Another Week In The Outer Banks

[F350Platinum]

I almost didn't go on this trip, a potential tropical storm was forecast, but the storm hit far south so it wasn't all that bad, got there safely, and the rain stayed south of us for the most part.

It never got really windy, but because of the heavy surf and King Tide, the beach was pretty eroded and in some places very small. The tide only got to low in the afternoon, but it never got all that low and the surf was dangerous. I ended up going out twice later in the day as the beach was really packed by then.

I got out early every day, went to different parts of the 11 mile strip, one thing I love about this place is that there are lots of free parking lots, and most of them have either bathrooms or portable facilities and shower stations so I can clean up my gear before going back. Best place to hunt I've ever been. 

Here's my worst trash day, just an example of what I threw out:

The good finds almost always outnumbered the trash. 

I ended up with a fair amount of bits:

Here's all the junk jewelry and odd stuff. The tiny chain is silver. Wish I could have found the rest of it.

I dug 121 coins over the 5 days: 

Nothing spectacular but I'm always shocked at how many dimes I find, the Deus loves them, some were probably near or over a foot deep. 

I did get a nice silver ring but it was pretty mangled:

 https://alohajewelryco.com/collections/925-sterling-silver/products/copy-of-925-sterling-silver-6mm-hawaiian-plumeria-flower-scroll-stackable-ring-gold?variant=32542193680484

I straightened it out as best as I could.

I did get gold but it was an obligation. I waved my detector over the sand in front of a sign, and got a really loud 96, generally the ID of a toy car, but I dug this small container that contained a ring. 

It was a nice 10k gold ring, pretty large.

There was also a laminated tag with the name of a person, and two years on either side. The container appeared to have sand in it, but I realized immediately it was a funerary urn. 😬

I dug a much deeper hole, put everything back in the container, and re-buried it so that the Deus could not detect it at full power. Luckily no one saw me do it. 

It's not the strangest thing I've ever found, but certainly the most sad. 😥 

Overall not a spectacular hunt but a good one.

 

[StarVatrex]

Incredible hunt and one that makes you think about the history of each date and name of the pieces found...

Someday they will be yours, the ones found.

[Valens Legacy]

Another fine hunt for you again and that is why you are so much better than I am . Even though you have a few more years of experience than i do and more types of detectors than I do doesn't  mean anything. It has to do with using the equipment and actually understanding what it is saying to you.

Maybe one day I can get as good as you and other members are, but I just don't know.

Good luck on your next hunt and stay safe out there.

[TampaBayBrad]

20 hours ago, F350Platinum said:

It's not the strangest thing I've ever found, but certainly the most sad.

OK.....you got me hooked. What have you found that is stranger than an urn with ashes and a gold ring in it?

Great pics and solid hunt, although we are both finding out that people aren't wearing as much gold now days. What was that strange device next to the truck and lure? Some sort of vape contraption?

[F350Platinum]

4 hours ago, Valens Legacy said:

Another fine hunt for you again and that is why you are so much better than I am . Even though you have a few more years of experience than i do and more types of detectors than I do doesn't  mean anything. It has to do with using the equipment and actually understanding what it is saying to you.

Maybe one day I can get as good as you and other members are, but I just don't know.

Good luck on your next hunt and stay safe out there.

Thanks VL,

We both joined the forum about the same time, I started detecting in 2020. I retired from work that year so I have the privilege of going detecting a lot, not to mention living in a very historical place. 

I have 4 detectors, and really only use the D2 now, sometimes I might pick up one of the others but only to verify that I have the best tool for the job it seems. 🤔

It's only experience gained by repetition, lots of it.

I often wonder if I would do half as good without the discussions, experiences and help of others on this forum and the friends I have made here. I live in a very rural area and don't have any local acquaintances that are interested in detecting, except the odd young female I encounter 🤣 and I don't think my wife would appreciate my mentoring them 😬

When you have more time in your life for detecting you will do as well as everyone. 🍀

[F350Platinum]

3 hours ago, TampaBayBrad said:

OK.....you got me hooked. What have you found that is stranger than an urn with ashes and a gold ring in it?

Great pics and solid hunt, although we are both finding out that people aren't wearing as much gold now days. What was that strange device next to the truck and lure? Some sort of vape contraption?

One time I was out detecting and found a locked and loaded weapon. I can only imagine what would have happened had I not found it. I cleared it and turned it into the local police. 

Detecting has a moral component above filling in holes I guess, seems I'm being tested a lot lately. 😅 I'm not superstitious but hope that good deeds have a reward.

The odd device is a huge 3 burner cigar lighter: 

https://www.visolproducts.com/visol-angelo-clear-triple-flame-cigar-lighter-vlr408601-angelo-clear/

Lots of times I've found drugs and drug paraphernalia, it all ends up in the trash bin. Notice I even found an insulin bottle! And we think bottle caps, nails, fishing gear, and other sharp metal objects are dangerous... 🫤

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

That was a fun week! Enjoyed the ride along to with pictures!

[F350Platinum]

19 minutes ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

That was a fun week! Enjoyed the ride along to with pictures!

Thanks Joe. 🙂

I only see myself as fair to middlin' as a beach hunter, but it's probably location that turns up the best stuff. I just go camping where my wife wants to go. 😅 I'll look around for bigger name hotels if there are any.

Perhaps if I did as much research as you do I'd do much better, but it really all boils down to getting in the water, doesn't it?

[Ken Clad]

On 9/24/2024 at 8:51 AM, F350Platinum said:

It's not the strangest thing I've ever found, but certainly the most sad. 😥 

I've got news for you... the beach is a dumping ground for many a decedent. I think every coastal State has a 3 mile rule about  interment of ashes, but of course the cost of that is high, and people say... well, you know what they say; and they scatter along the waterline.

4 hours ago, TampaBayBrad said:

What was that strange device next to the truck and lure? Some sort of vape contraption?

Yup, that's a cigar lighter... I sold many of them. I worked in a cigar shop!

East coast beaches are weird places. The whole difficult parking/restroom/showers thing is to purposely discourage day trippers. The "I got big bucks" private homeowner that bought up the beachfront, quite frankly doesn't really want you there. If a resort bought it, they want you paying their rates.

If I had to venture a guess, my beach trash-to-treasure ratio is probably 300:1 or 400:1. On the beach with easy digging... I dig it all.