ways in. How does that sound to you guys?

blown 87

That is the plan.

camboinc

dave,
please stay on task. i need a shark to drive to the event thusly named.

bob, group B is so gay. please refrain from the gayness...
unless you bring me a shrubbery. (canadians, feel free to chime in anytime)

you must never debate with homo 1.
it is an endeavour that is simply not done.

and you, my hillbilly buddy, i will meet you at the drinking table.

damn yankee out.

Steve Martin

Did you get that air fixed, or are you oiling the seats again this year?

DR

I have finally confirmed the Sunday Schedule for Sharks in the Mountains. We had tossed around a few ideas, but in the end came up without something that should be a win, win for all of us.

We will still have the "Hang out and Cook out" like we did last year, which was a lot of fun for those that came (especially for Jeannie and I), but, due to a lot of requests for picking up parts during SITM we are expanding that "fun day" here to include a special "Crazy Dave's 928 Parts Sale"...LOL.

As a "Thanks" to all who attend Sharks in the Mountains this year, they are goona get first shot at some parts deals they may want or need. Also, it will be a great help to me as I am dead set on getting everything re-organized as I am plain sick of the mess around here and just can't take it anymore...plus, honestly I could use the money to do some other things that I need and want to take care of. As I said, a win, win for all of us!

So by request from many of you (thanks for the idea)!

New and Used Parts Blow Out Specials for the attendees of Sharks in the Mountains!

Date: Sunday June 5th, 2011 - 10:30 am - until
Location - 928 Specialists

• FREE Used Parts Giveaways - There will be some piles that will be FREE (and clearly marked :-) to anyone that needs them to fix/repair, replace things missing, or "upgrade/replace" parts to maybe something in better condition than what you have now. PLEASE just take from this stuff what you need for YOUR 928..not to sell on Ebay..LOL. OK, let's be real, you are not going to find a $2000 set of perfect Black Leather Sport Seats in these piles..but hopefully there will be something for most that can be used to make something just a little better on their 928.
  
  
• Crazy Prices on ALL Used Parts
  I have had a few guys here the past few weeks (Thanks again Kevin, Nikola and Fergus) helping me to get caught up with things around my home and office. One of the big things they have started doing is to clear out my "Used Parts Storage" areas so I can even see what I still have, and be able to even get to it. This will continue over the coming days.
  
  After close to 20 years of collecting used 928 parts and some parts cars, I had honestly forgotten that I had so much stuff. I never really pushed or actively sold used parts much since starting 928 Specialists so it has been sitting here collecting dust.
  
  Again, don't come expecting to get a perfect 91-up AirBag or Airbag Steering wheel for $10...but it will all be priced to sell immediately. No fair offer on any or all of it will be refused, and some of the grouping of parts will be sold literally "by the pound".
  
  I am not too sure just how organized we will have it due to time constraints, but will at least have everything sorted in related groups. Keeping it real, my used parts collection is nothing compared to Mark's "Goldmine of 928 used parts" at 928 International, but it should be worth looking thru to see if there is anything you may need.
  
  From good airbags, to wiring harnesses for just about every year and sub-system, nice wiper/turn/cruise (and come computer stalk versions) switch assemblies, early Bumper covers, a Euro or GT Fender or 2, Doors, and just about every small and large part in/on a 928 all the way up to a straight stripped 89GT Chassis with clear title FYI, no running engines or good trannys, but a few 32V and 16V core engines and no perfect like new interiors currently.
  
  
• Below Cost on ALL in Stock New Parts
  Also over the past 13-14 years we have ended up with a lot of odd, rare, slow selling, large and small new parts.
  
  Again, I need the room for something else, the sanity of getting things simplified/organized in my life, and the "money" that is just sitting there collecting dust and taking up space....so it will be priced to sell and again no fair offer will be refused.
  
  From new Wiring Harnesses, to fuel/AC/trans lines that run the length of the 928, to brand new factory 16V cylinder head, to boxes of discontinued parts like rear early bumperettes, new AC Condensors, new Speakers/Grilles, S4 Intake side Cover(s), rare sunroof tools, new factory springs, to a bunch of "Budget Rear Swaybars" I found, a Carbon Fiber Wing, and thousands of other small and large 928 new parts, gasket sets etc.. We will have a list of all or at least most of the new parts to make it easier for everyone.
  
  
• No Fair Offer Refused on ANY and ALL in Stock Parts!
  
  
• As mentioned, Sunday is also the "Hang out and Cook out" at 928 SPECIALISTS (BYOB). We usually all pool funds and some of the gang goes and grabs burgers, hot dogs chicken etc that can be cooked on the grill. I forgot who volunteered to be the Grill Meister last year, but they were darn good, THANKS to all that helped with Lunch last year!!!

***************************
While this is planned Officially for Sunday June 5th, IF there is enough interest we can do some of it on the Thursday and Friday before SITM, or even the Monday afterwards. That is up to you guys.

Also PLEASE do not contact us between now and then asking if this or that is going to be in the sale. I am trying to get everything ready for SITM and get all of this stuff organized.... and heck, honestly I don't even know what all I have currently, especially the used stuff... just come to SITM and see if you want anything from it.

OH, also I am planning to do a Charity Auction at the Banquet this year (Saturday Night) of some odd/obscure new 928 Parts, Factory Literature, and some ofther interesting 928 Related Goodies, including some brand new 928 Products, instead of a just giving away Door Prizes.

I have found a bunch of small odd parts so far in just cleaning up my Office area(for the first time in ages :-) which sparked the idea. More will be added as I find more odd/strange 928 Parts in other areas of my private stashes..LOL

Most likely all of the proceeds will go to help the Current Flood Victims along the Mississippi River. Our thoughts and best wishes to all of those in that area.

I am also open to other ideas to contribute to, so if you have a better idea, or know of any of our fellow 928ers that have been directly affected by some of the recent disasters, or just plain needs our help, PLEASE let me know.

I hope that doesn't dissapoint too many that come for our usual Door Prizes (or "Free Stuff" as Jeannie yells out to everyone :-). I think as a community we can do better, especially with all the natural disasters we as a nation have been hit with this year. With things I have experienced lately and seen happening all around us..it just feels like the right thing to do.

See everyone SOON!!!