outstripped expectations.” They both laughed. “And, it’s nice to have company,” he finished.
Richard changed the subject. “Anyway, it’s about nine hours to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Less if we can speed, which depends on whether there are enough other people doing so.
“When we get there and start looking for gold, we won’t be panning as such. According to Erin we’ll want to do screening instead. The records say that there was a crapton of gold easily accessible. Once they found the right locations, of course.”
“Do we know where that is?” Kevin asked.
“Mm, well the place is a tourist trap now. Like every former gold strike, it’s turned into gift shops, tours, hotels, and so on. People still find gold on the panning tours. Just not very much. I’m hoping that the tours operate where they originally found the most gold. If not, we may be there a little longer. On the other hand, if that’s the case we can ask someone. Pretty sure the locals will know. Worst comes to worst, we’ll end up taking one of the tours to find out what we need to know.”
Kevin nodded without replying, and Richard relaxed back into the driving routine.
***
POV: Omni
The convoy, led by Erin in the Subaru, pulled up to Erin’s family home in Kearney. As they all got out of their vehicles and stretched out cramped muscles, a woman came out of the house and hurried down the front steps.
Erin yelled, “Mom!” and rushed to hug her.
Monica rushed up just behind her, yelled, “Zia!” and hugged them both. The rest of the group walked up, smiling at this display.
Mrs. Savard said, “Hello Monica.” She turned to her daughter. “Has she burned down any buildings lately?”
Erin smiled at her mother. “Nope. She’s been very well-behaved. For her.”
Monica looked offended and said, “Hey! I’m standing here!” in a very believable New York accent. The three laughed together and hugged again.
Erin motioned to the rest of the group and did introductions.
“Your father is away for the weekend on one of his fishing trips,” Mrs. Savard told Erin. She turned to the group, “Would you like coffee?”
There were several affirmatives. Erin led them into the house. They went to the kitchen and settled in around the table.
While she made coffee, Mrs. Savard told Monica, “I heard from your mother. They’re having a great time. Sophia says she’s tried to email you, but she just can’t get it working from there.”
“My mom’s a technofeeb.” Monica shook her head. She turned to her friends. “My parents are in Italy, visiting family. Apparently, rural Padova is not at the cutting edge of internet communications. Just like my mother.”
There was a bark at the kitchen door. “Ah, there’s your guard dog,” Mrs. Savard said, and opened the kitchen door. The black tornado that ran in did its best to visit everyone in the room at the same time. The result was quite comical, although a little painful for those who took a hit from the dog’s tail. Eighty-odd pounds of Lab-Pointer cross caromed around the kitchen, attempting to sniff each person, get patted, and check for food, all at once.
“Wow, that’s one energetic dog!” Bill commented.
“Yeah, she’s half black Lab and half German short-haired pointer. She has the attention-span of a gnat, the energy of a Tasmanian Devil, and the brains of, well, of a black Lab,” Erin joked.
“Tell me about this camping trip?” Mrs Savard said, when the storm had died down.
Erin replied, “We’re heading to the Black Hills for a few days. We somehow got the idea that we’d like to do some gold panning. I figured Lucy would give us a little extra security, and maybe give you a rest from, well…” Erin gestured at the black tornado, who seemed to be gearing up for another round.
“Mm, hmm,” Mrs Savard said, nodding.
Eventually, coffee’d up and with extra cookies in hand, the group prepared to leave. Erin collected the required dog
Richard changed the subject. “Anyway, it’s about nine hours to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Less if we can speed, which depends on whether there are enough other people doing so.
“When we get there and start looking for gold, we won’t be panning as such. According to Erin we’ll want to do screening instead. The records say that there was a crapton of gold easily accessible. Once they found the right locations, of course.”
“Do we know where that is?” Kevin asked.
“Mm, well the place is a tourist trap now. Like every former gold strike, it’s turned into gift shops, tours, hotels, and so on. People still find gold on the panning tours. Just not very much. I’m hoping that the tours operate where they originally found the most gold. If not, we may be there a little longer. On the other hand, if that’s the case we can ask someone. Pretty sure the locals will know. Worst comes to worst, we’ll end up taking one of the tours to find out what we need to know.”
Kevin nodded without replying, and Richard relaxed back into the driving routine.
***
POV: Omni
The convoy, led by Erin in the Subaru, pulled up to Erin’s family home in Kearney. As they all got out of their vehicles and stretched out cramped muscles, a woman came out of the house and hurried down the front steps.
Erin yelled, “Mom!” and rushed to hug her.
Monica rushed up just behind her, yelled, “Zia!” and hugged them both. The rest of the group walked up, smiling at this display.
Mrs. Savard said, “Hello Monica.” She turned to her daughter. “Has she burned down any buildings lately?”
Erin smiled at her mother. “Nope. She’s been very well-behaved. For her.”
Monica looked offended and said, “Hey! I’m standing here!” in a very believable New York accent. The three laughed together and hugged again.
Erin motioned to the rest of the group and did introductions.
“Your father is away for the weekend on one of his fishing trips,” Mrs. Savard told Erin. She turned to the group, “Would you like coffee?”
There were several affirmatives. Erin led them into the house. They went to the kitchen and settled in around the table.
While she made coffee, Mrs. Savard told Monica, “I heard from your mother. They’re having a great time. Sophia says she’s tried to email you, but she just can’t get it working from there.”
“My mom’s a technofeeb.” Monica shook her head. She turned to her friends. “My parents are in Italy, visiting family. Apparently, rural Padova is not at the cutting edge of internet communications. Just like my mother.”
There was a bark at the kitchen door. “Ah, there’s your guard dog,” Mrs. Savard said, and opened the kitchen door. The black tornado that ran in did its best to visit everyone in the room at the same time. The result was quite comical, although a little painful for those who took a hit from the dog’s tail. Eighty-odd pounds of Lab-Pointer cross caromed around the kitchen, attempting to sniff each person, get patted, and check for food, all at once.
“Wow, that’s one energetic dog!” Bill commented.
“Yeah, she’s half black Lab and half German short-haired pointer. She has the attention-span of a gnat, the energy of a Tasmanian Devil, and the brains of, well, of a black Lab,” Erin joked.
“Tell me about this camping trip?” Mrs Savard said, when the storm had died down.
Erin replied, “We’re heading to the Black Hills for a few days. We somehow got the idea that we’d like to do some gold panning. I figured Lucy would give us a little extra security, and maybe give you a rest from, well…” Erin gestured at the black tornado, who seemed to be gearing up for another round.
“Mm, hmm,” Mrs Savard said, nodding.
Eventually, coffee’d up and with extra cookies in hand, the group prepared to leave. Erin collected the required dog
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