Most of you know me as a dredger but there was a time many years ago, I made a drywashing trip to Arizona. That was to meet the famous Billbrew and Grivy. The BBMG!
Kids, don't read any further. The BBMG, as Bill and Mike called themselves, stood for Big Balls Mining Group. I traveled down to arizona to spend 2 weeks under their tutolage to learn desert prospecting. Things like how to get busted by the BLM stealing a BLM sign saying "Don't steal this sign", how to survive 114 degree heat, drywashing at night, and other important things. If you make it to Douglas Creek this year, ask for more explanation.
The heros of this trip are shown below. Notice the highly fashonable Golden optimist in shorts and black socks.
- GO, a forgotton Arizona prospecting legend, Billbrew, and Grivy
- realcrew1.jpg (30.04 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
Here we are celebrating another night after surviving the over 110 degree heat of the day. Bill you will recognize by the beer glass, Grivy actually isn't drunk even if he looks like it. I've never seen Mike drink anything other than Dr. Pepper. Bill and Mike really saved us. They brought us cold beer and ice every night and hung out with us as we drank Bill's great beer. Anyone that has partaken of it, know what I mean.
- The crew hanging out. The fire really wasn't needed as it was probably 90 degrees. It provided the light and the ambiance
- realcrew2.jpg (18.29 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
Because of the heat, many nights we drywashed after dark by lantern light. That way it was only around 85 to 90 degrees while we were working.
- Bill and Grivy feeding the drywasher. The 2 of them were really hard core shoveling machines
- realcrew3.jpg (14.12 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
They are really hitting it hard and feeding the Gold King. It would handle all 3-4 shovelers could put into it.
- Bill and Grivy hard at work
- realcrew4.jpg (17.76 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
We did work a few days also. Here Tom is watching while Bill and Grivy shovel. Us Gringo's from Colorado had a hard time surviving the heat.
- Tom watching, Bill and Grivy working
- realcrew5.jpg (51.75 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
Here's the hard working group at our campsite. We couldn't have had better hosts. They showed us where to go, they came back every evening with cold beer and ice, and sat around and bs'd with us every night. Further details will have to be passed on in person at some future event.
- The illustrious crew spending another great evening together
- realcrew6.jpg (31.51 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
I couldn't print any story of the trip without including this picture. This really needs a lot of explanation. Next time you are with me after a few drinks, ask me about Grivy sitting on the shitter at Lake Havasu.
- Grivy doing what I don't need to explain. Never trust the Golden Optimist when he is holding a camera!
- realcrew7.jpg (27.19 KiB) Viewed 4873 times
Thats all I have to say right now. There is a lott of explanation but you have to join the CCC at any outting around a campfire to get "The rest of the story" If you aren't carefull, you may be included in "The Rest of the story"
#1 rule of drywashing--ALWAYS WEAR A DUST MASK to prevent the deadly Valley Fever. I've lost a half dozen of my desert ratz buddies to this ungodly disease. The CDC states emphatically that it has exploded and is reaching massive levels. Party on guys--albeit safely-tons a au 2 u 2 -John 
