Winter is my enemy. I see others in the hobby posting pictures of themselves in the snow and I’m over here sipping my coffee by the fire thinking… “I need to be more dedicated.” Then I remember the four inches of snow on the ground and I get another cup of coffee and retreat to my spot by the fire.

My last hunt of the year was in December. I acquired permission from the owner of the local pool (est. 1920s) which was a popular picnicking spot even before the pool. The property includes a section of creek and some old trees. It also borders the Appalachian Trail, which I had no idea when I got the permission.

My first time detecting the property, I found my first coins–a mercury dime, a v-nickel, and a an old canadian cent. Now I finally know the feeling of seeing that gleam of silver in my hole. If I wasn’t hooked before, I’m hooked now.

I found the two silvers under a big tree along the creek. I can just imagine someone seeking shade under the tree and the coins spilling from their pocket. I guess now I know what all this coin spill business is about.

Well, that was my last hunt before it got cold… too cold for me anyway. I have been working on my permissions and research, as I mentioned. I have acquired two notable permissions: an old mill and a state park with a very rich history. I also stumbled upon the story of Lewis the Robber. I am not from PA originally, so I had never heard of David Lewis… but boy did his story draw me in.

I now have this completely impractical dream of discovering the long-lost treasure of David Lewis. There was a book published about him and his exploits in 1890 that describes his obsession with hiding out in caves. I sent the local cave grotto a description of the cave mentioned in the book and they were able to identify it for me and tell me how to get there. I’m bringing along my metal detector… and who knows? Maybe I’ll find a coin or two.

I’ll leave you with an excerpt from the book:

“Here they were safe, as no one had the
courage to venture far enough into its recesses to reach them. This
retreat of the bandits was guarded on more than one occasion, but
the robbers alwa^-s made their escape. It i^ believed there Was a
secret outlet, known to no one but these outlaws, but it has never
been discovered. Here it is supposed Lewis and his band stored a
part of their plunder. The cave has been entered time and again by
fortune-hunters, but it contains so many passages that the explor-
ers never met with success and alwaj’S went away disappointed. ”

Wish me luck.