If you had not noticed, the price of gold (and most other commodities) has skyrocketed in recent years. Back in mid-March, 100oz gold futures were trading for $1,000 - now they're trading at a little less but the value is still clear to most investors.

What does this mean for you? Well, grab a riffle box or some other object for straining silt and head on over to the Uwharries. It is legal to search for gold in the Uwharries (with certain restrictions) and you keep whatever you find. I was going to tout this as a cheap way to spend a few days with the kids in the outdoors but it is much more than that -- you can actually walk away having made money.

Here are some links to get you started:

• Read some of the history of gold mining in North Carolina
• This gentleman shares some secrets of prospecting in the Uwharries
• 49er Mike recommends some places to prospect in Randolph County
• Visit a town built by the gold rush that originally brought many settlers to this region
• Bearfoot Gold is a business near Robbins in Moore County that allows people to prospect and, if they so wish, camp overnight. The fee for prospectors is $40 but the camping is free. They do not loan or rent equipment.

Prospecting for gold is a fantastic way to spend some time with your feet in a cool river while the rest of the environment is all summertime heat. Worth checking out - please send us pictures of the gold you find!