This tour was one that our group of four was really looking forward to, and since it was Father's Day and our men were very enthusiastic about it, my sister and I felt quite proud of ourselves for getting the tour booked. The only hitch was that just before the tour began the weather changed from a beautiful day to cloudy and by the time our bus arrived at the gold panning site the weather turned stormy with thunder, lightening, and heavy rain...which continued for the entire time we were there. Our guide told us this was quite rare but we attempted to go ahead with it until the continuing downpour and the unease caused by being out in lightening sent us back to the bus. Our guide offered ponchos so our upper bodies weren't wet, just our feet and up to our knees. We were fairly soggy but we went on to the salmon bake, which was wonderful! The whole setting was inviting and the food was plentiful and delicious. A guitarist serenaded us while we enjoyed our meal and to top it off we roasted marshmallows for dessert. It was chilly but there were heaters that warmed us up. I am sure this tour would have been the highlight of our trip if Mother Nature had just cooperated!
Panning for gold was a great experience. The Salmon Bake was awesome. We even saw the salmon swimming up stream to spawn (mid Aug) food was good, nice picnic grove atmosphere.
This was a fun experience and the best tasting clam chowder and salmon I ever had. THe one issue was with us being shuttled from place to place. We were sent to eat first when it said gold panning first so we had already eaten lunch - then when we were returned to get a shuttle to pan we ( 4 of us) were put on a shuttle with everyone else who was headed to the salmon bake- so I think that end of things could use some coordination. We waited for quite a while.