Why Chase Gold You Ask

 
George and Dave are living their dream.  You wonder what drives them and you think they are searching for gold beyond their wildest dreams.  We thinks that's what we all want, but I believe these two guys have already discovered what really drives people and what everyone really wants.  It's the chase of the dream and pursuing that dream with abandon.  It's truly the secret to staying happy and healthy.  Have they found gold?  Of course.  Are they upside down right now?  After the purchase of this bulldozer; I think I can answer that without even asking them.  If you think you can't live your dream, you're wrong.  These guys are proof of that.  I believe everything is first a thought.  If you think about; it your headlights only light a little bit of the road at a time, but don't you agree you still know you will get where you are going?  Look at how far our gold miners have come.  I have to add; only by the grace of God.  And we all thank God for that. 

P. S.  One reason I would chase gold in Alaska would be for these beautiful views. We say Merry Christmas everyone!  I will keep you posted.   

The skid is loaded and ready to go

The Skid is loaded and ready to go. 

The plan is to drive the bulldozer and pull this skid with all their supplies to The Fourth of July Creek which is about 40-45 miles away.  Deadwood is about 6 miles away from there.  They will have to do this the first couple of weeks in March.  I think Barney is in charge of getting this job done.  Just to let you know, George does have a pair of boots that are for -65 degrees just in case.  He bought them in Anchorage.  Everyone in Alaska probably has these as a staple and all I have is a pair of Totes.  I will never need a pair of -65 boots folks.   

And our mission is accomplished

What an adventure it has been.  They are worn out but happy.  They are excited to see things come together.  Just reading back through all they have overcome is amazing.  I am amazed myself they haven't gotten eaten by any bears.  I still believe George can outrun Dave though so I haven't really worried about increasing his life insurance.  Dave might need to think about that.  They have met some wonderful people along the way that have truly made a difference in helping them pursue their dream.  We thank them all and can't wait to see what next year brings.  Hopefully GOLD!!!

LAST ROOM IN ANCHORAGE

Oct 5, 2014 LAST ROOM IN ANCHORAGE

They got into Anchorage and got a taxi to take them to their regular motel.  The driver informed them that everyone got their dividend checks and about 20,000 natives are in town to get their shopping and business done.  The taxi driver said it’s a crazy time and that every man, woman and child got a whopping $1882.00 check.  He had a list of people to pick up and asked the guys if they had reservations.  Guess what our hard working, problem solving, innovative gold miners said?  "No."  Are these guys lucky or what?  The taxi driver gave them a list of places to call and they got one of the last rooms.   

A Day of Welding their Sluice.. in the cold

Oct 4, 2014 A DAY OF WELDING IN THE COLD

They unloaded everything when they got back with Barney’s fork lift.  Someone was already waiting to use the community trailer.  They unloaded their equipment in a little spot on the outskirts of town.  This morning the guys borrowed Barney’s 4 wheeler and took off in 15 degree weather just to eat breakfast with Buck, the dozer man, 2 miles away.  Sausage, eggs and homemade biscuits beside an old pot-bellied stove.  The guys were loving Buck’s hospitality and someone else’s cooking. 

George is usually the chief cook but he said Dave is actually starting to cook a little more.   Remember their first trip when Dave asked how to boil water?  Well, I guess he has learned how to open a box and even read the directions and he made a great dish of mac and cheese one night.  This is really big news everyone and I don’t know if Marlene is on to him yet.    

 

 

The guys borrowed Buck’s welder and George cut the pieces while Dave welded.  You can see the before and after pictures.  The sluice was only missing one grate inside so they had to make on with the angle iron they had gotten.  Dave is from Florida and it started snowing while he was welding.  I think this is when our miners had an epiphany moment.  Dave was cold and it was only 27 degrees.  If they come back in March to “walk” their equipment in, it will be -30 to -40 degrees.  Guess what they decided?  Smart miners. 

After they got their sluice welded and the Ross box ready, they sat back and admired their work.  They came, they conquered and now it was time to pack up to fly out tomorrow.  It will now be up to Barney to get it to their site. 

What they found at Deadwood

The guys were very happy miners with all they found at Deadwood.

First time on Deadwood site

The guys did a little testing

 They did a little metal detecting

 This is their pilot, Barney, doing a little gold panning himself.  Looks like he might come down with the gold fever