What interesting and wonderful stories/reasons you all have for metal detecting. Mine are not quite as exciting as yours, but I have always had the desire to metal detect.
I never liked history in school...was so boring...but as I grew and travelled (while in the Navy)...I learned to appreciate what was around me and tried to learn everything I could about the town, city, county, state and even country I was currently stationed. I have to say, between Italy and Greece....I don't know which one I love the most about the history of those countries. In Italy, no matter where you step, you are walking on history. Wish I had a detector back then. Rome, being my most favorite city I ever visited, lived there for 3 years, in Naples. The Vatican alone is beautiful in it's setting and meeting Pope Paul!!). Greece, Athens is a beautiful city and seeing all the ruins. I was in total awe!! Also, with genealogy, I have learned to appreciate history more as well, putting history in the time line of my ancestors...makes for a great story!!!
But I have been blessed to see Spain, Bahamas, Jamiaca, St Thomas, Mexico, Gitmo, France, Germany, Netherlands, even riding through the Panama Canal. to name a few. Each place so rich in it's own history and treasures, and not so much the treasures you dig up...but the treasures of the people, the town, the traditions, all so exciting to learn. I have, in my own genealogical research, found "lost" traditions of my ancestors that I practice in my home with my kids. I believe, 'In order for us to know were we are going, we need to know from where we came from.' Preserving our past is so important to me and something I want to give my children and hopefully, they too, will feel somewhat like I do, I hope
I have always had an interest in archaeology, as well. Even had digs done on my husbands property (Outer Banks), that was exciting!!! Will watch anything and everything regarding that subject matter...love watching Dr. Zahi Hawass and all the wonderful Egyptian treasures and tombs he has uncovered!!! Also Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titantic and quite frankly, got screwed!!! We saw the Titantic museum when it came through Hampton Roads couple years ago...OMG...awesome!! So fascinating. And to know, I walked around those pyramids and saw the sphinx and all....makes it more exciting, because I have been there

Even rode a camel....STAY OFF THE CAMELS!!! They stink, nasty, ugly BIG teeth and will try to bite you. I tried to get down and that darn thing turned it's head to bite my leg!! And the guy would not help me down until I paid for my ride!!! UGH
So, in Dec of last year, hubby got our oldest boy a metal detector. He tried it a few times in the yard, but the interest did not kick in. It sat in the corner till this past April and we were watching some Treasure Hunting show on tv. Well, I got out the detector, went in the front yard and well, the rest is history now LOL. Been lucky on some finds in the yard and even at the beach. But have not found that big diamond yet
Well, this past Mother's Day and my Birthday (only a couple weeks apart)...hubby got me my very own...a Minelab Explorer II...unfortnately, it's too heavy for me...so he uses that and I still use my sons. He plans to get me the Garrett Ace 250 (we have the 150). I like it..it works, it helps me find things, I don't need all kinds of fancy gadgets on it

...just point me to the silver and gold LOL
We will get a 150 for the youngest son also and then the 4 of us will go detecting as a family!! Right now, they just help us dig, but that is about it and want to keep everything we find. I told them they will inherit it...LOL.
So, we (hubby and I) are finally doing something we always wanted to do and hopefully, we will be able to get the boys interested as well. My dau on the other hand, laughs at me. I said, "Watch your laughing, someday I will be laughing you all the way to the bank!!" and she says, "I hope you do Ma!!"
Metal Detecting, I have found, is very healthly, gets me off this computer LOL...I have lost almost 15 pounds (and I have no intentions of detecting to find where I lost it at either!!) from all that walking and bending and squatting and swinging!!! And I find myself drinking more WATER!!! Drinking soda, I have learned, only makes you more thirsty and puts on the pounds LOL.
So, what do I want to find? I really don't know...so much out there yet to be found. I am just excited to find a broken match box car or a screwdriver...but I dispise those BOTTLE CAPS, PULL TABS and NAILS!!!! UGH

I would love to find an old coin!! That would be exciting for me and oh, my diamond ring!!!! LOL
Happy Hunting to you all and I hope you find the treasure of your dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!