There is some dispute as to the origin and meaning of the name "Tampa". It is believed to mean "sticks of fire" in the language of the Calusa, a Native American tribe that once lived south of the area. This may relate to the high concentration of lightning strikes that west central Florida receives every year during the summer months. Other historians claim the name refers to "the place to gather sticks". Toponymist George R. Stewart writes that the name was the result of a miscommunication between the Spanish and the Indians, the Indian word being "itimpi", meaning simply "near it".
The name first appears in the memoir of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda from 1575, who had spent 17 years as a Calusa captive. He calls it "Tanpa" and describes it as an important Calusa town. While "Tanpa" may be the basis for the modern name "Tampa", archaeologist Jerald Milanich places the Calusa village of Tanpa at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor near current day Pineland. Map maker Bernard Romans found certain difficulties in translating earlier Spanish-era maps of Florida for English use and may have accidentally transferred the name north to Tampa Bay, the next large inlet up the west coast of Florida. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tampa,_Florida)
These days Sticks of Fire is a group celebrating our Tampa Bay Lightning. we have attended many Lightning games this year and all the home playoff games and this inspired us to place a cache in honor of Sticks Of Fire who light up one of the upper sections at Amilie Arena every game with chants of "I...., I believe,.... I believe that,... I believe that we,.... I believe that we can,.... I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WIN.. I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WIN... "
So, I bet you're asking "How do we get the coords to this cache?". It's pretty simple. First, be a Lightning hockey fan and be proud of it. Second, just figure out what section of Amilie Arena Sticks of Fire chant their chants from and you're half way there.
Once you figure that out, you can figure out the coords :
N27 56.(454 + SECTION) W82 27.(74 + SECTION)
You get extra credit if you post a picture of yourself with Lightning gear, and double extra credit if you post GO BOLTS!!! in your log! Okay, no such thing as extra credit but it would make this ol' geocache owner smile.
Paddler Found & iMPG on SunSports
Writing this as we're recovering from attending the Lightning vs Canadians Stanley Cup Playoff Game where Tyler Johnson knocked in the winning goal with 1.1 seconds left in the third. Wow! GO BOLTS!!! And Sticks of Fire were rockin' the Party Deck tonight (how much jumping can that deck hold?).
Now get out there and support our Bolts!!!
iMPG & PF