I was heading North, after a quest (I am only L 14) to visit Dawnstar. I saw that there were some black icons telling me that there was "stuff" further North. I schlepped my way over some hills and down some cliffs in the very North--Northeast of Dawnstar.
I saw this wonderful curving peninsula with several intriguing icons, including a shipwreck. WOW, I thought, there is so much to see in this game!
I am a 5 (or is it 6?) year veteran of Oblivion. Love it, was till playing it a month ago. But, the borders of the game had little to offer. So, it was great to see that, in what I thought would be an empty wasteland, there was so many adventures hidden and waiting.
Yes, many nay-sayers are whining, butr many more are saying how much they enjoy SkyRim. Of course there are some glitches, but there are glitches in life, yet we still enjoy it.
Just some thoughts. These, and $3.75 or so will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

I've just recently reached the NW corner of the map and there are so many places to see and people to talk with, I almost don't know what to do next. I'm thinking this is an area that would be nice to have a house and I'm trying to find enough gold to get one. I haven't been to the SW area yet and I'm already more than 160 hours in at Level 33. With so much to do and see, it could be a month or two before I get through the main quest. I haven't been in any hurry to do that but it'll be coming and I'll have to make some decisions. Loving this game...vampires last night, I wonder what it will be tonight?

Yes there are alot of hidden quests that make traveling (without fast-travel) very fun. One of the reasons I stopped using it as often, if theres an unexplored place I find I go in to clear it. Still working on finding all the treasure maps

Finding treasure maps? Where do I look for those? (Seriously, didn't know about those).

I've only found 2 in 140 hours, I've heard there are 10 or more!

Ive only found 3 so far, all numbered differently (dont wanna spoil) but each has a particular piece of map with a red X on it and a path. I am guessing I gotta go there and dig with a shovel or something, havent tried it as I wanna find the rest first. Found the ones I have on isolated houses/bandit camps

Its why when I find a black icon of a house while traveling I make sure I ransack every bit of it.

That is not how they work. Each one is separate from the other.

Good to know. I've only found two also and haven't tried to locate any treasure yet. Maybe I should.

Took me the second page to find an even remotely positive thread. Man are people ever unsatisfied and cranky.

Anyway, much agreed, op. Bit overwhelmed myself, love it.

Yeah it's really a huge game with tons of stuff to do

Cheers

Maps are similar to Red Dead Redemption, nice little diversions. Usually found on bandits. Not sure if any digging is involved, the ones I found led to hidden chests full of goodies.