[meteorite-list] Tucson 2004 report, part 3 of 3

From: Matson, Robert <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:31:23 2004
Message-ID: <AF564D2B9D91D411B9FE00508BF1C86904EE59BA_at_US-Torrance.mail.saic.com>

Hi All,

Here's my final installment on the festivities at Tucson 2004. As
usual, following the birthday bash at La Fuente, many returned to
Blaine and Blake's room for nightcaps and more fun and games. One of
the more interesting and useful meteorites in the Reeds' room was a
Campo with just the right shape to open beer bottles! Blaine only
half-jokingly confided that it was the most valuable meteorite in
the room. (I believe Chicago Steve has a picture of Mexico Doug on
his website using the "Campopener")

Saturday was my day to shop around and see as many rooms as possible.
I started at the Vagabond, and hit everything that was within reasonable
walking distance (the outdoor Mineral and Fossil Marketplace, and the
Best Western Executive Inn on Drachman). Picked up a few nice Sikhotes
in one of the many Russian dealers' rooms -- one shaped like a dog, and
another with double orientation. Eventually moved on to the InnSuites,
which seemed to have the largest contingent of meteorite dealers.
Said hello to Kitty (Marvin was out when I stopped by), and introduced
myself to Bruno and Carinne nearby. They finally talked me into buying
my first tektite -- a cool-looking half of an asymmetric dumbbell that
looks like the head and broken shaft of a golf driver. Even more
interesting is that the shaft is axially twisted. Must have been one
angry golfer...

Said hello to Alain Carion and ogled his many lunars, Martians and
other achondrites, and eventually located Mike Farmer's room which
had an impressive array of meteorites also beyond my budget. ;-)
Finally, I returned to the Vagabond, where I found Nick outside
the Reed's room enjoying the last rays of the day while digging
through a box of NWAs. Blaine was busy inside deciding on whether
to enter a large Taza iron into Michael's auction at the last minute
(it did appear).

I skeedaddled at around 5 in order to have time to grab dinner prior
to the Blood auction. Just about everybody seemed to be there --
even Bob and Beth Verish arrived in time to catch the tail end. I
bid on most of the Martian meteorites, but they all eventually
reached solid market prices or slightly beyond. The Garza house-
smashing stone made an appearance, and while there weren't any
takers (despite Michael's enthusiastic auctioneering efforts!),
it was still great to see it in person.

After the auction I pow-wowed with Adam for a while, had a nice
chat with Anne Black, and finished with a long strategy session
with Bob Verish, Bob Holmes, John Gwilliam and Howard Wu. I think
the only thing that kept us from staying longer is that they were
locking up the building when we left!

Sunday was my long drive home, and my plan had been to leave early
enough to get in some meteorite hunting on the way home. But given
the late wrap-up Saturday night, Sunday was hardly an alpine start.
Quick change of plans -- decided I had to head up to the Westward
Look to say hello to Bob Haag whom I hadn't seen for a few years.
He was the same old Bob, full of energy and passion, and a twinkle
in his eye. Enjoyed seeing his Adamana stone up close and personal,
not to mention the giant slab of Esquel and the iron meteorite man
with the ghostly eye sockets. Bob also had a short video of one
of his ill-fated adventures to Argentina long ago involving that
17-ton Campo (I think that was the approximate mass). Amazing to
see that giant crane trying to lift that sucker. Bob said as the
crane cable tightened up and started taking the load, the crane
itself began to sink into the ground! Ultimately they got it
airborne and maneuvered over to a truck bed.

As much as I wanted to linger longer, I was burning daylight and
wanted to make a little 200-mile detour on my way home (as if a
7-hour drive wasn't already long enough). Enjoyed meeting
everyone! 'Til 2005 (or Denver if I make it)! --Rob
Received on Mon 16 Feb 2004 09:30:54 PM PST