The Continuing Compilation of Crusty's Complusions, (AKA... GOLD FEVER!) Options

[Crusty]

So now that you have added "gold prospector" to your list, there should be a picture of you enjoying that also in this thread.

THat's the plan, but I'm too busy mining ;)

Crusty I haven't shaved since I got out of the Army in Sept. of 1970. my wife makes me trim it now occasionally so see can see me:)

Nice!!

[Crusty]

So, back to my story. As I said, my prospecting activities have been limited to rockhounding, so when Swizz put out an invitation to visit his claim, I went with the intention of using it as an opportunity to meet him, Scratch, and see Brandon again, who I hadn't seen since we linked up in Afghanistan last year; as well as to see what cool rocks I might be able to wander around and find. I'd never mined for gold and didn't think much about it.

Swizz's claim is in some beautiful country! It was nice to get away for a few days; I don't remember the last time I went camping... it has probably been 15 years.

On day 1 I did as I figured I would, wandered around the claim, taking photos and kicking rocks, while the rest of the crew worked in the hole. Then on day 2, Swizz offered to let me borrow his Angus Mackirk Mini Long Tom sluice and Brandon loaned me a 1/2" classifier, like a couple of crack dealers giving a free sample... lol

I jumped in the chest deep hole and filled a bucket full of muck, hauled it to the culvert and used the water there to classify the bucket to -1/2 and started feeding the sluice. Being a rock nut, I was pretty darn excited to find the garnets that are also there... seeing all those cool red bits of color was just as exciting as finding gold!

Being a rookie, patience is not a virtue I posses, so I couldn't wait to empty the sluice into a pan (also generously borrowed). After Swizz gave me a quick lesson and a few flicks of the wrist, there was suddenly a blinding light that exploded before my eyes... GOLD!!!

While it was just a little speck, that was enough to give me the sickness... GOLD FEVER! I enjoyed spending the rest of the day with a shovel, buckets, a classifier, and the AM sluice. I managed to go through 5 or 6 buckets on the first day and was rewarded with a bunch of garnets and a handful of gold specks! It was official, I was now a gold miner!

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[russau]

Yep it happens to the best of us! :)

[fenixsmom]

I'm convinced gold is twice as addictive as heroin. At least it won't cost you everything :D welcome to g.a. (gold anonymous) Hi my name is Jessie and I'm an addict!
I'm so happy you're out enjoying yourself! And better late than never : thank you and your daughter for your service!