It said to put a number of different-sized nuggets in a jar, and then cover them with the magic cleaner fluid. Then, vigorously shake the contents for a couple of minutes.

What are they? They are too hard to be lead, and are not tarnished like silver should be.

The temptation to enter the dark interiors beckoned to me before the day was finished but I resisted.

At first we decided to see what the flat by our camp would produce where the old-timers had worked it with their Pelton wheel and dragline buckets.

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!

Midway into my first tank of gas I was beginning to see color in my sluicebox. Needless to say, I was excited.

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.