11/29/19 Report - Massive Emerald. Jaegea Skeletal Remains Found. Viking Brooch. Bigger Surf.

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

794 Pounds of Emerald Found.

Source: See Geology In link below.

The massive emerald, which weighs 794 pounds and stands around 4.3 feet high was unearthed a month ago, 200 metres deep inside the Carnaiba Mine in Brazil

Experts predict the enormous emerald rock could fetch around £238million Whopping 360kg emerald discovered in Brazil worth $308 million

An enormous £238million emerald rock discovered in a gem mining field in Brazil is being kept under heavy security in a secret location as the owner exclusively revealed he is living in fear of kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery...

Click here to read more about that in Geologyin.com.

Link provided by Robert H.

---

 I need to make a correction today.  The fellow that shared the photos and story about the 3-hole deadeye in my in my 11/27 post is actually GB - not Scott.  I made the corrections in that post.

Sorry about the mistake.

Thanks for sharing GB.  That is one nice artifact.

---

The skeletal remains of an early Native American adult and child have been discovered on the property of the historic Duck's Nest residence.

The bone fragments, estimated by an archaeologist at around 2,500 to 3,000 years old, were found in mid-October while workers were digging utility trenches on the property at 303/305 Maddock Way.

The site already was listed by the state as archaeologically significance because of prehistoric artifacts found there in the past, so archaeologists were there when the remains turned up...

Here is the link.

https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20191126/archaeologists-uncover-human-remains-at-historic-florida-property

The remains are thought to be Jaega.

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A fully preserved early Viking-era brooch found in Northeastern Estonia this spring is one of two such items that have been discovered in Estonia. It is believed to have belonged to a woman born on the island of Gotland who moved to present-day Estonian territory later on in her life.

The bronze box-shaped brooch was found in the Ida-Viru County village of Varja.

Mauri Kiudsoo, archaeologist and keeper of the archaeological research collection at Tallinn University (TLÜ), told BNS that the brooch found at Varja was cast as a single piece.

The decorative item has been wholly preserved, with only slight damage to the surface, likely as a result of the cultivation of land, Kiudsoo said. The pin, which was apparently made of steel, is also missing...

Here is the link for more about that.

https://news.err.ee/1006840/rare-box-shaped-viking-brooch-found-in-northeastern-estonia

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Did you notice the thin sliver of moon last night?   Venus was just below the crescent waxing moon, with Jupiter a bit to the right.  You can see several features on Jupiter with a modest telescope, but Venus is covered by gas and shows as a formless bright spot. Both planets are moving eastward with respect to the stars, with the slowest, Jupiter, initially in the lead and the faster Venus in the rear. Some people believe that some planetary event like this, perhaps a conjunction, formed what we call the Christmas star.  

It was pretty anyhow.

The surf will be increasing soon.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

9/20/19 Report - So Much Wind, So Little Erosion. Jupiter, Hobe Sound, and South Hutchinson Island. A Few Finds.

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

Jupiter Inlet Beach Friday Morning.

Photo by Joe D.

There was a lot of eroded renourishment sand just south of the Jupiter Inlet this morning. You can see that in the above photo by Joe D.

After visiting the beach this morning, Joe decided to detect at an inland site and found his first pocket watch.

Pocket Watch Find.

Find and photo by Joe D.

Hobe Sound Thursday Morning.

Photo by Joe D.

Yesterday Joe took the above photo at Hobe Sound.

Congratulations on the pocket watch find Joe!  Very nice.  Thanks for sharing.

John Brooks Early Friday Morning.

I looked at John Brooks and Frederick Douglass along with a couple other South Hutchinson Island beaches.  Despite all the wind and surf, there were no cuts.  It wasn't very impressive at all.  Still pretty mush.

John Brooks Early Friday Morning.

I didn't detect either of these wreck beaches, but went where I thought I could find some easy targets to practice with the Equinox.

Frederick Douglass Beach Early Friday.

Yesterday I did the same thing.  I have not detected very much this year and had some fun picking up 54 coins in just a little over an hour.  Nothing good though.

54 Coins Dug Yesterday.

Today I did the same thing, but didn't detect as long and only got a few coins, but did get a silver and diamond ring.  It is marked 925.  I'd think they are diamonds because they are so small I can't see any sense in making fakes that small.  

The ring was broken and gave a very weak/poor signal.

I'm sure some people are getting frustrated that all this wind and surf isn't helping the beaches more.  

I could see that there was a huge amount of sand in front of the beach yet.

Humberto seems to be off the map now, but Hurricane Jerry is still out there.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

It looks like the surf will remain fairly big for a couple of days.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/18/19 Report - Hurricanes Humberto and Jerry. Erosion in Jupiter Area. Silver Find From Vero Area. And More.

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

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Look at that!  Humberto hasn't completely left yet, and it looks like there will be a Hurricane Jerry headed in this general direction.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

That could send us even more surf.

I haven't been out and around much yet, but hope to get out this afternoon and should be able to give you a beach conditions rating later today.

With Jerry following Humberto, we might get continued higher surf.

Eroded Beach in Jupiter Area

Photo by Jerry P.

Jerry said he used Ventusky.com, which you'll find on my first blog page, to find an area where conditions might be good, and he found this nicely eroded area.\

Thanks for sharing Jerry.  Very good use of Ventusky to find a good detecting site!

---

Here is one nice find from the Vero area.

John E. said, I’m stumped on this one.... exact size of a dime , registers a 21 on equinox 800..... found in about 14 in deep wet sand on treasure beach in vero, can anyone identify?

John E

Find and photo by John E.

He said the words above the star are FRIAY LIBER.

Other Side of Same Coin

Photo by John E.

I'm pretty sure it is a centavo from Cuba and can almost make out a date below the star.  I'd also guess it is silver.  Looks like it to me.   A little research should provide the denomination.

Thanks John.  Nice find!

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Here is an interesting email message I received from Southern Digger concerning a link I posted yesterday.


Hello TG 

Been awhile corresponding but still following up. Archeological site locations on Hutchinson Island and elsewhere along the beaches is no big secret. I recall an old beach mound near the now closed Indian River inlet. I believe some of it has since been washed away. Years ago, a friend and I hiked to a hammock Island near Round Island Park, long before this hammock was developed. We used machetes to cut in to the center, finding old metal rods with eyelet ends which appeared to be from old sailing ship mast supports. Why they ended up way back of the beach we never could determine, unless a camp was made thereon by some 1800's shipwreck survivors.  Also, prehistoric evidence was everywhere. Thought it was interesting and a possible site to return to, we never did, that is until major changes took place thereon. Since then, the under-story was cleared and Univ. of Maryland (I believe) did an archeo survey on the hammock. I was invited to return after that, and did so--still seeing prehistoric evidence in abundance scattered everywhere. This was my last visit when construction began thereon for some type of structure. Another archeo site way to the south exists behind the beach at the water plant. I was asked to direct the Archeo. survey via an Env. firm I worked for at the time--but turned it down and recommend someone else because the end of the survey results and how the report should read were told to me before the project even started. In effect, regardless or not if there are burials. the site would be dozed and built upon. I turned it down even though I would be hired to direct the project because, at the time, I was being trusted on several other volunteer archeo. projects to the south which did not involve the Env. firm; and, I did not want a reputation of being a sellout for the $$$$ and destroy possible burials. That is a strict policy I adhere to to this day because I have seen way to much archaeological and historical sites destroyed and developed in which I had no control over or the power to prevent it from occurring. That is the nature of land development and the destruction of Old Florida. 

Thanks Ken.

--

I hope to get out this afternoon. I expect to be able to post a beach conditions rating after that - maybe later today.

At this point I am expecting a few reales to be found this week.

---

PM Update.

I looked at a few beaches in the Vero/Sebastian area and saw nothing encouraging at all.   I'm expecting fewer finds now than what I just said above.

Happy hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/5/ Report - Beach Reports From Other Areas of the Treasure Coast. Still a Lot of Weather To Watch.

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

Treasure Shores 9/4

Photo by Bruce B.

Bruce B. sent these photos from Treasure Shores.  He said the bridges were open but the park was closed.   There were a lot of guys detecting.  He said he was getting a lot of aluminum.

There was aluminum coming out of the cuts dunes that I showed yesterday too.

Treasure Shores 9/4

Photo by Bruce B.

Treasure Shores 9/4

Photo by Bruce B.

Treasure Shores 9/4

Photo by Bruce B.

Treasure Shores 9/4

Photo by Bruce B.

Thanks much Bruce.

---

DB sent this report on 9/4.

I looked from Satellite Beach to south Vero, worked a bunch of it too. Some places looked promising but not much on delivery. Some modern coins mostly.

It seems that the dunes that are cut are the more modern dunes so slaw is mixed in as well. That sand simply moved down and resettled.

I actually got a small spike prior to the storm hitting and not so much after.

Thanks DB.

Something that maybe I forgot to mention yesterday is the cut dunes that I showed were probably created in the last year or so and therefore would not have much old in them.

As for the above Treasure Shores photos, it looks like new sand on the dunes.

---

Overall, it looks like beach conditions aren't great, but that is going from my visit to South Hutchinson Island and the few reports I got from the Vero/Sebastian beaches.

Unfortunately I haven't heard anything about Rio Mar, Turtle Trail, Seagrape or Wabasso, so I don't know anything about them.  I planned to go there today, but something came up and I wasn't able to this morning, so I'm still in the dark about them.

Just on the basis of what I know, I don't think I can even give as much as a 2 rating on my beach conditions rating scale.  There are always, however, a few small areas that produce, if you can find them.  Check areas around things like rocks or jetties, and those areas that were already eroding.

Here is the shot from the Jupiter Inlet beach cam.

Doesn't look like any erosion there.

It very much reminds me of Hurricane Andrew.  The beach along the Miami wasn't cut by Andrew.  The water came up high, but the beaches didn't cut.  Some sand just got washed down the slope and sat in front of the beach, making the slope a little steeper.   But there were some really good areas on the edges of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key, where I really cleaned up.  Sometimes you just have to hunt out those special areas.  There are some areas I'd still like to check when I get a chance.

---

Mitch King said the detectorist behind the TV reporter that I showed yesterday is him.

Mitch said, That was me in the background of the Weather Channel broadcast. I was
sprinting by fast because the waves were coming up high and I did not
want to get caught down low again.

Thanks to Mitch and Alberto.  

---

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

I wouldn't give up on the Treasure Coast yet.  Like I said, I haven't been able to check out much of the Vero/Sebastian area and don't have reports from there yet.

It is still early, and the beaches won't be changing real quickly.

If you are in North Florida or Georgia where the storm surge can build up, or even North Carolina, Dorian might produce for you up there.

There is still a lot of watch.  We actually have another tropical storm out there - Gabrielle - along with some other areas that could still develop.

Francis and Jeanne really cut into South Hutchinson Island, but Dorian didn't.  Sometimes a storm can do more to the beaches than a hurricane will.  There are so many factors.

Don't forget those who were badly hit.

When you are fortunate, help others.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

5/15/19 Report - River Boat Parts Exposed by Low Water. My Favorite Beaches From My Days In South Florida.

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

Riverboat Parts Exposed During Low Water.

Source: See link below.

Take a walk along the Yukon River in Whitehorse these days, and you might spot things you rarely see — historical objects and structures that are typically well hidden under water or ice.

"Like, there's a log cradle here, or a crib, that was used to support sternwheelers when they were hauled out of the river in the winter," said Yukon government archeologist Ty Heffner, as he walked along the riverbank.

Water in the Yukon River system is very low this spring. Vast gravel bars flank the stream in many areas, and Heffner says lots of artifacts can now be seen in the mud and rocks.

That might include anything from old rusty nails and wooden logs and planks, to iron fixtures...

The article also states that some of the items you can now see along the river could be of historical significance.  I guess that might be true, but I wonder what kind of significance or how significant they might be.  It seems that archaeologists like to make everything over a few years old into something significant.  That makes it easy to make "significant" discoveries.

But how much can those items really add to the body of knowledge?  They already know there were steamers on the river, and they probably know a lot about those steamers and the stories of those steamers.  So what information can those parts add?  There might be some earth-shaking new information in them, but I really doubt it.


For me, there is a difference between interesting and significant.  Sure, you can study the  items and perhaps learn something from them, just like we do here all the time, but will it really add anything to the body of archaeological knowledge?  That is just a question.

I also wonder if whatever might be learned from those items will ever benefit the public.  Will the items be seen by the public, and will the results be published for the public.  In the mean time, the items rust and deteriorate.

Lowered water levels can always reveal interesting things, just like erosion.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-river-historic-artifacts-1.513459

---

I woke up thinking this morning about my earlier days of metal detecting.  I was living in Hollywood when I really got started, and hunted coins at first.

My first serious detector was a White's that I got from a Sears catalog.  I sent it back for some reason and got a Fisher Aquanaut.  In one year with the fisher I found enough value coins to pay for the Fisher, just counting the face value of the coins.  As I recall, that was about $640.

Like a lot of things, I was pretty intense with my new hobby, and tried to see what I could accomplish.

I was living in Hollywood, so that was the beach I went to most at first.  It later became a beach that I would visit when I didn't have much time to go somewhere else.  There were a lot of targets there, and a lot of jewelry, but the targets weren't high value targets.  The gold rings were mostly bands without gem stones, and mostly 10K instead of something better.

Anyhow I was thinking about the locations I hunted.  Hollywood was the most frequent because it was closest to my home, but I spent a lot of time on beaches ranging from Key Biscayne to Fort Lauderdale.

A lot of the beaches down there were crammed with people, and I suppose they still are.

My favorites were Key Bicayne, North Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Hallandale, and Fort Lauderdale.

There were a lot of good areas to choose from, and I'd hit one heavy for a while when it was producing and then focus more on another when things changed.  To rank my all-time favorite from back then, it would be Bal Harbour.

I occasionally went down the Keys, and of course up to the Treasure Coast.

I enjoyed Jupiter when the banks were eroding.  Virginia Key was also real good at times.

I had enough places to choose from that I would pick the one that was producing at the time.

There were specific spots that produced frequently.  At Fort Lauderdale, there were three spots that I liked to work.

I had jobs that allowed me time to get out and I detected almost everyday back then.  Both university teaching and consulting allowed time to get out.  Even when I traveled on business I took my detector and always like detecting in the Pensacola area and the lakes in the Minneapolis area.  There was a good bit of silver in the lakes, but not a lot of gold.

There was some good hunting at John Lloyd park for a short while.  I hit fifteen rings there in a four hour period one day.  I think that was the  number.  Maybe it was thirteen, but it was a lot.  I think I have a photo of that day's finds somewhere.  I understand that you can't detect there anymore.

---

Concerning the little vase referred to as a medicine bottle in the article I referred to yesterday, Bruce B. said he,  ... happened to see the first photo of a so-called medicine bottle. I say that because I happen to own some bottles just like it, but what they are are dollhouse vases, which the Spanish made for the female children of noble families throughout Europe as furnishings for their dollhouses. At least that's what it appears to be.  

Thanks Bruce.

---

Happy hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/4/19 Report - Thoughts and Theories On The Gold Mystery Object. Beach Reports. More Beach Renourishment.

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

Gold Spoon
Picture submitted by Joe D.

I received several emails concerning Terry's recent gold find.  All were excellent, and the nearly unanimous consensus is that it is a Native American decorative item (one person used the specific word gorget) made from shipwreck or Spanish gold.  Coins were mentioned most.

The bowl of the spoon in the picture above bears a remarkable resemblance to Terry's holed gold item.  There is the possibility that the gold mystery item was not made from a coin, but maybe something else, like a bar, spoon, religious item, nuggets or whatever. 

It wouldn't take much to convert the bowl of the spoon.  Even if you don't accept the idea that the item was made from a similar spoon, the spoon does suggest the idea of other possible sources.

Dan B. suggested weighing the object to see if it's weight corresponded to that of an escudo.  Terry's object weighs 4.1 grams, which is less than the weight of a 2-escudo.  A piece of the item is missing, but I don't think that is enough, but maybe it is.   Investigating the weight was great idea, but it turned out to be inconclusive in this case.

Joe D. also mentioned that the shape of the holed item looked very much like a fishing spoon and the possibility that it might have had a more practical use.

A couple people were interested in the smaller item that looked something like a roofing nail in the photo. 

I appreciate all of the ideas submitted, and found each and every one worthwhile.  It is important to be open to alternative explanations.  Some will be eliminated, but you can benefit from getting all the ideas you can and thinking it through. 

What we know now is that the gold item was found on the same stretch of beach as an old sounding lead, lead sheathing, and another small piece.  As found, the items might be taken to suggest the presence of a nearby wreck.  If I generalize from what I've read from people, the consensus seems to be that a piece of gold (possibly a coin) was discovered by a native (quite possibly Ais, as was the opinion of one archeologist), which was hammered into an pendant, and then subsequently lost in the same area.

Now we can start to think it through.  How likely does that seem, and are there other reasonable scenarios?  For example, would it seem more likely that found or salvaged gold would be carried away before being reworked and lost?  

Alternatively, if an item reworked by the local natives was indeed lost at the same site where the gold was found, how might that happen?  I'm sure you can imagine some reasonable scenarios?

Maybe the natives returned to the wreck site on multiple occasions to see what they could find..  Maybe they even had a camp there.  That idea provides a possible direction for future research.  If they returned to the site often or if they had a camp at the site, then you might expect to find more evidence of their presence - perhaps shards in the nearby dunes.

Of course there are a variety of other possibilities.  Maybe the item was manufactured by someone other than local natives, even though that seems to be the favorite theory.  Maybe it came from South America or wherever the hypothesized ship came from. Or maybe the native was on the wrecked ship.  Just a little brainstorming.  Or maybe the gold in the item was given as payment for salvage work.  That might seem like too much unless it was given to a leader for providing a crew of salvage divers.  

Terry and others mentioned that we may never be able to say much more about the item, but if you think it through, develop some theories and hypotheses, you might eventually be able to answer some of the remaining questions.  And in if you are like me, you will enjoy the problem-solving process and learn a lot as you work through it..

The find is great, but it is the story that makes it meaningful, and the process that makes it fun. 

Before closing, I want to report one more thing people said to me in the emails about the mystery item.  They said Terry is a very fine fellow.

---

Joe D. reported that both Jupiter and Hobe Sound beaches are being renourished, as shown below.

Hobe Sound
Photo by Joe D.

Jupiter Inlet
Photo submitted by Joe D.

Another frequent contributor sent in the following report last night.

Riomar, Turtle Trail and Seagrape today looked to me like a lot of the sand that left recently is back. Some old broken posts that were 8 inches out of the sand are now covered...

Riomar had a lot of seaweed and the old cuts were knocked down, there were  few short cuts at the bend but were smooth and mushy in front. Targets were few and mainly just can slaw.

Turtle trail, lots of new seaweed and no cuts, scallops or other features. Aluminum high on the beach and a few iron chips low on the beach.

Seagrape was the same to the north but did not go south of the crossover.

Did not take pictures today as it was just sand and seaweed.

Thanks to everybody for the ideas and reports submitted.  Much appreciated.

---

Thanks also to those who expressed appreciation for this blog.   It is encouraging to me.

The Treasure Coast surf will be only about two to three feet for a few days.

Happy hunting
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

3/30/19 Report - Beach Metal Detecting Reports. The TCTBDC Rating Scale.

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

Frederick Douglass Beach Saturday Morning.

I took a look at John Brooks and Frederick Douglass beaches first this morning.  They both had a lot of seaweed.  Sand had accumulated since yesterday, and they weren't much good before that.

There are some places where significant erosion did occur this week, as I showed yesterday, but from what I've been able to observe, those are relatively few and far between.

I did not upgrade my Treasure Coast Treasure Beaches Detecting Conditions rating even though there are some eroded beaches because the few beaches that are significantly eroded are not the productive shipwreck treasure beaches.  My rating scale gives my estimate of the chance of finding shipwreck treasure coins and artifacts on the beaches - not modern items.

After looking at Brooks and Douglass, I returned to the beach that I worked yesterday, but new sand had accumulated, so I thought about where I might find a more eroded beach without driving too many miles.  I then thought of a beach that I hadn't visited for a few years but thought might be eroded.  When I arrived, I found it was eroded as nicely as I hoped (below).

One Eroded Treasure Coast Beach Saturday Morning.

 Eroded Treasure Coast Beach Saturday Morning.

On the way I stopped and looked at a couple other beaches that were not eroded at all.

I need to clean, inspect and photograph some of my finds from the past two days.  At this time I think the flat buttons are 1800s.

Joe D. sent a report from the Jupiter area.

… I opted to hit a couple local spots in Juno and Jupiter today, not only due to time constraints, but also to add to my beach reading experience, over and above the detector i'm learning!

Here's what i observed and found at this beach: Yesterday evening l reviewed inlet cam pics which was one defining factor! This was the only beach that had a "cut", or more like a "soft cliff" ( i made several stops to check others), Which i observed upon arrival! I made several passes from water line, to bottom of soft cliff and so on, up the beach. Not a ton of coins, and still very scattered, but the majority were flipped up in the first several feet at top of cut!(The wet parts above the soft cliff)! Further back near the dry sand was the light aluminum scrap pieces! Also, light stuff caught in seaweed below cut!

...If i had only been more interested and observent back in the early 80's when i originally started detecting, and the finds were more numerous!

Found my first dental bridge (not gold), a tiny bead, many small aluminum pieces, that my previous detector would bypass! Im hoping i can now get small gold and silver, which seemed to elude me before!

Experence and/ or detector?? Only time will tell!

And to update on renurishment here, a huge beach dozer passed me as i was leaving lot, so changes coming soon now! Maybe they will dredge up some good stuff this time!

Also included a picture of Marine 1 and Marine 2, landing the other day right after flying over me! Pretty Cool!

Jupiter Inlet and Beach

Photo submitted by Joe D.

Beach at Jupiter Inlet

Photo submitted by Joe D.

Recent Finds

Photo by Joe D.

Thanks for the report and photos Joe!  Nice pictures of Marine 1 & 2 (not posted) too.

I heard a couple days ago that there was erosion in the Carlin Park area down to the white rocks.

Some of the beaches up here looked like there could be coins just over the berm in many places.  I did notice that but didn't really check it out.   That sometimes happens when you have a good cut that gets washed over.  I've actually seen coins flip up over the cut while I was detecting in front of the cut.

I did a lot of digging today but stopped before I aggravated my back.  I'm glad to report that even though I've done more detecting this week than I've done in a long time, my back is not giving me trouble.  I'm just being careful.

I haven't really looked at what I dug today, but did notice one wheatie in the scoop.

---

As you can see from the chart below, the surf will be decreasing a little for a few days.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/7/18 Report - Jingle Reales: Ole Timer Talk About A Frozen Beach Back When. Tampa FUN and Vero Coin Show. Jupiter No Better.

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

The FUN convention in Tampa closes today, but Sedwick will be at the Vero Coin show January 20 and 21.

---

The wind was blowing and the air icy cold.  It was a once-in-a-decade type of thing for this part of Florida.  It felt more like Moose, Wyoming, than Fort Pierce, Florida.  I can't remember the year, but it was sometime in the 1980s.  The Treasure Coast experienced an impact freeze in 1989 that ran from December 20 to December 26, but to both my wife and I, the event I am describing seems like it was years earlier.  I was reminded of that time when I recently stepped onto a cold windy beach that was not nearly that cold but felt just as cold because I had become accustomed to the warm weather of Florida.

Back in the 80s, whenever it was, I was driving from the Fort Lauderdale area, where I lived at the time, to North Florida to visit my parents for Christmas.  I'm pretty sure it was either Christmas eve or the day before that.

I brought along my detector, hoping to get in a little detecting on the Treasure Coast, so I stopped at John Brooks to see what it looked like.  My wife decided to stay warm in the car.  I walked onto the beach and saw the surf pounding and the sand blowing.  I noticed a cut, maybe two feet high, running from just south of the beach access and north, well past the Christmas tree.

If you don't know, the Christmas tree was a landmark known to all Treasure Coast detectorists back then.  It was about ten feet of dead tree that stuck up near the front of the beach close to the beginning of the bend north of the beach access.  The Christmas tree was always decorated with rope, floats and any kind of beach junk that could be hung on the tree.

I forget which year the Christmas tree disappeared, but I'm sure it was gone after the storms of 2004.

Like I said, I was way more cold tolerant back then.  I wore a sweater over a t-shirt, which is what i usually wore when ice skating on frozen lakes and driving gloves - not to mention pants.  I'm not sure about shoes.  I usually detected  barefoot back then, but can't hardly imagine doing that in such cold weather now.  I remember warming my feet by stepping in the water,which would be warmer than the air on cold days. The only trouble with that was when the wet feet were exposed to the cold wind again.

I didn't want to take long.  My wife was waiting in the car, and I wanted to get to my parent's house before it as too late.

Shortly after beginning to detect, I found a reale.  It wasn't long before I found another.  I looked back towards the beach access and noticed another fellow that was all bundled up and getting ready to detect, but then I saw him shake his head, turn around and leave.  He evidently thought it was just too cold, so I had the beach to myself again.  In not much more than a half hour I had picked up about eight small Mexican reales - twos, ones and halves - all between the beach access and the Christmas tree.  One unusually nice half reale had a full date and mint mark.

One of my most common mistakes has been not taking full advantage of the best opportunities.  I wonder today what all I missed or what I could have found if I spent more time on the beach that day.

---

This morning we're supposed to have a north wind, but not much of a surf.  Tomorrow the surf will be a bit higher but the wind will be coming from the east.  That isn't the ideal situation.

Joe D. says the recent weather didn't help the Jupiter area beaches.  Here are a couple recent pictures from Joe.

Jupiter Beach Photo by Joe D.

Jupiter Beach Photo by Joe D.

Happy hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net