PIPSICO...4th Hunt: Date: 24-27 October 2008 (Fri-Mon)

[LadyDigger]

I modified my original post at the beginning of this thread...note new dates. I talked to Pam today, we may be staying at Camp Rotary....no OA Shelter there... but that's ok (I don't think anyways?). We haven't camped there yet. And this is new fresh area for us too!! It's located between Camp Lions and Camp Kiwanis...not a bad walk

She will let me know if we will be at Camp Rotary or Kiwanis. I really don't care which one, as long as we are able to continue!!! I'll have to ask hubby about Camp Rotary, they camped there before with our Troop.

She sounded so excited that we were going back and I could not talk much, my voice left me during the night and I could barely speak this morning, so I was yelling into the phone LOL!!!

So...read my post at the top....let's get the roll call going....hope to see former detectors there as well as some new ones!!!

See ya'll real soon...
Annmarie

PS: I think this location of camp puts us closer to the bottle pit.....

Ann, that's great news!!! I wasn't going to be able to make the weekend of the 20th, but I can definitely be there now!!! Count me in for Friday thru Sunday.

Can't wait, see you guys soon, CHILI MAN IS BACK!!!!

That is cool! I didn't know you weren't going to be able to attend...read through the posts and saw that...whew...glad we had to change the weekend!!!

Besides, this gives us another week for the copperheads to hibernate!!! LOL...they go to their dens about mid-October!!

Good luck and congrats with your new home!!!!

Ok everyone, I updated the map....to include Camp Rotary..so you will know where it's at....

See ya'll there.

 

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[newbob]

My father in law and I will be there for at 1 day. Depends on work schedule

 

[EX2user]

I'm planning to be there for all four days. Mike will be attending two maybe three days. Depends on work and school.
Can't wait to see everyone again and do some digging.

 

[sndman60]

Ann, thanks for all the great work and effort that you guys have put into this. I will surely be there for Sat. and Sun. Question...will there be a morning briefing by Ranger Dan and if so what time, so I kknow how early to leave the house? Thanks again.

 

[sndman60]

...In addition, I was speaking with a friend of mine, Tim, about the Pipsico hunt. He and I go detecting together. He is very interested in attending. We plan on making an appearance on Friday afternoon to get familiar with the place and how to get to the new location as we will be returning early (o-dark 30) on sat. Thanks Ann

 

[LadyDigger]

Ann, thanks for all the great work and effort that you guys have put into this. I will surely be there for Sat. and Sun. Question...will there be a morning briefing by Ranger Dan and if so what time, so I kknow how early to leave the house? Thanks again.

...In addition, I was speaking with a friend of mine, Tim, about the Pipsico hunt. He and I go detecting together. He is very interested in attending. We plan on making an appearance on Friday afternoon to get familiar with the place and how to get to the new location as we will be returning early (o-dark 30) on sat. Thanks Ann

Hey Sandman...

Look forward to seeing you there. Please, bring your friend...always nice to meet new folks!
Right now, I am not sure where we will be camping at....I will post when I find out...I am hoping for the Kiwanis, mainly cause of that awesome fireplace and the shelter and electricity LOL!

I'll see Ranger Dan when I check in....when we find out what camp site we will use, just go to that site.

I plan to be there on Friday by noon (I hope...I'm always late LOL)....

Ranger Dan, sometimes comes over in the morning around 8/9ish all the days we are there....other times we won't see him for a whole day (that depends on his schedule, as I know one time, he was dealing with some plumbing issues or something like that at Camp Lions..so we did not see him till night time) ...but I will see him when I arrive and when I leave....

We will see ya'll there....can't wait!!!

I'm planning to be there for all four days. Mike will be attending two maybe three days. Depends on work and school.
Can't wait to see everyone again and do some digging.

Cool...looking forward to seeing you there!!! We will have a blast...hopefully no sleet this time LOL

My father in law and I will be there for at 1 day. Depends on work schedule

Looking forward to seeing you guys again!!! Hope the work schedule gives you a full day at our office!

 

[sndman60]

Thanks Ann, We hope to see you guys there on Friday afternoon (providing we can hooky work). Great times ahead!!!

 

[LadyDigger]

Ok...got my paperwork back from BSA. They always send the paperwork approval for record keeping purposes. I initally asked for Camp Kiwanis and I told you I spoke with Pam. Apparently we will be at CAMP KIWANIS...nothing was changed on the paperwork stating we were to use Camp Rotary!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paperwork states that Ranger Dan has been notified of our arrival!

So, it looks like Camp Kiwanis it is!!! (if I hear anything different, I will let you know)...but as it stands, that is where we are setting up camp!

She sent another piece of paper that I will type here...about Pipscio...esp for those who haven't been there and are debating on coming to the hunt:

"The Pipsico Scout Reservation is located in Surry Co, Virginia, and encompasses over 917 acres of woodland, open fields, and marshes. The terrain includes a natural ravine system and ranges in elevation from twenty, to over one hundred feet above sea level. Over 40 varieties of trees can be found here, some exotic and over 100 years old. The land abounds in natural life that is so important to the Scouting program. The reservation includes Camp Lions, site of Tidewater Council's Cub and Boy Scout Resident Camp; Camps Rotary and Kiwanis for short-term camping, and Camp Powhatan. Located on State Highway 610 approximately seven miles northeast of Surry, the Pipsico Scout Reservation and its picturesque riverfront, hiking trails, wildlife and history is a great place to spend a week or a weekend. Cliffs 60 to 75 feet high overlook a picturesque mile long sandy beach and several cypress tree coves. The cliff walls are studded with marine shells and fossils providing tangible evidence of the James River's influence on life over the centuries. The beach has proven to be a beach comber's delight for discovering nautical treasures like shark teeth, prehistoric whale bones, driftwood, and a peaceful observation site for beautiful shoreline sunrises and sunsets. The cliffs are currently unstable and OFF LIMITS!"

Camp Powhatan was the first camp site area when the camp opened up in the 50's and this location is where the BSA Office recommended we detect!!! Look at my map I posted. It is the area behind Ranger Dan's home!!! Let's hunt it!!!

It is really important EVERYONE adhere to the rules about the cliffs, be you ontop or at the bottom!! There is one area, below the dig site, on the beach, where some land has fallen. I was wondering if we should see if we could detect that area, without causing harm to anyone or causing more cliff to fall. I have a pic of the area I am speaking of and will post so you can see what I am talking about. I am sure alot, if anything was in the cliff that fell, has been washed out...but you never know. I want to hit the beach again this time and see if I can find more shark teeth...it was so exciting to find them last time I went! We also got some whale bones too! And, FYI...Pipsico actually owns 5-6 miles of beach, they only advertise 1 mile! And for those who haven't been down there...don't expect to see a beach like Va Beach or Myrtle Beach, very short shoreline! Let's make the most of this hunt!! And pray for good weather...well, rain before we go, but good weather while we are there!

See ya'll there!
Annmarie

The first pic is what I took of the ground ... can you spot it?
The second pic is what was on the ground and I picked it up...see it now? LOL We found 4 that day. We would have found more if we had more time, but it was our last day there and it was close to check out time!!!

Ok...the next pic is coming from Camp Lions and looking to the left. The cliff where the digs are is on the left.

The next pic is looking to the right. Down the beach is where Dillard's Wharf was/is (you can see parts of the wharf when the tide is out...the old pilings).

Next photo is below the dig area. See how the ground gave out? I wonder what could be found in that pile? But I don't want to mess with it incase we cause more damage, but then again....I don't know...tell me what you think? I just don't want to bring the cliff down!

This is a close up shot of the pic above.

This shot is looking up towards where the dig area is...the dig area is more to the right, but above this cliff is the field we have detected.

This next shot....the dig area is on top of this cliff area...see all those trees down?

The dig area above.

There you have it...some pics....any advise (good or bad) is very welcomed. We want to be careful and keep safety in mind to all involved, nor do we want to cause the cliff to fall anymore than nature has caused it too!
Thanks............
these next few pics are looking at the cliff below where the digs are at. Tell me what you think?

 

[Narthoniel]

Thanks for the info and pictures. It looks like a great place for a fun time and great hunt. I cant wait to see what all we find!

 

[Old Fart in TN]

Hi Ann, Folks lived in Surry back in the late 70's early 80's. I have two books on Surry County but haven't found anything info on your wharf. The books I have are Colonial Surry and Births, deaths and sponsors of surry and sussex counties. Will continue to look for info. Please post pictures of the latest hunt. Good luck

 

[LadyDigger]

Hi Ann, Folks lived in Surry back in the late 70's early 80's. I have two books on Surry County but haven't found anything info on your wharf. The books I have are Colonial Surry and Births, deaths and sponsors of surry and sussex counties. Will continue to look for info. Please post pictures of the latest hunt. Good luck

Hi Waltripcrew....Nothing at all? Dang! We are having a time trying to find more info on Dillard's Wharf, even my newspaper research has lead me nowhere. All I have found regarding Dillard's Wharf are shipping schedules stating stops at Dillard's Wharf. The wharf was named after William Dillard.

The courthouse has been going through renovation and extension and was told the records are boxed up. It will be after Jan 2009 before I could even inquire about any lookups. I did go to their make shift office until renovation is complete and all they really had was just some books on deeds, marriages, etc....I found a few deeds that I have yet to finish transcribing. I'll bring those to the next hunt with me.

I went to the historical society, but they had just moved into their new building, so I thought I would wait till I went back after the courthouse is back in full working order. I was told that the historical society, or someone affliated with it, had a photo of Dillard's Wharf (the town) as per the Ranger at Pipsico. He said he has seen the photo.

We know approx where Dillard's Wharf was and it appears it may be hard to access, due to erosion. When the tide is out, you can still see the pilings of the Wharf. Also, we have found some old maps stating Dillard's Wharf on the map.

Dillard's Wharf was a stop along the James. It was suppose to have several buildings at the James. We are going to give it a try and search that area and see what we can come up with. I will be sure to post some pics upon our return! We are also going to concentrate on the first location of camp when the BS Camp opened! If you click on MY WEBSITE, you will be directed to my online photo album...that is where I have posted pics from our last 3 hunts.

Pipsico is also having it's 50th anniversary coming up and our Troop is going. I am going to see if I can get back to the James and see what I can find on Dillard's Wharf while there.

It's amazing, old maps show it on the map, but you can't find much written about it. We were even on the old road that lead to the wharf and detected in that area. And even odder, is NO INDIAN ARTIFACTS have been found! I find that strange too, but not impossible to find. I guess it's not meant for us to find them yet! In time.

We appreciate any information you may be able to locate. Thank you!

If you can make it to the hunt, come along...we always like new folks joining!!!
Annmarie

 

[Kiros32]

Ann, that's good news on the camping situation, its always nice to have that shelter to hang out in with the roaring fire and analyze or maps and finds.

I ordered a nice size hand sifter yesterday that we can use on the beach for fossils, or to do some dirt sifting. There is one spot in particular that I want to check out over at Camp Lions (with permission). It's the spot where I found the decorative key plate and the huge chunk of iron. There were bits of clam shells and I think some pieces of clay pipes, so now I am wondering if it was a fire pit or trash dump, so I figured it was worth a second look.

I will make another big pot of chili and will probably bring another tailgating size grill in case we need an extra one.

I am really looking forward to this one, it sounds like we are going to have another great group of people. See you guys in a few weeks!!!

 

[LadyDigger]

Kiros,

Yeah, looks like a good bunch of folks will be coming to the already cluster we already have!!! I am so looking forward to this hunt. I hope it rains real good before we get there, so the ground will be soft and the signals will be good!!!

I will talk to Ranger Dan when I check in about that area at Camp Lions....infact, I will be up there Oct 10th weekend for Pipscio's 50th anniversary. Our Troop will be participating in the festivities and camping for the weekend. I will talk to him then.

We have several areas to really check out...that area behind Ranger Dan's home (as they will start construction after Jan '09, maybe we can do that for Saturday), the beach (that shifter sounds great, I really want to hit the beach this time, as I found some really nice shark's teeth last hunt and whale bones!! And I want to check the land that fell, to see if stable enough for us to detect, ontop is the land where the digs are at...but we need to be careful, I don't want any of us KICKED OFF FOREVER!!!), walk out to Dillard's Wharf area to see what prospect are to detect and hopefully find something, if not washed out into the James, of course...we need to hit our silver mine, but we can do that when we return to camp for the night, and maybe hit the bottle dump area again. I want to hit the area again where I found that piece of Victorian Belt Buckle, looks like there was a fire in the hole I dug.

I wonder how come we have NOT found any Indian artifacts yet And only the first hunt, was Buck n Ball found...not much for Civil War or even from the British attack of any weapons/bullets found....

I will bring those deeds with me and we can all go over them. I have not even finished transcribing them...so we can all go over them together and see what we can decifer from them.

I don't know as of yet, what I will bring for food....but we have such a good group of folks...we shall not go hungry LOL.

I am bringing my shower/toilet shelter. I have a toilet, that my Mom had that Hospice gave her....you can sit on it. I will pick up some biodegradable bags too!!! I don't have the shower thing yet and not sure I will remember to buy it before the hunt, but will bring extra water and a bucket atleast, we can warm up water and atleast be able to wash up in private!!! But everyone will be able to use this shelter!! Oh, I won't forget the FRAGRANCE for the shelter LOL!!!

I'll bring my laptop again, I have to remember to get external speakers too....and I'll bring some DVD's incase we want to have a MOVIE NIGHT LOL....

I best start packing here soon, so I don't forget anything!!!

I am excited as ever for this hunt...we have learned so much from the last three and there is so much ground to cover. I suspect we will be doing quite a few hunts for some time...ya' think? As long as BSA is happy with us!!!

Ok...see ya'll there.....
Annmarie

 

[EX2user]

Hello everyone

I have a few what ifs I what to throw at everybody. I've been looking at the topo's, the 1937 aerial that Matt had , and the other old topo.
Here goes

1) what if the old homestead at Kiwanis ( Eramus Carter i believe) was on the same site as the shelter. If you look at the 1937 aerial it looks as if something is there.
2) Based on the same photo the old road to Kiwanis looked like it was a lot farther in todays woods. If I was a military leader I would gather everyone together before going down the road to burn the wharf. If you look closer it looks as if there are separate farming areas as well as more building that are now woods. Maybe I am just looking to hard.
3) One more thing. On Ann's aerial that shows the proposed construction area, Why is there a circle of tall trees in the middle of the area? any ideas. Could this be an old homestead site Or am I stretching things.

Whating to here everyones thoughts.
Eric

 

[LadyDigger]

Hello everyone

I have a few what ifs I what to throw at everybody. I've been looking at the topo's, the 1937 aerial that Matt had , and the other old topo.
Here goes

1) what if the old homestead at Kiwanis ( Eramus Carter i believe) was on the same site as the shelter. If you look at the 1937 aerial it looks as if something is there.
2) Based on the same photo the old road to Kiwanis looked like it was a lot farther in todays woods. If I was a military leader I would gather everyone together before going down the road to burn the wharf. If you look closer it looks as if there are separate farming areas as well as more building that are now woods. Maybe I am just looking to hard.
3) One more thing. On Ann's aerial that shows the proposed construction area, Why is there a circle of tall trees in the middle of the area? any ideas. Could this be an old homestead site Or am I stretching things.

Whating to here everyones thoughts.
Eric

Eric,

On the # 3, that was the, from what I am told, the original camp site back in the late 50's. That area today is strickly major surival camping...nothing there but trees and I believe a bathroom!.... I think that use that area also for dirt biking as well...but the scouts have nothing to do with that area, not in a long time.

Somewhere at Kiwanis was Carter's homestead.....we will find it!!!

Also, the road that led to the river...yes, it was more to the right of the road that is there now....maybe we can take a gander at it this time around ... again...ready for the tall grass again? LOL ... I hope they have leveled the road out some!

 

[LadyDigger]

Hey, going to Pipsico on Sunday...Ranger Dan called me and he needs help. His wife lost her wedding set (they are soldered together)...so hubby and I are heading up on Sunday. I have to work on Sunday till about 10:30 am (hopefully I can get out earlier) and as soon as I get home, we are headed there. I told Ranger Dan we should be there by between noon and 1pm.

Anyone want to come along, esp you newbies to the Pipsico Hunt...to get the feel of it and see what the reservation is all about? ....PM me and I will give you my number so we can talk about it.

Besides, the more to help find the wedding bands, the quicker we are to look around and possibly do a bit of detecting!!!

OH, he said she was mowing the yard and each time she got done mowing, she took off her gloves. He will tell me where the spots are that she was at. They checked the gloves and the grass clippings and mower....no ring

And it's good I will see him Sunday, as I expected to talk to him during the 50th anniversary, but he stated he will be out of town that weekend ...so I will be able to chat with him on Sunday.

PM me..... if you want to come along on Sunday. We can follow each other up there...so you will also know how to get there. Maybe Ranger Dan, once we find his wife's ring...will let us check out that part of the land BSA Office recommended we detect....

YIS and YIMD,
Annmarie

 

[LadyDigger]

Cool Beans....."Narthoniel" and his wife will be coming on Sunday. Thank You!!!! I'll call you on Sunday to let you know I am off work. It is about 1.5 hour drive. And I am glad your wife is coming to the hunt also....these last two hunts, I've been the only girl camping out . LOL

Ex2User....I will give you a hollar tonight. I don't know how long we will be there, but I am hoping Ranger Dan will let us do some detecting after locating his wife's ring. I'll give you my cell number when I speak with you tonight...so you can give a call that day to see if we are still there. I am hoping we can stay to atleast 5pm....

Please keep your fingers crossed we find her ring!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told Ranger Dan I was asking for reinforcements to help in the QUEST OF THE LOST WEDDING BANDS!!! He said that was great!

Anyone else want to come on out....PM me...
YIS & YIMD,
Annmarie

 

[TheSleeper]

Hey All, Looks like i ll be there for the duration.
Just for planning purposes, i ll have my van camper, its complete with fridge, Microwave and yes a coffee maker. It has 120v also so i can move it close to the shelter and run the cord to use the 120 stuff or run off its inverter, but better running shore power, so if any nuking needs to be done i can take care of that, also have a camp stove and will have prob 10-15 gals of drinkable water on board.
Been out working the water alot lately so haven`t had time to respond here, prob bring the excal and wetsuits might try working the swimming area, who knows.
Is the verdict in yet on where we will be kiwanis i hope going to work the silver mine to death this time.
Let me know if i need to bring any cooking gear or food i got plenty of room.
I have a charging station also if anyone needs to tie there chargers in to recharge there batteries 110 and 12v on the 110 i think i can fit 3 chargers at a time possible 4, bring your wall chargers.

 

[LadyDigger]

TheSleeper AWAKES!!! Hey, how are you? Glad to hear you will be coming!!!

Ex2User and I believe Narthonial, were talking about being out in the water too.....I would assume it's safe to go out, since the boys do boating out there.

Kiros is bringing a new sand shifter, he wants to try to shift through some of the beach sand/dirt. I am going to have Ron make a "sulching" box...we can dump some beach sand on it and see if anything can be found.

What day? Ya'll want to do that Saturday? I'm game!!! Heck, if we all get there early enough, we could probably try it out on Friday!!! WHOO HOO!! I'm so siked.

Hey, just for your info Mr. TheSleeper who is now awake....LOL....During the day, you will have to leave your van parked in the parking area...at night, I don't think Ranger Dan will have a problem with you pulling it up to the shelter area. We are not suppose to park by the shelter, we have a designated parking area. But if you have a VERY LONG cord, you can plug in at night....but I don't recommend leaving the cord in during the day. Now, we are not allowed to have campers/RV's...even though the last hunt, one of the groups (not us) that were there did have an RV. I guess it ran on it's own power. Ranger Dan made a comment they were not allowed, but nothing happened, that I am aware of....so I guess you will be fine.

I will see Ranger Dan tomorrow, as some of us are going up to help find his wife's ring, wanna' go? Give me a hollar if you are game....

Oh, and Mrs. Racoon, well, she hasn't been seen since our first hunt (you broke her heart) ....but I will make sure to put out the word so she will know you are returning (I'm so mean LOL)............

Hey, how's Dave doing? Will he be coming? Are you coming for all 4 days? You will be happy you did...we have such a blast!!! I can't wait!!! And I will bring your chair AGAIN!!! LOL

See you there,
Annmarie

 

[TheSleeper]

LOL yepper been awake just in seclusion, building this camper and hunting the water when i could. The camper is a stealth camper looks just like a regular van outside, makes it easy to park and camp at areas your not supposed to, like the outer banks beach areas.
Knew no campers were allowed but recken this looks like a van so prob won`t draw alot of attention.
I`ll have all my wetsuits and water gear thought about the swim area before but actually don`t think it would work to good, meaning most boyscouts that went swimming doubtfully would have alot of jewerly on to begin with. Just got back in from working one of my beaches so so luck, so far it has been a pretty good year working the water those times i was able, gonna be doing this full time from now on.

Anyway is there anything i need to bring??

PS: and it wasn`t miss raccoon alot smaller with sharp as XXXX claws wouldn`t have brothered me so much cept she jumped onto my left shoulder and ran down the full length of me then jumped off from my left foot, now that will give you a real wakeup call and get your blood pumping real fast.... thought at first part of my past had cought up to me, hence the evil thing there.....

PSS: I know i will never live that one down, but what the hay ya gotta have the funny parts to go along with the bad in life, right?

PSSS: Don`t know bout dave he has been working so much here lately, we have hardly even spoken. I am real glad he has gotten a great job now he was a lil down and out bout employment before, so this is definetly great for him.

PSSSS: Bout dillards wharf we have hunted it out twice now pretty much sure where it lays (can you say swamp) easiest way there is beach, inland route will wear you out. But if anyone wants the info we have found out last 2 times looking i m happy to point it out and describe it to them.