In August, the Wayne County Gem and Mineral Club undertook a two-week trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The trip took us through Marquette, or more specifically the Marquette Iron District, where we spent three nights visiting and collecting.  We attended two field trips planned by the Ishpeming Mineral Club, their club show, and also made several trips to Presque Isle Park and other Lake Superior shoreline locations.  It was on the first of the club trips that we were introduced to the Iron District and to taconite.  We visited the enormous dumps of the Republic Iron Mine, 20 miles west of Marquette. Continue reading Taconite →