Two summers ago my wife and I decided to take our oldest grandson who was fourteen at the time on a summer road trip to Herkimer, New York to mine for Herkimer Diamonds. We rented a "cabin" at the Herkimer KOA Campgrounds, gathered some hammers and stone chisels and off we went.
Herkimer is within a days drive of our home so I heard only a few "Are we there yet? " questions. If you have read any of my other car trip travel stories you know I stop when tired or hungry or if someone needs to stretch their legs a little. Arriving at the campground in early afternoon we were surprised to find the cabin was already cleaned and ready to go. After signing in at the main KOA office, the staff showed us where to go and very graciously explained all the things available to see and do in the area. Our cabin was only a two minute drive from the office and we had lucked out and gotten an end unit in a row of five or six cabins. All the cabins face the same way in a semi-circle over looking the valley below. Each cabin has it 's own parking space right next to the cabin making unloading the car quite easy.
Kids Ball Pits & Accessories
Coming and going to each cabin did not disturb the others in their cabins at all. The cabin was far better then we pictured. A really neat front sitting porch with a double swing, a living room area with a futon couch/bed, a small kitchenette with a microwave, sink and small cook top and fridge, table and chairs for four and a TV. A full sparkling clean bathroom and an adjoining room with two bunk beds. The cabin had it's own heater and AC unit as well. In front of each cabin there was a raised pedestal barbecue grille and a large fire pit with nice big flat stones for sitting on at night. Since the day was quite hot and the hour growing late we decided to use the camp ground swimming pool until dinner time. The mines close at 5PM so we opted for starting out early the next day to get our diamonds. The pool area was again very well kept and clean. An adjoining arcade kept our grandson quite content for a few hours between the pool and playing the games. That night we chose to eat out, well actually my wife decided that, and went to one of the local restaurants for dinner. Stopping at the camp store we had stocked up on drinks and snacks when we checked in. After dinner we took a short ride to see what was in the area and to purchase some firewood for the fire pit and of course some marshmallows and Graham crackers for Smores.
Upon returning to the cabin we made a nice fire in the fire pit and, made Smores. Looking at the millions of stars you can see there in the Adirondacks is a pure delight. No light pollution there to ruin the views for sure. By ten or so we were beat and decided to turn in. My grandson and I chose to try the bunk beds and my wife took the futon. Those bunk beds were so comfortable it was amazing. I slept like a log and I very seldom do. In the morning after some coffee, tea and cereal we headed out to the mine store at about 9 AM or so. There are hundreds of things to see there as well as many beautiful samples of the Herkimer diamonds. They have a water sluice set up for kids to pan for some semi-precious stones but is is strictly for kids enjoyment not adults. The store rents the tools you could need but be sure to wear good closed toed shoes, and a hat and gloves. The sun can get mighty hot in the quarry at mid day.
A cooler with ice and drinks is a great idea as well. They do have refreshments available. The place goes out of it's way to accommodate their visitors every need. You can drive from the store to the mine and park quite close by. A short two minute walk and your in the quarry area. At first it is a lot to take in. People are all over hammering away at piles of rock, others are walking the lower areas looking for lost diamonds missed by others (and you can find plenty of them and never swing a hammer) and still others up on the rock face with tarps setup against the sun and working hard to remove large sections of the yet unseen rock. You pick your own area to work and set about looking for the diamonds. The diamonds are found inside chambers in the rock formed a half billion years ago under the Cambrian sea.
There may be only a few crystals in a small pocket but there can be thousands in a larger one. They are way cool to find and come in many sizes. They are really a crystal with shiny sides of eighteen facets and two pointed ends. Small ones can be crystal clear and the larger ones are translucent. Some grow piggy backed on others, some stand alone. It is pretty hard work breaking the rocks and we damaged a few three inch steel chisels during our stay there. When you break open a chunk of rock and find a crystal it really is great fun. We mined for two and a half days that week, did the museum, and then used the pool and did some local antiquing as well. We will return to that campground in a heartbeat when we get a chance. On our way home we stopped at Howe Caverns, an excellent local Indian museum and of course any other tourist attractions we could find. My Grandson had a ball as he had never been to any of those places and still keeps his Herkimer Diamonds in his keepsake cigar box.
Pete A.
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