Opice contemplates the waterwheel that drove John Sutter's sawmill. The reason it worked so well was the raceway was lined with gold.

Once James Marshall (et. al.) removed the gold, there was nothing left but tourism.

However, there's still gold in them thar hills and even a tourist can be trained to find some. Monkey shows Karel how to do it for him on the shore of the American River.

Opice proudly tells his student a story as they prospect, "Every year there is a World Gold Panning Contest and in 1998 it was held right here in Coloma and I attended and you'll never guess which country won!?"

Karel guesses, "Us CZECHS!"
which was correct and kinda ruined the rest of the story.

If you click the picture left, you will see the 4 basic steps to gold panning, i.e. work work work work. (126k file)

Above, gold panning  STEP-1: find the American River.

Right, gold panning  STEP-2: begin.

The next step (below) is crucial and not for beginners or others unwilling to tip BIG the-long-tailed-one.

Left, gold panning  STEP-3:
count Monkey's nuggets.

Like everything else Opice does, this flash-in-the-pan holds his interest only long enough to forestall eating for an hour.

"Karel, you must be hungry cuz I am. It is time I take you to Hangtown where you can afford us lunch."

The town's suggestive name intrigues the young visitor.

Will there be a hanged man?
Will there be placer gold?
Will there be enough ketchup for lunch?
These or perhaps other questions could be answered if Karel brought enough cash and if you

proceed to Old Dry Diggins.

or return to The Mother Lode (no they won't)

or skip to Drytown (no they won't)