Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Detecting with Dad

Hey everyone!  I hope you got a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.  It's hard to believe it's still January!  Of course, I couldn't let such a nice weekend go by without a little detecting.  My parents had an opportunity to come down for a visit, so I was fortunate enough to take my dad out for some relic hunting.

I took him out to an old home site in an area with quite a bit of Civil War troop movement, and the landowner was very gracious and knowledgeable about the local history.  It was my dad's first time with a detector, so I spent the first part of the day going over the equipment, as well as proper target recovery.  I explained how to locate a signal and interpret what the detector is saying.  Once we'd found something, I showed him how to properly recover the target, cutting a plug and replacing it to keep the grass roots intact and healthy.  I have to say, he was a pretty quick learner!  It was a new site for me, so you never quite know what to expect.  Unfortunately we didn't find anything from the war between the states, but my father was happy enough digging up a few square nails and other odds and ends.  We had a nice lunch in a gorgeous pasture overlooking a pond.  I couldn't help but reminisce about the times we went out fishing when I was a boy - we never did catch anything, but they are memories I'll cherish for a lifetime.

Although the finds didn't materialize as I'd hoped, we both got out to enjoy the beautiful weather and each others company.  He enjoyed spending time with his "boy-o", and I loved showing the ropes to my "papa".  After all, when it comes down to it, it's not about the things you find.  It's about the experiences and the people you share them with.  In that regard, this weekend was a huge success.  Until next time, thanks for reading, and God bless.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Reflections on 2012

Hey everyone!  Happy New Year!!

I wanted to write a quick note to thank all of you, my readers, for checking out Detecting Saxapahaw over the past year.  It's been a great one, with many "firsts" and exciting experiences along the way.  Two-thousand and twelve saw me dig my first knapsack J hook (something of a quest of mine), first artillery projectiles, and quite a few new varieties of bullets including my first Gardners, Ringtail Sharps, and 69 Minies.  I got into my very first hut site, and had the pleasure to dig it out with my friend Josh at DIV XX.  And from that, I recovered my first Civil War bottle!  I managed to pull another plate this year at DIV XXI, a cavalry sword belt plate.  As far as quantity and variety of Civil War relics, this year has been my best one yet.

I've had the pleasure of exploring some exciting new locations - camps and battlefields, woods and open pasture, construction sites in urban sprawl and serene creeks in quiet forests.  I look forward to discovering many new ones in the coming months.  (Or at least having a lot of fun trying!)  I've met many unique people along the way, and heard their interesting stories of the past.  I've continued to learn more about the world around us, both present and historical.

A lot has changed in 2012, too.  Relic hunting has been a major part of me - an escape from the trials of modern life, and a way to connect with something greater than myself.  There are certainly things I would do differently in retrospect, but I have continued to grow as a person, and to learn from experiences (both good and bad).  After all, life is a process of learning, from beginning to end.  I have remained true to myself, and that is perhaps my greatest success of 2012.  I've seen new friends come and go, and my life has been enriched by the part they played in it.  Oh, and I even got a new metal detector - details on that later.

New Year's is also a time to let go of the past and look forward to our future.  I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for all of us!  It's an exciting adventure, and I hope you'll continue to read along as I make 2013 the best year yet! 

So thank you again -
to my friends who stick by me through thick and thin
to my family who love and support me every step of the way
to my beautiful wife who is my world and my rock
to my God who has given me so much to be thankful for this past year
and to you, readers and fans, and those you hold dear.

Here's to the NEW YEAR!!