What else do you in NH on a dreary, rainy, chilly spring Sunday? Grab your pick axe and head to the mountains for a little mining. This week Charlotte told us how she wanted to become a gemologist (since they study diamonds and rubys). So dad decided to take the girls on a little family trip to Ruggles Mine in Grafton NH. What else is in Grafton NH? Nothing.
Luckily we were also able to have Charlotte bring along her friend Amelia (who is also very fond of gems). We piled in the van and headed into what seemed like the middle of now where, up a long mountain road to Ruggles Mine which is at the top. We really weren't prepared. Most people bring buckets, flashlights, their own tools to break up the rocks. Instead we used one of moms purses to fill up and dad rented a hammer.
Not really knowing what to look for, we ended up with 10 pounds of rocks. Not sure what kind, but some look pretty cool. My guess is the crazy color rocks were Uranium (yes they used the mine to mine for uranium). You can see it in the picture below really well.
Ruggles Mine, we will be back. Next time with headlamps and a field guide. Hopefully we can score some semiprecious stones!
One of the caves in the mine. 
Maeve with Amelia
Dad with the little dwarfs!
Charlotte and Amelia on a hunt for diamonds!
One of the caves!
Another cave
Amelia trying to bust open a rock with the hammer.
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