AzVipers Road To Riches

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Keith
I have to say brother. I look at those parts for the viper vac. Then wonder how in the world you got all that to get to do what it does. That's why fabricators are smarter than I. Lol. I see a leaf blower/vac and can see the box it came from. You guys can sure go beyond that box. Keep up what ya do Keith. Plus get your but out in the hills. Then again I'm one to talk. I'm hoping to go out digging next month. Detecting possibly next week.

Garret,

As much as I would like to get out I just can't get it together to say I need to take time for myself. The last year is been very difficult for me and my family. My father has always been there for me and I just can't see myself venturing far from him due to his condition at 91 years young. Where I need to go to prospect I have no cellphone service and my free time I spend taking him out and trying to make him as comfortable as I can. I did drive up to Gilbert a few weeks ago and bought him a motorize wheelchair so he can be more mobile when my sister and I can't be with him. Its terrible to see a love one just deteriorate before your eyes, and this has taken place over a 3 month span. My father was still driving months ago. So any prospecting/mining is on hold. I walk by the finished trommel every day and I get people wanting to bring the buckets over to run them through the trommel, but I just don't have the time needed to pursue what I would like to do right now.
 

GarretDiggingAz

Hero Member
Dec 5, 2012
850
243
Mesa, AZ
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATG and thinking about another nugget hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
I know Keith. I understand about your father. Plus your brother. It's been quite the year. I'm hoping things will get better for ya soon.
With this weather we've gotten, I'm going to head out for the day. Probably next week. Picked up some work that I got to do. My health has kept me down and I'm really trying to not let it. Plus the kids started school again. So if I have to go out. Then it's trying to find somebody who can go during the week.
Next time you get up this way lets do lunch. I'm in Mesa. So I'm not far from Gilbert.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
I know Keith. I understand about your father. Plus your brother. It's been quite the year. I'm hoping things will get better for ya soon.
With this weather we've gotten, I'm going to head out for the day. Probably next week. Picked up some work that I got to do. My health has kept me down and I'm really trying to not let it. Plus the kids started school again. So if I have to go out. Then it's trying to find somebody who can go during the week.
Next time you get up this way lets do lunch. I'm in Mesa. So I'm not far from Gilbert.

My brother is doing really good. He may be a candidate for a Larynx transplant. He is to meet with Mayo Clinic next week to discuss this option along with getting another blood transfusion to help clear his blood of the Chemo drugs, but transplant will not take place for a few years as he needs to keep in remission and continue to improve. So far he has passed two PET scans.
 

GarretDiggingAz

Hero Member
Dec 5, 2012
850
243
Mesa, AZ
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATG and thinking about another nugget hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Good to hear about your brother.
The 28th I'll be getting my upper GI done. Hopefully find out what's causing the bloody taste in my throat. ENT doc couldn't see the cause, but I think it's just below the vocal chords.
My other doc wants me to do a sleep apnea test after this. I was thinking this was due to drying out reaction to meds or something. But definitely going on to long now. I've heard of so many people with various types of throat cancer or mouth. So far everybody said ok, but now they get to go deeper.
Even about a month ago I took a couple sips of an icee and froze my throat. Man I thought I was going to die. Started to swell shut, like I was having an allergic reaction but it was just the cold. So just drank some tea. So I wonder if that was even telling me something. I hope to find out more in a week. But I'm going to do a quick day trip to lynx with my oldest son on Tuesday I think.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Good to hear about your brother.
The 28th I'll be getting my upper GI done. Hopefully find out what's causing the bloody taste in my throat. ENT doc couldn't see the cause, but I think it's just below the vocal chords.
My other doc wants me to do a sleep apnea test after this. I was thinking this was due to drying out reaction to meds or something. But definitely going on to long now. I've heard of so many people with various types of throat cancer or mouth. So far everybody said ok, but now they get to go deeper.
Even about a month ago I took a couple sips of an icee and froze my throat. Man I thought I was going to die. Started to swell shut, like I was having an allergic reaction but it was just the cold. So just drank some tea. So I wonder if that was even telling me something. I hope to find out more in a week. But I'm going to do a quick day trip to lynx with my oldest son on Tuesday I think.

Garret, I wish you the best my friend. I have done two Sleep Apnea studies, both times they were over night testings. Let me know what you find out. Someday I would like to drag my equipment up your direction. I bought a enclosed trailer from my sister but I can't get it until Oct. 7th from her. It's a 12 foot trailer with a ramp, side door, and single axle. Should be able to house all my gear.
 

Last edited:

DizzyDigger

Gold Member
Dec 9, 2012
5,836
11,581
Concrete, WA
Detector(s) used
Nokta FoRs Gold, a Gold Cube, 2 Keene Sluices and Lord only knows how many pans....not to mention a load of other gear my wife still doesn't know about!
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Keith, just read about your dad there in post #41, and can fully understand
your feelings. It really sucks having to see the changes that can take place
so quickly, and worst part is knowing there's not a damn thing we can do to
reverse the issue.

Today was especially rough, as the two best men I ever called friends share
the same birthday..(21st). My dad would have been 81 today, and Ken would
have been 55.

It sounds as if you're doing the very best considering the circumstances, and
you've found as I did that prospecting suddenly finds itself way down on the
"importance list".

Prayers are in the wind for you, your brother and Garrett as well.
 

GarretDiggingAz

Hero Member
Dec 5, 2012
850
243
Mesa, AZ
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATG and thinking about another nugget hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Garret, I wish you the best my friend. I have done two Sleep Apnea studies, both times they were over night testings. Let me know what you find out. Someday I would like to drag my equipment up your direction. I bought a enclosed trailer from my sister but I can't get it until Oct. 7th from her. It's a 12 foot trailer with a ramp and side door, single axle. Should be able to house all my gear.
Maybe I could bring it to you. I get down to casa grande on Fridays anyways. So I think I'm just going to do those pools on that day. Then save all my Maricopa pools for Saturdays now. It's getting pretty hard on my shoulders now just doing a couple BIG pools. So when I finish with them I could bring it down to ya. Or just do it on Sunday. Makes a nice trip.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Keith, just read about your dad there in post #41, and can fully understand
your feelings. It really sucks having to see the changes that can take place
so quickly, and worst part is knowing there's not a damn thing we can do to
reverse the issue.

Today was especially rough, as the two best men I ever called friends share
the same birthday..(21st). My dad would have been 81 today, and Ken would
have been 55.

It sounds as if you're doing the very best considering the circumstances, and
you've found as I did that prospecting suddenly finds itself way down on the
"importance list".

Prayers are in the wind for you, your brother and Garrett as well.

Mike my best wishes for you as well. I know you are going through some tough times as well. For you just remember the good times that you spent with your Dad. I know its still really fresh in loosing your good friend Ken but you have the memories that will never be lost.

My brother will be down on Friday he is spending the weekend here in Tucson with my Dad. Hope all is well.
 

GarretDiggingAz

Hero Member
Dec 5, 2012
850
243
Mesa, AZ
Detector(s) used
Garrett ATG and thinking about another nugget hunter
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Hey Keith.
I tell ya. It's fun watching my son get gold fever. After he gets home from work he'll go through some of the dirt from lynx area each day. Then he shows me his specks. The pride he shows from getting his own gold is priceless. So hopefully I can get him and I to go north again to our dig site. Maybe the guy will be gone from my area by then but I doubt it. So I'm going to find some other spots to hit as well.
My doctor visit wound up finding something in my esophagus. Apparently my years of Gurd (acid reflux) has done it's toll. I have a condition now called Barrett's Syndrome. Which is precancerous but of course can wind up that way. So the trick is catching it early enough. So now it's a waiting game for results from biopsy. Part of the problem I have from my hydrocephalus is the lack of feeling. So I think I don't feel the heartburn until it's real bad. So I guess I'll be going for surgery of some type. Hopefully to repair the valve at my stomach and maybe repair esophagus (if possible). Never thought having heartburn could be that serious.
So if doc visits and procedures don't get in the way. I'll be going north in a couple weeks. More than likely just a day trip.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Got my trailer earlier than I thought. I do see I need to build compartments, hangers, install tie downs, etc. to make sure that everything remains in place during transportation. Still have lots of gear to place in the trailer. For now its just being used for storage.

T11.jpg T22.jpg T33.jpg T44.jpg
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,422
30,105
White Plains, New York
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
You better find a butt-load of gold to pay for all of that!!! Best of luck and BIG GOLD to you Brother! :occasion14:
 

kazcoro

Hero Member
Feb 11, 2013
876
357
Glendale
Detector(s) used
Gold Bug Pro, Gold Buddy drywasher, Black Magic, Pro Gold recirc, Custom highbanker/2.5" dredge, Roadrunner Member
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
The trommel looks small in the trailer. How much does it weigh?
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
You better find a butt-load of gold to pay for all of that!!! Best of luck and BIG GOLD to you Brother! :occasion14:

Terry, its not about finding the gold, its about having a good time while I hope to find the gold.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
The trommel looks small in the trailer. How much does it weigh?

Keith to tell you the truth I have no clue. Maybe 200 pounds but that is only a shot in the dark. Its a 12" trommel and its about 6 feet long.
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Terry to tell you the truth I am gearing up for retirement. Be a weekend warrior for now, but in time this will be my pastime as the next trailer will be a toy hauler with quad and trailer to haul gear. My sister will unload her toy hauler in the next few years so I will pick it up on the cheap. Her and Hubby will enjoy it for a few years and it will be in my hands, plus I build most of my equipment but my (ROYAL DRYWASHER - TONGUE IN CHEEK). The trailer will be used for other things as well as in delivering custom poker tables and custom chairs I build. I also stage poker tournaments and the trailer will allow me to take all the tables, folding chairs, chips, computers, etc. on the road. Maybe I can bring a poker event to one of your events and give the would be prospectors a night of poker under the stars. Now that sounds like a GOOD TIME...

POK1.jpg POK2.jpg POK3.jpg
 

Terry Soloman

Gold Member
May 28, 2010
19,422
30,105
White Plains, New York
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Nokta Makro Legend// Pulsedive// Minelab GPZ 7000// Vanquish 540// Minelab Pro Find 35// Dune Kraken Sandscoop// Grave Digger Tools Tombstone shovel & Sidekick digger// Bunk's Hermit Pick
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Terry to tell you the truth I am gearing up for retirement. Be a weekend warrior for now, but in time this will be my pastime as the next trailer will be a toy hauler with quad and trailer to haul gear. My sister will unload her toy hauler in the next few years so I will pick it up on the cheap. Her and Hubby will enjoy it for a few years and it will be in my hands, plus I build most of my equipment but my (ROYAL DRYWASHER - TONGUE IN CHEEK). The trailer will be used for other things as well as in delivering custom poker tables and custom chairs I build. I also stage poker tournaments and the trailer will allow me to take all the tables, folding chairs, chips, computers, etc. on the road. Maybe I can bring a poker event to one of your events and give the would be prospectors a night of poker under the stars. Now that sounds like a GOOD TIME...


I would LOVE that! I play Hold 'Em all the time!
 

OP
OP
AzViper

AzViper

Bronze Member
Sep 30, 2012
2,038
2,250
Arizona - Is there any other state worth visiting
Detector(s) used
Fisher Gold Bug Pro, Nokta FORS Gold, Garrett ATX, Sun Ray Gold Pro Headphones, Royal Pick, Etc.
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
I lost my best friend today. Gone one of the best men I have ever known or met. My father was a great man and served his country well during World War II. Very few hero's of that war are left and the USA has lost another at 10:01AM this morning. We had made plans to go to the local casino this Friday until he fell and broke his hip last Wednesday, he knew his recovery at his age was slim. He was a fighter until the end and my heart is broken knowing he is gone. The last 18 months has been terrible for our entire family. The photo was from weeks ago after he suffered a heart attacked that left his heart functioning at 40 percent. He loved playing slots...

Howard Thompson.png
 

KevinInColorado

Gold Member
Jan 9, 2012
7,037
11,370
Summit County, Colorado
Detector(s) used
Grizzly Goldtrap Explorer & Motherlode, Gold Cube with trommel or Banker on top, Angus Mackirk Expedition, Gold-n-Sand Xtream Hand pump
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Indeed, how sad :(
 

Treasure_Hunter

Administrator
Staff member
Jul 27, 2006
48,462
54,906
Florida
Detector(s) used
Minelab_Equinox_ 800 Minelab_CTX-3030 Minelab_Excal_1000 Minelab_Sovereign_GT Minelab_Safari Minelab_ETrac Whites_Beach_Hunter_ID Fisher_1235_X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Very sorry for your loss....Losing parents is hard as it is our ties to our childhood and our past...

One of my closest coworkers and friends at work suffered a major heart attack last Monday morning and passed. ... He was only 61, not overweight and had no known health problems except stress at work..
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top