I took some of my better finds to work to show off and eventually got my friend Terry Schroeder hooked. He asked a lot of questions, and I could sense the enthusiasm in his voice whenever I started telling him about the best places to search, how to get permission, the finds I've made, etc. He finally made the decision and purchased a Garrett 350 last summer.

Following some friendly advice from me, he read the instruction manual and, when he felt ready, went out and found a silver quarter. Talk about excitement! If you could only have heard the pride in his voice and how ecstatic he was to have found "treasure." Almost every day at work he would give the usual report of finding a Wheat cent or two, but nothing that really stood out.

Vacations came up, and we decided to take off from work the first week in August and do some serious detecting. Waiting for that week to come seemed to drag for both of us, but it also gave us time to plan our future expeditions -- one day of hunting where earlier I'd found a Civil War token, another day at a farmhouse, another day at a church, etc. Finally the first day arrived, and we started early.

I wish I could say we found hundreds of coins, but I can't. However, I did manage to find a 1906 Indian Head cent. Terry was envious as well as excited about the find, stating that he'd probably missed that Indian Head by only a few feet! When we quit for the day, I realized that I already had a 1906, so I gave it to him. Let me emphasize that the enjoyment and companionship was what really made the day. Just to share the pleasure of this hobby topped off an otherwise lousy day of only a few finds.

The next day it was Terry's turn to make some good finds. We went to an area farm where, after a short conversation with Junior, the owner, we each picked an area of turf to check out. We started by finding a few Wheat and Memorial cents. Terry checked along the driveway, and I scanned the front yard. I found a sleigh bell, a sterling ring (the owners said it didn't belong to them and that I could keep it), and a silver Roosevelt dime. Terry found only a few Wheats, however, and dejectedly turned to go to another spot.

Hoping to encourage him, I asked, "After a long day of work on this farm, where would you sit down to relax?" Of course he said, "Probably in the front yard where I was detecting." When I reminded him that it is a big yard and that there were two large trees nearby just begging to be searched over, he said he didn't want to invade my space! I told him to go for it!

After a short while, and with a little help from me, he located a token from RUB-ER-ROID roofing, his first token. A few minutes later, I noticed a big smile coming from his direction, so I went to investigate. Sure enough, he'd found a silver dime -- his first Mercury. About five minutes later, another smile signaled another Mercury.

Terry remarked that it would really make his day to find a Buffalo nickel. A couple of minutes later, he was the proud owner of a 1937 Buffalo. By this time it was too much for us, and we decided to go and celebrate these great "firsts".

The next day, you can guess where we went... right back to where we'd left off! We again talked to Junior and asked him if at one time there had been an old clothesline near the house. He said "Sure, right between those two big trees." Terry had hit the right spot!

When we started detecting again, it wasn't long before Terry was smiling from ear to ear. "Now what?" I wondered.

"You won't believe it!" he exclaimed. "A 1918 Walking Liberty half!"

We really couldn't top that find for the rest of the day.

The rest of the week wasn't quite as eventful as those first three days, but it was still great fun. Some of the more interesting finds we made in various yards include two Indian Head cents, two Buffalo nickels, two Mercury dimes, a silver Roosevelt dime, a Walking Liberty half, three tokens, and a G.A.R. (Civil War Union veterans) badge. Terry and I both made some excellent recoveries.

I guess the point is that if you really want to get away from the "ho-hums," find someone to share this exciting hobby. Sure, it's great to get out by yourself, but for real pleasure, nothing is better than sharing a site with a friend, even when the "good" stuff is found by someone else. Just being there to see it can be a heart-pumping experience.

Going detecting anytime soon? Take along a friend. No matter what else you find, you're sure to discover those good times you've been missing.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wish to thank Junior Smith for allowing us to search their beautiful yard!