Metal Detecting Adventures: Finds In My Front Yard

One of my newer hobbies is metal detecting. As you may know from previous blog posts, I recently purchased a beginner's detector and found that detecting to be a blast. My advice is to not buy an expensive detector until you know you like the hobby. Mine has been in my possession for a while now, a friend sold it to me. Being a history lover, it was a great acquisition to feed the need.

 After spending my day watching The Hoover Boys (one of my favorite channels) and Dumb Luck Metal Detecting (one of my newer detecting channel finds) on YouTube, I was inspired to grab my detector and get out into my yard. This group of guys can really get you motivated with their fantastic personalities and fascinating finds of coins, jewelry, and other great relics. Some digs lead to rare coins from many years gone by while others bring Civil War or World War I and II era artifacts along with arrowheads, toys, buttons, and much more. There are many great channels on this subject, you should check these two out.

Since the weather has been so nice in Iowa in February, I decided to metal detect for nails and treasures in my front yard near where I park my car. Unfortunately, earlier in the year, a nail ended up in my front driver's side tire causing me to have to replace it. It was a bit cool and windy so I didn't stay out long, but I did find a few things, including the offending nails.

Today's treasures are the following: 

1 1964 Jefferson Nickel 

1 2007 Nickel

1 2001 Dime

1 Lincoln Penny (can't find date)

2 Bud Light Bottle Caps

1 Crayon (surface)

1 Top of a Toy (Nerf type)

1 Unidentified Electrical Piece

3 Of The Offending Nails

Not a huge detecting haul but now I know where to look for coins in my yard. They were all in the same place and had it been a bit warmer, my day would have been spent there. This has rapidly become one of my favorite hobbies. Get out and pick up a metal detector some time. See what kind of history you can dig up!

My New Hobby

I have many hobbies. They include reading, researching, writing, watching sports of any kind, and collecting old books, to name a few. One of my newest hobbies, however, is metal detecting.

I absolutely love metal detecting. Granted it has been restricted to my back yard, but you would be surprised to discover what lies under the layers of grass and soil that was left by those who came before us. No I haven't found any coin caches or diamond rings, but I have found a few old coins and various pieces of pottery. I have even found a few of my son's toy cars that he has lost outside over the past eight years. Being a lover of all things old and historical, this is absolutely one of the most fascinating activities that I have found. 

Thanks to a very friendly and hard working mailman who delivers to my house and listened to endless stories from my son on the YouTube videos that we watch about metal detecting, we own a Bounty Hunter Quick Silver metal detector. Not the most expensive machine ever built nor the most powerful. It is perfect for beginners such as my son and I. He also threw in a pin-pointer to help us on our detecting journey and also took time on a Saturday afternoon, after he was done with a full day's work, to give us instruction on it's use. Awesome huh?

Here are a few of the relics from my back yard.

Don't ask me what any of this is.

 I found a  few dimes and pennies. The penny separated from the rest is a 1944 Wheat Penny.

My son and I have gone out twice and my boyfriend and I have gone out once to detect the yard. I have a few permissions, because you should always get permission first, to detect a friend's yard which is two acres and my sister's yard which is three acres. Also, you should keep in mind that there are laws about when and where you can detect when on public land. Check with the local DNR division. 

I have had a lot of fun with my detector so far. Get one for yourself and see how much history you can dig up, just make sure you fill in the hole afterwards!

Coffee Chat: Winter Has Arrived!

I wanted to pause this morning, while sipping my coffee, to reflect on the storm that brought the area 8 to 14 inches of snow and then beat a path out of town. Tis the season for the Midwest, and much of the nation, to receive this cool blanket of beauty, fun, cold, and fear.

It is beautiful when all is said and done. The freshly falling snow against a beautiful blue skied morning is an awe inspiring scene. I love seeing the branches of the pine trees heavy with a pillow of sparkling whiteness. Ice cycles gleam in the sunlight.

Children, even a few adults, look with wonder at the snow imagining the creatures they could create in its depths. Sleds come out in full force to the slippery slopes as our rosy cheeked young ones shriek with laughter while gliding at high velocity towards the bottom of the hill. Snowmen and women are popping up all over the country side. Or perhaps the little ones dream lazily out the window of the impending holiday season.

Make no mistake, the snow is beautiful but also cold and treacherous. Be vigilant in watching for signs of hypothermia in our overenthusiastic youth and even some adults for they may not realize how cold they really are. Watch for slippery surfaces which can be dangerous for everyone. Be careful not to overdo it while shoveling what seems like an endless sidewalk or driveway. Stay away from waterways that may not be completely frozen over. Emergency room visits, while sometimes necessary, are no ones favorite activity. Make sure that before these big snow storms, you have emergency kits in your cars with blankets, water, flares, food, flashlights, and extra pairs of dry clothes. Perhaps throw in a shovel and salt/kitty litter. Always make sure that your phone is charged and that people know where you are traveling. Slow down and drive safely! Also, before the storm begins, make sure you are well stocked on food at home and any necessary medications. Remember to check on the elderly and be generous to the homeless for they are exceptionally vulnerable.

At the end of a cold snowy day, come into the warmth of your home and heat up your body with a cup of Homemade Cocoa and a warm blanket. Enjoy the season and be safe!