Spring Time Treasure Hunting with the Kids and Metal Detectors

IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN AND SPRING IS IN THE AIR.  SOMEHOW IT GETS HARDER EACH YEAR THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO GET THE GRAND KIDS.  I HAVE ONE GRANDSON WHO IS NOW 14 AND I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A METAL DETECTOR.  HE LOVES TO GO WITH ME ON MY OUTINGS AND IF HE HAD HIS OWN PERSONAL "TREASURE FINDER" IT WOULD BE THAT MUCH MORE EXCITING FOR THE YOUNGSTER.  I'M ON A LIMITED BUDGET, FORTUNATELY THESE DETECTORS COME IN A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES.  THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT ONES ON THE MARKET THAT I HONESTLY FEEL LOST TRYING TO RECOMMEND A CERTAIN ONE.  JUST LOOK AROUND IF YOU'RE THINKING ALONG THESE LINES. 

 

I'M ALSO THINKING ABOUT AN INEXPENSIVE PELLET RIFLE FOR THE OTHER GRANDSON WHO IS NOW 12 AND LIVES IN THE COUNTRY.  AGAIN THESE CAN BE FOUND FOR ABOUT $50 - UP!

Digging for Treasure

I HAD OCCASION SEVERAL WEEKS AGO TO VISIT THE OLD NATCHEZ DISTRICT IN SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI.  I HAD PREPARED FOR THE TRIP AND TOOK ALONG MY GARRETT METAL DETECTOR AND YES, MY SHOVEL.  BEFORE HAND I HAD TALKED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO LIVED IN THE AREA AND  HE KNEW A FARMER WHO HAD SEVERAL HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND SOUTH OF THE CITY OF NATCHEZ.  I HAD GONE THERE BEFORE AND HAD GOOD LUCK SEARCHING FOR PROJECTILE POINTS IN HIS PLOWED FIELDS.  THIS TIME HOWEVER, I HAD SOMETHING ELSE IN MINE.  ON ONE OF MY PREVIOUS TRIP I HAD NOTICED THE REMAINS OF SOME OLD DWELLING(JUST BRICKS FROM THE CHIMMY'S).  TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, MY FRIEND AND I QUICKLY FOUND THE OLD HOME SITE AND STARTED TO EXPLORE WITH OUR  DETECTORS.  TIN CANS AND NAILS WERE QUICKLY FOUND ALONG WITH PLOW POINTS.  WE THEN MOVED ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS DOWNHILL FROM THE HOUSE AREA AND AFTER MANY FALSE ALARMS WE FOUND WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE OLD DUMP.  MANY, MANY CANS WERE FOUND, BUT THEN WE BEGAN TO FIND THE OCCASIONAL BOTTLE AMONG THE CANS.  THIS WAS GREAT AS I COLLECT OLD BOTTLES.  ALL IN ALL WE FOUND SOME 6 INTACT BOTTLES MOST DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 1800's.  I'VE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY SEVERAL---WORTH ABOUT $50 EACH AND HAVE SEVERAL MORE THAT REMAIN A MYSTERY---HOPING ONE WILL BE THAT REAL TREASURE.  BOTTLE HUNTING IS GREAT, BUT ONCE YOU LOCATE THAT SPOT DIG VERY CAREFULLY.   I'LL UPDATE IF ONE OF MY FINDS TURNS OUT TO BE VALUABLE.

Discounted Treasures for the Holidays Like Metal Detectors

THIS IS THE TIME TO SEARCH FOR THOSE SPECIAL TREASURES FOR LOVED ONES.  WITH THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN MOST MERCHANTS ARE OFFERING GREAT PRICES ON MOST ITEMS IN STOCK.  YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND QUALITY METAL DETECTORS,  GREAT JEWELRY AT THE LOWEST PRICES AS WELL MANY OTHER ITEMS.  I'VE BEEN CHECKING AROUND ON LINE THIS PAST WEEK AND MUST TELL YOU I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH BARGAINS.  YOU CAN FIGHT THE LONG LINES AND CROWDS IN THE STORES OR SHOP THE NET AND GET FAR BETTER DEALS ON WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.  TAKE YOUR TIME AND SHOP WISELY FOR THOSE GREAT TREASURES.

Christmas and a Metal Detector

IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN AND I'M STARTING TO THINK ABOUT THOSE PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS.  SOMEHOW IT GETS HARDER EACH YEAR THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO GET THE GRAND KIDS.  I HAVE ONE GRANDSON WHO IS NOW 14 AND I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A METAL DETECTOR.  HE LOVES TO GO WITH ME ON MY OUTINGS AND IF HE HAD HIS OWN PERSONAL "TREASURE FINDER" IT WOULD BE THAT MUCH MORE EXCITING FOR THE YOUNGSTER.  I'M ON A LIMITED BUDGET, FORTUNATELY THESE DETECTORS COME IN A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES.  THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT ONES ON THE MARKET THAT I HONESTLY FEEL LOST TRYING TO RECOMMEND A CERTAIN ONE.  JUST LOOK AROUND IF YOU'RE THINKING ALONG THESE LINES.  I'M ALSO THINKING ABOUT AN EXPENSIVE PELLET RIFLE FOR THE OTHER GRANDSON WHO IS NOW 12 AND LIVES IN THE COUNTRY.  AGAIN THESE CAN BE FOUND FOR ABOUT $50 - UP!

Flea Market Treasures

This past week I had a chance to visit a flea market in a nearby town in south Mississippi.  The trips are always exciting, but generally don't yield great finds.  This weekend however, was the exception.  I noticed a young couple sitting at the very end of a long row of vendors. Keep in mind, this was very early in the day.  I always get there early to get the best buys.  To make a long story short their Great Aunt has recently passed away and the items were from that estate. They had many great items at bargain prices, but what caught by eye was  a box in the back of their tent. That was full of old costume jewelry. I immediately realized that most of the some 100+ pieces were from the 1930's-'40's.  I tried not too show to much interest but my heart was pounding with excitement. I've often sold old pieces like the ones I was eyeing for over $100 each.  I knew what I was going to do---heck, I wanted the whole box.  I filtered through the items and asked what they wanted for the pieces and they said they were planning to ask $5 each for them. I think my jaw dropped.  I ended up getting the whole box for $275 dollars---they were happy and I was over-joyed.  When I got back home I counted the items and found the box to contain some 87 pieces.  I can easily sell them items for over $2000.  Not a bad days work. Below is a repost of some Flea Market tips.

Flea markets are a great place to find hidden treasures. Often for a few dollars you can buy something worth much more. Below are just a few tips to follow on your Flea Market Treasure Hunt.

1. Dress down. If you look too dressed up, I guarantee you'll pay more. A sweatshirt and comfortable walking shoes are appropriate attire. I once made the mistake of going to a flea market in my Sunday best. I certainly don't remember any bargains or savings from that outing! Also bring a hat, as too much sun can deplete your energy and concentration, not to mention giving you a sunburn.

2. Get there early. You know you've arrived too late if all you see is people walking out with lamps and picture frames. These, according to flea market specialists, are the two most popular items. When they're gone, you know the place has been picked over.

3. Take cash. Lots of single bills and nothing higher than a $20 bill will give you some bargaining power. I like to take $5 bills, which seem to be the most versatile. If I have a list of items to find, I usually take about $300. This doesn't mean I have to spend it, but it assures me that if I find a true treasure I can buy it.

4. Don't be fooled by booth appearances. A few things on a blanket will cost less than a fully arranged booth. The general rule is that the higher vendor merchandises, the more you'll end up paying, so shop carefully. Many of these booths are simply extensions of retail outlets. If that's the case, you might as well get the benefit of retail services and purchase the items in the store.

5. Make a list. Write down the accessories for which you're searching. This prevents impulse buying and makes sure you don't end up with something you didn't want or didn't need.

6. Bring plastic bags. Your old grocery bags w ill come in handy if a vendor should run out. If unused, the bags simply collapse into nothing.

7. Drive an appropriate vehicle. Flea-market shopping is usually cash-and-carry, and most vendors don't deliver. Consider borrowing a friend's truck or van if you don't have one and know you'll be looking for a large-sized item. Sometimes a vendor will let you pay in full for an item and pick it up later, but that makes me nervous, especially when I pay with cash.

Remember, the flea-market experience is about finding hidden treasures. The most valuable items are not those that you think will be valuable for resale. The really priceless things are the objects you personally love.

My Trusty Metal Detector

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WAS ABLE GO GAIN EXCESS TO A SITE ON AN OLD FARM IN THE OLD NATCHEZ DISTRICT IN SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI.  I KNEW FROM MY CHILDHOOD DAYS THAT THERE WAS A HOUSE SITE THAT DATED BACK TO THE 1860'S.  OF COURSE THE HOUSE IS LONG GONE, AND THE AREA OVERGROWN WITH ONLY A FEW BRICKS FROM THE CHIMNEY REMAINING.  ANYWAY, I TOOK MY TRUSTY FRIEND, MY BOUNTY HUNTER IV METAL DETECTOR AND BEGAN SCANNING THE AREA AROUND THE OLD SITE.  AFTER DIGGING UP A FEW OLD CANS AND SOME PLOW POINTS I TRIED A SPOT DOWN HILL FROM THE HOUSE SITE AND BEGAN TO GET MORE NOISE FROM MY DETECTOR.  AFTER DIGGING SEVERAL HOLES, NOT ONLY DID I FIND MORE OLD CANS, BUT BEGAN TO GET PIECES OF GLASS MIXED IN.  I STARTED TO DIG CAREFULLY AND SOON REALIZED I HAD FOUND THE OLD GARBAGE DUMP.  TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY I HAD RECOVERED 8 OLD BOTTLES---I MEAN VERY OLD BOTTLES DATING BACK TO THE 1860'S AND BEFORE.  NO GOLD THIS TIME, BUT THERE IS GOLD IN THEM OLD BOTTLES.  HAVEN'T IDENTIFIED THEM YET, BUT WORKING ON IT AND WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.  HAPPY TREASURE HUNTING.

Arrowhead Hunt

WHEN OUT ON AN OLD GRAVEL ROAD THIS PAST WEEKEND IN SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI.  THE ROAD HAD VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC, I COUNTED ONLY ABOUT 4 OR 5 CARS IN THE TWO HOURS I SPENT THERE.  WHAT ATTRACTED ME TO THIS SPOT WAS THE WAY THE ROAD WAS CUT THROUGH THE SURROUNDING HILLS.  I MANY PLACES THE BANKS ALONG SIDE OF THE OLD ROAD HAD EXPOSED SOIL WHICH CONTAINED A NUMEROUS ROCKS OF ALL SIZES.  IN SOUTHWEST MS ITS QUITE RARE TO FIND A REALLY LARGE STONE. MOST ARE UNDER THE SIZE OF A HARDBALL.  IN ONE AREA I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOT OF EXPOSED FLAKE---NEEDLESS TO SAY I TOOK MY TIME THERE AND IT PAID OFF.  AFTER A SHORT TIME I NOTICED WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE POINT OF A PROJECTILE PROTRUDING FROM THE BANK.  BEING VERY CAREFUL I DUG IT OUT ONLY TO FIND IT WAS AN INTACT POINT ABOUT 2 3/4" IN LENGTH.  I'VE YET TO IDENTIFY IT AS THE BASE IS UNLIKE THOSE I'VE FOUND BEFORE IN THAT GENERAL AREA.  I SUSPECT IT IS MUCH OLDER THAT THOSE I'VE FOUND IN OLD PLOWED FIELDS BECAUSE OF THE DEPTH FROM THE TOP ON THE CUT-AWAY BANK.  AT ANY RATE I THINK I WILL TRY THESE OLD ROADS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.  HUNTING IN SUCH PLACES ELIMATES THE NEED OF GET THE LAND OWNERS PERMISSION AS THIS IS ON PUBLIC RIGHT-A-WAY.  HAPPY HUNTING!!!!!!

Put Money in Your Pocket

Often in our effort to find treasure we over look the potential treasure in our homes, the money we could put in our pocket instead of letting it go out the window.  Yes, home owners let millions of dollars go out the window each year in the form of high heating and cooling cost---dollars they could easily pocket by installing more efficient windows .  Double-hung vinyl windows  are a great investment and although the initial cost is high the long-term savings are tremendous and well worth that one-time expense.  One can find many different brands on the market as well as numerous companies that install the windows you select.  You should always shop around and never purchase without getting several estimates.  If you plan to stay in your home for many more years and have those old single pane windows check out the modern double-hung, energy efficient vinyl windows.  And even if you plan to sell your home in the next few years you may find the installation of new windows will increase the value of your home and make an investment in such an improvement worthwhile.

Paleo Hammer Stone

Last weekend while on a search in a nearby dry creek bed near an early Archaic quarry I made a very unusual find.  A very unique hammer stone.  It is not the one shown above.  Mine is about the size of a baseball and has been worked all the way around.  The very special part however is the shape---that of a human skull with deep eye sockets.  I could just as easily call it a effigy, which it may have been.  My camera is broke now, but I will try and post a image when I can.  Happy hunting everyone!!!

Lake Shore Treasure Hunting

Last week while fishing a new lake in southwest Mississippi I decided to check the eroding shoreline in search of any ancient artifacts and much to my surprise my efforts were rewards after about a hour's hunt.  I found several Indian points dating back about 5000+ years.  Not too bad for a short search.  The fishing was bad however, suppose if the fish had been biting I would have never got side tracked to the artifact hunting. 

The lake is not that old and the waters cut into the steep hillsides in certain spots exposing ancient camp sites---one has only need to take time to look closely and be aware that the ancients were in many places and left evidence of their passing.