Last week we looked at an adventure resulting from a poor navigation choice on the way to a gold claim to do some dredging. Well we eventually arrived safely at our destination, just slightly worse for wear. As I have shared in past blogs, which is worth repeating, holders of valid mining claims in the United States are provided a greater range of access to forest lands than the average Joe. In this case we had access to miles of forest roads behind a locked gate of which we possessed one of the keys. In other words, we held the keys to the boondocks! Think of the advantages; On a holiday weekend you can head out to the woods on your schedule knowing there is a camp space waiting for you. It is unlikely that you will have many, if any, camping neighbors. Traffic by your campsite will be non existent and you can take home a little gold if you are so inclined. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own personal mining claim, state and local prospecting clubs hold mining claims across the western states and even a few in the east. By joining a club you become part claim holder and are granted the privileges and responsibilities that come along with it. As a certain credit card company likes to say, “membership has its privileges”. In this case, membership comes with keys and the rewards program pays you back in gold!
Check out your local prospecting club today and pick up your key to the boondocks.
Membership Comes With Keys!
The Rewards Program is Pretty Sweet Too!

Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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