Colorado Trip

[Mike B.]

My avatar is a picture of me standing in the middle of the Arkansas river approx. 8 miles north of Buena Vista, CO. I set the camera to a 10 sec. delay, sat it down on a boulder, pushed the button and made my way to my spot. Half way there I fell in the hole I was digging, but managed to get up just in time.

I was prospecting for gold at about 9,000 feet elevation. It was the first week of Aug. and a cold front was moving through that Mon. and Tues. Highs for those days was about 73 degrees, lows at nite about 45. Wed. and Thurs. temps went back to normal about 90 for the high and 50 at nite.

I camped out and had a great time. Bought an out of state fishing lic. and caught two trout also.

Not sure how much gold I found because I'm still panning out my cons. Most of my time in CO. was spent feeding material into my sluice. After it was full (taking about 1/2 hour) I dumped the sluice into a 5 gal. bucket. I filled 3 buckets about 1/2 full.

Since my wife does not like to camp out she did not go. Next year I'm going again and I thought it would be a great idea if a bunch of us dodge board people could all go together. Think about it! Get your camping gear ready. And be ready to find some AU. We could even get lurker to stand watch at nite and keep an eye out for bears!!! lol....

The water is not that cold in Aug. I was able to stand in it all day long and I felt real nice. The current isn't dangerous unless you do something stupid and try swimming across in a deep part. There is also rafting available in the area. We could have alot of fun and it would not cost an arm and a leg.

I'm serious I think if 5-6 or more wanted to go, we'd have a great time.

Keep it in mind!

[Detector]

At this time I say count me in but its hard for me to say what could be happening at my job this far in advanced.

I used to live in Colorado and still kick myself for not taking advantage of it. I did pan a few times but nothing serious. I just got out at the nearest stream and started panning. I did get some garnets.

Zeb and I talk about doing some gold panning all the time.

[tat2me82]

ooooooooo I miss Colorado so much I'd be happy w/ just a few day visit at this point..

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by Detector

At this time I say count me in but its hard for me to say what could be happening at my job this far in advanced.

I used to live in Colorado and still kick myself for not taking advantage of it. I did pan a few times but nothing serious. I just got out at the nearest stream and started panning. I did get some garnets.

Zeb and I talk about doing some gold panning all the time.

Yep! I kick myself also for not starting prospecting at a younger age. It can be hard work, but then again it doesn't seem all that bad when you're doing it for yourself.

Not planning on getting rich or anything like that...it's more of being outdoors and enjoying the surroundings that I don't see that often. At nite when the sky is clear the stars jump out. So many are visible it's hard to imagine their true number. Besides that the mountain drive and scenery is always fantasic. Camping out is also fun. I went to bed then I got tiried, got up when I wanted. I didn't even wear a watch. Next trip I will take along an inflatable matress or some type of pad to sleep on.

The most expensive part of the trip was the gas. I filled up before I left, then in Pueblo, then at Buena Vista (a lovely town) and once coming home. I almost sure it was under $100.00

I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. I'll be posting again about the trip at a later date. I know how hard it can be to get off work. I have to make my requests for vacations by Dec. for the entire next year.

[Mike B.]

If you click my avatar you can see my sluice and one of the places I was prospecting.

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Yep! I kick myself also for not starting prospecting at a younger age. It can be hard work, but then again it doesn't seem all that bad when you're doing it for yourself.

I tried it at a younger age, but my donkey ended up running off with Lurker's cousin, so I gave up! Maybe I could still tag along as the team fisherman and beer drinker!!

[Mike B.]

USA,

We will need an expert fisherman. Those trout are pretty sneeky. BYOB!

[Made in the USA]

"Expert" fisherman?? Well, I guess that leaves me out!
I can catch about anything in Kansas, but you are right about those trout. And it don't take many beers anymore for me. Maybe I will just bring a can of tuna, a 6 pack, my bazooka, and guard for bears!!