Last days in Nome 2009

Our week went fast and we had it filled each day with adventures we would talk about for years. We visited the museum in Nome and saw a stuffed Fritz; we went past the Arctic Circle, rode 4 wheelers up the mountains 1500-2000 feet and back down, and we saw lots of wildlife including a grizzly. We were all in awe of the beauty of Alaska. We came home with a little gold and a whole lot of memories. The picture shows George concentrating and checking his sleuce for just a show of gold. Believe me when I say, just the site of the beautiful yellow stuff makes guys drool. Although Dave is from Florida and George from Kansas their friendship grew strong. The two bonded and became the best of friends. Who would have known this trip would be the catalyst to launch George and Dave’s adventures into the wilds of Alaska living out their dream.

 

Fort Knox Nome 2009

George and I got a private tour of where they divide the gold for the week from the commercial site.  They had a special secured building where they separated the gold.  It was really a small little hooch secured with a lock and inside complete with seasoned gold miner security officers.  I think gold miners are pretty honest and respectful on the whole but I guess it is serious business protecting the gold.  I should clarify a bit; gold miners are honest except when it comes to telling exactly how much gold they got.  I think of them like fishermen except fishermen maximize and gold miners minimize.  The building was equipped with a deister, or shaker, table that separated the gold from the black sands.  It was interesting to see the concentrates from the commercial site being fed onto deister table where you could see the gold being separated.  The gold was divided on Friday night with a sort of lottery system.  Everyone received a number with number 1 raking in the biggest nugget.  To add suspense the nuggets decreased in size with winners 2-10.  Then the division of gold was equal with the rest of the participants.  

 

High banking Nome 2009

Since this is a blog for those interested in gold mining, here is a picture of the guys in the mountains high banking.  They worked their butts off while the women went to the beaches of Nome to search for beach glass.   Even if you have no desire to mine for gold, it is still very educational and interesting to learn about.  We felt like we were watching the Discovery Channel.  Speaking, of which, the Outdoor Channel was there filming the week we were there.  We have actually seen all of us on TV.  I am just grateful they never played my contribution because I remember

something stupid coming out of my mouth. 

The facilities aka the outhouse Nome

Part of “roughing it” were the outhouses.  Notice the outhouse on the right. 

One guy found a way to get around the unpleasant journey.  Look close and you’ll see his gas mask.  In the next picture you can see how George found a good distraction, from the unpleasant aroma, with a good book.  For those interested George gives this book high reviews.    

Rough Riders Nome 2009

George may have been a novice but he drove that four-wheeler as good as any Harley Dude.  Hanging on was quite a challenge for me.  I almost bounced right off the back and we almost tipped over several times.  No exageration.  We went through knee deep mud, tough streams and just plain ol' rough trials and tundra.  I took a lot of pictures of the trail but they just don't do it justice.  I felt like I had run the gauntlet of bumps, mud and streams and I won.  We were a long way from AAA but we wouldn't trade the experience. 

 

 

Old Mining Site

Pic of the old mining site:  This is what was used in the 1800's.  We figured there had to be gold here so we stopped and hiked down.  A little snow bridge hung over the little stream so it was a little easier to get to the site.  George and Dave got their pans out and George was excited to get some color.  We thought we would definitely come back to this spot but the week just went by too fast.

The trip to Nome was a week long and I recommend it to everyone.  I know a lot of women don’t like to rough it, but I found it pretty comfy.  I had a sleeping bag, a wool blanket, stocking cap, turtle neck, gloves and boot slippers and I was quite comfortable at nights.  We had the fire ready to light first thing in the morning.  Getting up at 5 am to go to the outhouse was a little different but not so bad and the adventures definitely outweighed the unpleasantries. 

 

Commercial Operation Nome 2009

We made it to some outpost up by the trommel, which is the commercial operation.  I called it a Quick Trip because it had an outhouse.  This is the GPAA’s commercial site about 9 miles from the camp by four-wheeler and 36 miles by vehicle.