The gold mining section is pretty good...I'm heading South in a week to do some prospecting and detecting with my brother... Can't wait to give your tips a try.
Knowing me, I'll be able to add to your "how not to" section
Thanks. Nice thing about these forums is that they help minimize the "how not to do stuff" situations. Though I never did find a post on how not slide down through poison oak or how not to let your malamute drag you down a steep hill loaded with gear while he chases a squirrel before it was too late. lol. They do make for some fun memories.