In Gold Country

#49 - Gold Talk - It had cooled down. Hands were going to pockets and a few of us moved closer to the fire for a while. I was one of them.

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 This week’s song – “Head and Heart” – on my CD – ROUND PEGS & SQUARE HOLES 

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Chaps – 1, 2, 3, 4 

#5 - Gold Talk -               

It had cooled down. Hands were going to pockets and a few of us moved closer to the fire for a while. I was one of them. More wood was brought in, and the fire was stoked, sparks curling up. 

I picked up bits of the conversations going on. GPS conversions and Topo maps and map reading for the purpose of staking a claim was being discussed by Fred to a group of the Red Lighters.  

I heard him say, “Pay attention to the difference between North, or Grid North on a map, and Magnetic North on your compass. You can be off your read if you don’t sync them when using both.”  

He was asked, “How do you read the property description having to do with townships and sections?” He pulled out a pen and notebook and was drawing it out. 

Tom said, “I want to get to one of our claims, to a spot we’ve sampled, and think is good, and dig it down to bedrock, and work it up the bank and down into the water. We can get Harry, or Rich and Denny to suit up and dredge it. Let’s plan it out. It would be a good lesson just seeing how the layers work.”  

“We get to our outings and split up, spread out hit and miss. Let’s see if we can find out where some good stuff is or isn’t. We can have one place, working as a team, and divvy up what we find at the end of the day. We found a good spot today. I don’t think we were near bedrock. Let’s dig in tomorrow.”

I thought it was a good idea. Small scale mining is relatively easy to do, and many hands can be worked to advantage. But moving a lot of earth requires equipment. Once you bring in equipment, anything bigger than a dredge, maybe a small drill, the whole game changes. Costs, and regulations, make it prohibitive, unless you have deep pockets. 

Tom and Terri passed by on their way to the beer. Tom asked Alex, “Find any more nuggets, Streak?” Alex smiled and replied, “Not lately, Tom. Tomorrow.” 

I didn’t quite catch what Tom called Alex. Another nickname? 

Lynn said to her friends, “There were some nice shops in that quaint little town off the highway, let’s stop in tomorrow on the way out.” 

Otis was again underfoot. Longino entered the firelight and set his shotgun against the wood stack. He made his way over, pulled out a leather poke from his coat pocket, and upended the contents on the table next to the scale. Specimen nuggets, and two vials of pickers shone in the firelight. 

“Pick and choose as you like, Johnny.”  

Johnny spread the gold out. We were wide-eyed and open mouthed as Johnny moved the nuggets around with his finger. I suppressed a laugh. Just like the old days, miners were gathered in the firelight, and bartering goods.  

There were three nuggets that were obvious choices. The fourth, brought the total to thirty-three grams. Two of the three weren’t beat up or rounded. Placed on the scale, the three added up to just over twenty-seven grams. To that, pickers were added bringing the total to just under thirty-one grams.    

“That’s good! This is some beautiful gold. Thanks, Gino!” 

“You’re welcome, thank you. I can use the backpacker. Just leave it at my tent if I don’t see you before you head out.” 

They shook hands again, gathered the goods, and closed up shop. 

“Where did that gold come from, Gino?” asked Mike. 

“Right here, from the Gold Luk. It’s still here.” 

Eyes met eyes expressing ‘Wow’! I think maybe a few were thinking about putting in a night shift.  

My claim seemed better and better. I considered it a done deal.

“Hey, Charlie,” Dale asked, “how do you think the dredge decision will come down. And when?” 

That got a lot of attention. Heads turned. It got quiet. Charles gathered his words and began, “Can’t really say. States are going against the Feds, in some cases, and caving on others. The judge seems inclined to rule with us miners on this one. Either way, it will be challenged. Facts debunking the so called ‘negative’ effects of dredging are of little matter. It is the narrative that counts. How politicians will side, and local sheriffs, enforce, will be the difference.  

One thing is certain. It won’t end here. There will be something else. Bank on it. Our government is not citizen friendly, and they are coming at all of us. We can choose to do something about it or roll over. This isn’t the Country we grew up in.”  

“There Shall Be No Pursuit of Happiness, anymore! is what They want!” said Slow Mo in spirited fashion from across the fire. “What we need are more KILROYS!” To which many 

“Hoots”, “Bingos”, “Damn Rights”, "Right Ons”, and “Sign Me Ups” echoed in agreement! 

I saw Jim, who was talking with Fred, make brief eye contact with Longino from across the fire. I wondered. It just seemed odd. 

The Kilroys are a loose-knit group of miners, rafters, hunters and fishermen, and other enjoyers of this country’s public lands whose legal rights to access were being infringed upon by rules and regulations.  

They are known in several states, expressing their rights and privileges, and their responsibilities. When safety was not the concern, such as closures due to acts of nature, they are removing barriers, and signs, and generally flying in the face of the local enforcement agencies.  

Having pursued their Happiness, they always leave their calling card, some form of the Kilroy character, with the words – “We The People Were Here.” They are highly supported and more instances of Kilroys were being reported regularly. Some “I AM KILROY” T-shirts have been marketed. 

The officials are being played, and they are unhappy about it. The Powers That Be are about to put them up on wanted posters.

Slow Mo’s exclamation took the chill off the evening air as several conversations regarding the subject split the air. “They are dredging up in Downieville.” “The Stanislaus, too!” “We dredged today!” “Where’s my ATV?”  

More wood hit the fire. More hands dipped into the ice chests and flasks and fifths were passed around. The dogs were all excited. A wine bottle clinked into the trash bag. We rode the rush for what it was worth. 

Jessica called out to Alex, “Hey, Streak, play some songs!” 

End Chapter 5 

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