Rendezvous 2026

Eight club members participated in Rendezvous 2026 based in Lillooet on the long weekend. It was well attended, and they even had to cut off registration as the venue building was "at" capacity. Host clubs were Hastings and Lillooet.

Five of us went on the "Deadman" field trip - a long drive, but picking specimens off the gas line and the road side.

 I think this was the best find of the day at that location.

Our wagonmaster handed out small pieces to anyone who did not find something really good.

On Sunday, five of us were on the "Scottie Creek" trip. Those who had been to the site before had been chiselling a rock face. At some time recently, the bluff that narrowed the FSR was blasted and the rock dumped on a wide flat area. Lots of parking, and much easier to hunt.

Break a rock or boulder open, and there are crystals inside.

 

Bear

I was walking back toward my truck behind a tall fellow. We spotted a young black bear on its hind legs trying to figure out how to open a Cap-It canopy on a truck similar to mine.

My bear spray of course was at home. The tall fellow said he had hunted bear, and said this was a "teenager" . He spoke loudly to the bear - the kind of stuff you would say to a teenager, and chased him down the bank behind for about 100metres. We didn't see it again.

The truck owners have photos of the paw prints, but no scratches.

Rock Auction

A few club members bid on the rock auction items - below is a sample of the lots that were put up for auction.

 

BCLS Events

April 10-11-12 -- Gem Show in Chilliwack

May15 - 18 Lilloet -- Rendezvous

 

Congratulations Katherine

 

Congratulations Katherine on her win in mixed media and "Best in Show" at the recent Oliver Creates Art Show.

The Last Load of Fred's Gift

Thank-you to the 6 club members who packed, loaded, hauled, unloaded and sorted the last load from Fred's house. Three trucks, one car, and we were done in 4 hours. Thank-you Judy for providing the sort and short term storage for the rock. 

Judy has an amazing rock display in the yard on the lakeview side of the house. We'll need to move the rock out of her yard in a timely fashion or that rock garden may just get more spectacular.

Saturday Distribution of Estate Rock

Thank-you to all who helped make the sort and pick happen. Here are a couple of club members comments.

Thumbs up 👍 to the volunteers who sorted all the rocks to be shared with our members 

Thanks guys, very much appreciated!!

Wayne 

What an awesome day yesterday at the country home of Duane and Katherine's, our kind hosts.
Thanks to the previous day sorters who could run an Amazon warehouse.
Thanks to the barbecue kings who cooked us delicious burgers and to Donna who volunteers to buy all the food and pays out $ for truck driver's fuel.
Thanks to Sam for her detailed and informing message about how we were to get all that stuff out of there.
Jerome will let you all know more about Sept. 6th's final collection when he gets more contact.
I found some amazing, colorful gems in my picks from yesterday. We have been truly gifted from Fred's  diligent collecting ability.
Rock on,
Sandy

Food

As always, good food is a priority for club events. Thank-you Donna for the planning and Jerome and Sandra for the facilities etc. Saturday night BBQ, and Sunday left overs inside during the rain.

Thanks Bob for doing the barbeque Saturday night, and Dennis and Donna for cooking in the rain.

Wayne eating healthy.

 

Fred Wiley's Collection

It was Fred's wish that the club enjoy his rock collection. Thanks to Jerome, Sandra, Luis and Sam for hauling several loads of rock and machinery from Fred's basement, to Westbridge for Sunday's event.

Lots were drawn and material distributed as equitably as possible over a period of 5 hours - interrupted by a downpour at lunch break.

If you were unable to attend on Sunday, another club member picked for you.

Several machines were sold by sealed bid, with the funds allocated for the BCLS scholarship in Fred's name.

When Fred's grandchildren have completed their selection of pieces from the remaining rock, there may be another haul and event.

Some additional equipment was found after moving rock, so there will be a few more pieces available for bid soon.

Towards the end, the picks were containers full, and you may have some rock that you would rather not keep. Ideas of rock exchange and or tail gate were floated around.