With everyone searching for their pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow today, here’s a wee bit of a treasure hunting idea.

My parents live on a tidal creek in the low country of South Carolina where sharecroppers used to farm. We took a stroll through the woods one day while visitng to see what we might find, with our metal detector in tow.

What is it they say about other people’s trash? We found a lot of it that day. It was fun for us to see all the different kitchen ware, pieces of old kitchen stoves, farming implements and other unknown metal parts.

Along with a scads of bottles. (They be some drinkin’ goin’ on up next to that there crik.)

We had fun conjuring up what our mystery findings might be. It was neat to think of the people who lived there long ago and what it must have been like.

Over the course of our treasure hunting jaunts, we’ve found all of about $1.75 in coins, mostly pennies. For us it’s not about ultimate riches. It’s about the hunt and spending time together. Of course, there’s always the hope that we’ll find some long lost artifact. But not so far.

If you’re thinking about a metal detecting outing, there are many sites online for tips and pointers. For example, did you know that detectors detect better and deeper when the ground is wet? Also, be sure to get permission from property owners before hunting on their land.

Another fun idea if you have kids (or if your spouse is really bored) is to hide your own treasure of sorts on your own property, giving clues or even a map to help discover the treasure. Can you imagine how long a handful of quarters would keep ’em busy and away from the TV? What a great birthday party idea.

Happy hunting! Let me know if you find anything exciting.

And Happy St. Patrick’s Day!