In Feburary 2009 we visited the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. Actually, as you probably know there is more than one show in Tucson. We arrived during the final week of most of the shows and ran out of time to even visit the main show at the convention center. We visited approximately 14 different "shows" and several Native American shops in three days, scattered all across town in hotels, and outdoor tent pavilions. Because we were in such a hurry, trip photos are scarce .

Stalagtites and Stalagmites for sale outside one of the hotel shows. hover for larger detailed image.

Karen hiding behind her Mom, lots of crates of minerals for sale. hover for larger detailed image.

Dean playing around with a fossil crocodile. When alive that thing was *HUGE*. hover for larger detailed image.

Karen's parents, Pat & Louis, in front of a couple of giant geodes from Brazil. Don't know who the worker is, but now he's famous forever, lol. hover for larger detailed image.

Chalcathite (or chalkantite), a lab-grown form of Copper Sulfate. Amazingly bright blue color, and the industry that Karen and I work in uses Copper Sulfate for algae control, so we just had to get a specimen to bring home. hover for larger detailed image.