• Saturday-What'sUP August 17 - 08:08 am

What do a Professional Geologist and Professor of Geology do while on vacation in the Copper Country, you ask? Well, obviously, they do what they know and for Paul and Nat Brandes, (a.k.a Capt. Paul and Dr. Nat), that means anything involving the study of rocks of which the Keweenaw has plenty of.

In today's photos, the two of them are metal detecting the mine rock piles at the old Cliff Mine site near Phoenix, in search of treasures they might find. In their last photo, you get a look at their 'take' for the day, including a few pieces of copper.

The bag they have their finds resting on for the photo is a treasure in itself. At least I'm not aware of anyone that still uses the green book bags of that style to carry their textbooks to school. I know they were popular back in the 70's and I think we might still have one in our basement somewhere. I'll have to check it out. ;->

Ah ha! I knew that first pic was Dr. Nat as soon as I saw it.
Interesting looking 'rocks'. I'm a 'rock hound' from way back ~ have collected them from all over this country.

Cool! We need the Dr & Capt to chime in with some
details about the finds that aren't as easy to
identify.

I have worn out 3 doing the same thing they are doing and need to find a source for new ones. Any helpers? They have served me well both at Tech and on the rock piles.

I always used an old WWII gas mask carrier for a
camera bag. Maybe something like that would serve
as well?

Wow, three days of photos this week; I'm beginning to believe I'm actually liked!! ;-) I'm just sad that these made it on soooo late.

Well, what you're seeing on the green bag are pieces of copper, prehnite, and a small piece of silver. The items in the lower left hand corner are copper chisel chips, created when the miners needed to chop up large mass pieces of copper found underground to get them to the surface. The photo isn't the best as the prehnite should be a nice green colour.

As far as the green bags; don't be disappointed, but you can buy them from Duluth Pack which is where this one came from. I've had it over 30 years now and it still looks great!

Good choice, jbuck. My father, also a geologist, uses a World War II gas mask bag for collecting samples in the field. I use a map case from the same era.

I still have my book bag from the 70's. I was
wondering what those specimens were that clearly had
been machined by someone. Thanks.

There's one other person that comes to mind that was
also fond of the shoulder bag in his profession. . .

http://tinyurl.co
m/k3au7v3

Nice buckle...looks like someone, somewhere is holding up their pants.

The buckle I believe is part of the bag....

The buckle is indeed part of the bag. I have one that I used / use that is 30 yrs old. I have my fathers that is a little worn and faded and 50 yrs old. I have seen pictures of surveyors / engineers using this style bag long ago. Wished I knew the history.

I'm sure if you contacted Duluth Pack Allen that they could tell you the history of these bags. I'm just glad that I can still buy them if the day comes to get a new one. I have to replace my business shoulder bag soon and they make one that I have my eye on as well. Nothing like products that are made in the USA and guaranteed forever!!