First gold mining trip- got gold!

[tanacat]

I went with my metal detecting club to Lucky Strike Gold mine near Asheville, NC this past ---weekend 4 days of 100+ degree weather... :shocked01: Thank goodness for the cold fast running creek (took 4 yr old son Logan swimming a bunch) and most of all it was great that the wash plant was in the shade (most of the day) and we set up a canopy for relief. The work consisted of keeping hands wet, that helped immensely :yes:

We rented the wash plant for $650/day and then divided gold between 9 of us. We didn't strike it rich but we came home with gold-I can't remember the exact pennyweight, I think 12. We had about 2/3 oz total by Sunday and then divided that up. Plus 2 nuggets each, that we drew numbers for- you can see them in pics. It was so exciting to squeeze up the gold flakes the first wash Friday a.m. We got about 1/2 oz that morning alone!

But most of all it was good experience & I can't wait to go again!

I look miserable in this pic lol

My hubby Tom throwing out the largest rocks at the top

Our campsite, next to a beautiful cold flowing creek

Bob trying to trick us that he found a gold coin- it was current 1$ coin lol

Alan shoveling the sand

Karen checking for gems & possible nuggets

Raffling off the nuggets

Me, Tom & Logan:

 

[aloldstuff]

Tana, that sure looks like a fun trip. To bad about the 100 degree weather. Just looking at the photos the creek sure does look inviting. Nice haul on your gold and did you win a nugget?

 

[Tony Two-Cent]

Great pictures, Tana! It sure looks like a lot of fun! We treasure hunters love the thrill of the hunt!

 

[del]

that was a great outing adventure , who's idea was it in the club or was it just an annual thing they do?? it looks like you all had a great time . thanks for the pictures Tana .

Dan

 

[milco]

Thanks for posting! That looks like an awesome time, would love to do that. I have a friend that is a rock hound and their mineral club does something similar up in the UP of Michigan, but I have never been able to make it along.

 

[tanacat]

Thanks for looking! Ya'll should def give it a try if you've never been. I'd like to go back and do a family trip, do some highbanking with a smaller dredge. I think it's $60/day and they supply the soil (from south fork of the Muddy River)

that was a great outing adventure , who's idea was it in the club or was it just an annual thing they do??

It was our club prez and vice prez's idea. They've gone there many times over the years and always did well. I think we've been discussing this trip for nearly a year lol And finally came up with a date that enough people could make it.

Missy and Bill bought a couple 30lb bags of rocks/sand to take home and they just found a pretty big nugget! :clapping: I have a 5 gallon bucket to sort through myself :yes:

 

[tanacat]

Tana, that sure looks like a fun trip. To bad about the 100 degree weather. Just looking at the photos the creek sure does look inviting. Nice haul on your gold and did you win a nugget?

Yes! We had 2 raffles- one where you take turns choosing the largest one. We had #5 and got all excited because #5 nugget was the biggest. It was the next raffle though >:/ where you get the exact # (we got #4 for that one) lol Does any of that make sense? ::huh::

 

[Fire Fighter 43]

:congrats: On a successful hunt Tana, it looked like it was a good time.

 

[Cheap Thrills]

Looks like you and the family had a great time .Neat thread and pictures . Thanks for sharing . thumbsup01 erfect10:

 

[jkress]

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: GOLD!! <:
Congrats Tana.