Time:Friday, April 15 at 5 pm-April 17 at 3 pm
Location: Staying at Rainbow End RV Park Hwy 101 Sequim or Sequim State Park Campsites
More Info-We will be having a potluck on Saturday evening between 5-6 pm
We will also be doing a cleanup of the claim so bring gloves, chainsaw if you have them.
There will be large signs directing you to the claim-Parking is on the side of the road at the claim area. Please be aware that there is active logging in the area...so be safe!
Contact Lonny Meadows if you have any questions or concerns. Phone:253-333-8931
Looking forward to a great 2011 outing season!
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Email Addresses- If you aren't getting email from me then I don't have your address. Please email me your email address so I can update my list. Thank you to everyone who has updated their email addresses.
VOLUME 4 NUMBER 37 MARCH 2011
There is NO charge for attending the Western Washington Chapter of GPAA meetings and visitors are always welcomed.
Reminder: Please keep the talking down during the meetings so everyone can hear what is being said. Background talking makes it really hard for our older members to hear what is being said by the speaker.
Next regular meeting on
April 9, 2011
1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Elim Lutheran Church
5911 East Hillcrest Drive
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Reminder
Before you take off for the hills on a planned event with -WWGPAA. Make sure to check the Website, Face book page, or call the outings Chairman or president Lonny Meadows just to make sure there are no last minute changes to the plans. If you have any questions you can always contact Lonny or the outings chairman Even though we try to keep our information current, last minute changes do happen.
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If you have tips, news or pictures for newsletter, call me at 360-268-1852 email -jrc98595@yahoo.com, or fill out the form on the Contact Us page on the Web site. You can always bring it to the meeting.
Mark your Calendar for these up coming outings
May 19-22 2011 Blue Bucket Outing More information
May 20-22 2011 Waddell Creek GPAA Claim More info
If you want more information, please contact
Lonny Meadows: 253-333-8931
WWGPAA Facebook Page
Continued from last month
GOLD TRIP 1876
By Ray Pierce
After breakfast I go back up to the wash. As I look onto the leather sheet of concentrates I can see gold everywhere. It shows up much better in this morning*s light. I start cleaning it up. When I finish about noon, I just sit there and look at the gold. There must be 25 ounces of gold in that pile. I*m tempted to go hunting for the source. Then I remember I went to the top of this wash 20 years ago. It goes for 2 miles up through this mountain. The last half-mile is way too steep and dangerous to climb. Besides why go for all the work way up there when the winter storms bring it down to my formed bedrock. I*ve been here for a week, but the payoff is very good. There must have been a large flood down this wash either last winter or this spring. Maybe, just maybe, it hit some of the other washes on my route.
I pack up and head onto the upper trail to the spring to replenish my water. It will take me two days off the route, but there is no choice. My knowledge where the springs are at is why I can run through this mountain without getting into trouble. When I get to the ridge before the spring I can see some Indians at the spring. I pull back to the bottom of the ridge and set up a cold camp. I don*t think they saw me. So I*m going to wait for them to leave.
After another day, they are gone when I look over the ridge. Good thing, I*m down to 1 small canvas bag of water. Now I fill all the bags and Lucy fills up on water and green leaves and grass. You can see that she has perked up and is ready to get going again. As I finish packing Lucy, a large rattlesnake strikes me. As hard as it hit, I think my heart stopped. Someday I might get used to that and not panic, but I doubt it. I know that these boots are complete protection against their bites, but it still scares the hell out of me. One thing though, this one is big enough to eat. In fact there is a couple of days of meat here. At least that part is welcome. Now I head back down to the next wash.
Without any more major problems I work the rest of my stops. They also have more gold than expected. Apparently that big storm didn*t only hit the one area.
When I got back to the Spanish trail, I erased my visible tracks then I celebrated with the small bottle I had in the pack. After a two-day camp I started back toward town, a day away. By coming back to the trail it looks like I went south on my gold trip. Nobody knows it is actually East of town in the distant mountains. Also there are a good number of people that think I have a mine somewhere to the south. Maybe in the river canyon down there. I know several of them have searched the riverbank and hillside to find my mine. Wish them luck. I prospected that river 30 years ago. There isn*t enough gold to make a living on it. At least not without working most of the year on the gravel bars. Let alone any hillside where you could dig a mine. Also I*m not going to spend all my time pounding on rock. Then pounding it into dust to get the gold out. Oh well, it gives them something to do to occupy their time.
When I came into town, I attracted a lot of attention. Several people offered to buy me a drink. Continued next month
GPAA Gold & Treasure Show
Dates: March 26, 2011 - March 27, 2011
Location: Expo Hall Puyallup Fair and Events Center
Hours: Sat: 10 am - 5 pm; Sun: 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: Adults: $5; Children under 12: FREE
Contact: Nancy Defalco Phone: 951-699-4749 x123
Workers will be needed to help with setup and teardown for the GPAA Gold Show. Sign up Contact Bella and Barb Kovacs to help 360-871-049
Red Bird/Cache La Poudre Outing and Cleanup
REMINDER
All persons must be GPAA members in good standing to work the WWGPAA claim, or to attend WWGPAA outings.
This letter has been sent to headquarters for consideration of publishing in Gold Prospectors magazine
Dear GPAA,
A Tribute to Rob Matthews:
Here's to you - Rob Matthews, principal organizer and past President of the Western Washington GPAA Chapter.
The dedication that Rob brought to our chapter, his assistance in helping organize a chapter in Everett WA, AND Spokane WA has become very evident in a spectacular way.
I joined the GPAA mid December 2010, found the information for the meetings in Port Orchard, WA and attended my first meeting in January 2011.
Rob had tendered his resignation due to job commitments requiring him to relocate to Southern California, so new elections were held. The present VP stepped up for the President*s s job, but nobody was available for the VP job. I raised my hand " wow " what a trip.
Every time I turn around it is "Rob did this", or "Rob arranged that" or "Rob made this happen".
I never got to personally meet Rob for more than a quick handshake that first day, but I can attest that he set a standard of dedication, energy, passion and foresight that will be very difficult to match, let alone move higher upon.
So, to Rob Mathews, a very heartfelt thank you, good luck in everything you do and your efforts with the GPAA and a promise from all of the current officers and members of the WWGPAA chapter, that we will strive to maintain the standards that you personally set and maintained so high.
We will also never forget how we got to where we are and whom to thank in large part for it. Good luck and successful mining.
Kim L. Knise
On behalf of the entire membership
WWGPAA, Port Orchard WA
Western Washington GPAA
Minutes of meeting held on
Saturday March 12, 2011
Meeting called to order by Lonny Meadows, President at 1:01 pm
Pledge of Allegiance led by Lonny Meadows, President
New Guests introduced by Kim Knise, Vice President
Total of 8 new attendees
Jacob Dalona ,Nathan Anai (Naka), Roger Sari, Ray Parks, Bob Haynes, Donna Huntley, Dick Quarnston, Phil Layto
Minutes of previous meeting read by President Lonny Meadows.
Motion to accept by Rich Baxtra, Seconded by Bela.
Treasures Report given by treasurer John D.
$321.00 transferred to savings, $50.00 check for tickets to Bela for artwork donation, $25.00 to church for room fee, $51.96 paid for supplies, $31.96 for new business cards for President Lonny Meadows.
$158.23 paid out, checking balance $316.23, saving balance * $765.05.
Treasure*s report motion to accept by Rich Baxtra, seconded by Bob Nelson.
Correspondence discussed by President Lonny Meadows .
*Email from Blue Bucket LDMA * Individual no cost permits must be obtained by the owners of the high banker equipment to be used.
Vice President Kim Knise announced that he and Lonny attended the Everett Chapter meeting and that Linda Lunsford was sitting in as Secretary for this meeting and requested clarification of names of speakers to assist..
Office and committee reports:
President : Lonny announced that WWGPAA chapter members must be National GPAA members. No WWGPAA membership fees required. Primary current revenue for the chapter is the 50/50/5 raffle held at every meeting where 50% of the proceeds go to the chapter and 50% of the proceeds is divided into 5 equal amounts and awarded to the winning ticket holders. He announced that Rich had brought waders and plastic containers that were available to anyone who wanted them. Gold and Fish Booklets were brought by Dan Jones for those who needed them.
Claims Committee: - no report Equipment Manager: Bela offered use of sluice box and rocker box.
Old business:
Bob Nelson announced that he was still looking for volunteers to sponsor / manage) the outings for Waddell Creek and Money Creek. * Bob to take Waddle and a volunteer was found for Money Creek.
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Minutes continued
Correction was made to printed schedule for Red Bird Outing * April 15-17. Large directional signs will be posted for directions to the Red Bird claim during the outing.
Bob discussed the camping alternatives for Red Bird and passed out copies of the Parks and Recreation brochures.
Bob again asked for any suggestion as to how to make the outings better.President Lonny Meadows read the "Waiver of Claim" into the minutes. A copy was provided to the acting secretary for addition. A binder was passed for all to complete the waiver. A waiver must be on file for any participation in WWGPAA outings, events or access to WWGPAA claim sites.
Blue Bucket Outing:
President Lonny Meadows estimated that current attendance at 40 people. Cost to increase from flat $30.00 to $30.00 for individual and $40.00 per couple. Payment is need by the end of the next chapter meeting. Additional material loads have been requested. Portable Toilets are now required, Lonny making arrangements. Trash removal will most likely come down to pack out what you pack in on an individual basis. Steak dinner will be provided as part of the outing and outing cost.
Puyallup Gold Show:
Barb Kovax(sp) updated the information on the Gold Show, March 26, 27 at the Puyallup fairgrounds.
Volunteers to meet at the *Gold Door* at 0800 on Friday the 25th for setup and breakdown begins immediately after the show on Sunday, the 27th. Parking is free for volunteers. Names to be submitted to GPAA for registration purposes.
Banner was located and will be setup at the show for the *Booth* for the WWGPAA chapter.
Barb stated they sold $321.00 in tickets at the Monroe Gold show for the artwork to be raffled to benefit the legal defense fund of the National resource Coalition. Total sold - $862.00, less $200.00 for materials and labor, netting $662.00 for the fund to date. First time attendee Dona Huntley offered her assistance ion any graphics or displays for the show.
Bela and Barb attended testimony hearings in Olympia on bill # 5862 opposing a $150.00 fee for each HPA permit for each claim. Asked for members to meet at the Sundial on Tuesday, 03/15/11 to meet with legislators regarding both # 5862 and 2008. Largest issue is proposal for fines and penalties of up to $10,000.
Barb asked that volunteers to help Rob Matthews get packed and ready to move would be greatly appreciated. Lonny asked for suggestions on how to honor past President Rob Matthews. Barb and Bob will get a plaque made. Kim will write article for Gold Prospectors Magazine honoring his efforts for the chapter. Card was distributed for members to sign for Rob.
Sweatshirts have been proposed for WWGPAA. Estimated cost - $35.00 each. Signup sheet was presented. Minimum order of 20 units, sweatshirts or T*s is required to place order.
Feature Presentation:
President Lonny Meadows demonstrated a working, self contained high banker. Lonny answered many questions, particularly form the newer members. Many people also continued the hunt for the quarters hidden in the yard as instruction and practice with metal detectors.
The raffle was held. 5 prizes of 17.00 each were won.
Meeting was adjourned by President Lonny Meadows at 1505 (3:05 pm)
Signed Lind K Lunsford as interim Secretary.
Message from our President
Our March meeting was very well attended. If we get any larger, room will become an issue.
The high banker demo was done, sort of. The pump sprung a leak and had to be shut down early. There was enough done to given folks a good idea of what it is to run the machine, to see how it works, and to see the cleanup process. I thank all who participated.
We continued with the metal detecting on the lawn. A few more of the 40 or so quarters were found. I believe there are still more out there.
Next month we will do review of panning, for those who have seen it, and new information for the new folks. There will be hands on panning outside afterwards. Again, the gold is to be left in the bucket, and not taken home. This is catch and release.
The interest in the Blue Bucket has been outstanding. We have 45 signed up as of now. This is the largest group yet. Due to the numbers, more dirt has been ordered, and the fee has had to be raised to $30.00 per person, $40.00 per family. This is a slight increase, and hopefully will not be a burden. I am very excited, and have some concern to keep so many happy. I will do my best.
You may see this elsewhere in the newsletter, but there has been some confusion as to the GPAA membership requirement for our club. You may be a member of our club, and attend meetings, without belonging to GPAA. However, if you want to attend club outings, or use the club claim, you must be a GPAA member. This is one member per family. Both husband and wife do not need to join GPAA, for our club, or national GPAA functions. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask.
I will be attending a national GPAA summit in Las Vegas in April. This is suppose to teach leaders on how to best serve their clubs. Hopefully I will bring some great stuff back with me.
See you all next meeting. Lonny.
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