Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

X is for X Marks the Spot!

For this, my fourth year doing the challenge, I've decided to share place names from the Virgin Islands. For such a small spot in the ocean, it seems like every rock, cove, hill and house has been christened. The names are a unique mix of Spanish, Danish, French, Dutch, English, and African to name a few.
X Marks
the Spot!
What with pirates roaming the area there are tales told of treasure, though I'm not sure any has ever been found. And then there's the story about a cay named Dead Chest in the BVI. The story goes that Blackbeard marooned several of his crew on the island with only a cutlass and bottle of rum each, leaving them to battle it out.  "Sixteen men on a dead man's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum." Although I've never been able to verify it,  supposedly Robert Lewis Stevenson sailed through the islands, heard the story and was inspired to write, Treasure Island.

Here's my treasure map of St. John, with an X marking one place near and dear to my heart. Many of the places that I have featured or mention during the A to Z Challenge are on this map.



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12 comments:

  1. Nick WilfordApril 27, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Watch out, you might get a rush of treasure hunters coming to your sacred spot! Even if it isn't true, I love the Treasure Island story.

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  2. Misha GerrickApril 27, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    So interesting to know where the idea for Treasure Island might have come from.

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  3. AnonymousApril 27, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Pirates and their hidden treasures are fascinating.

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  4. farawayeyesApril 27, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    So, you're telling us that your heart AND your treasure lie under that X.

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  5. Alex J. CavanaughApril 27, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    So that's where Blackbeard dumped them?

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  6. L. Diane WolfeApril 27, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    I wonder how many have looked for treasure there?

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  7. Carol KilgoreApril 27, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    I didn't know the story behind Treasure Island.

    Our posts, and Clarissa Draper's post, all share the same title today :)

    Sounds like Gift Hill is special to you.

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  8. UnknownApril 27, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    I hadn't heard that RL Stevenson travelled that far from home. I love the idea that he might have heard the story from a sailor and been inspired to write his amazing story.

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  9. Susan KaneApril 27, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Does that say "Gill Hill"? Should I bring my shovel and meet you there?

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  10. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 28, 2013 at 4:15 AM

    Hi Bish .. can quite see why you're totally enamoured with the place where you used to live .. I would be too!!

    Treasure .... well please share with us when you find it. However the backstory re Treasure Island is interesting ...

    Cheers Hilary

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  11. UnknownApril 28, 2013 at 5:38 PM

    That's so cool about Treasure Island! I love your map drawing skills. If I did it, I'm sure it would be illegible. :-)

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  12. cleemckenzieApril 29, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    I love your map, Bish. It makes me want to go on a treasure hunt.

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!

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