…I was looking down on what was a frightening 500-foot sheer drop-off. We were precariously close to the edge as the shoulder was practically non-existent.

My right rib cage took the brunt of the blow from the fall, which left me feeling partially paralyzed and in immense pain.

I learned the next day that I was not the only one that had crossed paths with a bear. Dick told us about his harrowing experience from the previous night.

Saturday came and it looked to have the makings of a dreary, misty day. Undaunted, I loaded my truck with my sluice, buckets and gear, and headed for the claim.

We started off excited and enthusiastic as we began hiking up the river, daydreaming about finding big gold.

Because waiting for spring seemed to be taking forever, my 15-year-old granddaughter Grace and I decided to pan for gold sooner. The thought was…even if we did not find any gold, we would set a new record for absurdity—gold panning in the coldest weather!

If you have done any hiking in rough terrain you are well aware that going down a slope is much more difficult and dangerous than climbing it.