It was HOT and DRY.

But Sid and I had a great time. Really good to see Gregg, Joel, Monte, Mike and Lisa. We also bumped into some acquaintances of Montes from the TWAS Ogden Club there to do some screening on Monday.

Sid and I arrived Friday morning and got right to work. The CoRe and OOR coil was my detector of the day. Not long into the hunt i popped up an 1888 V nickel in very nice shape, considering it is a nickel. Lots more bits and bobs showed up, lots of big old cartridge casings like the .45-90. Despite best efforts there weren't any other coins found. Evening hunting was actually quite pleasant as a breeze cooled us as the sun was setting casting long shadows across the desert.

IF ONLY those had been the conditions the entire time!

Saturday seemed even hotter. Again the CoRe and OOR was my detector of the day. More bits and bobs found as we all moved around to areas we thought might turn up some keepers. So hot and targets were not giving themselves up to our coils. Just endless dusty holes of iron and tin.

Gregg ducked down to Cobre for a short spell to see if he could shake off the bad luck and when he came back an hour or two later, he had a smile and worn Buffalo nickel in hand. He felt like the bad luck has been shaken away. Truly. And before the day ended he turned up an 1866 shield nickel w/rays and just like that he had the oldest coin, and looked relieved.

Sunday was more hot temps and talcum powder dry roads. My 800 with the 6" coil was the choice today. Again we all spread out to spots we thought might produce and Joel was the winner this time with an 1871 IHC. Sid turned up 2 Toano, NV sheep ear tags, I found one, and there were lots of woulda/coulda targets found by all.

There were frequent pauses to drink and stay hydrated. Occasionally a rest was needed to sit down and recoup. We were so appreciative that Joel brought his travel trailer with an awning for shade and extra camp chairs to rest on! It saved us.

Monday it was back to it again - again the 800 was my detector of choice for the day. More heat and dust. More doodads, bits and bobs for all. Gregg had headed home in the early hours leaving the 1866 Shield as the mark to beat. Finally after hours of searching there was a good signal on the 800. The edge of a coin poked out from under the dirt. A nickel. I was surprised again to see that familiar V looking back at me. On the bottom edge under the image of Liberty was 1898. Not what I needed to move ahead of Gregg in our contest, but certainly a welcome sight after so much work expended in the hunt. More searching, more iron and tin. Finally, I looked down at my watch . . . and it was time to wrap up for the day and head home. Rats.

I have to tip my hat to OregonGregg for the oldest US coin (1866) with a date and express my admiration for his accomplishment of hunting an entire year with ONLY his CoRe / OOR coil a couple years ago (2020). I enjoyed my time with the CoRe Friday and Saturday.

More thanks to Joel for providing a welcome retreat with his travel trailer AND for bringing along the latest greatest detectors to look at. He had a Legend and Deus 2 as well as some old classics. I know Sid enjoyed spending time with Joel's Deus 2, which completely surprised me. I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. Guess I'll just keep my trap shut when it comes to what I think others might and might not like in a detector. (thats for you Monte).

Wrapping up, I had a lot of hard earned fun. Enjoyed the company and the beautiful, but hot, desert setting. The horizons are amazing. Unlike previous years, Sid and I stayed in Wendover, Nevada, which was a very nice change for me. I heard this was the last Gathering in Wells, NV. for a while. Till we get together again in some dusty old ghost town, I say thank you to all who made it.

Rich -

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out exploring with my metal detectors



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2022 02:24PM by UtahRich.