The Legend of Limin and Lizzy

The Legend of Limin' and Lizzy

(And the Creation of the Bailey's Bushwacker)

Many years ago, Lizzy, a local lizard gal, was working as a barmaid at a beach pub in Charlotte Amalie. You could see her long, green legs peeking out under her colorful, short skirt as a calypso band played and strains of Jimmy Buffet wafted through the salty air.

As night settled on the tropical port, a bushwacker by the name of Bailey slithered off a barge docked down at the quays and made his way toward the sounds pulsing from the bar. He downed a few Red Stripes while playing pool in the back of the watering hole, all the while, watching Lizzy work the tables.

When Lizzy came to the back of the saloon to a nearby table, she smiled at Bailey, her slender tongue darting in and out in greeting. Before she knew what had happened, Bailey had her by the wrist and had dragged her out the back door to the foot of a looming mountain. As Bailey pressed her close, to kiss her thin, green lips, Lizzy let out a shriek like a barefoot tourist stepping on a sea urchin.

That piercing shriek caught the inconspicuous, sleek ears of one limey lizard sailor known as Limin' who just happened to be downing a few cold ones in the front of the pub, relaxing to the beat of the steel drums. Limin', a one time Volvo Racer and adventurer, along with his crew, had been blown slightly off course and were taking a breather in St. Thomas while their jib was repaired. Upon hearing the frantic scream from Lizzy's trembling lips, Limin' was up and out the door, his muscular legs a green blur in the moonlit night.

He spied Bailey and Lizzy, half-way up the mountain ridge, heading for the peak that overlooked Charlotte Amalie. She was kicking and screaming, her cute little tail flicking dangerously back and forth, her neon orange flip-flops scattered along the cliff. Just then Limin' noticed an anchor rope heaped on the back verandah of the tavern and scooped it up. He swung the anchor over his narrow head several times and then let go. It snaked out and caught onto a rock right on the peak of the mountain. Limin' tied the end of the rope to a nearby palm with a quick sailor's knot and made a swashbuckling leap up onto the line.

Scampering up the cord, Limin' drew his sword and its blade glittered in the moonlight. As he neared the summit, he saw Bailey, his scaly claws clutching the frightened Lizzy. At the sight of Limin' approaching with his weapon, Bailey shoved Lizzy to the ground and grabbed a long club made from sugar cane.

A battle ensued and the whirl of scales, tails, and claws was like a writhing, green ball. The terrified Lizzy pleaded for the local island spirits to protect and save her hero, Limin', from the dastardly Bailey. Suddenly, there was a golden flash of lightning and a thunderous boom! Limin' somersaulted to a soft green mound not far from Lizzy's nervous feet. Meanwhile, where that reprehensible scoundrel, Bailey, had been there now was a glorious barrel filled with some new, sweet liquor, a rich, golden cream. Spirits from the spirits!

Limin' came to and his beady eyes met those of Lizzy's and their tongues darted and danced. It was love at first sight! They decided to marry and so, Limin' sold his sloop and retired from ocean racing and adventuring. Because of the fabulous island view from the top of the mountain and due to the fact that they had first met there, Limin' and Lizzy built their honeymoon cottage on that peak and called it Paradise Point.

Eventually, they decided to share their idyllic and panoramic view with both the locals and the tourists, so they rigged up some cable cars to that anchor rope to bring the visitors to their heavenly abode. They even built a lofty pub where Lizzy could serve their guests the golden, creamy elixir named after Bailey, the bushwacker, that had brought them together. Limin ' could be seen relaxing on his mountainous perch, chilling out with a cold Bailey's Bushwacker. Eventually, the locals referred to just taking it easy or relaxing as "limin'."

So, if you are ever in Charlotte Amalie, on the tropical isle of St. Thomas, take a tranquil ride up to Paradise Point and join your lizard hosts, Lizzy and her hubby, for a cool drink and pretty soon you' ll be limin' too!

Written by:
Barbara L. MacBride