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| 99% of my clan |
- Trail: Jackrabbit Wash - Apache Tears area
- Miles: 3.7
- Riders: Self - Celia
- Horses: Jack - Dirt
- Dogs: Hank - Groot
Celia has access to an old mining map. One of the areas marked on the map is an "Apache Tears" area. Celia has found them before but I've never hear of them. They are like hunting mushrooms: It takes you forever to find the first one - but once you do...they pop of everywhere!
The scientific version: According to Wikipedia: Apache tears are rounded pebbles of obsidian or "obsidianites" composed of black or dark-colored natural volcanic glass, usually of rhyolitic composition and bearing conchoidal fracture. Also known by the lithologic term marekanite, this variety of obsidian occurs as subrounded to subangular bodies up to about 2 in (51 mm) in diameter, often bearing indented surfaces.[1] Internally the pebbles sometimes contain fine bands or microlites and though in reflected light they appear black and opaque, they may be translucent in transmitted light. Apache tears fall between 5 and 5.5 in hardness on the Mohs scale.[2]
The legend or the not so scientific backstory:
The name “Apache Tears”, comes from a sad story that takes place during the height of the American Indian War. In the 1870s there was a fierce battle between the U.S. Cavalry and about 75 members of the Apache Tribe. This conflict took place atop a mountain (posthumously renamed Apache Leap) overlooking present-day Superior, Arizona. As the American Indians became outnumbered and enemy forces were approaching with haste, the tribesmen decided to take their fate into their own hands and ride their horses off the cliff to their death. As family members and wives of the great men heard the tragic news, they began to weep and cry endless tears. It is these tears that are believed to have been turned into stone, in what we refer to as Apache tears.
And now for the Happy Hippy Version: Apache Tears bolster the immune system, mitigate pain in the bones and muscles, increase strength and stamina, and purify the blood. This stone even helps to encourage hair and nail growth. Just as they ease the emotional side of grief and loss, Apache Tears can also ease physical pain stemming from the same source. Hmmmm....maybe I should bathe in these things. Climbing on and off your horse to pick them up is surely to cause some pain in the old bones and muscles. We finally just stayed off and picked them up.
Some sites list them as semi-precious stones. Great - now I need to invest in a rock tumbler.
Semi-precious with healing powers or not...it was a great day. There is something therapeutic about being on my horse and I LOVE a good treasure hunt.
PS: We spotted not ONE jackrabbit during our ride up and down the "jackrabbit wash." Go figure...
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| Celia and Dirt |
