Earl.....I'm not kicking my butt or anything......LOL I never detected for coins in Alaska, gold nuggets only. I started detecting in Alaska for gold in 1971 and did excellent over the next 45 years.....even with all the regulations and lack of detectable areas due to private claims. I started out with a Whites Goldmaster (1971) and ended up with a Whites MXT All Pro. I found enough gold with my old Whites 4000D to put myself through 2 years of college, at the old price of gold during the early 80s. And.....my stash of nuggets is currently helping me through retirement. Finding gold nuggets over the years made me who I am today! As far as moving back.....its too expensive for the average retiree. I'm from Valdez, Alaska where it costs $1000 a month for just utilities, $1500 a month for groceries, $2000+ monthly for housing, which doesn't even take into consideration truck payments, insurance, medical care, entertainment, or gas money! I go back in the summer to some of my favorite detecting streams where civilization hasn't found yet, and do very well. Usually not IN the creeks though, the nuggets are usually on the hillsides in the ancient stream beds. I'll never get Alaska out of my blood and I surely wish I could go back permanently, but the older you get the longer the winters become. After spending 45 years shoveling snow 6 feet deep or more.....my body is protesting.....LOL Here in southern Oregon the air is dirty, too many people, WAY too many regulations, and unlike my nugget creeks in Alaska, the parks and schools are almost detected out. Sometimes its just plain boring down here! And tame......the tameness is a lot of what gets to me. There is challenge up there.....something to keep you going......down here everything is tame. I suggest anyone who wants to go to Alaska nugget hunting only do it in a recreational manner. If you go up there thinking you could make a living doing it......you're dead wrong. Don't believe what you see on "gold rush", its mostly made up. Know a claim owner before you go, and have his blessings to detect on his claim! Not all creeks in Alaska carry gold, especially along the road system. Regrets??? Not a one.....only thing is I wish I hadn't got old so fast.....LOL
I know it's tough living their, but a big pay day, could pay off, maybe have a small place their , go up in the summer ? what are your thought's , Earl
Who you calling passive ? 
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I'm not lookin for no trouble .
This is just one of several trays...
