Last weekend I decided to try a new area. I mapped out 4 parks and got up at 7am for the 20 mile drive. I left in a fog that turned into light, intermittent rain but I was determined and knew that the probability of precipitation was low for the area I was going to.
For one reason or another, 3 of the 4 parks were non-detectable when I arrived and the weather started to turn.
The 4th park was next to an elementary school so I parked near their wood chip playground and decided to chance the weather knowing I could run back to my car. I ended up getting caught in a storm and spent about 20 minutes of my hunt taking shelter under the playground equipment. Between the two wood chip playgrounds, I found about $5 in clad, an arcade token, and a cheap earring. Not a failure by my standards but not worth the energy or time.
The weather started to clear but I only had a little time left before I had to leave so I decided to try the adjacent park's sand playground. It was awful. I kept getting false readings, non-repeatable readings, the digging was tough, and my pinpointer's battery was dying.
On my way back to my car, I decided to try between the park's parallel bars (always fruitful for me). It wasn't until the last foot of detecting that I got a big, solid reading and found an 8GB iPod Touch under about an inch of sand! It still had battery life and worked perfectly (besides being a little sandy).
I've always vowed to be dilligent and honest if I find items that are traceable. I've returned a few pet tags and reported a found bird band. The iPod was easy. A little digging and I determined the owner was a 12-year-old girl. I had her phone number and e-mail address but decided to e-mail her father so it wouldn't be 'creepy'. Her parents' contact information was in her address book.
Today, a week later, I met her father at the park and returned it to him. Although we'd been exchanging e-mail for a few days, he hadn't told her about me finding it. We spoke for a few minutes and I found out that she'd lost it the weekend before I found it and after looking for it they were certain that it was gone forever or destroyed by the rains.
On my way home my phone rang and it was (completely unexpected) the girl thanking me for finding it. Her father had told her to call me. She was articulate and very appreciative. That felt really good.
I may not have been able to find the owners for the other valuables I've found (and cashed in) and some of my return experiences have been for people who were suspicious, barely thankful, or wasted my time. Still, I encourage all of you to keep at it and restore a little hope in humanity.
-SMB
For one reason or another, 3 of the 4 parks were non-detectable when I arrived and the weather started to turn.
The 4th park was next to an elementary school so I parked near their wood chip playground and decided to chance the weather knowing I could run back to my car. I ended up getting caught in a storm and spent about 20 minutes of my hunt taking shelter under the playground equipment. Between the two wood chip playgrounds, I found about $5 in clad, an arcade token, and a cheap earring. Not a failure by my standards but not worth the energy or time.
The weather started to clear but I only had a little time left before I had to leave so I decided to try the adjacent park's sand playground. It was awful. I kept getting false readings, non-repeatable readings, the digging was tough, and my pinpointer's battery was dying.
On my way back to my car, I decided to try between the park's parallel bars (always fruitful for me). It wasn't until the last foot of detecting that I got a big, solid reading and found an 8GB iPod Touch under about an inch of sand! It still had battery life and worked perfectly (besides being a little sandy).
I've always vowed to be dilligent and honest if I find items that are traceable. I've returned a few pet tags and reported a found bird band. The iPod was easy. A little digging and I determined the owner was a 12-year-old girl. I had her phone number and e-mail address but decided to e-mail her father so it wouldn't be 'creepy'. Her parents' contact information was in her address book.
Today, a week later, I met her father at the park and returned it to him. Although we'd been exchanging e-mail for a few days, he hadn't told her about me finding it. We spoke for a few minutes and I found out that she'd lost it the weekend before I found it and after looking for it they were certain that it was gone forever or destroyed by the rains.
On my way home my phone rang and it was (completely unexpected) the girl thanking me for finding it. Her father had told her to call me. She was articulate and very appreciative. That felt really good.
I may not have been able to find the owners for the other valuables I've found (and cashed in) and some of my return experiences have been for people who were suspicious, barely thankful, or wasted my time. Still, I encourage all of you to keep at it and restore a little hope in humanity.
-SMB
