I received a call early this week from Jeanette (in June). She lost her wedding bands at Long Island Beach the previous week. Someone has already searched without success.
I told her that I would search for her, but I couldn’t get there till Saturday to do a demanding work schedule. They will not be at the shore; they will be home in NY State. I’m not confident about this hunt, due to the time since lost and someone else using a detector to look before me.
I packed my truck up Friday night so I can be ready to go at 4:30 am. I want to beat the shore traffic and search the sand with a few people on the beach as possible. I also pack rain gear because the forecast is for 100% chance of rain for the search time.
The whole drive I rode thru a mist. I cross the Rt 72 bridge into the island, and I hit a hard downpour. I’m glad I have the rain gear. I park and change into my hunting outfit for the day; I look like I am on the show Deadliest Catch. I grabbed my new detector (only used once and found gold) and headed to the beach. It is high tide, and the surf is angry.
The other detectorist must have cleaned up all of the targets because this beach is quiet. 15 minutes into the hunt and I have only found a small piece of aluminum. A few seconds later I get a good tone in my headphones. The target is only an inch down. I dig with my scoop and shake out the sand. Boom, 3 rings all interconnected – yellow gold, white gold & rose gold. I found what I am looking for. I take a few pictures and leave due to the weather.
My wife and I met up with Jeanette a couple of weeks later and made the return. Se said that she was going to let everyone on the Island about my hobby.
Here is a note that was sent to the news media from Jeanette, whos ring I returned earlier this month:
Life Lesson #63: Never wear jewelry to the beach.
Life Lesson #64: If you do, never take it off to apply suntan lotion.
And so it happened…
A beautiful, relaxing summer afternoon at the beach turned into the loss of my Cartier Trinity ring. I had ignored those two life lessons, got distracted and now I was in a frantic search for my previous wedding band that had disappeared into the sand. We traced my steps, sifted through piles of sand…all no to avail.
Early the next morning while again combing the beach, I met a fisherman who told me about Dave, the Metal Detecting Man. He said he had great results. I contacted him and told him my tale of woe. Dave, who lives at least an hour from Long Beach Island, promised he would do his best, but it would take some time.
On a rainy Saturday morning I got a call from Dave. He had recovered my ring! My precious ring is back on my finger again.We need more Daves in this world. He took the time to help a stranger in need…a life lesson in itself. He exemplified How To Live.
I am not the only lucky one that has been helped. Dave has been doing this for many years and has a treasure chest full of heart warming stories to share. People like Dave should be highlighted and celebrated. Thank you Dave, the Metal Detecting Man.
Jeanette
