In Gold Country #11 - Golden

#74 - Getting to the wood stack, I shouldered my gear and headed for my truck. Charles and family passed me on the way out, waving as they did. I saw Barbara was still wearing her gold nugget pendant.

Welcome! I’m glad you are here. This is the last chapter in our story In Gold Country, but it isn’t the last we’ll hear from James and his new friends.

Meanwhile below, check out another gold tale - “Gold in Them Thar Hills – Part 1”, and the accompanying lyrics to The Golden Slide written about same. 

Hope you are enjoying a Great Thanksgiving Weekend!!  

Recap - James is checking out a gold claim he has the option of getting having won it in a poker game. He meets other miners and prospectors and spends the weekend with them at their outing.  

The Sheriff arrived early the next morning asking about a bear encounter. Gino explains. And James spends most of the day sampling spots on his claim, then returns to camp to say his goodbyes, before leaving for home. 

Prev Chap #10 – First Chap - Contents 

#11 - Golden   

Getting to the wood stack, I shouldered my gear and headed for my truck. Charles and family passed me on the way out, waving as they did. I saw Barbara was still wearing her gold nugget pendant. 

I made it to my truck, loaded up, and sat quietly behind the wheel for a few moments. The weekend’s events played out rapid fire in my mind’s eye. A sense of looking ahead, like when young, with new discoveries to be made was the order of the day. 

I crossed the one lane bridge over the Miwok, the downriver campground, and made my way up the hill. I knew I could get a cell signal to make my call home, and to Jones, when I stopped for gas and coffee at the highway intersection. 

Thirty minutes later I was good for the drive home. I called my wife.  

“Hi Baby, I’m up top, on my way back. Probably three hours. - - It was fine! I’ll tell you all about it when I get home. Found some good gold, too. I’ll tell Jones we’ll take the claim. - - Ok, I’ll be careful. See you, soon. Love you.” 

Then I called Jones, thinking I would leave a message, but he picked up. 

“Mr. Jones, this is James, calling about the claim. I’ll take it! - - Yes, I did. I checked the places you said to try. It was there! - - How about Friday? I’m off and can do the paperwork then. - - Terrific, I can meet you there. - - 9 AM. I’ll see you then. Thanks!” 

I got on the highway headed into the sunset, eating up the easy miles on the downhill, drinking my coffee, and making plans for my next trip up to “My” Red Bar Claim. 

 My foot was tapping to Alex’s song, “I Can’t Lose Your Mem’ry.” 

      THE END - for now 

  The Golden Slide

Up and down a long night - you stretch and rub your eyes 

Day breaks on the highway - and lights a golden sky 

Up and down the byways - and through the towns you glide 

Piecing up the puzzle - that's always on your mind.

  Up and down the foothills - and through the oak and pine 

Through the fog and morning mist - and over the next rise 

Up and down the mountains - hot and cold, rain snow or shine 

Some say it’s a fever - some say it makes you blind

Up and down the rivers - in dirt and rock it rides 

It’s there for the taking – it's yours if you can find it 

Up and down the sun goes – and sleep pulls at your eyes 

Still, you lay there thinking – still, the gold it shines.

  You are on The Golden Slide – Up and Down, Down and Up, The Golden Slide. 

Thank you for reading Before I Forget . . ! Please leave a Comment. I much appreciate it! 

For my newer Subscribers - an earlier post from Jan. 30, 2023 -

More posts for your perusal are in my archive. Check them out! 

From my CD - ROUND PEGS AND SQUARE HOLES - “This Is Not” 

See you next week, my friends.  :)