Hi all,
If you are going to Buck Creek, you might consider going a little farther, to the vicinity of Franklin, NC. There are three mines there that do not sell salted gravels. I have mentioned them before: Mason's, Sheffield, and Cherokee. I am not sure yet just when each will open (they are managed sites), or what the 2015 deal will be for visitors.
My summer plans may change so that I could arrange for a field trip the week before or the week after the Knoxville show, June 6-7. I will know more later this month. I will probably be displaying material from all these mines at the show, as well as other American rubies and sapphires (from the Southeast, Montana, and California).
Cheers,
Will