Farewell, dear friend.
I started saving dollar bills one by one in a metal Band-Aid tin when I was twelve years old. Many months later I'd saved up enough money to place the order, and you arrived on my doorstep in April of 1992. I could never have known that in the coming years the communication between us would eventually posess the subtlety of an Art.
When I look around at my collection of relics, coins, belt plates, rings, bullets, and more, it's hard to believe that almost all of it was found with a single machine--one has never needed a repair.
But after tens of thousands of targets, thousands of coins, and hundreds and hundreds of Civil War items...after the hundreds of miles I've walked with you, and the dozens of streams I've carried you across...the time has come. When faced with the prospect of repairs or the purchase of a newer 1266... I had to choose the newer one.
I never realized how emotional this would be.
You helped me negotiate the emotional turmoil of High School and gave me refuge during my parent's divorce. You opened the door to this wonderful hobby for me--a hobby that has changed the way I think about history, and the way I think of myself.
Dear friend, it's been wonderful. All of the incredible adventures we've tackled, the wonderful people we've met, the strange and beautiful places we've been, and the Great Finds we've made...I will hold these memories with me forever.
Goodbye.
I started saving dollar bills one by one in a metal Band-Aid tin when I was twelve years old. Many months later I'd saved up enough money to place the order, and you arrived on my doorstep in April of 1992. I could never have known that in the coming years the communication between us would eventually posess the subtlety of an Art.
When I look around at my collection of relics, coins, belt plates, rings, bullets, and more, it's hard to believe that almost all of it was found with a single machine--one has never needed a repair.
But after tens of thousands of targets, thousands of coins, and hundreds and hundreds of Civil War items...after the hundreds of miles I've walked with you, and the dozens of streams I've carried you across...the time has come. When faced with the prospect of repairs or the purchase of a newer 1266... I had to choose the newer one.
I never realized how emotional this would be.
You helped me negotiate the emotional turmoil of High School and gave me refuge during my parent's divorce. You opened the door to this wonderful hobby for me--a hobby that has changed the way I think about history, and the way I think of myself.
Dear friend, it's been wonderful. All of the incredible adventures we've tackled, the wonderful people we've met, the strange and beautiful places we've been, and the Great Finds we've made...I will hold these memories with me forever.
Goodbye.
![:-\](https://www.treasurenet.com/smilies/undecided.gif "Undecided :-\")
The issue with the machine isn't even the electronics--it's a little structural one (from so much use). She still has more digging to do.
