Well my computer really started having problems, to the point I finally just couldn't get on line. Took it to my local fixit place and they got it working really well . Much faster than it ever was. they found a bunch of Trojans lurking in the background that were completely missed by my Norton, and did a very thorough cleanup . They told me to never open forwarded messages as these are where Trojans can easily be moved around to others computers. Do your freinds a favor and don't forward messages that have been through a whole bunch of computers. you might be forwarding them some problems . Anyway I have been looking over a lot of new ground and have gotten the skunk 3 days in a row. Not really surprised or dissappointed as this can be expected when going into obscure areas with marginal geology . It can pay off , but more often doesn't . The roads were horrible and Betsy was sure we were going to die. They were not really roads , but mineral exploration tracks meant only for a one time sampling trip to get the geologists in to the remote canyons where there were previously no roads. It seems that copper was what they were looking for as the prospects showed copper staining. In Az , the presence of copper often translates to at least a little gold so I don't write off copper districts. There surely is some gold within a few miles of where we were today because I have found a few nuggets in the general vicinity, but today it just wasn't happening. I did find an old abandoned homestead far from any roads, looked to be a cattle operation , but what a dismal location. The only access appeared to be a foot trail which is how I found it. I often follow old foot trails because they occasionally lead to some mining activity from the very old days before bulldozers. There had been a spring at one time at the homestead but it looked like it dried up long ago which is probably why it was abandoned. Someones dream dried up with that spring. You just can't survive in the desert without reliable water. I'd love to know the history of this place. They had packed in enough cement to make a foundation for the house and build some cement water troughs. I was hoping to find some old bottles in the tin can dump, which was quite extensive, but it looked like someone had beat me to it . Might be a good place for some coin or relic hunting with a good discriminating detector .----Bob

Sounds like you covered some ground today. I know how it is to have that skunk on your back. Its off mine right now and I hope to keep it off this weekend. I'm glad your having fun riding your new toy/work horse around. I would say hope you get into the gold, but you I know you will, so I hope you get into it sooner than later. Good hunting.

Jeff

Nuggetslayer, After more than 20 years doing this, I know it's just a matter of time before I find something new. A few days of skunk means nothing in the scheme of things. I may have to revert to an old reliable patch to scrounge a few crumbs for a gold fix in the next day or so. You know the routine.---Bob

Bob,

How much the the computer doc charge for that service? My laptop needs some help.

Redbeard,

My PC did about the same thing as Bob's. Worked off line but wouldn't let me get on line.

Took it in last week and they had it fixed in one day. Works like new and is faster then before.

Cost me $85.00 and worth it.


Bob T.

Montana,

I know your feeling, but keep looking for that new patch. Looks like it's still hot out your way, so keep riding with the breeze in your face and stretch them legs on likely looking spots. That gold in them old patches isn't going anywhere, but to your poke when the time comes...it's money in the bank. Spend that time on R&D.

LuckyLundy

Redbeard . If you can drop it off in Yarnell , These ladies charge a flat rate of $50.00 no matter how much time it takes to fix it and if it's beyond help there is no charge. Nancie and Shannon-(928) 427-6270. Even though my computer is now working fine, they pretty much convinced me that it is a dinosaur and with each passing year the chances of a total crash increases. They told me that there are great deals right now on new Dell computers. I might even be able to load a you tube video even with dial up which is now a very slow process. Apparently the older computers just don't have the capability to do it right. There is also a new windows program coming out in a few weeks.----Bob