Idaho Jim

I read that about toxoplasmosis, Bob scared the crap out of me....LOL I know I'm a victim. When younger, I hated cats. A few years later, I came to like them. Still have one, but it will probably be the last. Just cal me "wormboy"...Ha! Jim

I caught Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever 6 or 7 years ago. Tick bite in Wyoming. I knew I'd been bitten, so was watching for any symptoms. Four days after the bite, I woke up with a horrible headache. Doc gave me doxicyclene, and it cleared up, with no after effects, though I didn't feel good for another 3 weeks. But, when the symptoms first showed, I was weak as a sick cat. took all the will power I had to drive myself to the doctor. Now, I always treat my clothing with Permethrin when going into any area that has ticks. And, spray any bare skin with Picaridin. I DO NOT want a repeat of RMSF! Jim

In the desert races I rode an AJS 370. Super good handling for it's day. For the Elsinore GP, and at Parris, I rode a Yamaha 250. Those Elsinores were good machines, for sure. Malcom Smith, himself, put a new top end on my Yamaha. Hard to believe how many years ago all that was....LOL Jim

YEEEHAA!!!! i was notified by mail today that my patent application has been approved! I need to send them a check for $250, and my patent will be issued. Only 5% of the patent applications are approved on the first run-through, so I'm really pleased to be in that group. I put 250 hours into the application. I'm really happy all that effort paid off. I may never make any money from the machine, but it's still nice to have a patent. Jim`

Cool on the Barstow-Vegas ride, BC. I road in the Elsinore GP in '71. Road a lot of desert races near Victorville while in the Air Force at San Berdoo. Also did some TT at Parris. Jim

I've had both...Rokon, and now a Polaris Magnum. Rokons will go absolutely anywhere, but the cargo carrying ability is limited. They're also hard on your back.....rough ride. I've had my Polaris for 20 years, and zero problems, though I don't use it much. I'm currently considering one of the smaller side by side ATV's. Up here in the mountains, anywhere you can use an ATV wider than 53", you can legally take a pickup, or other 4x4. Any ATV I own has to be able to go on the restricted trails....thus <53". Jim

Toward the rock, or metal, as i said. An interesting thing, though....I think the Falcon will show metal on some hot rocks that don't have metal. I've seen some "metal" signals on some dark material that my GM 24K says is ferrous. Jim

I thought this might be interesting to you guys that responded. I bought a Falcon MD-20, and used it on the stone. The only spot that gave a signal was where the pyrite is. Also, the signal given was as a metal. Supposedly the Falcon can't see pyrite. So, there is either gold, or other metal, in the pyrite, or under it. I did the scratch test, and it broke up, indicating pyrite. Jim

I'm hoping they can keep the symptoms under control so you can get on with your life. I know little of this malady. All the best, Jim

What I want it for is checking anthills. Up here in the cold-winter country, the harvester ants build large mounds. The mounds have chambers the ants use to keep their seed food dry, and also to keep their larvae at the correct temperature year around. They do this by moving things in and out of the chambers in the mound, depending on temperature, sunshine, etc.. To protect the mound from erosion, they go out and gather heavy materials to place on the mound. They have a natural instinct to bring back the heaviest things they can carry. That instinct maximizes the return for the calories they expend foraging. So...you can check anthills and get a very good idea of what minerals are in the general area. The ants go out as much as 200 yards from the mound. I've found many gems on anthills in both Idaho and Wyoming. I've also checked many for gold, but because it is so heavy, I assume the pieces the ants bring back are smaller than can be detected, even with a GB2, so I'm thinking maybe the MD-20 would be just the ticket, though a slow process. Jim

Sorta looks like olivine, but after researching wavellite, I'm pretty sure that's what it is. Nice call! Jim

Hey guys, I've been thinking about buying a Falcon MD-20. Is this a useful tool, or a gimmick? I'd really like some opinions from the people that have, or currently use them. Many thanks, jim

That's really nice. For you guys, it's old hat, but I'd be turning cartwheels! Jim

Morlock, I'm gpoing to do that. somebody else also suggested that, and it's a good idea. Seeker, I got truly lucky. Won't be able to do any more uphill prospecting this fall, but that's a small price to pay for getting my heart in good shape. I'll be back at it next spring, and maybe sooner. Once I get the scrtch test done, I'll post what I find out.

Well guys, it's hard to believe but I'm in the ICU at the local hospital. Had chest pains early Sunday morning. Fooled around for several hours thinking it was heartburn. Finally went to the emergency room and they did some tests, and also thought heartburn from the EKG, but the blood tests came back and showed some heart muscle damage (very light). Sunday night they decided they needed to do a catheter look-see, and found two partially-blocked arteries. So, I now have stents in place and am recovering. I'm very lucky I didn't have a major attack while out in the mountains. Sometimes you get lucky! I can't do a streak test....can't get the pyrite in contact with the porcelain. Normally, the streak is the first test I do. Jim