California Fun: The search is on for Bones' Booty

Santa Rosa's Press Gazette: The search is on for Bones' Booty

Blackwater Bones is lurking in Milton and trying to hide his booty once again.

The scourge of the Blackwater River is preparing for Milton’s annual treasure hunt, which will kickoff officially Friday in Historic Downtown Milton.

The first clue will be given out those who want to get an early start at 6 p.m. Friday at the Blackwater Bistro.

Bones and his crew will read the first clue and will have a treasure chest of pirate goodies.

Starting Saturday everyone else will get to see the clues online each day at 4:30 p.m. through various media outlets including the Santa Rosa Press Gazette.

Clues will also be posted at the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce Office on Stewart Street.

An added twist this year will be daily Treasure Booty prize.

The first person to call the Blackwater Bones Treasure Hunt Hotline with the correct Pirate Key will win a prize.

According to Donna Tucker, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, the first booty prize will be a certified authentic pendant made from a silver bar of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a 1600’s shipwreck found by renowned treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Other daily prizes will include various items such as gift certificates, pyrate attire, and accessories.

Treasure Hunters will use eight Pirate Keys to decipher the Pirate Code, a sentence or phrase that reveals the mystery treasure object’s identity and secret location.

The lucky treasure hunter who finds Bones’ treasure will receive the grand prize, which includes three commemorative Blackwater Pyrate solid silver coins.

This year there will also be a drawing for those who complete all eight pirate keys correctly on the treasure map.

Treasure maps will be available at the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce Office or online at www.srchamber.com.

“You’re going to have to do some research to solve the clues, because they are challenging,” said Wes Meiss, President of the Santa Rosa Historical Society. “It’s a great way for families to learn about Milton’s history, and a chance to win some great prizes too.”

Bones has been seen recently reading the book, Images of America: Santa Rosa County by Laurie Green, which could be of help to the treasure seekers.

The book is available at the chamber office if you would like to purchase a copy.

“One goal of our Treasure Hunt Committee is to build and improve on the hunt each year,” Tucker said. “This year we decided to offer more chances to win. The daily prizes reward those who are quick to solve the clues.”

Besides the Santa Rosa Press Gazette website other sources to keep up with the clues will be the new Blackwater Bones Lost Treasure Hunt website, www.blackwaterbonestreasurehunt.com or the Blackwater Pyrates Facebook page.