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As the temperature starts to slowly drop from the 90 degree range to the mid 70’s to the mid 60’s. It is time to go looking for marshmallow coins as I call them. Here are a few ideas, and tips on how to get some of these coins, left behind by the summer crowd at the local camp grounds. Campsite areas are frequently characterized by two distinct features--trees and trash--both which should be taken into consideration when searching. The shady trees that grace many locations provide welcome relief from the sun, which makes them popular spots with the campers. One thing to keep in mind is that the shade moves with the sun as it passes overhead, so be sure to search the area completely. The layer of fallen leaves and pine needles that blanket the ground beneath trees will quickly swallow dropped coins, toys , trinkets, and other objects including those pesky bottle caps, pull-tabs, and foil that are so prevalent in the campground areas. When an object hits this layer of loose leaves and stuff, it tends to disappear in a hurry. As a result, the typical campground is going to be loaded with targets, both good and bad. Fortunately, the undesirable items should not pose much of a problem for a treasure hunter with a discriminate search mode. When searching a campsite area for the first time if in 10 to 15 minutes of searching with the discrimination set at a high level you may wish to lower it if you do not have a lot of trash present. If the preliminary search uncovers a number of modern clad coins, and a wheat cent or two, you may want to slow down a little and listen for the ever so faint signal of the silver coins that have been there for a while that no one has heard in their search before. Pull tabs can create problems when using a minimum of discrimination, but if an area has not been worked over heavily and there’s a chance of good targets being found, I’m willing to dig the trash, especially if the ground is loose and I can use a knife and a screwdriver as digging tools. Because campsites are usually numbered in most areas I like to check out each of them one by one. Of course if the site is occupied you want to pass it up and return when it is empty. "Do Not Bother Campers"!! The first place to look at a campsite is under the tables, and benches as this is where a lot of things, are lost. Coins seem to be the most targets as they seem to fall out of pockets as the leg is being lifted over the bench to set down, or the kids playing, poking coins through the slots in the table, or some over elated poker player losing some of his winnings. Whatever the reason, there’s often a number of targets to be found beneath campground tables and benches, especially if you are willing to bend down and reach into the most inaccessible spots. The level places where tents are pitched, can also be a great place for hunting. Although most of the modern day tents have a nylon floor in them to stop the fallen items, the area around them can often provide fertile pickings. Keep in mind that the spot the last family set up their tent may not be the same place the the family before them set theirs up in. Search the level area well. Be sure to check thoroughly around the base of large trees. Folks like to place pack sacks, jackets, and other items of clothing at the base of a tree when they are not in use, and the contents of pockets often spill out. The area around each parking spur will often produce well also. A lot of items are lost when vehicles are being loaded or unloaded, especially when campers are in a hurry or doing it so late in the day that the visibility is poor. If someone is anxious to depart, they are not inclined to take time to search for something that has dropped. Other areas of campgrounds that are worth checking out are the beach, swimming hole, playground areas, recreation , and fire ring areas, amphitheaters, and water faucets. Any area with high usage by people will produce a lot of different items. I found a nice Gold and Ruby ring below a water faucet when I went to go get a drink of water. The first thing to do when you are going to search a campground is OBTAIN PERMISSION FIRST!! This will ensure that you and other treasure hunters can continue to return to find more MARSHMALLOW COINS. Please fill all holes and respect the campground hosts requests. Happy Hunting: ED Groth EDWARD
GROTH |