Geo-RoadTrip 2013

And here it is folks:

Geo-RoadTrip 21013: Where Every Night is Taconite

Welcome to the town of Silver Bay, MN, home of Rocky Taconite.  The town's mascot is yet another celebration of the mining industry and culture that is so prevalent in the area:

The town also offers a great view of the  north shore of Lake Superior:

Video coming soon!

Geo-Roadtrip 2013: Pit Stop Pt. 2

The Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine continued to offer us a bounty of mining memorabilia with its menagerie of mechanical monsters. (That's some "Stan Lee" style alliteration right there folks!)  A short path leads visitors to where they keep the big boys:

This huge dragline bucket could scoop up 30 cubic yards of of dirt and at least one geologist:

Here's a drill bit on display:

Who hasn't fantasized about driving the big rigs from time to time:

Video coming soon!

Geo-Roadtrip 2013: Pit Stop Pt. 1

Not too far from our last stop was the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine.  It's one of the largest open pit iron mines in the world and is still in operation.

The mine is three miles long, two miles wide and 535 feet deep.  There's a great overlook, a nice little interpretive center and admission is free.  Can't beat that.  It's a definite "must stop" if you are in the area.

While the mine is no longer at it's peak, it still produces iron ore taconite (which, unfortunately, is not pronounced as "Taco Night.")  Although I still sometimes say it that way.

They've got lots of taconite samples on display as well as other displays inside.  You can even buy some souvenir samples in a display jar but be prepared to have a conversation about them with security at the airport.

And there's a ton of mining stuff outside which we will get to in our next blog entry.  Video coming soon too!