Newbie Has Question

[RN MEDIC]

This is my first day on the forum, and I've recently been bitten by the gold bug. Saw th episodes on the travel channel that I suppose a lot of people saw on the places one can go to pay a fee for a day of looking for gold like the one in north Georgia. It is the one north of Atlanta where one can go there and pan in the water trough under the roof or pay more and go to the stream and pan// sluce down there.

I'm just wondering what type of experience some of you folks have had. Obviously a newbie like myself doesn't know much about this type thing yet, and I'm itching to learn & try it out. I'd appreciate any information about a commercial type place open to tourists for a daily fee in the southeast like Alabama, North Georgia, western North Carolina. I'd greatly appreciate whatever info. you folks could give me. Thanks in advance for your help.

Gratefully & Respectfully, RN MEDIC

[Hoser John]

!st-tv is always hyped BIGTIME!! Do NOT expect what you saw. Hit the yellow pages for gem & mineral stores,detector,mining,cruise the various websites. Join a local club and the painful learning curve will lessen. Nothing finer than spending time with your family camping,gold grubbn' and being outdoors. I've spent over 50 years in the grip of oro puro and it's sure been a sweet mistress.Tons a au 2 u 2-John

[RN MEDIC]

Thanks, John. I'm very grateful to you for spending the time to guide me. Sounds like real good advice.

Sincerely, RN MEDIC

[JamesE]

Hi, Hoser's exactly right about finding a club, a guy can learn a whole lot alot faster by hanging with people that have been doin' it a while.
If you have a choice of clubs to pick from, go to a meeting of each before you pick one to join. Some are really cliquish, not too welcoming to 'newbies, some are full of whiners and *****ers (political), and some are just right.
The Panning Troughs aren't actually too bad for a visit. The owners usually know the local clubs or people that might invite you along. A couple in CA will let you pan for free if you throw everthing back. and they're not busy. Good luck, Jim

[Kagy]

What part of the country are you in? There is a decent pay to pan place about an hour north of Atlanta. I have been to Gold and Gem Grubbin in Cleveland, Ga. and the Lucky Strike Mine in Marion, N.C.. Both give you a good education in panning and you will go home with some gold !! I am a Florida resident and those are the closest to me. Get ready for the ride of your life. As soon as you see that gold you will be hooked. I belong to Weekend Gold Miners in Georgia and the G.P.A.A. which allows me to go prospecting in almost every state ( prospecting in Quartzsite, Az as I write this !). It is a great hobby and you will gain much more than the gold you find. Ken

[RN MEDIC]

Hi folks. I live near Jackson in west Tennessee so the distance would be about all I'd want to drive to north of Atlanta or western North Carolina, but is doable. I'm a bit older and not in the best of health so a trip that once was not much to me is not a bit more. Oh well. The things that go with older age and heart/back trouble/surgeries. <sigh>. I'm so very grateful for the info that so many good folks here have taken the time to give me. One person told me here when I was first on the very first day that I would find some of the nicest and most helpful people anywhere right here. He was certainly right.

I don't know when or how, but I know now that I'll not be satisfied till I get over there in that area and have a go at it. I might not find more than a flake, but that would be one that I found. LOL.

Well, I worked a HARD 12 hour shift in the intensive care unit today and another coming up tomorrow, so not much time to be had here tonight. Back again soon. Till then, my sincere gratitude. Do take care and stay safe. Try not to end up laying in a bed where I work.

Gratefully & Respectfully, RN MEDIC