9/26/19 Report - Karen Turns Our Way. Software Update for Equinox. Metal Detector Maintenance.

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

Tropical Storm Karen and Hurricane Lorenzo

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

We have two systems in the Atlantic to watch now, although neither is likely to affect us much, but they weren't sure about Dorian and Karen has already made a turn.

Projected Path of Karen.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Karen, which was heading north/northeast, has made a turn and is now heading west towards the Bahamas.  They are still saying she isn't anything for us to worry about.  That doesn't necessarily mean she won't eventually send us some nice surf.

Predicted Surf for the Fort Pierce Area.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

As you can see the surf is supposed to increase next week.  Unfortunately I'm not seeing any north winds to go along with it.

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Several people notified me of the 2.0 software update for the Equinox detectors.  I'll include the note from Joe D. because he added some other useful information, including his experience with the update.

Here is what Joe said.

   I hit Carlin Park today after a quick look, just before low tide! I really liked what i saw, and hunted multiple lines from dune cut to water line! And also amongst the rocks! I love hunting here when this much is exposed by the weather! Although there were some mushy spots, there was plenty of areas to search!  

    On the not to love side, there were few good targets! A lot of minute can slaw, and probably 50 pull and pop tabs! I was mostly aware of what the targets were, but dug everything anyway to reinforce 

sound differences! I pulled a few coins in the rocks that were near cemented in, and had to work to get out! But nothing old! Still and all, l still like it there!

     I got a notification from Minelab of a new software update! This was the first update since I've owned this machine! The process was fairly quick once i figured out where to find it on the site! It was listed under the specific detector, not the main page! 

    I also took the time to disassemble and clean my detector! I've used it a lot lately so the need was there to check out all the parts! I had noticed that the plastic arm cuff was creaking a lot when detecting, and i thought it may break a few times today! (Really the only cheap part) I added a temporary fix until i get a new aluminum Jeff Herke cuff from Steves Detector Rods; that i ordered today! I've emailed Steve several times in the last several days, and he was extremely helpful, and accommodating for the order!

     I also checked the silicone seal that i installed a few months ago in the handle, and cleaned before reinstalling! Its doing a great job keeping water and sand out of that area! Well worth the money! 

    The cleaning process reminds me a lot of cleaning my rifles!  I got nailed by a few carbon fiber strands from inside the shaft sections, but now I'm ready to go again! 

     Also, i pull the coil cover off and wash the coil out after every beach run! It can build up a lot of sand there, as well as the lower section of the shaft, which can clog and hold water and sand! Some people hate coil covers, but i would not hunt without one! Or my coil would be destroyed by now!

    I will send a few pics, as always!

 Joe D.

Thanks Joe, and thanks to all of those who took the time to notify me of the update.

Here is what Minelab describes as the benefits of the update.

Difficult ferrous targets — the common enemy for all detectorists. That is until EQUINOX. Hit the download on our EQUINOX update to make those pesky bottle caps, rusty nails and other falsing targets a thing of the past. Fire up the Minelab Update Utility and you’re on your way. It’s simple. You’ll experience the enhanced Iron Bias feature, improved EQUINOX 600 backlight and much more.

Improved Iron Bias

Iron Bias has been enhanced with the addition of a new Iron Bias settings profile. The original EQUINOX Iron Bias 'FE' settings will still be available, but there is now the option to switch to the new Iron Bias 'F2' settings, which have an improved capability to reject a much wider range of difficult iron targets, including bottle caps.

EQUINOX 600 Backlight Brightness

The EQUINOX 600 now has the ability to adjust the backlight brightness to an additional 'Low' setting that matches the minimum setting on the EQUINOX 800. This 'Low' brightness is ideal for detecting at night and in low light conditions.

And here is the link for the update.

https://www.minelab.com/usa/equinox-software-update-2-0?fbclid=IwAR3QcyFBFqKsq-uzIG0tAhWewoMFjvKAP2DCuqhRGGIrzB7cR2GZG9i4L9g

I really didn't have much trouble with iron or other trash using the Equinox 600.  I've discussed the reasons for that in the past.  It is more the possibility of skipping gold than hitting trash that bothers me.  There are a variety of ways of staying away from or identifying iron.  Sometimes you don't want to skip it though.

I think I'll quit there today.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/17/19 Report - Hurricane Humberto and Developing System. Martin County Beach Discovery. Detectorist Sued.

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

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Hurricane Humberto is slowly moving away while another system heats up in the Atlantic.  It might come this direction.

Expect more high surf through the week.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com

So far this week I've not seen any cuts on the South Hutchinson Island wreck beaches.

John Brooks Monday PM.

There was a nice little flat area near the water at low tide.  There were very few shells.

John Brooks Monday PM

John Brooks Monday PM.

A possible Native American burial site was discovered by a detectorist on Hutchinson Island in Martin Country after Hurricane Dorian.

Here is that link.

https://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/martin-county/possible-indian-remains-found-on-hutchinson-island-following-hurricane-dorian

Thanks to Jorge Y.

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The Church of Scotland is sueing for a share of a $2.5 million Viking treasure trove unearthed by a detectorist on church land.

Here is that link.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/church-viking-treasure-trove-intl-scli-gbr/index.html

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I was surprised to discover that a couple of the modern coins I picked up Sunday were wheat cents.  The one I could read was 1930-something.


With Humberto still producing surf for the Treasure Coast and another system coming this way, you should remain alert for any changes.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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

9/2/19 Report - Updated: Jensen and Stuart Causeways. Surf Predictions and Projected Track of Dorian.

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


Jensen and Stuart causeways are only open for residents.

As of the 11 AM update, there was very little change in the cone.


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Source: MagicSeaWeed.com.

As you can see, MagicSeaWeed is predicting that the highest surf for Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast will be today and early tomorrow, then quickly falling off.

The wind will be from the north today, but be coming from the west after the storm goes north of us.  The surf will decrease down to almost nothing very quickly.

The west wind might give you a food chance to get out in front of the beach before the beach begins to fill again - that is if the evacuation orders are lifted and the beach accesses are opened.

The tides will still be pretty big.

Below is the cone, as of the 8 AM update.  

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

The cone hasn't changed much.  Dorian is still supposed to turn north and move along the coast.  The brown area shows hurricane force winds, so if the hurricane remains about the same size and take the center track, we'll be close to having hurricane force winds.   If Dorian moves just a little farther east, some of it could be over land.

I'd like to see Dorian start to move north sooner rather than later.

With the storm hanging around out there you'd think we'd get a big surf for longer, but when it moves a little north of us, the wind will start coming from the west.

I might be back and add some to this post.  Maybe or maybe not.

That's it for now.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

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.

---

Stay safe,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net

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

10/23/18 Report - Oldest Intact Shipwreck Found. 1715 Fleet Olive Blossom Chain and Other Artifacts. Florida Panhandle Still Recovering.

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

World's Oldest Intact Shipwreck.
Source: See MSN link below.

Archaeologists have found what they believe to be the world’s oldest intact shipwreck at the bottom of the Black Sea where it appears to have lain undisturbed for more than 2,400 years.

Here is the link for more about that.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/worlds-oldest-intact-shipwreck-discovered-in-black-sea/ar-BBOLpXU?ocid=spartandhp

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1715 Fleet Gold "Olive Blossom" Chain in the Current Sedwick Auction.
Lot 1658.

Here is the lot description.

Gold "olive blossom" chain, intact, from the 1715 Fleet. 43.91 grams, 32-1/2" long. A very desirable type of gold chain from the 1715 Fleet, consisting of small, tight links with six-petal flowers on two sides (each one a little bit different) in high-grade gold, famous as the same design as the eleven-foot chain found with the "dragon whistle" (Captain-General's badge of office) by Rex Stocker in 1962, this example intact and uncut (rare thus) and a great length for wearing as a necklace today. From the 1715 Fleet, pedigreed to our Auction #16, with original lot-tag #1041 and our photo-certificate.


https://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Treasure-World-U-S-Coin-Paper-Money-Auction-24_as55485

The chain has a current bid of $6000 and an auction estimate of 6 - 9 thousand.

Here are some other featured items.

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Don't forget about the hurricane victims.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — A family can begin to grieve after officials confirmed Friday the death of a 79-year-old Florida woman who had been missing since Hurricane Michael left her Mexico Beach home in rubble.

Here is the link for more about that.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/victims-ided-as-hurricane-michael-recovery-effort-drags-on/ar-BBOCBUw?ocid=spartandhp

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You don't know what you are going to face or what your situation is going to be.  I never guessed that I would be caring for an aging parent - especially not for so many years - and I could not have imagined how emotionally difficult and consuming it could be.  Caring for a parent is not a bad thing.  The thing that is difficult is trying to do things to help when there are no solutions.  I can provide necessities.  I can try to entertain and make things comfortable, but I can not improve their state of mind.  I hate to see it but can do nothing about it.  I try my best, but things are headed in the same direction and at the same speed.  I can't do a thing about it, no matter how hard I try.  As much as they try to cover it up and deny it, even with their failing abilities on some deeper level they realize it too.  You want to be able to have reasonable conversations and discuss things, but that is futile and only leads to frustration.  As much as I want to provide some level of contentment, everything fails. I never guessed that I would be in that spot.  I had no idea.  

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There is nothing new on the hurricane map.  At least it is not so hot.

The surf will be only two or three feet for a few days.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/30/18 Report - Beaches This Morning. Tropical Storm Leslie To Become Hurricane.

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

John Brooks Beach This Morning.

This is what the surf looked like this morning.  It was rough.  

As you can see below the water had been high last night.  Lots of sea weed and the slope was very mushy.

John Brooks Beach This Morning.

John Brooks Beach This Morning.

Frederick Douglass Beach was very similar to John Brooks Beach.  There was, however, a little more scalloping.

Frederick Douglass Beach This Morning.

Going by what I saw at these two beaches, there was no significant erosion yet.

The waves were still hitting the beach straight on.

Tropical Storm Leslie

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Tropical Storm Leslie is still out there and expected to become a hurricane.  Unlike yesterday's predictions, it does not now show the track to the north.  It just seems to be wobbling around out there.

Ventusky.com shows Leslie hanging around until the end of next week before heading north again.
Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be getting nothing but east winds.

The surf predictions have changed very little since yesterday.  We're supposed to get five to eight feet later today.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/29/18 Report - Surf Getting Higher. Tropical Storm Leslie. Thousands of Coins and Objects Found.

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

Tropical Storm Leslie

Source: nhc.noaa.gov

Tropical Storm Leslie is in the Atlantic, east of Bermuda.  It is expected to become a hurricane and move southeast.

Source: MagicSeaWeed.com

The surf predictions have decreased a little, but the Treasure Coast  is still expected to get some good surf for a few days.

Unfortunately, it looks like the wind will continue from the east for just as long.

Wind Map for Sept. 24

Source: Ventusky.com

A nice breeze started today.

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Archaeologists have unearthed vast quantities of coins, pearls, and hairpins under the floors of medieval churches throughout Scandinavia.

More than 20,000 coins have been found in Norway alone, half of which date to between 1180 CE and 1320 CE.

Norway was likely home to thousands of wooden churches in the Middle Ages, known as stave churches. Twenty-eight of them have been preserved to this day and a few hundred other churches with roots in medieval times have also survived.

More than 100,000 coins discovered so far

Archaeologists in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have all made similar discoveries of a great numbers of coins and other objects under wooden church floors.

Here is the link for more about that.

http://sciencenordic.com/thousands-medieval-trinkets-discovered-underneath-scandinavian-churches

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Here is a question to think about.

Which of the following has more to do with how quickly or deep an object will sink on a beach?

a.  the objects's weight, or

b. the objects shape.

I won't give the answer yet.  I'll give you time to think about it.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net