There is more gold around than many acknowledge. Within twenty miles of where I live in western Oregon there is a creek where people pan for gold, and find some. It’s enough for a fun hobby, but you will not get rich there.
I had some friends that used to have a hard rock mining claim somewhere along the southern bank of the Columbia River. They gave up their claim the year before President Nixon legalized holding gold again in the 1970’s, and somebody else jumped in before they could return and reclaim it.
They said that the claim only broke even at $32 an ounce, but they would have got rich quick on the takings of that mine at the higher prices.
They find gold in Central VT. Not a lot…but you can get enough to keep you in beer.