Lost Keys in Grass at Local Park .. San Clemente, CA. .. Found after Three Days

 

Rick, a detectorist friend of mine called me with a referral to help Joan find a set keys lost three days ago. When I talked to Joan on the phone it seemed like too much time had passed to locate the set of keys that had to be laying on the surface. It’s not possible to make that judgement without taking a look and discussing the details. One of my mottos is  » I will try anywhere « , so I met Joan at the park in the afternoon.
Three days before she had been walking her dog when she lost her car ($275 replacement value). She remembered where she had last seen it and when she realized it was missing. After trying to rake the grass and methodically walking the area for two days. She called asking for help.
We walked the area before I set up my detector to start a grid search. I purposely started a search outside the area she had raked and searched. I covered almost 50 x 75 yard area with no success.
When Joan returned I gave her the bad news. I showed her the exact area where the key could not be. We discussed options she could try to locate the keys as we walked back through an area 50 yards from where she thought she lost the keys. Then she lets out a scream of joy! There they are, laying right on top of the grass.. Anybody could have seen them if they passed within 20 feet.. It was great to be able to help Joan find her keys, but it shows how you have to stay positive and think outside the box.. Joan gave me the credit for helping her find her lost item.