Opal Mine

The first weekend my Mom and Don were here, the Newcomer's club had planned to go to an Opal Mine about an hour outside of Queretaro. This particular area is the only area outside of Austraila that has opals and, if I remember correctly, the only opal mine that has the fire opals. We drove to the bottom of the mountain where the opal mine is located and took trucks and other 4-wheel drive vehicles up the steep and bumpy terrain. Once we were at the top, we had a guide who told us about the opals and the mine. We were able to search for our own opals in the rocks and found quite a few. Once we made the trek back down the mountain, shopped for opals, and saw the workshop, we all went to beautiful restaurant close by for comida.

This dog stole Lydia's granola bar (or parts of it) twice.

She was not happy!


Ethan, Daddy, and Nolan in the truck, ready for the rough ride.

Ethan with Mark and Lynda in the truck

Here they come. Mom got the most comfortable

seat in this group (Lydia and I went in a friend's SUV)

The group listening to the guide (as usual,

Lydia had her own agenda)

James, Lydia, and me heading toward the cave

The formations were amazing

Ethan searching for an opal inside this large rock

Nolan's turn...him with a hammer in his hands

made me a little nervous, but he did okay

Lydia had a chance to use the hammer too.

Notice that James got closer as the kids got younger.

I love this picture of my guys!

A hole as you walked into the cave

A picture of me and Ethan in the cave

A picture inside the cave. Someone

actually got married inside this cave!

Lydia carrying Nolan's "waterstick"

A beautiful view from the top of mountain...pictures

never seem to do it justice!

Ryan and Lydia

The restaurant we ate at. It had it's very own bull ring.

When the kids were playing, Nolan somehow ended

up in the bull ring with the horse. Luckily he was

quickly retrieved!

Impromptu get together at our house after a great day.

Lots of fun and WAY too many fabulous Margaritas

that I paid for the next day!

Tara playing floor hockey with Lydia and Ryan