Uncategorized Category | Page 457 of 483 | The Ring Finders

It happened in an instant. A routine boat docking turned to dissapointment when Dave Mayland’s Rolex watch caught on a mooring fixture and flew off his wrist into the dark waters of Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin. To make matters worse, the watch was a 10th anniversary gift from his wife.

I received a phone call from Dave telling me of his loss. The question uppermost on his mind was, “Do you think it can be recovered?” After reviewing the details and looking at satellite maps together via the internet, I determined there was indeed a good chance of locating and recovering Dave’s lost property.

The morning I arrived on location, I had only just gotten started when a thunderstorm forced me to retreat to my car for safety. Once the worst of the storm passed I resumed the search while a gentle rain peppered the lake’s surface.

The lake bottom was not friendly to my Minelab Excalibur detector. It encountered evidence of former cottage-country visitors and ice fishermen–Old Blatz beer cans. These were summarily returned to their resting places, this in concert with Wisconsin DNR regulations [any artifact found in the ground or water that is 50 years old or older is deemed to be an archeological relic]. Coontail aquatic plants likewise impeded my search efforts. But after three hours, a promising signal proved to be that of Dave’s treasured wristwatch.

Dave, thank you for allowing me the joy of locating and recovering your fine Rolex. May its story continue many more years. Thanks too, for your kind reward.

A Father’s Day boating excersion ended on a dissapointing note for Richard (Rik) Hopper and his wife. Her precious wedding rings slipped from her finger as they frolicked in the summer waters near Silver Lake Park in South-Eastern Wisconsin. I received Rik’s email appeal for help but was unable to schedule a search until today, June 24th.

Rik led the way as we waded out into the lake together–he had done a good job of noting reference points along the shore and had the search grid area narrowed down to the size of a tennis court or larger. A steady supply of pull tabs and bottle caps bore testimony to happier times at the location. But eventually the gleam of gold and diamonds emerged in my sieve which matched the photo on Rik’s cell phone.

“I wasn’t holding my breath.” Rick said. “I am amazed that you found it.” The smile on his face betrayed his joy and relief. Now his focus is turned to a happier task–how he will re-present the lost love token to his unsuspecting bride. [At time of writing she is unaware of Rik’s search arrangments with The Ring Finders and with myself. I can’t wait to hear the rest of this story!] Thanks, Rik, for the privilege of helping the story of your wife’s ring continue. Thanks too for your kind reward.