Matt S Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Hello everyone. I actually have been following this forum for a while now but this will be my first post. My name is Matt Stempky and I am a 45 year old landscaper who lives just outside of Ann Arbor, MI. You could say that I am a professional hole digger (and filling them back in also). I recently reached out to Luke who I met last year at one of the claims. I was looking for someone to go out prospecting with and he encouraged me to introduce myself to the forum. He assured me that a very high percentage of you would not bite, but made no promises to me that are legally binding.First of all, I want to thank everyone for passing on the knowledge and experience to those of us who are basically just getting started. One of the reasons I have waited this long to post is because someone else has usually already asked any question I might have and had their question answered by someone on this forum.I took my first trip to Arizona last year (December '14-January '15). It was also my first time gold detecting and prospecting. I attended the Christmas GPAA Stanton outing where I attended a seminar given by a key member of this group, Bill Southern. I was hooked. I spent the next month jumping around a few GPAA claims and managed to find a little gold. I met some great people along the way - Bill, Luke, (AZ)Mark, Kevin H, and a bunch of others who may or may not follow this forum. I also met some interesting characters. As soon as my trip ended, I was already planning my next trip and how to improve as a detector/prospector. I still have not found a nugget using a detector but am in no way discouraged by this. I get as much satisfaction panning, dry-washing (who knows if there will be any opportunity for that this winter), sluicing, etc. I still have the GMT that I was using last year, but this year also added the SDC to my collection. I have not been able to get out much with it yet and cant wait to try it out there on the claims. I have also added memberships to Roadrunners and AAGP so I'm looking forward to trying some new areas.Anyways. I just wanted to say "Hi". I will be heading to Arizona in a couple of weeks, mostly the areas in the San Domingos, Bradshaws, Black Canyon City, Vulture, etc. So if you see a Silver F150 with a darker cap out on the claims and it has Michigan plates, please stop by and say "Hi' also. I promise I don't bite either and I would certainly welcome any knowledge or pointers you sent my way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Matt,Thanks for your posting. Maybe I'll see you out there.Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Welcome to the forum.Maybe think about a trip to the Rye Patch area also. There are several members that get out that way frequently.You have a couple of great detectors and you will find a nugget if you keep at it. Good luck and hope to see you posting some finds!Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget108 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Welcome to the forum. I think you will enjoy it. Great people here.Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeJ Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Welcome aboard Matt !! See ya when you get here.Safe travels....Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Hi Matt always glad to meet new members. This is the place to be to feed your gold fever. Stay safeand good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boulder dash Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Good luck, enjoy the journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomH Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Good to have you here Matt.. Wish you luck on your hunts.Try the sides of the washes......most peeps don't hit them Tom H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au Seeker Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Welcome to the forum Matt, glad to have you aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhunter1620 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Welcome aboard there Matt, I immediately noticed that you and I live, fer the most part, in the same neck of the woods. Ifn yer ever interested in findin alittle Au here in Mi.? I might be able to help you with that. Got me a place just W. of Lansing where one can dig a little up. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt S Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thank you all for your welcome, suggestions and advice. Believe me, I can use as much as I can get.I am counting the days until I leave for Arizona and hope I can post a find this year.I hope to see you out there and start putting some faces to the names out there.MattRockhunter- Thanks for the invitation. It would be nice to get out when it warms up here and find a little Michigan gold. Nice to know I'm not the only one in the area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampstomper Al Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Welcome to the forum..!I'd drop some old A2 landmarks on you,but they're probably gone or other names by now..Thanx & a tip of the hat to the spirit of Shaky Jake..Swamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick in Havasu Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Welcome to the group. It's a great place filled with some awesome folks. I will give you one warning though. Most everyone in here gives good info very freely and honestly, but you will need to learn how to judge what to believe around the nightly campfires. Sometimes it gets pretty bad. Just sayin'.Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pairadiceau Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) Matt,Welcome aboard, there are a lot of great folks here with mucho knowledge. I had the pleasure of meeting Rockhunter1620 in Arizona several years ago and he is a very cool guy.Happy Huntin,Jeff Edited January 11, 2016 by pairadiceau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyy Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Hi Matt. Welcome! I'm in the LSD area pretty often so maybe we'll cross paths. I mostly use the detector. My prospecting buddy uses the dry washer more. Maybe we'll see you in the hills. Ill be in the white FJ Cruiser. good luck to ya!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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