By Lakshmi:

Who?  Anyone visiting Fairbanks with or without kids and wants to have a fun adventure or get a feel for panning for gold.

What? Gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine

How? The El Dorado Gold Mine is located at

1.3 Mile Elliott Hwy
Fox, AK 99709
Telephone: 907-479-6673
Toll Free: 1-866-479-6673
www.eldoradogoldmine.com
info@eldoradogoldmine.com

Adult Rates: $34.95
Child Rates (3-12): $22.95
Infants under 3: FREE

Why?  Throughout the evolution of mankind, there has been a fascination with the precious yellow metal, gold.  We are no different, proving us to be very qualified to be part of the human race.  Many years ago, the Swissotel in Chicago ran a promotion where they hid gold bars in select rooms and whoever found these could keep them.  We searched our room upside down, but left empty handed.  So during our visit to Alaska, when the opportunity to pan for gold came up, we could not resist.

The kids were excited as well and the thought of keeping whatever gold they found was enticing.  So off we trotted in our car to the El Dorado Gold Mines.  During a two hour guided tour, we rode on a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad (the original transported miners across gold camps), passed through the Permafrost Tunnel where a miner demonstrated how gold is identified and mined and finally ended up at the much awaited spot to pan for gold.

We were handed our own poke filled with pay dirt right from the sluice box.  We started panning, continually seeking that much elusive gold.  Eureka!  Each of us did get to pan a microscopic portion of gold which was weighed and provided to us in a little bottle which occupies a place of pride in our home.

This adventure was worth every penny for a fun, anticipation filled hands on education on gold mining and panning.