Orlando resident captures 'the gold'

Summer Treasures campaign brings overnight visitors to Treasure Coast and adorns visitor in jewels.

STUART, FL (August 15 , 2008)-Orlando resident Patricia Weaver captured 'the gold' after finding one of the daily treasure chests hidden by tourism officials throughout Martin County in July.

Weaver purposely traveled to Martin County to participate in two of the summer treasure hunts designed by the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to showcase the treasures of the region and to attract overnight visitors. Fittingly, Weaver found her treasure just a stone's throw away from the beach at the Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island, but only after visiting the historic landmark twice.

"My mother and I visited the House of Refuge on our quest to find one of the treasure chests, but we had no idea of what we were really looking for. After leaving the museum, we visited the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce and they had one of the small chests on display. I told my mom I knew we had seen one at the House of Refuge, so back we went, and there it was!"

During the month of July, every day four treasure chests were randomly hidden throughout Martin County at locations tourists typically visit- parks, museums, downtowns and art galleries. Each chest contained gold and silver Mardi Gras beads, plastic doubloons and an entry ticket for the grand prize drawing-real treasure containing silver from the famous Spanish galleon the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sunk off the Florida Keys during a hurricane in 1622.

Out of 124 chests hidden, 69 entries were returned to enter the grand prize drawing. Weaver's entry was pulled by the CVB and she was notified by telephone.

Weaver and her mother have been exploring the cities and towns of Florida for three years and have their own 'treasure map' on a wall marking the locations they've visited. Weaver said their explorations take place year-round, but because she works in the resort/hotel industry, she tries to plan two-day excursions around times when occupancy levels are low, such as Sunday and Monday's.

In addition to the hidden treasure chest hunt, a summer-long old-fashioned self-guided hunt, complete with treasure map and riddles, takes participants coast-to-coast (Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee) across Martin County to points of historic interest or importance, landmarks, as well as area attractions. Treasure Hunters who 'discover' or correctly answer the most number of riddles and clues will have a chance to win a six-day, five-night vacation at the Hutchinson Island Marriot Resort and Marina, plus a gift card for $500 worth of gas.

Located on Florida's east coast, just a two hour drive from Miami or Orlando, Martin County offers visitors a vacation paradise with no high-rise buildings, no crowds, and miles of waterways and pristine beaches, featuring the charm and authenticity that made Florida famous.

Summer Treasures runs through September 30. For more information visit www.MartinCountyFla.com or call 877-585-0085.