Trashley: Part Ten

Venmo

We left the Permafrost Tunnel and drove to our next stop, Gold Daughters, which is owned by my little sisters. I was determined to make Ashley’s trip to Alaska unforgettable, and one of my favorite things to do there is find gold nuggets. We pulled into the parking lot where the employees were opening up shop.

With my sisters at Gold Daughters. Come for the gold, stay for the nuggets.

“Your Dad was here,” said the girl behind the counter, “He bought each of you a bag of the Fairbanks Creek pay dirt.” She handed us each a two hundred dollar bag, meaning we would definitely walk away with some nice nuggets.

Employee of the month for seven years straight, Nugget.

“I’ll teach you how to pan,” I said as I handed Ashley a gold pan. I shoveled two scoops of dirt from the communal pile, “Let’s start with regular dirt so you get the hang of it, and then we can pan the Fairbanks Creek bags.” Goldpanning takes skill and experience, and I didn’t want Ashley to lose any of her gold because that would be tragic.

“I know how to gold pan,” Ashley said, almost sounding cocky. “I panned all the time at Placarita Canyon with my family.”