Hey all, I am trying to plan a trip over the summer for me and a few friends to bus across the country and try our hands at mining along the way. I don't really know where to start though. I know that we all want to actually dig, get our hands dirty, not pay for buckets of dirt. I guess my question is can anyone help me get started? I live in north Florida and we plan on going from here to California.

Hunter,
By 'bus across the country' you didn't mean Grayhound, did you? I doubt that the 'hound' will drop you off & pick you up at the out of the you probably want to visit. Are you chartering, or do you & friends own or have access to a bus (or RV for that matter)?
Since you are going in Summer stay well North of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mohave. Great rockhounding country, but not at 120-plus degrees.
Are you already members of your local gem & mineral club? If not, join now. Membership usually comes with insurance and reciprocal agreements with other clubs so you can join field trips in other jurisdictions.
Write back and fill in a few holes. Let's cobble together a great trip.
-Rocky.

Hey hunt041, go to the wiki and to the national directory. Click on the states you are interested in and you will get a list of places to go. Have a great trip and let us know how you do. Here is the national directory link: http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com/page/National+Directory

Paul