Ahoy, Smith Maties

Saturday the last day of our reunion was the Pirate Day. They must of spent hours upon hours putting it together. It was by far the best treasure hunt I have been on yet. It all started with our dear Cousin Doug starting out our hunt with a story of Captain one Eye Smith the following is his story




The Legend of Captain “One Eye” Smith’s Treasure

Long ago, around the 17th century, King Phillip II of Spain was in the waging war against France. King Phillip had lost one of his strong holds, and now the advancing French army was threatening his treasury at San Sebastian on the shore of the Bay of Biscay. King Phillip ordered that his treasure be loaded on a ship and moved to his Southern command of Lisboan. As the ship set sail it was spotted and trailed by a man who did not care for the war but only the prospect of lining his pockets with Loot.. It was the Famous Captain “One Eye” Smith. Captain Smith knew the ship must have a valuable cargo since it was leaving the treasury, and by the depth it sat in the water. Captain Smith ordered his crew to follow the ship from a safe distance. Later in the dark of night and in the blinding thick fog Captain Smiths’ crew attacked and boarded the King Phillip’s vessel. It was a fierce battle but captain smiths’ crew came away with the king’s treasure. They set sail for their hideout while the king was informed that his treasure had been stolen. The king was so furious that he sent an armada after the pirates. The pirates narrowly escaped their hideout and were being chased by the king’s ships. They sailed for months but the king’s ships were always visible on the horizon. Then one night there was a violent storm. When the sun came up in the morning land was visible on the horizon and the king’s ships were nowhere to be found. Captain Smith knew it would not be long before the king’s ships were hot on his tail so he found an inlet and sailed his ship up a river, which is now the Snake River. They sailed up river for two days until they came to modern day Melba, Idaho. They then went inland about ten miles and buried their treasure on the top of a hill. The captain mapped out the exact location. The crew then made its way back to the ship, and set sail for the ocean. As they were about to exit the mouth of the Snake River, there was a huge explosion and debris from the ship flew into the air. The king’s army had found them and they were sitting ducks. The ship was being blown to pieces. Captain smith flipped his ship around and sailed back up the river. But the King’s navy was gaining ground on the wounded ship. As they were about back to the Melba area, the king’s ships had closed the gap and were now fire ring the cannons at will. It was too much for captain Smith’s ship to handle. The only hope of escape was for the pirates to abandon the ship. They all jumped and swam for shore; even the captain with his treasure map in hand. The king’s navies had launched their dinghies and were in hot pursuit.. As the pirates made it to the beach, musket balls filled the air. As the pirates were about to make it to the safety of the trees the captain was hit numerous times. He fell to the ground and was finished. Two pirates saw the captain fall and grabbed the map from the captain’s bloody hand, and ran for the trees to hide. They were now the only two survivors. Because they did not trust each other they decided to rip the treasure map in two pieces and bury them in separate spots. They also left clues to find the map pieces.
After they buried there map and clues they decided to try and escape. When nightfall came they swam out to one of the king’s anchored ships and took control and sailed away into the night. The pirates never came back, as they were too busy visiting every pub they could, spreading the legend of Captain “One Eyed” Smith.


Tug of War for who was to walk the Plank!


Walking the plank!


The pole vault to get to the next clue!



Then there was a walk in the muck to look for the ducks.



Then to another Clue!



We finally found the map and put it together. Then we had to follow the coordinates with a compass to find the treasure.




Digging for Treasure.


I think we found something!





We made it to the treasure and now we had to dig it up. The kids started digging but it was to tiring for them so the adults helped. It was so big that it probably took at least 20 minutes.(They used a bulldozer to bury the treasure) They finally get it out and it is filled with treasures indeed. (necklaces, rings, pirate swords and eye patches and much more) We all thought it was great! It was a lot of fun! Thanks Dustin and Judy and everyone else for all your hard work.