AA, for some of us, the challenges can seem over whelming but don't ever give up. as stated by a few others, you may just have to go about it differently. For me, I call it a season change when I no longer can do what I used to do or maybe how I could do it. I have told numerous people over the last couple of years that if I was a horse, they would put me down LOL. My list goes like this, ruptured brain aneurysm, heart attack, lots of strokes, Grand Mau seizures, chronic back problems, crippled right foot, high blood pressure, Macular
Degeneration of the eyes (left really bad), IBS, Sinus problems, prostrate problems, RA, torn right bicep, both shoulders have partial tears and then the problems from the strokes-- memory sucks, spelling terrible (spell check) and math terrible. I can't do the marathon hunts anymore and a 4 hour hunt is very hard on me. Walking? I walk like a drunk and trip over everything even when there is nothing to trip over. Uneven ground is murder but I do it anyways for as long as I can. Getting down is the easy part, getting up is quite the chore. I got more serious with my metal detecting because I couldn't do other things anymore. For me, it is how I tackle each challenge, I have to be somehow, smarter about it. I drive as close to my spots as possible. I know where every bathroom is or where I can go. I wear light colored long sleeve shirts and a wide brimmed hat. My Doctor insists that I use a walker to detect with but I refuse to. So, I am slower at my detecting now but this can be a good thing. 50 - 100 holes can totally wear me out but it is what it is. I am about to have prostrate surgery, the wife has told me that she will get down and dig for me if I want her to. you can also become a mentor to a younger person wanting to learn and hunt through them.. just don't give up. you have a lot of experience to share. Jerry