retiree looking to prospect for leasure time

[jcw9324@msn.com]

I have recently retired and will be traveling out west next year. I would like to prospect for gold and/or gems while making stops at various stops along the way.
Does anybody have some good sound advise for a novice?

 

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[Desertdigger]

Well I did it while full time R/Ving for 13 years, had to do lots of research and develop personal contacts that were helpful and not in competion with my goals. I started in rocks and crystals and worked into gold, I can't say I was successful but I made a living and traveling expenses.
if I had it to do over again i would not mess around with gold, too much official interference. That being said if I did get back into gold (Just got rid of my last 160 acre claim) I would only get into PATENTED property's, 50% less headaches but still lots! I would specialize in one gem or mineral and strive to be the "Man to See" about it. If you are going in to gems and minerals you must attend the Tucson, AZ show, also Quartzsite ,AZ winter shows, you will learn more there than any 2 years of tyring on your own. You will find out very quick who the kings are in the traveling gem and mineral world.
It also takes some luck of course of which I had some over the years. You can join some of the prospecting clubs such as the Gold prospectors or the Lost Dutchmen Assoc but they are generally social organizations but provide some good camping areas! Subscribe to the gem and mineral magazine and the others in the field and research on the internet. BTW check out www.theclaimpost.com I have a Amethyest crystal claim for sale ( well my 1/3rd intrest. material wholesales for$6 a LB. Draw back is that it is at 8500' and I have developed COPD and Asama and can not work it any longer, my 2 parders are in Iraq and a long way from being retired.
Good luck and don't miss Tucson show!

 

[49er]

If you head out west (Arizona area) stop by one of the major book stores and pickup a copy of Arizona's Golden Secret or How to Get Your Share of Desert, by Ronald S. Wielgus. My daughter and son-in-law bought me a copy for Christmas and a I found it extremely useful.

Good luck
49er