thank you all for your idea's and examples, that will keep me busy for a while to look through it all and see what I think I might be able to handle. So far the Gate on Hollis's website looks like something for me to strive for. Many of the others involve skills that I haven't developed enough yet.
Colleen, thanks for your suggestions. The area I live in, the majority of gates / fencing / railings are all cold formed and welded. Our home is a pre-fab "manufactured home" so has no name, no historic background. Though we are in a fairly sunny, dry climate and the fruit industry is one of, if not the largest in the nation. So that's certainly a thought.
I'll be working this week to get my new anvil ready to use, then create a sturdy work table so I can chalk out and lay out my design as I go.