I have a slot in May to go to the PCS mine but I am not sure where to meet everyone.  Could someone please give me directions to the pit entrance, I would really appreciate it.  Also, how long do we get in the mine?  As you can tell this is my 1st time there.  Thanks Carcharias13

C13, you start collecting around 8:30 give or take a few minutes.  Usually if everyone they are expecting has arrived and they get them boarded, they can start collecting a little earlier.  Collecting is over at 3:00 pm, but if you're tired you can usually opt to get out on the 2:00 pm bus.  Make sure you wear stell toe shoes/boots - they are mandatory.  They provide a hard hat if you need one.

Have fun,

Daryl.

Here's another tip...bring comfortable knee pads too in case you plan on doing any knee crawling.  The ground surface can be quite uncomfortable on your knees, especially the rocks and pebbles.  I also bring a pair of cotton gloves and cut the finger tips off.  The gloves cushion your hands a bit as you crawl around, and with the tips cut off you can still easily pick up teeth etc.  Oh, and bring lots of water or gatorade, you'll need it.

Daryl.

I always stay at the Econolodge motel in Washington, NC.  It's about $50 and clean.  You can also check on the Days Inn across the street on Rt.# 17 I believe.  I've stayed there too.  It's a few bucks more, but has only "in-door" access through the main lobby.

I like to stay in Washington, NC because of the close proximity to stores and restaurants.  Walmart is right across from the Econolodge and Days Inn, and the Golden Corral is in the same parking lot as Walmart.  Easy access to stores to stock up on stuff like food, water, knee pads, tools, etc.  There's also a Lowe's just up rt.# 17 too.

Daryl.

comfortable knee pads are also very effective for people like me that spend a large portion of their day on their knees, looking skyward saying "dear Lord, please let me find some really nice teeth today. I would really like to find a nice Meg, over 3 inches, with a complete tip and nice sharp serrations...I would further not be saddened to also find a benedeni or pathological tooth of any kind.".

I usually stay in Washington when I am there - mostly for access to the "golden corral" for dinner.  There are a few hotels there- the days inn has a special rate for Aurora hunters I believe.  There is a hampton inn, holiday inn, and econolodge all as well.