Water and the Paranormal

During a radio interview I gave, the question was asked if I thought water had any bearing on paranormal activity.  At the time, I hadn't given the idea much thought.  But if you consider that paranormal activity seems to be electrical in nature (draining batteries, pulling from heat energy, more prevalent during solar weather and causing changes to EMF) and water can be a good conductor of electricity, then it stands to reason that water could help fuel a haunt.

First, we need to clear up the science of water's ability to conduct electricity.  Water itsself does not conduct electricity.  It's the impurities in the water (minerals, pollutants, etc.) that conduct electricity.  So the more impurities you have the more conduciveness you have.  The Discovery Channel's "Ghost Lab" show featured the theory of water fueling the paranormal on their "Murky Waters" episode.  It was found that the waters of the Mississippi River near the Nottoway Plantation had a high level of conduciveness.  But what about other paranormal "hot spots"?

Gettysburg as a town is a paranormal hot spot, but what about locations within Gettysburg?  Spangler's Spring has always been an area of the battlefield that has produced paranormal experiences and evidence.  One of the best known ghost stories of Gettysburg, The Lady in White, takes place at The Spring.  Most of my own personal paranormal experiences in Gettysburg have also originated from Spangler's Spring, and most of these experiences have been some of the best/scariest.   So where is the water?  Spangler's Spring is so named because of a spring that is located on the property.  In 1895 the spring was capped off because of damage it had suffered from visitors to the area.  But the spring isn't the only source of water in that area.  Next to the spring is a large meadow that is bordered by Rock Creek.  Plenty of water available.

Bridges are also known for their ghosts.  There are several bridges in and around Gettysburg that are reputed to be haunted.  Sach's Bridge in Gettysburg, Starner's Dam Bridge in Harney, MD, Utica Covered Bridge in Thurmont, MD and Roddy Creek Bridge in Thurmont, MD all have ghost stories associated with them.

In the Tidewater region of Virginia, there is an area referred to as Old House Woods.  The 50 acres of trees has boasted paranormal activity since the 1800's.  The Baltimore Sun thought it was worthy of a news story in the 1920's.  Personally I feel it is one of the most haunted and spooky locations I've been in.  Every time I have been there I have experienced some bone chilling things to include hearing phantom footsteps, having a car door slam shut and having a locked and latched car trunk open on its own.  The Chesapeake Bay borders one end of the woods and White's Creek runs along the other edge. 

So the next time you're out investigating, think about checking to see what bodies of water might be in the area.

Batsquatch....

First let me say that in 30 days, I will be on a plane to Washington State to look for UFO's. Awesome!

In preparing for the big trip, I decided to see if there was anything to be found on the creature known as Batsquatch since it is supposed to live nearby and I am hoping to catch a glimpse of it. I wasn't expecting to find much of anything as I had not heard about this creature before... and believe me when I say I've heard about some crazy creatures! But there are tons of sites dedicated to Batsquatch information.

From what I've read, Batsquatch is reported to have purple colored skin, glowing red eyes, wings like a pterodactyl and a head similar to a primate and/or bat. Though its name is based on Sasquatch, there is no real link between the two creatures. Some believe that it could be a yet unknown type of North American Fruit Bat.... only problem is that Batsquatch seems to like small animals (dogs, goats, hogs...) and last I checked fruit bats ate, well, fruit. Others think that it is another branch of the evolutionary tree and is some type of winged primate. That's right, Ladies and Gentlemen, a Flying Monkey! I will be sure to bring my bicycle and broom.

Seriously though, I am a believer in the existence of cryptids, or creatures that have yet to be officially discovered. We are finding new species all the time and have rediscovered species that were long thought to be extinct though sightings were still reported (the Okapi is one example of that). And I want to bring up another thought- Mothman. I have no doubt that Mothman was real and was sighted by people in Point Pleasant, WV. What I am unsure about is what Mothman actually was.... during his brief life in Point Pleasant, there were increased UFO sightings and sightings of MIB (Men in Black) and if memory serves me, there were also livestock mutilations going on at the same time.

Both Batsquatch and Mothman have glowing red eyes and wings. Both have been sighted in areas of increased UFO activity. I will also go so far as to say both are seen in areas where tragedies occured (mothman- Silver Bridge Collapse, Batsquatch- Mt St Helens eruption). Are these cryptids unknown species? or are they something more? Something that fortells traumatic or historic events? Is there something big coming? Isn't it interesting that the Pope and the Vatican recently announced that it's OK to believe in aliens and UFOs?

"I scream from the top of my lungs What's going On?" - 4 Non Blondes "What's Goin On"

Trip to the UFO Ranch

Those of you who follow the A&E show Paranormal State are familiar with James Gilliland's "UFO Ranch" in Trout Lake, WA. The Paranormal State episode entitle First Contact was filmed at the ranch and was full of UFO footage. Between the beauty of the area and the paranormal goings-on, this episode became one of my favorites (First Contact) and I hoped I would one day be able to visit Mr. Gilliland's ranch. As luck (or fate) would have it, Kelly and I came upon the opportunity to go- and we're heading out May 14th.

PRS is hosting a 'field trip' at the ranch for 3 days of paranormal activities. We will be camping. Do you have any idea the amount of creativeness it takes to pack camping gear for a flight across the country? And of course there is the paranormal equipment which must be taken on as carry-on. What do we take??! While we have searched for spirits and the occasional cryptid, I've never been on a UFO expedition (side note- there is a mysterious creature in the woods that we will also be looking for called Batsquatch- I know- love the name). At the moment I believe we have decided on the following: cameras (obviously), recorders, video equipment, tripods, flashlights and the stealth game camera (to catch pics of the Batsquatch).

For those wondering, Batsquatch (sounds like something I wouldn't want to step in) is a large bipedal creature with wings. I assume, based on the name, that it must be similar to Satsquatch with large wings. While this may sound slightly silly, please remember Mothman. For those of you familiar with Mothman, you'll remember that this creature was seen in Point Pleasant, WV during a time of heightened UFO sightings. Coincidence? Maybe. Psychedelic drugs? Can't rule them out, but the whole thing is intriguing.

So... as we countdown the days until our departure (36), let's hope that this trip goes off without a hitch. By that I only mean that Kelly and I always seem to have strange adventures... camping in Gettysburg one year we woke up to it raining inside the tent (3 people in a one man A frame + cold outside temps= rain), traveling to Point Pleasant, WV we drove through 4 tornadoes, torrential rain, extreme fog, detoured by flooded rivers, missed a flash flood by mere minutes, got lost in the hills oh and got shot at, and the last camping trip to Gettysburg involved an odd campground full of what looked like carnies.... and that's all I've got to say about that trip.

Stay tuned....