9/1/19 Report - Beach Closings and Beach Conditions, Including Some Early Erosion.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Fort Pierce South Inlet Park Afternoon 8/31.

I took a look at some of the South Hutchinson Island beaches Saturday afternoon.

The gates at John Brooks and Frederick Douglass beaches were closed when I was there, which was around 3 or 4 PM.  I could not see any reason why they were closed, especially considering that you could visit the other neighboring beaches.

I also saw barricades on the west side of the causeway, but they were on the side of the road instead of blocking the causeway.  It seemed they either planned to block the causeway and decided not to, or were getting ready to.

Fort Pierce South Inlet Beach 8/31 Around 3 or 4 PM.

There was already some erosion at some locations, as you can see from the following photos.

South Hutchinson Island 8/31 Afternoon.

South Hutchinson Island Erosion 8/31 Afternoon.

North of John Brooks 8/31 Afternoon.

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DJ drove from Sebastian to Vero on a little earlier in the day and found all of the Indian River County beach accesses closed, including Wabasso.  He did walk over the dunes north of McClarty and took the photos below.  He said he saw two other detectorists.

North of McLarty Afternoon 8/31

Photo by DJ

Beach North of McLarty on 8/31

Photo by DJ

North of McLarty on 8/31.

Photo by DJ.

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The surf is supposed to begin building on Sunday.

It seems that all of the Vero and Indian River County beaches were closed except for the beaches between McLarty and the Sebastian Inlet.

On South Hutchinson Island the gates were closed at John Brooks and Frederick Douglass beaches, and possibly other beaches. You could however visit some of the other beaches.

There was some erosion at a few spots. I could see that the high tide had been high on the beach.

I'm posting this early, but I had a lot of material ready.Please let me know of any other beach closings or openings.  Thanks in advance.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

Happy hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/31/19 Report Addendum. Vero and Indian River County Beaches Closing at 5 PM Today.

It looks like many beaches are going to be closing at 5 PM today.  I received Instagram notice from Alberto yesterday.

Thanks to Alberto S. for this notice.

If you have any updates on this or any other beach closings, please let me know.  Thanks in advance.


And thanks to all others who have sent emails lately.  I haven't had much time to respond, but your emails and thoughts are appreciated.

8/31/19 Report - Dorian Expected to Make Turn and Head North Along the Treasure Coast. 11AM Update In.

Written by the TreasureGuide  for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

MagicSeaWeed.com.

Above you can see the MagicSeaWeed surf predictions for the next few days.  As you can see, they are expecting some high surf for two to three days.

There is a northeast wind for a while on Sunday, becoming a north/northwest wind Monday and then a west wind Tuesday.

We are also in a King Tide cycle.  A spring tide—popularly known as a "King Tide"—refers to the 'springing forth' of the tide during new and full moon.

Overall, there is a good chance for significant erosion.

The current predicted path has the storm passing over Grand Bahamas and heading directly for Fort Pierce before it makes a turn north and up along the Florida Coast.

8/31 5AM Cone.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

I just looked at the 8 AM update, and the new cone is so similar that I didn't bother to replace the 5 AM map.

The GFS model now shows a track farther east than the EDMWF model.  What you see above is the National Hurricane Center's prediction, which takes the various models into account.

Now that they show the center remaining off-shore, don't get too complacent.  We still have about a 50 percent chance of receiving hurricane force winds. As you've seen the past few days, this is far from an exact science.  Things can, and probably will, change by the time this is all over.

Hopefully, you have made your preparations and have a plan for your family.

Do not be overly comfortable or confident.  Dorian is huge and could still come ashore anywhere.  Most of Florida remains in the cone.  The winds near the center are 145 mph as I write this.  Hopefully we won't get anything that strong.  That can blow roofs right off.

As the storm approaches the coast, we'll get some north winds, but after it turns north, we'll be on the south side of it and the winds will start to become west winds.   That is if the track remains as shown above.

I'd expect some big storm surges up in the north of Florida and Georgia.

There will be strong winds and a high surf.  Be careful.  I've described many of the dangers before.  You could encounter a lot of debris in the surf, including trees, logs and other things that could knock you off your feet.  I've seen people get knocked over, and I've seen people lose their metal detector to the surf.  DON'T get caught between a cliff and big wave smashing into it.

Get your preparations done.  Get your equipment charged and in good order.  You'll want to be prepared for rain and blowing surf as well as wind.

That is all for now.

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11 O'clock Update.

The eleven o'clock update is in and the NHC cone and track of Dorian remains almost the same as the previous one.

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Stay safe,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/30/19 Report - 3 PM Update and 5 PM Update - Change to ECMWF Model.

3 PM Update.

The weather channel just announced a change to the ECMWF track.  The new change took the track of Dorian up along the East Coast without coming onshore in Central Florida.  I'd be happy with that. 

The National Hurricane Center map has not changed the cone yet. 

At the time of this update, the GFS track was heading up towards the Space Coast. 

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At 5 PM the weather channel once again showed the track of the European model that keeps Dorian just off-shore.  They did however mention that are still models that take it directly into the state.

Also the latest National Hurricane Center cone has now changed a bit.  It now has the center of Dorian making landfall right over the Fort Pierce Inlet and then turning north.

Center of National Hurricane Center Cone.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

The past few National Hurricane Center updates seem to show a trend of the track moving more to the north and east.

Unfortunately there is still a lot of uncertainty on this one.  The spaghetti models are still all over the place.

Stay tuned.



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8/30/19 Report - Models Showing A More Southern Landfall For Dorian. Traffic.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

Here is what the surf is supposed to be if the current predictions are correct.  This is the Fort Pierce map.  The one for Sebastian isn't very different.

So, what has changed since yesterday?  The models are now showing landfall between Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens.  The GFS model, which was previously showing landfall up by Melborne, is now very much agreeing with the ECMWF model and a landfall more to the south of us, and the National Hurricane Center is going with the more southerly landfall.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Above is the 8 AM cone.  That is close to us and there is plenty of time for change.  What has been a northwest track is expected to become more of an east to west track.  We are at a point where a slight change in the angle will make a big difference in the point of landfall.  If Dorian doesn't turn as sharply as expected, we could easily be looking at a landfall up towards Cape Canaveral again.

It seems to me that the ECMWF model has been one of the more accurate models, not only this time but also for past storms.

You can see that the higher surf now is expected for three days.  That is due to the expected path being more to the south and us getting more northeast winds, which are predicted for us for Sunday and Monday.  After that we'll be getting more south winds again, which can fill back in some of the erosion.

8 AM Friday Projected Path of the Center 

Source: National Hurricane Center.

Above you can see the predicted path of the center of Dorian.  That shows in coming inland just below Jupiter and making a turn to the north.  That is Grand Bahama to the right of the picture.


Below is the windy.com map from this moring.  The ECMWF model is used.

ECMWF Model for Monday 2 - 4 PM.

Source: windy.com.

Another change reflected in the morning projections is how slowly the storm is moving between the Grand Bahamas and landfall.

The angle Dorian takes out of the turn today will have a lot to do with where it makes landfall.

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You'll also notice from MagicSeaWeed that the tides are now pretty big too.

Chris N. wrote with an important reminder.  He said, Safety to the folks who weather the storm if they stay in the area, and I hope the flooding and damage will be minimized, which should be everyone's main concern. 

That is an important point.  Treasure isn't worth a human life.  Stay safe.

Just a few days ago I mentioned driving to Florida and arriving in Vero just after Hurricane David.  Those were days when I was young, and had no one and almost nothing to care about. Today I have other people, including  an elderly person, to take care of and watch out for.  That and having recently lost a family member, puts things in a different perspective.

Also having been through several hurricanes and experienced some pretty significant property damage, those things eventually get repaired.  It is the people that are important.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?


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I hope and suspect that tomorrow will bring more clarity on the path Dorian will take.  I'll be watching for any significant changes.

Before one hurricane I posted a link to a traffic site that shows where you might run into traffic problems.  I'm going to look for that link and post it again.

Here it is.   Go to https://www.google.com/maps, then type in traffic.  You'll see areas where traffic is slow and where there are closures etc.  Pretty handy.

Be safe.

I'll be back later today if there are any significant changes.
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/26/19 Report - Still A Lot of Uncertainty About Dorian's Path. Big Surf Predicted.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Spaghetti Models for Dorian.

Unfortunately I can't offer much clarity this morning.  As you can see, the spaghetti models are literally all over the place, ranging from south of us up to Georgia.

I haven't seen the 8 AM National Hurricane Center update.  It seems it is late.  I think they don't know what is going on yet.

Windy.com Plot This Morning.

Windy.com shows Dorian making landfall near Palm Beach (see above) on Monday morning.  One of the well respected Euro models was used.  I think it was EMCWF.

Ventusky.com - GFS Model.

As you can see, the GFS model shows it going into the Cape Canaveral area.

It looks like it will take more time to get it better narrowed down.  We are definitely in the cone though.

MagicSeaWeed is now predicting a high surf for Sunday.  Up to ten feet.  It is limited to a single day though.

I'm sure they can't be too exact until they know more about the course of the storm.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

I'll be watching for updates and developments.  If there is any clarity, I'll be back later today.

Keep watching,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/28/19 Report - Hurricane Dorian Developments. 1860 Philadelphia Waterfront.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov.

Like the main character in the 1890 novel, Dorian Gray, Tropical Storm Dorian seems to be turning somewhat uglier.  Now it looks like Dorian could skirt Puerto Rico and become a hurricane just east of the Bahamas chain.  The arrival time now looks like it will be Monday.

Now the National Hurricane Center map is showing the Dorian cone a little farther to the north than it was placed yesterday.  At least one model predicts it staying off the coast and not making landfall in Florida at all.  However another model has it crossing Florida and coming out in the Gulf.

Windy.com has it coming on shore right at St. Lucie and then crossing the state.

Source: Windy.com.

I really don't like that scenario.  It could possibly be a cat 2 hurricane at that point.

You can go to windy.com and run the animation for yourself.  It is listed to the left of the post on the first blog page.

The various models are all over the place though.  You can see them below.

Source: https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/05L_gefs_latest.png

To summarize the recent changes, the most recent predictions are for a stronger storm possibly hitting somewhere between Palm Beach and Jacksonville.   There is plenty of time for changes and the Treasure Coast is still well within the cone.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

The surf predictions for the Treasure Coast have changed too.  Now they are saying we might have up to a seven foot surf, but only for a very brief time.   The wind direction isn't favorable - hardly any northeast winds.

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Philadelphia’s 18th-century waterfront emerges during archaeological dig on Columbus Boulevard
Shipbuilding on the site began with James West, who constructed a small shipyard around 1680. His descendants added to his holdings, building wharves and related structures northward along what was then the river bank, right off Water Street...

Here is that link.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-shipyard-riverfront-archaeology-durst-20190827.html

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I'll keep watching developments.

Later,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net





https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-shipyard-riverfront-archaeology-durst-20190827.html

8/27/19 Report - PSS-14 Mine Detector. Latest on Dorian. Gold Increasing. Evolution.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

PSS-14 Mine Detector.

Source: See Military.com link below. 

Before I talk about Dorian today, I wanted to show this mine detector, which is combines metal detection with ground penetrating radar.

The AN/PSS-14 revolutionizes landmine detection by combining ground penetrating radar (GPR) and highly sensitive metal detector (MD) technology using advanced data fusion algorithms. This unique combination enables the system to reliably and consistently detect anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank (AT) mines and to reject the detection of metallic clutter, increasing operator confidence and efficiency.

In order to maximize operational effectiveness and efficiency, the AN/PSS-14 offers the highest probability of detection of any handheld system along with a minimal false alarm rate. The system maintains this level of performance across all environmental conditions and soil types, including those that are heavily mineralized...

Here is the link for more about the PSS-14 mine detector.

https://www.military.com/equipment/pss-14-mine-detector

As you probably know, beach metal detecting on the Treasure Coast pretty much began with WWII mine detectors.

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Now for Dorian.  Below is the cone from the 2 PM update.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

The track is heading towards Florida, but you'll also notice that nowhere along the track does the National Hurricane Center show it as anything more than a tropical storm.

You can make too much out of that.  The track could change, as could the strength of the storm.

Looking, at the surf predictions for the Treasure Coast, at this point it looks like we could be a bump in the surf on Saturday.

Ro

Source: magicseaweed.com.

That doesn't look too exciting, but it is too early to tell for sure.

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About two weeks ago, I mentioned the increasing price of gold.  Since that time it has increased another forty or so dollars per ounce, now being around $1535 per ounce.

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I gave my opinions about evolution years ago in this blog, but now a renowned Yale scientist, David Gelerntner, discovered the fallacies of Darwinism.  Here is what Stream.org said about him.

This isn’t someone you’d expect to reject Darwin. He lives and works at the heart of the intellectual establishment. He’s a renowned computer scientist at Yale University — the New York Times called him a “rock star” — and served on the National Council on the Arts. He explained in a recent essay in the Claremont Review of Books why he no longer believes Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. He makes similar points in a recent interview with the Hoover Institution’s Peter Robinson...

Gelerntner said, ... the incremental development of new species is largely not there. “Most species enter the evolutionary order fully formed and then depart unchanged.” Darwinism can’t explain that

Here is the link where you can read more about that.

https://stream.org/renowned-yale-computer-science-prof-leaves-darwinism/

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We'll keep watching Dorian.  It could change a lot in the next few days.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

8/26/19 Report - Tropical Storm Dorian. US POW Camps. Fort. Jackson Lake Lodge.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Dorian is the big news today.  As you can see, Dorian is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday.

While it is coming in our direction, there is a lot of uncertainty yet.  It could hit us, but if the above prediction is correct, it will only be a storm when it gets here.

In summary, it is worth watching, and we'll know more in a few days.

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Here is a nice article on WWII POW camps in this country.  Some were in Florida.  One I mentioned not long ago is not shown on this map.  It was in the Bal Harbour area.

When the United States entered WWII in 1941, the United Kingdom was running short on prison space and asked the US for help in housing German POWs. The US agreed and when Liberty Ships transported US soldiers overseas, the relatively empty ships brought back as many as 30,000 Axis POWS per month to America. From 1942-1945, more than 400,000 POWs, mostly German, were housed in some 500 POW camps located in this country.

Here is that blog.

http://blog.fold3.com/wwii-pow-camps-in-the-united-states/

And here is what I posted on the South Florida camp.

Since the 1920's, the Detroit-based Miami Beach Heights Corporation (headed by industrialists Robert C. Graham, Walter O. Briggs, and C.T. Fisher) owned 245 acres of undeveloped, partially swampy land that stretched from the bay to the Atlantic. Mr. Graham assumed the duties as the developer for Bal Harbour. In the 1930's, city planners Harland Bartholomew & Associates were called in to design the Village. The company made several plans and they were submitted for review to Miami Beach Heights. In 1940, World War II began and the plans were put on hold. As a goodwill gesture to the government, Robert C. Graham rented the land to the United States Air Corps for $1 per year. The Air Corps used this land to train their soldiers and established a Prisoner of War camp. The ocean front area was used as a rifle range and the barracks were set up on the west side of Collins Avenue. The camp for prisoners was located where the Bal Harbour Shops are presently... 
(Source: https://activerain.com/blogsview/484718/the-history-of-bal-harbour--florida----paradise-found----miami--fl-33154)

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WINDHAM, Maine — A team of Maine archaeologists is racing this summer to uncover the secrets of a colonial-era frontier fort before impending roadwork obliterates it for good. One of Maine’s most famous battles between white settlers and Native Americans raged just outside its gates.

Historians have long suspected the fort’s remains lay beneath River Road, but digging for evidence has been impossible since it was paved in the 1920s. Now, a long-planned road construction project is giving state archaeologists a chance to have a look...

Here is the link for more about that.

https://bangordailynews.com/2019/08/24/news/portland/archaeologists-race-to-uncover-colonial-fort-buried-beneath-a-maine-road-before-its-too-late/

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Grande Tetons As Seen From Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge in Jackson Hole Wyoming.

If you watched any of the financial programs this weekend, you probably saw interviews with this view of the Tetons in the background.  The meeting occurs at Jackson Lake Lodge, which is one of my favorite vacation spots.

The hotel is not fancy, but the breakfast buffet is my all time favorite, especially when you get a window-side table.  Everything from fresh fish to blueberries and the best waffles going.  Anything you want.

Jackson Lake Lodge Lobby.

You will notice similarities between the Jackson Lake Lodge lobby and both the Disneyworld Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.  I don't think that is accidental, as Walt Disney visited the lodge when he was making TV nature programs on the Snake River.  If you are old enough you might remember the Disney TV shows of the 1950s.

This isn't a commercial although it might sound like it.  It is just one of my favorites, and it has a lot of history.  There is a table upstairs that was used for a treaty signing between President Eisenhower and the Russians.  And other US presidents visited.  Theodore Roosevelt visited, but that was long before the current lodge was built.

Don't expect fancy rooms, but I love the lodge and surrounding area.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/25/19 Report - Tropical Storm Dorian. Finds, Artifacts and Tools. Crime In Space. Great Lakes Water Levels.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

We now have a tropical storm that is predicted to become a hurricane - at least for a while.

The system that was over Florida is now moving away, but Dorian is headed in our direction.

Source: nhc,noaa.gov

I think Dorian will fizzle out before getting to us, but that remains to be seen.  Keep watching.

In the mean time it looks like we'll have a two to three foot surf.

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Finds As An Extension Of A Person And A Reflection Of A Time.

I learn a lot from dreams.  Last night was an excellent example.  I awoke from a dream in which I was in the basement of the home where I grew up.  In the dream the house was mostly empty, but a few things remained.  I was inspecting my fathers tools in the basement where he had his workbench and always kept his tools.  They were the same tools he used to build that house.

The tools were large and heavy - more than needed to just do a job.  Unlike today's tools, they were made to last, and they are just as strong and usable today as they were seventy years ago.

Cast Iron Tools.

So what is the relevance?  Finds - artifacts - are an extension of a person.  My father's tools were an extension of his hands and forearms, and even his personality.  They fit the picture.  More than that, they complete the picture.

There was an anvil and an iron sledge hammer that I could barely lift, let alone use.

Heavy (feels like near 50 pounds) Hammer With Iron Handle.

Everything my father built was overbuilt.  He used what he had.  The car port behind our house was constructed of telephone poles and cross arms.  He worked for the electric utility company.  The car port was way heavier and stronger than necessary.

If you look at the tools in my garage today, you'll see an expression of me.  My tools are wimpy in comparison. They didn't build my house.  They are for repairing, touching up or tinkering - not the same kind of work.  Most people today don't build their own house with their own hands from the ground up.

My tools are an expression of the times, and sadly, perhaps also a reflection of me as shaped by the times.  Things just aren't made like they once were. And they aren't used the same.

This isn't about my father and I.  It is just the example that was no my mind and shows how objects can tell something about the person that owned them and the times when they were used.

Objects were made for a purpose, and how they were made and used tell us about the people and times.  When an object is revealed to you from the sands of time imagine the hands that formed it, held it or used it.  Maybe meditate on it a little, and see if you can get an image of the person who was connected to it.

- - -

Here is a great web site for identifying Craftsman and related tools.

http://alloy-artifacts.org/craftsman-early-tools-p4.html

The pipe wrench shown above is a fourteen inch Dunlap.  The Dunlap brand is listed on the above web site and was used from 1938 into the 50s.

The wrench in the same photo was made by Fairmount Tool Manufacturing that began in Cleveland in 1917 and made a lot of tools for autos.

I think the sledge hammer was military.  It has the number 7157.

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Detecting tools like the pipe wrench will normally produce conductivity readings form minuses through the teens - very similar to an old anchor except for the amount of area.

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First criminal act alleged to have been committed in outer space?

Here is that link.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/nasa-astronaut-identity-theft-bank-account-divorce-wife

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Summer on the Swollen Great Lakes

The lakes rose this year to levels not seen in decades. A 1,234-mile drive around one of them revealed what all that water has left behind — vanishing beaches, closed roads, new islands...

And here is that link.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/24/us/great-lakes-water-levels.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage

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Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

8/24/19 Report - Two Weather Systems to Watch. Changing Times and Changing Finds.

Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

The National Hurricane Center map is becoming more active in our part of the world.  

The area of low pressure over Florida has a 70%  chance of becoming a cyclone.  It is predicted to move north and out into the Atlantic.  I'd say there is not much chance that it will affect us very much.

The other system is heading west/northwest, but I don't think it will affect us much either, but there is still a lot of time for it to change.

Still, it is that time of year and I'll be watching for something that might improve beach detecting conditions.

The Treasure Coast surf is supposed to be up to three feet today but nothing higher than two feet for the next week or so.

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How things have changed!  And it didn't take long.

I came across some photos of a something you'll probably never see again.  It was a circus parade that came down main street when I was young..

I remember going out to the field where they were going to set up and watching the elephants being used to put up the poles to hold the big tent.

That doesn't happen any more.  It is something children today will never see again.

Its amazing how much has changed in my lifetime, and even during the years that I've been detecting.

There was a time when you'd find a lot of the ring type pull tabs.  Now they aren't too common.

Its amazing really.

I remember when we first got a TV and there was only on program, which came on in the evening for one hour.  Friends of the family would come over to watch it.

Gold and jewelry fashions have changed too.  Now you get a lot of rings made of materials like tungsten or stainless steel, which I didn't find twenty years ago.

Even gold changed.  Recently there was a lot more white gold.  It seems that yellow gold is coming back now.

Of course the internet changed a lot of things.  I think the metal detecting community is generally much more informed now.  And it is a great research tool.

I found tons of hotel keys in the past.  They are not nearly as common today.  Many hotels are now using the magnetic cards.

I also used to find a lot of arcade or game room tokens - also transportation tokens ie bus, turnpike, and other types of tokens.

Circus Token Dug on Florida Beach.

Here is a very nice pdf on the history of early gaming tokens.

http://www.ccgtcc-ccn.com/tokens.pdf

Silver modern coins were more common finds too.

I also used to get a lot more of the WW II shells than I have in recent years.

Also soda bottle caps used to litter some beaches.  We still have bottle tops to contend with, but not so much from soda bottles.

The same for glass soda bottles, which are now mostly plastic.

And one thing I found recently that I never found way back when is a smart phone.  I did find a few beepers back some years ago, if you remember those now.

All of the older things can still be found today if you find a good site or we get some improvement in beach conditions.

I'm sure I could think of some more changes in the last thirty or so years of metal detecting.  Maybe you can add some to my list.


That one system has a chance of developing in a few days.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net