Keep Your Eyes to the Ground

Over the years I have been an avid metal detectorist frequenting local beaches and parks. One of the things I have noticed in that time, is that a third of the treasures I found of value, was without a metal detector. Many of the goodies were lying on top of the ground and perfectly visible before I got to them ahead of me.

The funny part is, even though I see objects on top of the ground frequently, and even when partially exposed in beach sand, I still swing the metal detector over them as if to verify they actually are metal detecting finds. Though this seems an odd practice, I know of other hobbyists who do the same thing. The methodology must be a psychological way of justifying the find even though the find was not
unearthed. Anyway, the point is, an awful lot of treasure could be found without a metal detector if one where to simply keep their eyes to the ground. I’ve, tried this and I know the fact to be true.

A short while ago I found myself in a park with some of my work colleagues. We met there at lunch to discuss some not so business like business. It was my boss’s idea to get into a casual, laid-back atmosphere to discuss plans for the next Christmas party.

Of course, I did not bring my metal detector to the park but my skills where with me. Instinctively, while walking by the children’s play area on the way to the meeting, I kept my eyes to the ground. Sure enough I found a gold necklace with a pendant partially exposed in the sand under the swings – and I
wasn’t even metal detecting – I was just walking to the meeting.

After finalizing the Christmas party plans with my co-workers at the pick-nick table, I made it a point to visually scan the rest of the park on the way back to my car. There was time left before I had to be back to the office and I did not have to make a beeline to the parking lot. The strategy worked and produced
a number of coins and also an inexpensive child’s watch. Viola! I had successfully gone treasure hunting during my lunch hour without a metal detector. I have had worse days when being serious, hunting with a metal detector when I had plenty of leisure time.

Treasure hunting with a metal detector obviously is the way to go but my point here is, you don’t always have to have one to find treasures. A good mindset for the hobby is sometimes all you need. So, if you get in a situation similar to the one I was in, where you are in a good location without a metal detector, it pays to keep your eyes to the ground. You’d be surprised what you might find. Try it sometime.