Treasure Hunters - Those We've Left Behind

Once again, the end of another year in the metal detecting and treasure hunting hobby. I've been pursuing my fortune and personal treasure for 56-years in this hobby, and I've met a lot of really nice genuine people, friends and acquaintances. I've also met a few dishonest, underhanded and conniving troublemakers over the last half-century too; the type you would expect to find in any shady activity involving treasure hunting...or bank robbery for that matter. Watch the classic 1948 film Treasure  of the Sierra Madre, and you'll find pretty much the same type of character, albeit with better technology, nowadays lurking behind a high-tech machine smiling in your face, but with darker designs at your back, if the opportunity should arise. You know the drill. But this is not about them. 

Brent Petherick Photo Cir 2013

My long association in the hobby, and treasure hunting in general, like any other endeavor or pursuit, has left me with many memories of friends and acquaintances who have moved on across the great gulf of time and space; the last great adventure, sadly, we must all take eventually. But this is not about sadness or loss...this is about life and the people in it...now...at this very moment. There were many times in the past where I missed a hunt, or meet-up with a good friend because of one thing or another...the body was willing, but the major complexities of modern life got in the way and I succumbed to the distractions and petty issues that I wish now I had put aside. And as many of my buddies will attest, getting older means losing more abilities, and many times losing mobility itself. But we have club members in their mid-90's still out there armed with their research and their metal detectors, using modified walkers, wheeled garden seats, and the like. Not giving up easily is an admirable human trait. And treasure hunting gets in your blood, harder than a virus to get rid of, and mostly incurable. As the new year of 2020 dawns, I think what one of my old flight instructors, Bill Thompson, used to say in the 1960's after we had landed, taxied in and shut down all the aircraft systems. As the engines spooled down, he would sign off my logbook, look at me and say "Well, we got away with it again!" Here at the brink of 2020, we all mostly did, but many did not. I raise my glass to all of you we've left behind...Kevin, Richard, Brent, Don...you are missed and well-remembered! Now go call or visit that friend you have not spent time with for a while...and talk treasure hunting and beautiful sunsets. The stuff dreams are made of.

Treasure Hunter Brent Petherick 1954-2019