Gold Panning

Now I know that you are dying to scream... "THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS!" and I beg to differ...there is not THAT much gold in them there hills. In fact...I pretty sure they wiped it clean in the late 1800's. BUT! That doesn't keep the kids from finding Fool's Gold!

This morning, I took the kids to the ARGO GOLD MINE AND MILL for a tour and some gold panning. Aidan did come home with SOME gold flecks. But mostly "carefully placed" fools gold.

Bucket List #520 Pan for gold...well anything really.

We started out touring with the Homeschool group of all the STUFF in the yard. Aidan attached to a new friend SUPER quick! Lightening speed, really. They just moved here from the Black Hills of North Carolina a week and a half ago! Such an awesome family!

And yes...I have no idea why he is showing his new friend his armpit. What these boys will do!!!

Miner's Strike? Really Lukey?

Now he is a happy boy!

After our tour, we got to pan for gold. Our tour guide, BOB, was awesome! Just phenomenal! I truly believe that he lives, eats and breathes this mining stuff. To say he was an old timer would truly be an understatement.

He was so intruiging for the boys to pay attention to. He definitely kept them on their toes...of ALL AGES!

After explaining the panning techniques, he turned them loose!

Unfortunately, we didn't strike it rich, but Tour Guide Bob let him down gently.

After a bus ride up the hill, we entered into one of the ore mines. Hard hats donned and all, we entered into the 50 degree mine. I was surprised at how gung-ho the boys were!

The tour ended going through the mill. But before that, we visited the entrance to the Argo Tunnel. The longest mining tunnel of its time. It goes from Idaho Springs to Central City. It was even said, that school teachers would ride the iron ponies (cargo cars) through the tunnel and be lifted out the other end in Central City and walk right into their classrooms. Now that is dedication.