Mining on Mount Lyall

My daughter and family were

 visiting a few weeks ago and 

we visited Mont Lyall Agate Mine, 

 in the Chic-Choc Mountains of the Gaspé.

An ancient volcano,

with an open pit mine.

We were supplied with tools to 

pick for geodes, thundereggs etc.

Rock that have formed millions

of years ago.

I knew nothing about rocks 

and search the internet

for some information to do this blog.

A geode is a rock with a hollow in it,

 often with crystal formation/growth,

may contain agates, amethyst, quarts,

 kaolin clay etc.

Thundereggs (thunder eggs)

 similar to geode, formed

with volcanic ash layers.

A 2 hr. drive from home on Route 299,

through Parc de la Gaspésie,

along the beautiful Cascapédia River,

to the Murdockville exit, then on a 

bumpy gravel road to the site.

 

After a quick introductory course on what we can find,

with picks in hand and a bucket to fill,

we started on our prospecting expedition,

and walked a short distance to the mountain.

It's easier to wheel the bucket up than

bringing it down, if filled, with 50lbs of rocks.

An amazing site arriving at this huge open pit.

It was as if we were on another planet.

Hunting....digging...picking....prospecting....

Annie and Suzanne

My sister and daughter.

I tried to identify some rocks.

Black calcite

Jasper ?

Suzanne checking out the rocks.

We can have them cut open on site for a fee.

We can bring all the rocks in the bucket home.

A bucket of rocks weight around 50 pounds,

"One Group At A Time"

They were respecting Covid rules.

We wore masks in this area.

The rock-cutting guy gives advice

 on which rocks may contain something inside.

Bilingual and friendly service.

My favourite, quarts and brown calcite 

quarts

Jasper?

Suzanne got this one cut.

A Thunderegg

White agate with

blue chalcedony.

and this one

A lot of different minerals in this rock.

A guide named 14 minerals in this rock. 

nodules 

I brought these home to display in my flower garden.

 a gift from the rock-cutting guy.

We forgot to bring a bag or bucket to put the rocks in.

Whether you know anything about rocks,

 or not, the scenery and being out in nature, 

especially on an ancient 300 million year volcano,

 is an exciting and amazing experience.

 A difference experience and we came 

home with some beautiful rocks.

A great place to spend time with family,

especially children, and enjoy the

beautiful nature around us. 

Thanks for visiting my blog 💗

Perce Rock 2020 - The Effects Of Climate Change.

 Last week my sister Annie and I

took a Staycation and visited 

Percé Rock, a 2 hr. drive from home.

There's been a lot of tourists in the Gaspe region

 this Summer, partly because the Maritime provinces

 have closed their borders to tourists, during the pandemic.

The effects of climate change has caused

 a lot of damage to Percé's coastline,

Thankfully, most of it has been repaired or rebuilt.

A tower gives a view of the boardwalk and surroundings.

The boardwalk has been rebuilt and

 a new wharf is in the process of being finished.

 Annie

We climbed the 55 stairs.

The view from above.

Beautiful view all around!



Lodgings

Bonaventure Island

in the distance.

A bird sanctuary,

At the present time, no one lives on this Island.

In the 70's the Quebec Gov't evicted 35 families,

The expropriated land became a national park.

Boat tours are available to the Island.

At the bottom of the next photo, a boat

got into the photo...photobombed.

A close view of the rock from the new wharf.

Below a boat of scuba divers. 

 

We followed a beaten path,

 around the construction fence 

and walked out on the new wharf/dock,

still under construction.

They were not working on Saturday.

The new wharf will be completed

 around the the end of September.

Bigger and better

Will this wharf stand the "test of time"

Reinforcements on each side.

The wharf turns toward the Rock at the end.

Annie and I

On the cliff...  

 Villa Frederick-James built in 1888.

An American painter built his residence on this cliff, 

attracting artists from around the world. 

Presently owned by Laval University, Quebec,

and used for courses, conferences, etc.

Scuba divers

The rocks, the wharf...

We visited the stores.

Got this photo for Caroline, my niece...😃

A beautiful part of our country.💓

We had a great day!

Thanks for your visit xo

💗

Other visits to Percé Rock,

Perce Rock 2008, walking out to the rock,  and

The boat tour and visiting a bird sanctuary on Bonaventure Island