Thanks, Clayton! "Gold Rush" is cool, but this second season isn't as good, in my opinion. I've been reading about Nor Cal, definitely seems like somewhere I'd enjoy going at some point.
If you get the Outdoors Channel, look for a show called 'Gold Fever'. It's not as done-up as Gold Rush, but it's more about everyday prospecting. It's been on for 13 years!
Cool...