Tuesday, July 27, 2010
High Sierra Camp
Larry: We mostly write in our journals in the morning with our coffee so we are recapping the day before. We spent a very enjoyable day at our old diggins. Actually, found 15 to 20 grains!ground sluicing a little spot. I don't have a scale so I don't know for sure. It's always fun to splash water up on the bank and then spot gold that has been washed out. Hey, it is just fun to actually see more than fines. Gold certainly tinges our experience up here. It's great anyway but it's always more fun to find gold.
We made a trail down to the creek from our original camp. I'm in awe of our physical abilities 28 years ago. I recall making several trips out of this very steep canyon with all of our mining gear before 8 - 9 AM! so that our friend Mickey wouldn't feel obligated to help. We raced up the mountain with loads! Lots of good memories up here - I cleaned out Jerry's boil hole yesterday - found one tiny piece. I cleaned out most of the holes I could find on that bank - not much. I creak and groan in the mornings but then after a cup of coffee, my muscles and joints get going. Is this what old age feels like or am I still out of shape? Probably a combination of both. I think I'll run the river box today - clean off some high gravel and a mystery boil hole or two.
Charlotte: Cool & clear. Finally got some sleep. I had a couple of dozes until it cooled off and then the moon rose. It's interesting - before I was afraid of a bear showing up and now I am afraid of the alarm going off. Thank you God that we have an alarm so we will have some warning if a bear does show up. We had a dinner of warmed over lasagna (heated in a skillet), avocado and onion. Have enjoyed a leisurely morning in camp - coffee, journals, reading from "In The Flow of Life", protein bars, apple and peanut butter, bathroom time and readied camp for the day. We covered the car with the big blue tarp, silver side out, so we wouldn't have to come back up at mid-day. It gets pretty hot around mid-day and that is when our car will be in the sun if we don't move it. It's in a great spot for morning shade and afternoon shade - it's only that mid-day sun.
The BIG news! We finally found some gold - small but never the less you can pick it up with your fingers. We hiked up to our old camp and then cleared as much of the old trail as we could find. It was pretty rough going in places but I am guessing it didn't take us more than two hours, but time can fool you up here. What I think I have discovered about us - WE THRIVE ON CHALLENGES. We get some pay off out of exertion - hard physical labor. We don't know how to do easy or maybe that just doesn't interest us at some level. Maybe we expect the rewards, like gold, to be hard and so it is? We don't expect to look down and find a nugget or find a boil hole with an ounce of gold. Have we really changed that much since we used to make our living from gold?
What are we getting out of putting ourselves to the test, all of this exertion? Well, we are certainly getting more fit but there is more - I have noticed that one of the favorite things that we say to each other is "Well, we did it!" climbing out of canyons, finishing a really long day at Hickory Farms or finishing a big project at the ranch - what is that about? What are we doing here? What are we doing in these mountains? What are we doing on this life journey of ours? It's so beautiful here.
Monday, July 26, 2010
High Sierra Camp
Larry: A fairly restful night of sleep what with the sense of security that our bear alarm gave us. We also sat 4 glasses of ammonia out on our perimeter - something suggested in one of the brochures. Covering all bases as we have seen big bear sign. The skeeter population is diminished for some reason. We had the whole afternoon - evening to ourselves! The claim owner checked in on his way out of the canyon, headed home for a few days. He had found a nice pwt nugget. It gave us encouragement. I'm sitting here this morning thinking about Jerry's boil hole (my son found a goodly amount of gold in a boil hole years ago). I'd like to really check out that bank. C asked me last night if I actually enjoyed camping? What draws us to the woods? We relish the solitude up here. Being present with God in the form of the trees, the rocks, the water, the silence, the wild life (we saw a very healthy coyote last week), the birds, the night - stars and moon, being alone with each other. So, yes, I still enjoy our camping experiences. Although, we both agreed that a PU/camper combo would be sweet.
Charlotte: A cool clear morning. A long night. It was warm and I kept having hot flashes. We are all alone here. It is very pleasant this morning and there are very few mosquitoes. We went by way of Target yesterday on our way up here to get repellant. We forgot our glasses in the car and so asked a lady if she could read the ingredients since we were looking for eucalyptus Repel with Deet. She said this is so funny - you stop me to read a repellant container and I am a biologist and my specialty is mosquito control - Wow! Did researching repellants on and off all week bring us an expert? We were having a challenge deciding what was safe to use for long term. We got a whole education on repellants. Now we have something for our skin and something stronger for our clothes.Think of the odds of that happening? How many biologists specializing in mosquito control live in Placer County or Auburn? If we had been 15 minutes earlier or later? If we both hadn't left our glasses in the car? She asked if we just wanted to keep the mosquitoes from biting or did we not want to see any? We have been wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts but those little buggers can bite through.
Picked up groceries, got gas and had lunch at KFC with plenty left over for dinner last night. I think we got to camp by 2:30. We rested awhile before even starting to set up camp. I even took a nap in my lawn chair. It was especially warm for the high country. Thank goodness for the breeze. There were lots of military jets flying over. We wondered what was going on. We used the new high powered repellant on our clothes - no mosquitoes. We'll have to have more than this morning test. Wow! It sure is quiet this morning. We must take time to appreciate our environment and the gift of being here.
High Sierra Camp
Larry: A fairly restful night of sleep what with the sense of security that our bear alarm gave us. We also sat 4 glasses of ammonia out on our perimeter - something suggested in one of the brochures. Covering all bases as we have seen big bear sign. The skeeter population is diminished for some reason. We had the whole afternoon - evening to ourselves! The claim owner checked in on his way out of the canyon, headed home for a few days. He had found a nice pwt nugget. It gave us encouragement. I'm sitting here this morning thinking about Jerry's boil hole (my son found a goodly amount of gold in a boil hole years ago). I'd like to really check out that bank. C asked me last night if I actually enjoyed camping? What draws us to the woods? We relish the solitude up here. Being present with God in the form of the trees, the rocks, the water, the silence, the wild life (we saw a very healthy coyote last week), the birds, the night - stars and moon, being alone with each other. So, yes, I still enjoy our camping experiences. Although, we both agreed that a PU/camper combo would be sweet.
Charlotte: A cool clear morning. A long night. It was warm and I kept having hot flashes. We are all alone here. It is very pleasant this morning and there are very few mosquitoes. We went by way of Target yesterday on our way up here to get repellant. We forgot our glasses in the car and so asked a lady if she could read the ingredients since we were looking for eucalyptus Repel with Deet. She said this is so funny - you stop me to read a repellant container and I am a biologist and my specialty is mosquito control - Wow! Did researching repellants on and off all week bring us an expert? We were having a challenge deciding what was safe to use for long term. We got a whole education on repellants. Now we have something for our skin and something stronger for our clothes.Think of the odds of that happening? How many biologists specializing in mosquito control live in Placer County or Auburn? If we had been 15 minutes earlier or later? If we both hadn't left our glasses in the car? She asked if we just wanted to keep the mosquitoes from biting or did we not want to see any? We have been wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts but those little buggers can bite through.
Picked up groceries, got gas and had lunch at KFC with plenty left over for dinner last night. I think we got to camp by 2:30. We rested awhile before even starting to set up camp. I even took a nap in my lawn chair. It was especially warm for the high country. Thank goodness for the breeze. There were lots of military jets flying over. We wondered what was going on. We used the new high powered repellant on our clothes - no mosquitoes. We'll have to have more than this morning test. Wow! It sure is quiet this morning. We must take time to appreciate our environment and the gift of being here.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Headed back to the high country this week. We have a handy - dandy bear alarm from Alaska. I intend to crawl a lot of the creek and detect the high banks. Take it easy and listen for nudges. We got a big shot in the arm as my back disability payments from the VA for hearing loss finally came through. It takes a little of the pressure off about having to find gold. I want to enjoy the camping experience, sit and read, be present. It surely feels great to have some money in the bank. It gives me a sense of peace about finding gold or not. I've spent a good week here on the farm. The gardens are virtually weed-free and growing dramatically. It soothes my spirit to grow things and I love the ascetics of orderly rows free of weeds. Today is for packing up and driving up to the high country after a leisurely morning.
Charlotte: A morning with clouds but they are going away pretty fast. It is supposed to be 94 in Colfax today. A week of camping in the Sierras - easy - be still and listen - we will have some still time this week. Gold prospecting - hobby or vocation? We are making no predictions about the gold this week. We have certainly found lots of gold in this creek years ago.... but maybe it has really been worked in the meantime? I'd like to go work in our old diggins. I am ready to hit the road. Let's get packed up and go.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Headed back to the high country this week. We have a handy - dandy bear alarm from Alaska. I intend to crawl a lot of the creek and detect the high banks. Take it easy and listen for nudges. We got a big shot in the arm as my back disability payments from the VA for hearing loss finally came through. It takes a little of the pressure off about having to find gold. I want to enjoy the camping experience, sit and read, be present. It surely feels great to have some money in the bank. It gives me a sense of peace about finding gold or not. I've spent a good week here on the farm. The gardens are virtually weed-free and growing dramatically. It soothes my spirit to grow things and I love the ascetics of orderly rows free of weeds. Today is for packing up and driving up to the high country after a leisurely morning.
Charlotte: A morning with clouds but they are going away pretty fast. It is supposed to be 94 in Colfax today. A week of camping in the Sierras - easy - be still and listen - we will have some still time this week. Gold prospecting - hobby or vocation? We are making no predictions about the gold this week. We have certainly found lots of gold in this creek years ago.... but maybe it has really been worked in the meantime? I'd like to go work in our old diggins. I am ready to hit the road. Let's get packed up and go.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday was a rare day of not checking in with my journal. We arose early yesterday morning and left for Shirttail. Hiked almost up to Indian and spent the day sniping. We had to take our boots off and roll up our pants to cross the creek. All of 3 grains! There is tons of very fine gold and lots of black sand on the bedrock but it would take some kind of concentrator to work it. It was a really hot day but I was in the water. Charlotte panned but spent time in the shade often.
What happened on the way back to the bridge is another story and very important lesson learned. I know now it was because we didn't drink enough water. It was really hot but there was a breeze. I spent most of the time in my wetsuit in the water so when we got ready to head back we didn't fill the empty water bottle which meant we only had half a bottle between us. I hoisted my heavy pack and headed up the the very steep trail to join the main trail. It was really hot when you got up in the trees away from the river. I got really winded. About 1/3 of the way back, I totally lost it. I had to sit down. I was dizzy, couldn't seem to catch my breath, nauseous and had no strength. C was rightly worried and persuaded me to let her take the pack - I'd guess 50 pounds worth. To my amazement and tinged with guilt, she hauled it all the way to Shirttail. She just sucked it up and did it even though she was nauseous, too. She finally told me she couldn't stop with me any more because she had to keep going - she couldn't sit down and rest anyway with the pack on and her legs were going to give out if she didn't get going. She said she'd come back for me after she dropped the pack off. I limped along behind her, resting often. I wasn't too far behind her and as soon as I got to Shirttail I broke out our filter pump and got us some water to drink. The only shade we could find was below a blackberry bush and it was boiling hot in the sun. We think we were both suffering from heat exhaustion. We had only taken 2 bottles of water with us - big mistake! We should have refilled our water bottles at the river before we started back! I am very proud of my wife. I could not have made it back with my pack.
Charlotte: What to say about yesterday? Our most difficult hike, ever, mentally and physically. Thank goodness it wasn't any longer than it was. We arrived by 8 AM and after a short break headed up river. It was already pretty warm on the trail and there were those pesky "no see ums", flies that swarm around your eyes. We found a steep trail down to the river just beyond Salvation Creek. Larry didn't drink much water all day because he was in the water and he said he wasn't thirsty - big mistake! The other mistake - never, never be without water on the trail. We didn't fill our water bottles before leaving the river to head back. DUMB! What were we thinking?
Larry was in trouble almost immediately after we had climbed back up to the main trail. He kept having to stop to rest - not like him. This trail has lots of climbs and descents and he was having to stop about every 100 feet. I got sick to my stomach pretty fast after we were back up on the trail and there was no access to water until we got back to Shirttail. About half way out - although at the time I thought we were closer - I got really worried about Larry. He insisted I wouldn't be able to carry his pack but I insisted that I try. Once I stood up with it on my back I knew I couldn't sit down again. It was all I could do to stand up. It was all my legs wanted to do to carry it up and down the hills on the way back. Larry kept needing to stop to rest. I finally said I had to go on or I wouldn't make it. I told him I would go as fast as I could and come back for him. I couldn't go very fast because I didn't want to lose my footing and fall off the trail.... pretty steep down to the river. Thank goodness Larry wasn't too far behind me. After we got some water and rested for awhile we felt quite a bit better. We took our boots off and crossed the creek and found some good shade on the other side where we rested some more. Larry was actually able to haul the pack from Shirttail back up to the car. Thanks goodness.... because my legs were so shaky I don't know if I could have made it. We had a large jug of water in the car and one ice cold beer. We sipped the water and shared the beer. We revived fairly well, which was surprising, and headed back to the ranch. What is the lesson? Drink lots of water on hot days even if you don't feel thirsty.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday was a rare day of not checking in with my journal. We arose early yesterday morning and left for Shirttail. Hiked almost up to Indian and spent the day sniping. We had to take our boots off and roll up our pants to cross the creek. All of 3 grains! There is tons of very fine gold and lots of black sand on the bedrock but it would take some kind of concentrator to work it. It was a really hot day but I was in the water. Charlotte panned but spent time in the shade often.
What happened on the way back to the bridge is another story and very important lesson learned. I know now it was because we didn't drink enough water. It was really hot but there was a breeze. I spent most of the time in my wetsuit in the water so when we got ready to head back we didn't fill the empty water bottle which meant we only had half a bottle between us. I hoisted my heavy pack and headed up the the very steep trail to join the main trail. It was really hot when you got up in the trees away from the river. I got really winded. About 1/3 of the way back, I totally lost it. I had to sit down. I was dizzy, couldn't seem to catch my breath, nauseous and had no strength. C was rightly worried and persuaded me to let her take the pack - I'd guess 50 pounds worth. To my amazement and tinged with guilt, she hauled it all the way to Shirttail. She just sucked it up and did it even though she was nauseous, too. She finally told me she couldn't stop with me any more because she had to keep going - she couldn't sit down and rest anyway with the pack on and her legs were going to give out if she didn't get going. She said she'd come back for me after she dropped the pack off. I limped along behind her, resting often. I wasn't too far behind her and as soon as I got to Shirttail I broke out our filter pump and got us some water to drink. The only shade we could find was below a blackberry bush and it was boiling hot in the sun. We think we were both suffering from heat exhaustion. We had only taken 2 bottles of water with us - big mistake! We should have refilled our water bottles at the river before we started back! I am very proud of my wife. I could not have made it back with my pack.
Charlotte: What to say about yesterday? Our most difficult hike, ever, mentally and physically. Thank goodness it wasn't any longer than it was. We arrived by 8 AM and after a short break headed up river. It was already pretty warm on the trail and there were those pesky "no see ums", flies that swarm around your eyes. We found a steep trail down to the river just beyond Salvation Creek. Larry didn't drink much water all day because he was in the water and he said he wasn't thirsty - big mistake! The other mistake - never, never be without water on the trail. We didn't fill our water bottles before leaving the river to head back. DUMB! What were we thinking?
Larry was in trouble almost immediately after we had climbed back up to the main trail. He kept having to stop to rest - not like him. This trail has lots of climbs and descents and he was having to stop about every 100 feet. I got sick to my stomach pretty fast after we were back up on the trail and there was no access to water until we got back to Shirttail. About half way out - although at the time I thought we were closer - I got really worried about Larry. He insisted I wouldn't be able to carry his pack but I insisted that I try. Once I stood up with it on my back I knew I couldn't sit down again. It was all I could do to stand up. It was all my legs wanted to do to carry it up and down the hills on the way back. Larry kept needing to stop to rest. I finally said I had to go on or I wouldn't make it. I told him I would go as fast as I could and come back for him. I couldn't go very fast because I didn't want to lose my footing and fall off the trail.... pretty steep down to the river. Thank goodness Larry wasn't too far behind me. After we got some water and rested for awhile we felt quite a bit better. We took our boots off and crossed the creek and found some good shade on the other side where we rested some more. Larry was actually able to haul the pack from Shirttail back up to the car. Thanks goodness.... because my legs were so shaky I don't know if I could have made it. We had a large jug of water in the car and one ice cold beer. We sipped the water and shared the beer. We revived fairly well, which was surprising, and headed back to the ranch. What is the lesson? Drink lots of water on hot days even if you don't feel thirsty.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Another day on the farm. I have almost completed enclosing the back yard - fenced off from deer at last. I'll wind it up today. It was a project that was long overdue. I plan on resting part of the day because I want to be up for a day at the river tomorrow. I want to hike upriver toward Salvation Creek and do some serious sniping.
Charlotte: Larry hopes to finish the fence by noon so that he can rest up for our trip to the river. He has really been working hard around here. I want to start packing for another trip to the high country. We are planning to leave here around 6 AM tomorrow.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Another day on the farm. I have almost completed enclosing the back yard - fenced off from deer at last. I'll wind it up today. It was a project that was long overdue. I plan on resting part of the day because I want to be up for a day at the river tomorrow. I want to hike upriver toward Salvation Creek and do some serious sniping.
Charlotte: Larry hopes to finish the fence by noon so that he can rest up for our trip to the river. He has really been working hard around here. I want to start packing for another trip to the high country. We are planning to leave here around 6 AM tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: The ole body creaks and groans in the morning. This farm work is good for developing new muscles. Now we must adapt a winter fitness plan to stay in shape. I'm just now beginning to get into the flow of choosing each day's activities. My energy level is improving as well as my stamina. I suppose at 70, I'll have to work a little longer to recoup my strength? My problem is that mentally, I don't feel that old. As a result, I don't have as much patience with myself as I should. Perhaps, I expect too much from my body?
Charlotte: Clear and cool. Larry worked on fencing almost all day yesterday. I weeded the onions. We are alone on the porch with our coffee and bird sounds. Another long night for me. We are very grateful to have our own room out in the new addition. It was warm even with the fan but also I think I am sore and every time I move, it hurts. We are spending more time on the ranch than we intended but the fence was one of the big projects for this summer. Larry said he was doing great when I went out to check on him but it seems mighty hot to be digging post holes and mixing cement. He ran out of paint yesterday so he says he'll take it easier today once he finishes his fence project.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: The ole body creaks and groans in the morning. This farm work is good for developing new muscles. Now we must adapt a winter fitness plan to stay in shape. I'm just now beginning to get into the flow of choosing each day's activities. My energy level is improving as well as my stamina. I suppose at 70, I'll have to work a little longer to recoup my strength? My problem is that mentally, I don't feel that old. As a result, I don't have as much patience with myself as I should. Perhaps, I expect too much from my body?
Charlotte: Clear and cool. Larry worked on fencing almost all day yesterday. I weeded the onions. We are alone on the porch with our coffee and bird sounds. Another long night for me. We are very grateful to have our own room out in the new addition. It was warm even with the fan but also I think I am sore and every time I move, it hurts. We are spending more time on the ranch than we intended but the fence was one of the big projects for this summer. Larry said he was doing great when I went out to check on him but it seems mighty hot to be digging post holes and mixing cement. He ran out of paint yesterday so he says he'll take it easier today once he finishes his fence project.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Deer raided Arlene's back yard night before last so we geared up - bought supplies and I proceeded to deer-proof the back yard. It has really been hot here these last few days. Set 4 posts yesterday and got the fence rolled out and just attached so the deer can't get in. Today, I'll mount the gates, paint the fence and set T-posts. Always lots to do here but I feel good when I can contribute. Plus it must be getting me fit! Good thing we decided to stay here this week.
Larry: My Favorite Bend-Over
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Deer raided Arlene's back yard night before last so we geared up - bought supplies and I proceeded to deer-proof the back yard. It has really been hot here these last few days. Set 4 posts yesterday and got the fence rolled out and just attached so the deer can't get in. Today, I'll mount the gates, paint the fence and set T-posts. Always lots to do here but I feel good when I can contribute. Plus it must be getting me fit! Good thing we decided to stay here this week.
Larry: My Favorite Bend-Over
Charlotte: It is a beautiful morning on the porch. I weeded onions yesterday while Larry built fence. I actually enjoy weeding except when it's so hot. My feet actually burned while I was weeding yesterday from the sun shining on my shoes. I hardly ever make it out to the "far garden". I usually just work in the garden by the house. I am longing for more time alone. I guess I could be alone in "our room". Thank you God for our own room and shower. I ordered the bear alarm yesterday.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Thank goodness it is cooler this AM. It has really been HOT! the last few days. A cool morning on the porch with coffee. Breath in, breath out, life is good.
Charlotte: Monday morning on the ranch. We are going to work around here this week with a couple of day trips to the river. It is 10 degrees cooler this morning. I am sitting here this morning rehearsing the future.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Thank goodness it is cooler this AM. It has really been HOT! the last few days. A cool morning on the porch with coffee. Breath in, breath out, life is good.
Charlotte: Monday morning on the ranch. We are going to work around here this week with a couple of day trips to the river. It is 10 degrees cooler this morning. I am sitting here this morning rehearsing the future.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Back at the farm. A week out but it feels good to be back "home". I'd like to stay here for a few days - lick my wounds, re-new my outlook, catch up around here, etc.
Charlotte: On the way back we stopped in Foresthill at the Forest Service. They gave us a sheet on bears. Seems there have been some problem bears at the campgrounds in the high country. When I mentioned at the store where we had been camping the guy asked if we had been up to feed the bears - not exactly comforting words. I must check into the bear alarm!
Yesterday we made a sad trip up to Elizabethtown, the Pappa cabin and then to Iowa Hill. I guess one just can't go back. It was 97 in the shade on the porch at the Pappa cabin. It didn't look like anyone had been there in a long time. Someone has claims on our old camping spot at Elizabethtown. We both got emotional over the changes. We agreed that we don't want to do any dry land camping in this kind of heat.
High Country Camp
Larry: Our last morning up here for awhile. It's been an interesting week: lots of physical challenges, not only getting up and down to the creek but then hiking the creek itself. C took us on a hike down the creek to our early diggins. I didn't believe we could make it. She hatched a plan in the night to put on our river shoes so that we could wade the creek if we had to and we climbed, waded and crawled our way over boulders and we made it!! Then we clambored out of the canyon up our old trail - sort of. The gold is non-existent for us this week. But we have discovered (re-discovered) something more valuable - time in the woods, facing our challenges, spending quality time with each other in solitude. I realized too that this summer isn't about any one week or one destination or for that matter, any particular result. It's about learning to listen to Spirit, learning how to live in the flow, unlearning our old patterns of lack and fear.
The gold is actually incidental to the success of our summer. A pileated woodpecker is announcing his presence this morning! I'm not sure what to think about this creek - gold wise. I would readily come back up here to camp and I'd still like to do some creek crawling but I wouldn't come up here specifically for gold. I'm thinking we are destined to find our gold somewhere else?
Charlotte: Cool with a few clouds and mosquitoes. Finally a night of sleep! We moved our camp yesterday after we climbed out of the canyon. Larry was not too enthusiastic but I persisted. It only took about 30 minutes. We moved into the open area where we had our camper years ago. We had a much bigger view, a level bed and more time without mosquitoes. We sat, drank wine and discussed our week, relatively, mosquito free until they finally found us. We took an exploratory jaunt down the creek yesterday - climbing, wading, crawling over boulders. I was determined that we would make it to our old diggins and WE DID IT! I was determined NOT to retrace our steps. It only took about 3 hours. The hike out of the canyon was very strenuous but we are finally getting our mountain goat legs. We located some of the old trail - it had really sluffed away over the last 20+ years. I don't think it would take too much work to make it usable again. We may consider that as a possibility. A few clouds moving over this morning and it is humid.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
High Country Camp
Larry: Still no gold! Where are we missing it or how? C seems to think that it's coming in from below us for the most part and I tend to agree. I'd still like to take a run down stream to check it out. But last night, we both asked, if we had $5000 in the bank, would we care about the gold? Can we be satisfied with our wilderness experience without gold? What is the allure of gold? It can't be in the possession of it because we turn around and sell it. So, is it the monetary value? Partly. I believe it's mostly in the searching and finding something of value that we can then sell for money.... very much like hunting for wild mushrooms. If I found a pile of gold coins, I'd admire them for awhile but then I'd either sell them or keep them as an investment. Somehow, we need the challenge of the search in order to enjoy our pursuits.
Roughing it involves challenges - giving up the ease and comfort of a home. How rough must it have been for the early miners? How about the first mountain men blazing trails west, Lewis & Clark? Have we improved ourselves by technology, by providing luxurious shelter and conveniences? Are we primitive beings by nature, needing nature to nurture us? I feel different out here in the woods. I'm more in tune with my authentic self - though that may just be the solitude. I'm more present - in the now. We'll forge ahead today, seeking that elusive golden treasure. We intend to break camp tomorrow morning and go out the back way - out through Iowa Hill - look in at Elizabethtown - try to plan our next week's activities.
Charlotte: Another long night for me. A tree fell in the night and made a loud noise and Larry didn't budge - he didn't even hear it - man the mosquitoes are out in force this morning. After the tree fell I was wide awake for hours listening for bears. I only saw one shooting star, no satellites and no planes but we have certainly seen 1000's of mosquitoes since we arrived.
The gold continues to elude us. What is that about? Being in the flow - having access to all? I don't know that we can create gold in the creek but I do believe that we can be led to the gold - we can find the gold by listening - some part of us knows where the gold is in this creek.
What is my fear about in the night? In a vehicle I would feel safe. There must have literally been 1000's of backpackers sleeping in tents in bear country last night. How may of them were attacked or eaten? I'll check that out when we get back to the ranch. When we get back I'm going to check out the bear alarm I saw in the mining magazine. Is it a basic fear of the dark?
This "vision quest" of ours - this adventure is really teaching us to be present - it demands it - the mosquitoes, the search for gold, the lumps under my bed, listening for bears, my fear of the dark, tuning into the sights and sounds, observing our thoughts and reactions to situations.
I love certain aspects of this experience - right here, right now; the quiet, except for the bird sounds, the distant sound of the creek, the smell of the forest air, just an occasional bandit now, being all alone (we are all alone since the claim owner left last evening and although he is camped way down the road from us we felt we weren't totally alone until he left). I would like a comfortable sleeping place; no lumps under the bed, no sloping bed that we slide down all night and I'd like to be out in the open instead of in the thick grove of trees and bushes, a good mosquito repellent would be nice, peace about sleeping in the forest and lots of gold.
Good morning God. Where is the gold? Thank you for this time in this beautiful, quiet, peaceful place.
High Country Camp
Larry: Still no gold! Where are we missing it or how? C seems to think that it's coming in from below us for the most part and I tend to agree. I'd still like to take a run down stream to check it out. But last night, we both asked, if we had $5000 in the bank, would we care about the gold? Can we be satisfied with our wilderness experience without gold? What is the allure of gold? It can't be in the possession of it because we turn around and sell it. So, is it the monetary value? Partly. I believe it's mostly in the searching and finding something of value that we can then sell for money.... very much like hunting for wild mushrooms. If I found a pile of gold coins, I'd admire them for awhile but then I'd either sell them or keep them as an investment. Somehow, we need the challenge of the search in order to enjoy our pursuits.
Roughing it involves challenges - giving up the ease and comfort of a home. How rough must it have been for the early miners? How about the first mountain men blazing trails west, Lewis & Clark? Have we improved ourselves by technology, by providing luxurious shelter and conveniences? Are we primitive beings by nature, needing nature to nurture us? I feel different out here in the woods. I'm more in tune with my authentic self - though that may just be the solitude. I'm more present - in the now. We'll forge ahead today, seeking that elusive golden treasure. We intend to break camp tomorrow morning and go out the back way - out through Iowa Hill - look in at Elizabethtown - try to plan our next week's activities.
Charlotte: Another long night for me. A tree fell in the night and made a loud noise and Larry didn't budge - he didn't even hear it - man the mosquitoes are out in force this morning. After the tree fell I was wide awake for hours listening for bears. I only saw one shooting star, no satellites and no planes but we have certainly seen 1000's of mosquitoes since we arrived.
The gold continues to elude us. What is that about? Being in the flow - having access to all? I don't know that we can create gold in the creek but I do believe that we can be led to the gold - we can find the gold by listening - some part of us knows where the gold is in this creek.
What is my fear about in the night? In a vehicle I would feel safe. There must have literally been 1000's of backpackers sleeping in tents in bear country last night. How may of them were attacked or eaten? I'll check that out when we get back to the ranch. When we get back I'm going to check out the bear alarm I saw in the mining magazine. Is it a basic fear of the dark?
This "vision quest" of ours - this adventure is really teaching us to be present - it demands it - the mosquitoes, the search for gold, the lumps under my bed, listening for bears, my fear of the dark, tuning into the sights and sounds, observing our thoughts and reactions to situations.
I love certain aspects of this experience - right here, right now; the quiet, except for the bird sounds, the distant sound of the creek, the smell of the forest air, just an occasional bandit now, being all alone (we are all alone since the claim owner left last evening and although he is camped way down the road from us we felt we weren't totally alone until he left). I would like a comfortable sleeping place; no lumps under the bed, no sloping bed that we slide down all night and I'd like to be out in the open instead of in the thick grove of trees and bushes, a good mosquito repellent would be nice, peace about sleeping in the forest and lots of gold.
Good morning God. Where is the gold? Thank you for this time in this beautiful, quiet, peaceful place.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The High Country
Larry: We put up our tent yesterday due to the mosquitoes. Consequently, I had a delicious night of rest last night. They tend to dampen our outdoor experience. The gold continues to elude us?! Have we lost our edge, our swing? I can tend to get discouraged in the night after a hard day of prospecting and crawling the creek but then I'm reminded of how stingy this creek can seem and then she rewards those who persevere.
Also, on a bigger scale, I must continue to embrace the experience, the adventure, the journey.... and not make this all about the gold - 3 oz. would be sweet but so was lying in bed this morning watching the sun light up the western ridge - 3 oz. would be so satisfying but so was sipping wine while watching the sun slide down the far ridge - 3 oz. would be delicious but so was our camp-out meal last night - corn chips covered in chili and topped with onions and cheese with avocado on the side.
We have discovered a new recreational activity up here. It is great for a couple but I can see it being even more fun for a group. It requires one to be fully present and totally focused on your partner. You look into your partner's eyes and study their features - their cheeks, their mouth, their ears, their hair - and then..... you strike at them! Very softly but firmly, as you dispense with a hungry, sucking mosquito, all the while carrying on a lively conversation such as, "I got him" or "Darn I missed him" or if you're really good, " I got two"! Charlotte needs some more practice in the "softly" department. She strikes with a little too much enthusiasm but they never get away. I've decided to call this game Skeeter Skidadle!
Charlotte: We slept in this morning - 7:00 at least. I have finished my morning rituals; teeth, deodorant, face, pee - I try to put off serious bathroom time until it's urgent. I only want to bare my backside to the mosquitoes for any length of time once a day. It was wonderful to have the tent up last night. If we are vigilant coming and going we only let an occasional bandit in. We could sleep with our heads and arms out. Larry announced this morning that he had a delicious night of sleep. I had a delicious night awake. I spent the night listening for animals sounds, especially bears, watched for satellites and shooting stars and thought of the fairy tale about a pea under the mattress as there was something very hard right under my backside.
The mosquitoes are swarming this morning. We don our foreign legion caps and long sleeved shirts, morning and evening, for protection. We have a good 2 hours in the evening and 1+ hours in the morning of swarming. We head right to bed after supper clean-up so we can get in the tent. We rehash our day and rehearse our future and then settle down to be present and read awhile.
What about the gold? What are we learning from this experience? Where is the gold? It seems like we should know where it is? Are we not listening? Are we being led somewhere else?
We were camped out at Elizabethtown 13 years ago. We feel pretty good about how we have organized to camp out of our car. Setting up the tent was a big improvement. Sit with the questions and listen. Ego wants to keep us busy working hard, doubting and fearing. Spirit wants us to be still and listen - easy, fun, peaceful.... why are we here? We have been having some wonderful time for journaling, reading, talking and being quiet in the morning.
I hiked out of the canyon twice yesterday and Larry hiked in and out three times. We are getting in shape! We come up to camp for lunch to check things and move our car so that it will stay in the shade during the day. So far, our ice is lasting very well.
The High Country
Larry: We put up our tent yesterday due to the mosquitoes. Consequently, I had a delicious night of rest last night. They tend to dampen our outdoor experience. The gold continues to elude us?! Have we lost our edge, our swing? I can tend to get discouraged in the night after a hard day of prospecting and crawling the creek but then I'm reminded of how stingy this creek can seem and then she rewards those who persevere.
Also, on a bigger scale, I must continue to embrace the experience, the adventure, the journey.... and not make this all about the gold - 3 oz. would be sweet but so was lying in bed this morning watching the sun light up the western ridge - 3 oz. would be so satisfying but so was sipping wine while watching the sun slide down the far ridge - 3 oz. would be delicious but so was our camp-out meal last night - corn chips covered in chili and topped with onions and cheese with avocado on the side.
We have discovered a new recreational activity up here. It is great for a couple but I can see it being even more fun for a group. It requires one to be fully present and totally focused on your partner. You look into your partner's eyes and study their features - their cheeks, their mouth, their ears, their hair - and then..... you strike at them! Very softly but firmly, as you dispense with a hungry, sucking mosquito, all the while carrying on a lively conversation such as, "I got him" or "Darn I missed him" or if you're really good, " I got two"! Charlotte needs some more practice in the "softly" department. She strikes with a little too much enthusiasm but they never get away. I've decided to call this game Skeeter Skidadle!
Charlotte: We slept in this morning - 7:00 at least. I have finished my morning rituals; teeth, deodorant, face, pee - I try to put off serious bathroom time until it's urgent. I only want to bare my backside to the mosquitoes for any length of time once a day. It was wonderful to have the tent up last night. If we are vigilant coming and going we only let an occasional bandit in. We could sleep with our heads and arms out. Larry announced this morning that he had a delicious night of sleep. I had a delicious night awake. I spent the night listening for animals sounds, especially bears, watched for satellites and shooting stars and thought of the fairy tale about a pea under the mattress as there was something very hard right under my backside.
The mosquitoes are swarming this morning. We don our foreign legion caps and long sleeved shirts, morning and evening, for protection. We have a good 2 hours in the evening and 1+ hours in the morning of swarming. We head right to bed after supper clean-up so we can get in the tent. We rehash our day and rehearse our future and then settle down to be present and read awhile.
What about the gold? What are we learning from this experience? Where is the gold? It seems like we should know where it is? Are we not listening? Are we being led somewhere else?
We were camped out at Elizabethtown 13 years ago. We feel pretty good about how we have organized to camp out of our car. Setting up the tent was a big improvement. Sit with the questions and listen. Ego wants to keep us busy working hard, doubting and fearing. Spirit wants us to be still and listen - easy, fun, peaceful.... why are we here? We have been having some wonderful time for journaling, reading, talking and being quiet in the morning.
I hiked out of the canyon twice yesterday and Larry hiked in and out three times. We are getting in shape! We come up to camp for lunch to check things and move our car so that it will stay in the shade during the day. So far, our ice is lasting very well.
High Sierra Camp
Larry: Had our first cup of coffee looking up at the sunlit ridge across the canyon. Lots to report - top of the list was last night's onslaught of mosquitoes! Pretty intense for a couple of hours plus our Cutter's doesn't seem to be working. We had a pleasant evening in spite of the bugs though. A large shrimp salad made camping a treat - a bed of lettuce, onions, celery and tomatoes, topped with boiled egg, avocado, shrimp and dressing. Our bedroom choice is outstanding. We have three layers of cushion and it was almost as good as any mattress we've slept in. Sleeping out under the stars is such a departure for most of us. We sleep in an enclosed room - maybe a window open but looking up at a blank ceiling. Under the stars is a much more primitive style. Periodically, I awoke during the night to look up at a new star pattern and just laid there and felt entertained. I've decided that the night time fear of the dark, "what if" bear, etc. is mostly a state of mind. Once I placed my security with God, I slept soundly. I must admit though that the talk this morning of a camper hit a chord with me - sitting - mosquito free - having our coffee, sleeping without covering our heads, etc. I intend to work through my attachment to soft living.
Charlotte: 6:45 AM - clear and coolish - Our biggest challenge so far are the mosquitoes - clouds of them. They are not as bad as Sutter's By Pass or Milsap Bar but they are bad enough. I stayed fairly warm last night because until the middle of the night we had to sleep with our heads under the covers because of the mosquitoes. I awoke often but went back to sleep farly quickly. Our bed was pretty comfortable. The first sunlight hits the distant ridge about 6. That is when we climbed out of bed. We really want our own high country claims. The claim owner came by for another visit just before we hit the sack last night. He seems lonely. I have made it through my series of morning constitutions. With such a small camping table there are challenges but we are making it work. So far the mosquitoes have not been bad this morning - yet. We go in search of our fortune today. What can we do about the mosquitoes. I guess I spoke too soon. As the morning is warming up they are moving in looking for blood. There are a few clouds drifting over.
LATER - We have decided to set our tent up. It will keep the mosquitoes at bay tonight and if it rains we are ready! You know the mosquitoes are bad when you get multiple targets with each smack. Thank goodness we can actually get into the tent and get away from them.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Auburn, McD's
Larry: On our way to the high country! At last! We are full of optimism about this week in the mountains. We are intrepid gold prospectors - searching for our El Dorado.
Charlotte: It's a beautiful morning! It's been almost a year since we have been in Auburn. I am getting antsy to get up the road but looking forward to morning coffee. What surprises and adventures does this day hold? The theme for our lives right now seems to be "unknowns".
LATER - 5:30 PM
Larry: We were able to drive into our old camping spot. Hiked down to the creek with the claim owner and scoped out the possibilities. Spent most of the afternoon sitting with the trees and chasing the shade. It feels good to be here once again. I must admit a certain amount of yearning for the comforts that a house offers but that is the old man in me - the fearful, comfort seeker. What about the intrepid adventurer? I must re-awaken him and put him in charge. I know we'll have a wonderful time up here. The claim owner seems pretty laid back about our presence. We offered him 20% of what we find, which is what we paid the old claim owner when we were up here years ago. Now we just have to find the gold!
Charlotte: We hiked pretty far down the old road when we first got here. It was warm and sticky but the forest is beautiful and it smells so good here. It was an interesting trip through time. We left Auburn by 9. The fragrance of Mountain Misery lay heavy in the air as we made our way to Foresthill. We took time for some photos in Foresthill and then headed down into the north fork of the middle fork of the American River. We stopped briefly at Rainbow Bridge. It was a much longer climb out of the canyon than we remembered. We topped out just past the Big Trees turnoff at about 6000 ft. After our hike down into the canyon on the old road we took time to just sit for awhile and then decided to go look for a camp spot. We found a vehicle but couldn't find anyone around so we got out our lawn chairs and sat for a bit. Pretty soon the claim owner came walking down the road. He had been putting up claim markers. He showed us a trail, that was pretty hard to find. He built it down to the creek last year. Our bodies moaned and groaned about the hike and the altitude as we tried to keep up with him. He is obviously in better shape than we are.
After he left we continued our search for a camp spot. We finally settled on a shady spot up from the flat where we had our camper years ago. Our fire ring on the flat and our fire ring on the upper landing are still there after all these years. We are really enjoying the blessed quiet - the sound of the distant creek, wind in the tall conifers, bird sounds and some very high jets flying over. It is already 6 PM! Where has this day gone? We have cleared an area up in the trees for our bed and gathered fir and cedar bows to make it softer. We have decided to sleep under the stars tonight. There is a small stream coming off of the slope just down the road and Larry has already hiked down there to fill water bottles. It looks like it will be a go for us to spend the summer here.
Auburn, McD's
Larry: On our way to the high country! At last! We are full of optimism about this week in the mountains. We are intrepid gold prospectors - searching for our El Dorado.
Charlotte: It's a beautiful morning! It's been almost a year since we have been in Auburn. I am getting antsy to get up the road but looking forward to morning coffee. What surprises and adventures does this day hold? The theme for our lives right now seems to be "unknowns".
LATER - 5:30 PM
Larry: We were able to drive into our old camping spot. Hiked down to the creek with the claim owner and scoped out the possibilities. Spent most of the afternoon sitting with the trees and chasing the shade. It feels good to be here once again. I must admit a certain amount of yearning for the comforts that a house offers but that is the old man in me - the fearful, comfort seeker. What about the intrepid adventurer? I must re-awaken him and put him in charge. I know we'll have a wonderful time up here. The claim owner seems pretty laid back about our presence. We offered him 20% of what we find, which is what we paid the old claim owner when we were up here years ago. Now we just have to find the gold!
Charlotte: We hiked pretty far down the old road when we first got here. It was warm and sticky but the forest is beautiful and it smells so good here. It was an interesting trip through time. We left Auburn by 9. The fragrance of Mountain Misery lay heavy in the air as we made our way to Foresthill. We took time for some photos in Foresthill and then headed down into the north fork of the middle fork of the American River. We stopped briefly at Rainbow Bridge. It was a much longer climb out of the canyon than we remembered. We topped out just past the Big Trees turnoff at about 6000 ft. After our hike down into the canyon on the old road we took time to just sit for awhile and then decided to go look for a camp spot. We found a vehicle but couldn't find anyone around so we got out our lawn chairs and sat for a bit. Pretty soon the claim owner came walking down the road. He had been putting up claim markers. He showed us a trail, that was pretty hard to find. He built it down to the creek last year. Our bodies moaned and groaned about the hike and the altitude as we tried to keep up with him. He is obviously in better shape than we are.
After he left we continued our search for a camp spot. We finally settled on a shady spot up from the flat where we had our camper years ago. Our fire ring on the flat and our fire ring on the upper landing are still there after all these years. We are really enjoying the blessed quiet - the sound of the distant creek, wind in the tall conifers, bird sounds and some very high jets flying over. It is already 6 PM! Where has this day gone? We have cleared an area up in the trees for our bed and gathered fir and cedar bows to make it softer. We have decided to sleep under the stars tonight. There is a small stream coming off of the slope just down the road and Larry has already hiked down there to fill water bottles. It looks like it will be a go for us to spend the summer here.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday a great hot July day was had by all - weeded and mowed.
Charlotte: Sunny and clear. We worked really hard around here yesterday. It was really hot. We head to the high country tomorrow. I found some really interesting historical information online. I really think we are going to come home with gold this week. Lots of unknowns on my mind today.... how far will we be able to drive in on the old road? Where will we camp? How will we get down to the creek?
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday a great hot July day was had by all - weeded and mowed.
Charlotte: Sunny and clear. We worked really hard around here yesterday. It was really hot. We head to the high country tomorrow. I found some really interesting historical information online. I really think we are going to come home with gold this week. Lots of unknowns on my mind today.... how far will we be able to drive in on the old road? Where will we camp? How will we get down to the creek?
 |
| North Fork American River looking downstream from the bridge |
Tofte Ranch - Sunny, Clear, 68 degrees
Larry: Coffee on the deck. Two days with no gold, except for a few fines in the black sand. The jury rigged shaft for my detector worked great. We dug lots of targets - lead, shell casings, aluminum can fragments, etc. This might be a steep learning curve. I'm learning the sounds of each target as well as their number. Now, all I need to practice on is the sounds and numbers for GOLD! We'll put in a day on the farm - it's going to be a warm one! Our bodies are sore. I must remember that the first couple of weeks were always hard on us. Aches and pains were the part of starting a new season.
 |
| Yankee Jim Bridge in the distance |
We found out right away that we don't have our mountain goat legs yet - climbing over boulders and up and over rocks had my legs feeling shaky by the time we reached our destination. Did we really hike miles up and down this river? We ARE getting in good shape.
There were impressive rock walls above the trail, built by the 49ers, as they cleared the bedrock in search of gold. Larry even found some old drill holes. The gold continues to elude us. Actually, I did find some very fine gold in a small crevice. My little detector really sings in pockets of black sand but since gold likes to hide in black sand I panned it out. We both found a goodly amount of metal yesterday - bullets, lead, old tin cans, wire - which means that we are finally figuring out how to use our detectors. Larry's will discriminate - mine will not so I figure out the sounds.
We spent a goodly portion of the day prospecting up and down the river even though there was virtually no shade where we were working. There was a slight breeze. We finally had to give it up because we both felt baked and we were out of drinking water. The trail out was blistering. We found 3 small areas of shade to rest in on the way back to the car. All I could think of was ice cold beer. As most of you know, I am not a big beer drinker. We stopped at the little market in Colfax and then found some shade at the Bear River on our way back to Chicago Park. Ice cold, wet, fizzy beer - maybe the best I've ever had.
Next week we head to the high country claims. There will be far less garbage at the claims, cooler temperatures, no poison oak or snakes but there will be peace, quiet, solitude and mosquitoes and maybe bears. For all of the years we mined up there, we never found any fine (extra small gold called colors). It was all pretty chunky. This week of shake down trips has been very helpful. We both feel we are ready to head to the woods for a full week now. We've worked out most of the details for our expeditions to the high country.
Today is for weeding, rototilling, moving water and mowing. It's supposed to be even hotter so we hope to be done before the heat of the day, which comes around 4 or 5 PM. Tomorrow is for shopping, packing and loading for our trip. Over the last 3 days there have been huge thunderheads in the mountains so we must go prepared for summer mountain thunderstorms.
Shirttail Bridge
July 9, 2010
Larry: Stayed at the ranch yesterday and rototilled the far garden. Caught up around the place. It's very nice here in the shade of the canyon..... hearing the rapids above the bridge. Is today the day we find our first gold of the season? I'd be so excited to find good gold today. It's very relaxing sitting here on the landing where we had our wedding reception in 1981..... recalling the great times we had here.
Charlotte: American River - sunny and war - We are back at the river after a day on the farm. It is so great to be here.
July 9, 2010
Larry: Stayed at the ranch yesterday and rototilled the far garden. Caught up around the place. It's very nice here in the shade of the canyon..... hearing the rapids above the bridge. Is today the day we find our first gold of the season? I'd be so excited to find good gold today. It's very relaxing sitting here on the landing where we had our wedding reception in 1981..... recalling the great times we had here.
Charlotte: American River - sunny and war - We are back at the river after a day on the farm. It is so great to be here.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday was a day of rough hiking, equipment problems and heat with no gold. It makes for a sore, stiff body. We only have 2 segments for the Gold Bug so it's a little short! Even though I'm sore from clamorring over rocks, mentally, I'm encouraged by it all. Our detectors work fine and we're learning their secrets. I purchased a Fisher Gold Bug Pro Detector in the spring and I have been itching to get to the river to try it out. We're going to stay on the ranch today and get caught up around here before we tackle the river again tomorrow. I'd like to try downstream from the bridge.
Charlotte: We spent a long day on Shirttail yesterday. We definitely need to be in better shape. The creek felt like rough going. I am so impressed that when we were first married, we moved all of our camping and dredging gear down into this area of Shirttail and even more impressed that we hauled it back out of Shirttail Canyon. We must have been really tough in our youth - well, when we were 30 and 40. The gold continues to elude us but we are learning our equipment. We are really looking forward to a week at Duncan. We are looking forward to easy and fun. Easy and fun.... The theme for our lives thus far seems to have been about testing ourselves. We are saying it's OK if our lives get easier. It's been wonderful spending a couple of days down in our old prospecting haunts.
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Yesterday was a day of rough hiking, equipment problems and heat with no gold. It makes for a sore, stiff body. We only have 2 segments for the Gold Bug so it's a little short! Even though I'm sore from clamorring over rocks, mentally, I'm encouraged by it all. Our detectors work fine and we're learning their secrets. I purchased a Fisher Gold Bug Pro Detector in the spring and I have been itching to get to the river to try it out. We're going to stay on the ranch today and get caught up around here before we tackle the river again tomorrow. I'd like to try downstream from the bridge.
Charlotte: We spent a long day on Shirttail yesterday. We definitely need to be in better shape. The creek felt like rough going. I am so impressed that when we were first married, we moved all of our camping and dredging gear down into this area of Shirttail and even more impressed that we hauled it back out of Shirttail Canyon. We must have been really tough in our youth - well, when we were 30 and 40. The gold continues to elude us but we are learning our equipment. We are really looking forward to a week at Duncan. We are looking forward to easy and fun. Easy and fun.... The theme for our lives thus far seems to have been about testing ourselves. We are saying it's OK if our lives get easier. It's been wonderful spending a couple of days down in our old prospecting haunts.
 |
| Mexican Gulch |
Angel Falls
Larry: Well, you can call this entry "eviction notice". Our great camp out at Mexican Gulch was squelched by a cute park ranger! NO camping anywhere other than approved campgrounds. In a way it's a good thing as we were able to get good rest in our bed at Arlene's. But here we are, back at Shirttail Creek. It's crunch time to try out our detectors. I am asking Ron To join us today! May his spirit show us the gold. He found a really big nugget in Shirttail.
 | |
| Our "almost" camp at Mexican Gulch |
Charlotte: We got evicted yesteday! Wound up having to pack up and drive back into town. We were loaded with food and camping gear for 4 days! Unloaded everything and got into bed fairly early. We were out of bed by 6, had a cup of coffee, Larry moved all of the irrigation sprinklers while I packed up for a day trip. We drove into Colfax and had coffee and breakfast at McD's and here we are at Angel Falls, sitting in our lawn chairs, before 9 AM. I guess we will commute this week? We were disappointed - even dispondent after the park ranger drove away but in the night we were glad to be sleeping in a bed.
We arrived in Chicago Park, California on Tuesday, June 29. Decided to work around the ranch for a few days before heading off to prospect. It's been pretty warm in these parts. Our first few days were spent weeding, rototilling, weedeating, mowing and moving sprinkler lines.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Another beautiful day. Lots to report. C gets her hair cut early this morning. Then we pack up and head out to the river. Sutherlin cants us back early? D&V sold their house and have to be out by Sept. 6 soooo if we are going to help them we have alot to do in the next 2 months IF we decide to return to Oregon. Like, find lots of gold! My challenge today is uncertaintyfear. I must trust Spirit to lead and just stay present..... too many unknowns.
Later - Shirttail Creek (Angel Falls) Here we are, sitting in the shade at Angel Falls remembering our time here 29 years ago. This canyon echos with our presence. Just below, on the side of the creek, we began married life - two innocents beginning a life of adventure. Each turn of the road holds a memory. We met a fellow whose folks had one of the cabins at the bridge and he shared his childhood memories with us. His family cabin was on the flat cement area where we had our wedding reception. We've decided to just "be" this afternoon - get in touch with ourselves in the company of nature.
Charlotte: It seems to be chilly here most mornings but it can sure warm up during the day. Where will we be this time tomorrow? This is our first D-Day (Departure Day) of the season. We are headed to Shirttail for 4 days of prospecting.
LATER - Shirttail Canyon - Devil's Falls (We renamed it Angel Falls years ago). It's HOT and we are lazy and sleepy. It's about 10 degrees hotter in the canyon that up in Colfax. We arrived at the Yankee Jim Bridge about noon. When we arrived there was hardly anyone here but now the bridge area is packed with young people.
3:30 PM - We have moved up to Mexican Gulch. It is cooler and much quieter than down at the falls or the bridge. It is a lazy summer afternoon.
6:30 PM - We just got evicted by a State Park employee. They say we cannot park here for the night so we are going to pack up and head back to Chicago Park to regroup.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tofte Ranch
Larry: Another beautiful day. Lots to report. C gets her hair cut early this morning. Then we pack up and head out to the river. Sutherlin cants us back early? D&V sold their house and have to be out by Sept. 6 soooo if we are going to help them we have alot to do in the next 2 months IF we decide to return to Oregon. Like, find lots of gold! My challenge today is uncertaintyfear. I must trust Spirit to lead and just stay present..... too many unknowns.
Later - Shirttail Creek (Angel Falls) Here we are, sitting in the shade at Angel Falls remembering our time here 29 years ago. This canyon echos with our presence. Just below, on the side of the creek, we began married life - two innocents beginning a life of adventure. Each turn of the road holds a memory. We met a fellow whose folks had one of the cabins at the bridge and he shared his childhood memories with us. His family cabin was on the flat cement area where we had our wedding reception. We've decided to just "be" this afternoon - get in touch with ourselves in the company of nature.
Charlotte: It seems to be chilly here most mornings but it can sure warm up during the day. Where will we be this time tomorrow? This is our first D-Day (Departure Day) of the season. We are headed to Shirttail for 4 days of prospecting.
LATER - Shirttail Canyon - Devil's Falls (We renamed it Angel Falls years ago). It's HOT and we are lazy and sleepy. It's about 10 degrees hotter in the canyon that up in Colfax. We arrived at the Yankee Jim Bridge about noon. When we arrived there was hardly anyone here but now the bridge area is packed with young people.
3:30 PM - We have moved up to Mexican Gulch. It is cooler and much quieter than down at the falls or the bridge. It is a lazy summer afternoon.
6:30 PM - We just got evicted by a State Park employee. They say we cannot park here for the night so we are going to pack up and head back to Chicago Park to regroup.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)