My "DIV 14" Finds

I want to start off by thanking John and Rose, and to those on the support team for orginizing such a wonderful hunt. This was my first DIV hunt, and after many years watching the videos from Ian Conway at R & R Show , SCDigger and others, reading the articles in the American Digger Magazine. I decided to try my luck at signing up, and yes dreams do come true. I got that highly prized invite to be part of the BEST orginized hunt on the planet. As my fellow hunters will agree, being part of DIV means more than digging relics, for me it's a life changing experice. Building new friendships,while reliving and recovering history one hole at a time. I don't have the opportunity to hunt prime real estate such as Cole's Hill in my state. It was like going back in history to a time of camp life with the Union Army. It was amazing, the feeling one gets from standing atop that hill looking out across the Shen. Valley. Breathtaking isn't the word, I was in ahhhh the whole time. The experice of digging with 400 + hunters, was amazing, and more than willing to help fellow hunters with troubles. Some gave tips and tricks, others lended machines to beat that ol' " Wed Dut " . I was impressed with the respect that everyone held for one another. It is a pleasure to be part of the DIV family, to say the least. It was more than recovering relics from days gone by, it was the gathering of an idea that blossemed into the " Legand " of " Diggin' in Virginia", and the memories it continues to build.....

"THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"

Mark Hudson
aka
"mlhudson"

Here are some of my finds at DIV 14

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Way to go Mark! Great finds. I'll bet you had a great time! Great photos!

-Ian

Congrats again Mark! Had a great time hunting with ya.

Don't over clean the heart piece.

I started it in a warm bath of soappy water to release some of the rust, other than that i'll probley leave it as it is. It's kinda fragile, the little pc. that broke is in good shape, so it to can be saved. I just wonder if it was part of a carraige, or limber, wagon ????. It's not in any of my books, maybe some one can get a idea as to what it is. Regardless it will get a riker case all to it's self - haha - top shelf relic,,, i belive it might have been something from the 24 th' Corps, they used the heart shape as there corp badge in 1863 - 64. Either way, it's still cool. Who would have thought that I, little ol' Mark would have had a chance to attend the DIV. Thanks Mike, a true friend. Erle and Brain, it was a pleasure to meet and hunt with you guys. Thanks for the tips, helped out alot. We'll have to do that again sometime in the future.
" Just Amazing" " I'm in Ahhh, as to it's wonder" The legand of " DIGGIN' IN VIRGINIA ".....

Mark