Good for you. I have a couple of variscite and turquoise claims and have started learning silversmithing. Haven't yet tried working with gold. I'm at the point now where I want to make a decision over priorities and spend more time detecting and avoid some of my numerous distractions.
About selling gold, my plan and goal is to find a new undiscovered patch or pocket rather than work over old sites. The good part is that every trip is a good adventure that money can't really buy, gold or not.
Bob