A Weekend Trip for Gold Panning and Rock Scrambling

We got away for a weekend in early June 2018. The weather was bright and sunny, perfect for being outdoors. We started at a place where the kids could try panning for gold. A couple of men dressed in old-fashioned clothes, with suspenders and hats, were running the trough, showing everyone the technique. The kids were surprisingly focused, carefully sifting through the sand and water in their pans.

After that, we headed out to a spot with huge granite boulders scattered through a forest of pine trees. It was a natural playground. The kids, along with the dog, spent the rest of the day just climbing and scrambling all over the rocks. The sky was a solid, clear blue without a cloud in sight.

They found different routes to the top, pulling themselves up onto the sun-warmed stone. The dog would watch from below, running between the formations. It was a simple, fun afternoon, just exploring the landscape and enjoying the perfect weather before finding a spot to sit and rest.