This is Part 2 of 2 which started when I was called and found another Yellow Gold Wedding band for Charlie and Renee. It just so happened that when I was there, I found out that Charlie’s brother-in-law, Cory had also lost his yellow gold wedding band. Cory had lost his ring 2 days prior on July 4th. The area Cory pointed out was about 30-40 yards wide with an east boundary line that started at the upper beach by the dunes. The south line was straight out from an excavator on an empty lot behind the dunes. The north boundary line was straight out from a Palm tree in the corner of an adjoining lot and the west boundary was out to waist deep water. I had lost the low tide for the day but was able to get out to about my waist which was not as deep as Cory’s waist deep. I was able to check the entire beach inside the suspected area, finding a lot of targets but no man’s wedding band. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much more I could do at that point, so I called it a day. In my mind, I had already decided that I’d be back the next day at low tide, but didn’t say anything at the time. Sadly, Cory and his wife Olivia were leaving the next morning, so I wouldn’t be able to have a surprise return should I find it. On the way home, I text Charlie and told him my plan and ask him to let the gate guard know the next morning. He agreed, so everything was in place, all I needed to do was find Cory’s ring.
I showed up the next morning and everything was going according to plan. Since I had cleared the entire area of the beach, I could focus on searching the water. I started an east/west grid search letting my scoop drag in the sand, about 5 feet up the beach as a reference line. I started at the excavator working north. The water was calm, other than when boats would speed by leaving a wake that got me. With each line, I was able to get out to chest deep, which was a little farther out than Cory’s waist. I was about 5 feet in front of my excavator landmark when I got a loud and solid signal. My screen showing the VDI (visual display indicator) was submerged at arm’s length so I couldn’t see what the numbers on the machine were telling me. I guided my scoop deep into the sand and behind the detector coil and hoped I could get this target in one try. I pulled the scoop out and checked the hole to see if I got it, I DID! I shook the sand and mud out of the scoop under water. I lifted the scoop up and amongst a\scoop full of shells; I saw Cory’s gold wedding band peeking about halfway out from under a shell. Boom!! I made my way out of the water and called Charlie. I said, “Found it!” He replied, “No way, I’ll meet you at your car!” When we met, he called his sister, Olivia and told her I had found it, I think her response was the same as Charlie’s, “No way!” Charlie and Olivia worked out the details on getting the ring back to Cory. I asked Olivia to please take a picture of them and send it to me once they get the ring. I also asked her if Cory was excited, she said “He’s already texting his friends.” Soon as I get the picture, I can post this story.
Today, Thursday July 10th, I got a great picture of Cory with his ring. This is what it’s all about – one Big Happy Smile!
Cory and Olivia – I’m so happy I could help find Cory’s ring. Wish you two only the best!
Jim
