FAQ: Video Blog Uno.

Can't See The Video? Click Here: Video Diary or "Vlog"? Uno.


I get a lot of questions from people via this website and the facebook page that belongs to it as well as other sources. Like you. I am still only just half a year into it. So. I tried to make a video to answer some of the questions people commonly ask me. I guess its my first "vlog" for whatever that means. I talk about being new to the hobby. How I got into it. How I go about detecting. Explain the "Moon Tanning" that everyone seems to be so interested in, some local history of my hometown that has been buried by a deeply liberal community (I did mean to include photos and videos of it in the video but will include a few rare photo's below) and what I have learned so so far in this weird but exciting hobby. Please keep in mind. What I say is not always correct. And nor should anyone follow my advice without doing their own local research when it comes to my method of detecting. The video is a little long. So. I am sorry for that. Feel free to skip it if you like. This is just something I wanted to try. And see how people respond. Luckily, the camera cut off. And my long rambling was ended. Otherwise this could have ran an hour.

KKK CROSS BURRING ON TOP OF SKINNERS BUTTE. As for the forgotten history of the KKK and extremely racist territory of Oregon. Here are a few of the photo's mentioned. I post them here only for historical reference. A disgusting and sad fact that once was. As well as some photos of old civic stadium as I had also intended. Please keep in mind. That I, being interested in history. Especially the town I live in. Not only do I go out and swing a stick. I like to learn about the history of any city I reside in. Good or bad. I was always saddened to uncover this dark past. PICTURED HERE, IS THE KKK MARCHING DOWN WILLAMETTE ST.

I would delve into it, into far more detail if you were to request it. However. I will warn you. As an Oregonian. Especially from the Valley area. You might not like what you learn. And its not really something I would care to cover more so than the little that I have. I would rather focus on the good rather than the bad. For it brings me far more joy to feel a good connection to our predecessors than a sick and twisted negative one.
PICTURED HERE IS A PARKWAY EASEMENT at 10th and High St. CIRCA 1930.

CIVIC STADIUM: GAME NIGHT. CIRCA 1950.

As mentioned in the video. It was under the old wooden bleachers. Or, grand stand that got me thinking of a metal detector and uncovering whatever lost history I could before they had planned to demolish it. In the photo left. You see a tight corridor underneath the grand stand. However. What is not pictured. Is the huge spaces of old hard pack dirt. There is enough room to swing a detector there easily. And probably make some exciting finds leading back to the depression era when it was built. I have personally seen these spaces. And they are quite something. I can only imagine the wonderful things that could be discovered. Your guess is as good as mine.

CIVIC STADIUM CIRCA 1950. SHOWING THE MASSIVE EXPANSE OF A FOOTBALL GAME FIELD.

As always. In search of something our predecessors lost into the soil. We look for places that were high traffic areas. Places of gathering. And not only is Civic Stadium one of those places. It is still standing. A historical masterpiece in itself. What lay beneath its surface is only a small part of it. I look at this last photo I will provide. A design plan for the stadium. That was eventually built by hardworking men and women for families to come and enjoy a family outing at a sports game. And I would hate to see it destroyed. As it is legend. A place of memories for many generations that have come and gone. And we are lucky it is still standing. Its American history. One of the last all wood stadiums in the entire United States of America. The place that I saw great history. The place that inspired me to start my adventure into Urban Archaeology. Metal Detecting.

I will continue to attempt my video "vlog" here and there. But I need topics. So keep the questions coming please. This was just a practice. A little, Ishtar. A heavens gate if you will. And it is what it is. I will do better next time. Oh, and dont forget. Those trees! Hit em hard! The one important fact I left out about trees that also works to the detectorists advantage. Is, well. Leafs. Yup. The falling of a leafs, pine needles and debre. Imagine if you lost an old Silver Dollar while relaxing under a tree for shade. That very silver dollar was most probably never noticed as it lay on top the soil. Because it was covered by an oak leaf. ??? You follow? Ok Good.
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So here is whats on the roster for this months columns, and articles. Kathleen Panno has written an article as a new detectorist in Maine. Dennis O'Connor is back with more Gold prospecting tips. I have written an article on hunting for gold coins. And some more useful articles for new and veteran detectorists a like. How to know if a Diamond is Real. Part Two of a new Detectorist guide. Cleaning clad change, with or with out a rock tumbler. And am working on yet more of the Coin Archeology series of American Silver coin ID guides as well as foreign silvers. And as always. A few finds here and there. I leave you with this great clip of Neil McElroy's amazing 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar.



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-Ryan