Metal Pig
Forum Supporter
Hello, all!
My wife wants to check out Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate on our vacation so I was like sure, why not. I've planned my route. We're in southwest P.A. and I'll head down through West Virginia and we'll spend a day or two there bumming around and checking out some parks and waterfalls. Then we'll hop over to Charlottesville, VA where Monticello is. Obviously I'm not going to be swinging anywhere near the grounds of Monticello, but I hope to hop out and do some detecting here and there along the way.
I'd like to hear from folks either living in those places or who have travelled to those places before. I know I'll be in a very historic region, and many spots will be protected and patrolled. I'm not planning on doing any MD'ing in places like that, but I was wondering otherwise what I should expect. How are the authorities when meeting detectorists, as long as youre not doing anything obviously wrong or destructive? We are planning on visiting a waterfall or two. I'm interested in detecting in the areas around the basins which are also swimming holes, and many of the cliffy areas where people stop to see the views. Also areas around any old foundations or ruins I see which are not marked "POSTED" or "NO TRESPASSING" may get a few swings. Depends on the vibes I get from each individual site. When in the state parks I won't be able to hide my detector but I will have a very small digging tool stored out of sight. If asked I will generally tell people that I am mostly surface-hunting or water-hunting and not tearing up the park. And that will "generally" be the truth!
I'm just wondering what the overall culture and attitude (not to mention the LAWS) will be regarding what I am planning on doing. Any feedback, experience or knowledge is welcome.
My wife wants to check out Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate on our vacation so I was like sure, why not. I've planned my route. We're in southwest P.A. and I'll head down through West Virginia and we'll spend a day or two there bumming around and checking out some parks and waterfalls. Then we'll hop over to Charlottesville, VA where Monticello is. Obviously I'm not going to be swinging anywhere near the grounds of Monticello, but I hope to hop out and do some detecting here and there along the way.
I'd like to hear from folks either living in those places or who have travelled to those places before. I know I'll be in a very historic region, and many spots will be protected and patrolled. I'm not planning on doing any MD'ing in places like that, but I was wondering otherwise what I should expect. How are the authorities when meeting detectorists, as long as youre not doing anything obviously wrong or destructive? We are planning on visiting a waterfall or two. I'm interested in detecting in the areas around the basins which are also swimming holes, and many of the cliffy areas where people stop to see the views. Also areas around any old foundations or ruins I see which are not marked "POSTED" or "NO TRESPASSING" may get a few swings. Depends on the vibes I get from each individual site. When in the state parks I won't be able to hide my detector but I will have a very small digging tool stored out of sight. If asked I will generally tell people that I am mostly surface-hunting or water-hunting and not tearing up the park. And that will "generally" be the truth!
I'm just wondering what the overall culture and attitude (not to mention the LAWS) will be regarding what I am planning on doing. Any feedback, experience or knowledge is welcome.