Couple That Finds Message In A Bottle Accidentally Join Decades-Old 'Experiment'

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” — AKA, the beachcomber’s mantra. This tried and true saying runs through the minds of Candy and Jim Duke every Saturday morning when they step onto the sand of Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Another day, another chance at finding their own personal treasure. But on one special trip, they stumbled across a peculiar piece of history. Soon, they became a part of something absolutely massive.

Expert beachcombers

Candy and Jim Duke have become expert beachcombers over the years. Unlike novice treasure hunters, who oohed and aahed over shiny shells and maybe even a starfish or two, the Dukes weren't so easily impressed. Sure, a fully intact conch was thrilling to find, but they were really in the market for something a little more unique.

Trash, trash, and more trash

Slightly higher on their list was sea glass, or shards of glass that have become so wave-worn that they’re smooth to the touch. And it was not unusual for Candy and Jim to stumble upon — sometimes literally — weathered trash cans, hydraulic jacks, and endless clumps of sunburned netting from “who knows what,” as Candy said.

Mysterious bottles

On a good day, though, the couple found bottles. Murky green bottles, dirty brown bottles, recyclable plastic bottles, bottles eroded by the salt and the waves, and bottles that were covered with barnacles — Candy and Jim collected them all. Each time, they scrambled to see what’s inside…

A strange discovery

And each time, the bottles ended up being empty. So, Candy and Jim cleaned them up and arranged them in their front yard as cute beachy decor. This was how their Saturdays usually went...until one day when the couple unearthed yet another bottle. This time, the bottle wasn’t empty.