Now since coming back from the Yukon and Alaska I've been obsessing a bit about going prospecting.
The Spell of the Yukon, as it were.
And I do my research, going through google maps and making my plans for a spring departure from the restaurant. It's untenable, these 50 and 60 hour weeks, and it's not even Christmas yet. Things will only get worse. But I have a plan and am doing my research.
There's loads on the net to inspire one, like these Nevada and California gold nuggets, and the third largest gold nugget in the world found in Australia.
Look at the map. It's huge. And there's no way they've even begun to explore it all.
From watching the YouTube videos, Australia is where it's at - a relatively flat desert, easy pickings with a metal detector. Gold Porn, as it were. Note the results - 2 weeks (probably lucky weeks, but there's always the possibility of skill) yielding 34 Ounces of Gold. And when you're not finding gold you're picking up meteorites and opals.
Mind you, I'll start in BC, work my way north come April and prospect the whole way, there's certainly good pickings to be had, not the easy geography or climate but if gold holds it's price it's as good a place to start as any....