Went Gold prospecting last fall.....
Took a bud up with me, waaaaayyyyyy up this mountain. We got out and did a little diggin' and a couple of pans. We decided to move on down the canyon and try this stream, after a few other streams had joined. I turned the key,.....click, click, click. So we roll start 'er. She ran just long enough, to get through the stream, to the downhill side. We managed to push 'er about 30 yds and caught major gravity. Down the mountain we go, bouncin' along while not having P brakes or P steering. I couldn't resist a little ole mountain boy "Yeeee,....Hawww" LOL.....I swear we went "air borne", at least twice. We made it about 3 miles and came to a hill we couldn't make over. We were only about maybe 50 yds from the next drop. A guy in a Dodge diesel came by, and asked if he could help. He had a chain and we hooked up. Took us to the next rise and cut us loose. Ha-Ha,.....off again. Now it's gettin' to be fun. LOL My buddy's yellin',"No Brakes,....NO BRAKES!!!" I hollered, "Yes, I have brakes and I'm usin' third for a compression brake, when I need it". He says, "No,.... no brakes, or we won't make it over the next rise!" I couldn't help it, had to LOL. The last time the Dodge dropped us off, after pullin' and droppin' us off three times before, we were still about 4 miles from cell phone service. It was a paved road and with lots of down. We rolled off and picked up to about 40. Up ahead, Frenchman Dam. We rolled around a turn, and across the dam. On the other side was a stop sign. Road was clear, so I ran the stop sign. Make a left turn, and hang on, 'cause its about 3 1/2 miles of Vette road. One twisty Mo-Fo. At the bottom, we went past the camp ground at around 55. We coasted down about another mile. A cop gave us a lift to a little town about 3 miles away. We were only about 2 miles from where I grew up, so I'm in no way lost, or ever was, durin' this whole trip. We start hitchin' and walkin'. Got about a 1/4 mile and this car pulls over. A young girl, prob early 20's, leans over an says, "The dog in the back likes to eat people. I have a knife and my boyfriend and I are serial killers." I said, "So, does that mean I can, or can't, keep my guns?" She laughed and told us to get in. She took us all the way to my Bud's house. We picked up a fresh bat and went back to my truck. Put in the bat and she fired right up. (fried alternator) I said, "I'm closer to home than your place, I'll bring the bat by later." Hopped in and drove home. "Honey,.......I'm back,......guess what,.........". The dog was good dog. The boyfriend was cool enough, and the little girl behind the wheel? Cuter'n a Bugs Ear", as the sayin' goes. Funny too. But,.......TOO dang close to my G-daughter's age,.......sigh......If I was,.... say,....24? I still wouldn't have made it home. LOL Really, I had a great time. Got some good exercise pushin' the truck. Truck? Oh ya, it was Big Red, a '86 Ford 3/4 ton, 460, 4x4 and a 4 sp w/granny, long bed. They don't come much heavier than "Big Red". 56 hun lb's, I believe. Got some fresh mountain air, drank spring water, and even got to put my knee in the mud to get the drink. Got my feet wet, and went on a roller coaster ride. Hey, life don't get no better, eh? Next time, I would hope to do some prospectin' too. LOL
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I loved the story. It reminds me of my old prospecting & fishing partner, who I can now tell a few stories about, because he has passed on and I think of him and our time together fondly. He could fix anything and the cliché "the cobblers kids have the worst shoes" certainly comes to mind. Many times we would be up alone in the mountains in a (partially) rebuilt junker, on old abandoned (read unmaintained) logging roads .... where a good set of brakes are very important (to me) and power assist is necessary (to me). On more than one occasion, the drive back down was like yours, but without the "yahoos" and other cries of enjoyment (from me). LOL
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LOL I have own a old 78 ford f150 long bed with the extra cab and mow I got a 93 so I know what you mean :) great story
I loved the story. It reminds me of my old prospecting & fishing partner, who I can now tell a few stories about, because he has passed on and I think of him and our time together fondly. He could fix anything and the cliché "the cobblers kids have the worst shoes" certainly comes to mind. Many times we would be up alone in the mountains in a (partially) rebuilt junker, on old abandoned (read unmaintained) logging roads .... where a good set of brakes are very important (to me) and power assist is necessary (to me). On more than one occasion, the drive back down was like yours, but without the "yahoos" and other cries of enjoyment (from me). LOL
Now That is what fun Is.....
LOL, I'd forgotten about postin' the story.
Ya, it was fun alright. Thanks for bringin' it back to mind.
It's amazing the fun and the unexpected fun that happens while out prospecting.
All the best,
Lanny
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