Fallbrook Fun Day!

Day 1 of my Birthday Month consisted of botanical beauties. Day 2 showed me the gorgeous world of geologic wonders. And like most good days, it began in a coffee shop with friends.

Brady had planned the morning and Fallbrook Coffee Co. was the ideal meetup spot.
After fueling up with her mini me in tow, we headed to our destination: the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society. 
According to the website, "FGMS was founded in 1957. We are a group of individuals who share common interests in gems, minerals, jewelry, geology, paleontology and the related earth sciences and lapidary arts. The Society is based in Fallbrook, San Diego County, California -- just a stone's throw from some of the most productive gem mining areas in the United States. Whether you're interested in local geology or gemology, you are welcome to join our members for guest lectures, workshops, lapidary classes, field trips, gem and mineral shows."
I love their tagline, "Come and see what we've been hiding in Fallbrook!" We came. We saw. We were impressed.

Turns out, the State of California has a ton of mines. San Diego County has 501 alone. Wow. Who knew?
San Diego's mining history is as rich and deep as the mines themselves. The unique geological make-up of Southern California has produced some of the most beautiful gems and minerals in the world: tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, topaz, garnet, gold, and more.






Geologic eye candy galore!



We were all giddy when we entered the Fluorescent Minerals Room! According to the accompanying literature, "Some minerals have an interesting physical property known as fluorescence. These minerals have the ability to temporarily absorb a small amount of light and an instant later release a small amount of light at a different wavelength. This change in wavelength causes a temporary color change of the mineral in the eye of a human observer."
"The color change of fluorescent minerals is most spectacular when they are illuminated by ultraviolet light (which is not visible to humans) and they release visible light. The ultraviolet light has the ability to excite susceptible electrons within the atomic structure of the minerals. These excited electrons temporarily jump up to a higher orbital within the minerals atomic structure. When those electrons fall back down to their original orbital a small amount of energy is released in the form of light. This release of light is called fluorescence."
"Only about 15% of minerals have fluorescence that is visible to humans. Most of these minerals have a single color but some have multiple colors. CALCITE has been known to fluoresce red, blue, white, pink, green and orange. Many Gemstones such ruby, opal, kunzite and diamonds are sometimes fluorescent." The collection here was exceptional. What a truly amazing experience.
With the museum being free, we helped to support it with some fun purchases in the gift shop. I have rock hound granddaughters who will love the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society. We'll be back.
Our next stop was at the Fallbrook Art Center who describes itself as, "A distinguished, accessible and welcoming nonprofit visual arts center presenting a wide variety of rotating exhibitions featuring works by internationally and regionally recognized artists." It was the last day of a photography exhibit that was amazing. We agreed that we need to return for the next exhibit Contemporary Watermedia. Very cool.
The last stop on this Fallbrook whirlwind tour was at the Woman's Club Rummage Sale. In addition to deals to be had, there was history here, too. In 1907, the Saturday Afternoon Club was established by 15 women to provide a resting spot for farmers and their families, especially wives, on their weekend trips to town. The club changed its name to Fallbrook Woman’s Club in 1946, with their mission now being community improvement through volunteer service. 

Brady couldn't have planned a better day. New sights, fun history, great company... the month is off to a fabulous start!

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