Yes, It's that time of year again! The gate to the Cache Creek parking lot should be open! Summer is finally here.

Happy Memorial Day to you!  We are remembering all those who are serving, have served, and have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, along with their families.  Thank you for your service!

May has gone by lickity split! We had so much snow in April and on into early May, that no yard work could be done before then.  Perennials sat parked inside waiting for weather to clear enough to be planted, and then waited on the patio to harden off a bit.  Now, we are frantically trying to get everything ready at home to begin our summer gold and gemstone hunting season here in Colorado.

River and stream waters are rising quickly, we noticed, as we made a run to camp to bring in the batteries, get filters changed, and basic set up accomplished before we are ready to make the jump to mountain fun sometime next week.  

On our way back to Denver this evening, we will stop in Bailey to attend the finale party at the Rustic Station for Ice Cold Gold, on Animal Planet.  It sounds like the Weather Channel will begin filming another series of shows for the Prospectors series, soon. We are hoping Animal Planet or their parent Discovery Channel wants to film another round for the Ice Cold Gold series, too, this summer.  It has been wonderful to support these two groups, and a lot of fun to join in their celebrations.

Gold closed last Friday at $1387.20, and the NY market is closed today for Memorial Day, however, the London market was up this afternoon at about $1394. Reports are that the 'smart money' is turning bullish on gold, so I think we might be looking at a rise in the price just as our gold season begins, which is good news for this year's gold prospectors who will be looking to sell their gold later in the summer.  Everyone is waiting for gold stocks to find a bottom, but they usually trade far behind gold prices. Prices need to rise before more production can commence.

We will be visiting with friends next week as well as Vista Mining Adventures to see the new dredge addition Phil Martinez sr. has going.  It includes a new bowl separation system and some secret additions we aren't allowed to know about.....yet.  We will probably make a visit to Cache Creek for some fun with the monster sluice box, too.  Can't wait to begin!  It looks to be a very nice summer for us.  Now that buying a home, moving, selling the old home and fixing the new one's yard are over, we can concentrate on what is most important...AND share that with you. 

As Always...

Good Prospecting to You,
Shirley Weilnau
www.hookedongold.com
hookedongold@gmail.com

Mining the Colorado Mountains with the Weather Channel

 Naw, we aren't in the Weather Channel show, but this is a picture of Larry and friends Jan and Tim hunting for gemstones on Mt Antero in 2011. I'm behind the camera, of course.

Gold closed Friday at $1667.20, silver at $31.43, and the DOW was over 14000 this past week, although it didn’t hang around there for long.  Lots of speculation out there about what gold will do in the short term as it is having trouble holding its’ 200 day average.  Not a particularly good thing for right now, but it certainly doesn’t mean we are looking at a crash, but possibly a good pull back.  Platinum has been closing above gold for some time, now.  Has something to do with it being needed in catalytic converters for cars.

A nomination that caught my attention this past week was the appointment of the next Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, president and CEO of REI.  I have not heard why our own Ken Salazar decided not to continue in that role for the next four years. 

Mark your calendars for March 26^th and the premiere of the Weather Channels’ series “Prospectors”, featuring many Colorado gem miners.  While they aren’t after gold, these people are definitely successful at what they do.  I know several, am acquainted with others, and they mine the mountains of Colorado.  You can see the trailer at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=422192217855655

We are almost at the end of our kitchen remake, and it is turning out to be really nice.  So far, the project has not had too many set backs or problems that were a disaster.  I’m sure most of you can relate.  Glad to have it finished this winter and not hanging over our heads as the weather turns to spring. 

There is so much to report on that has to do with legislative and court issues that are of concern to prospectors large and small, I am going to link you out to International California Mining Journal to read about all of it.  If you don’t have a subscription to this magazine, whether online or snail mail, you should consider getting one.  www.icmj.com Besides keeping you up on many of the issues you need to know about, they write excellent articles on metal detecting and prospecting in general. 

That’s it for now.  Do your research for that place you are wanting to find while the weather has you inside.  And, as always……

Good Prospecting to You,

Shirley Weilnau

www.hookedongold.com

hookedongold@gmail.com