Recently I was was given an advance copy of the Finding Jay documentary to review. But then I thought since I found him, I’d steal a little more time for an interview as well. And steal is what I had to do because he’s a busy man. Busy family life, full time job, runs own production company; Chum Bucket Studios and continuing his work and investigating sightings inside the Kettle Moraine . So as I always am when someone can squeeze me in, I’m thankful for the time…

So here it is, a Q&A with Jay…

Q.What prompted your interest in the paranormal?

A.We’ll have to go way back to answer this one. I think it was my fascination with Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman and The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The old Creature Features were simply the best. Of course seeing The movie ‘Monster Mysteries’ really peaked my interest with Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, Yeti. Bottom line anything supernatural peeked my interest.

Q. You can say you’ve probably investigated all things paranormal, do you feel each phenomena is it’s own entity or do you feel like they may be all from the same pot so to speak?

I’ve popped the popcorn and settled into another Bigfoot documentary, or have I? And keep in mind I’ve seen quite a few. First thing that reeled me in was an adorable boy (I wonder who’s) advertising Chum Bucket Studios. This beginning reminds us that like other cryptid documentaries it is self produced, directed and edited. We are not in this field for the money, we are in it for the love of this creature and to educate people on his existence. With that said, most documentaries are the telling of witness encounters and pontificating on what manner of species he could be. And there is nothing wrong with that. I enjoy many of them. I believe witness encounters because I believe he exists. Sometimes you just have to have faith. But in Finding Jay there needn’t be any pontification because there was actual proof to see, hear and believe…or not for yourself. The film was the culmination of 5 years of filming and documenting that researcher Jay Bachochin had from his adventures inside the Kettle Moraine. If you don’t know the Kettle, which is located in Wisconsin. It is a forest known for being a hot bed of all things paranormal.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest

Just like my stomping ground The Freetown Forest here in Massachusetts it has everything from aliens to bizarre cryptids. Never a dull moment. And that is much like the ride this documentary takes you on. Never a dull moment. There are witness accounts, of course, both Linda Godfrey and Mary Marshall The Paranormal MD make an appearance here amongst others, discussing their investigations out there with Jay.

Jay with Mary Marshall inside the Kettle.

But you will be busy thinking on the evidence put forth for you. I don’t want to give anything away because you need to see it for yourself and decide what you believe for yourself, but I will say there are moments I don’t think you will be able to logically explain away, but with every piece of evidence there was also documented attempts to debunk it.

I don’t want to give away anything but this picture is a “what is that” moment.

This documentary has a running time of 2 hours and 6 minutes. I know most documentaries you see on Amazon are maybe at most a little more than an hour, But this moves at a fast past and is expertly edited but again you will focus on the evidence. And you will most likely be making it longer by rewinding a few parts saying to yourself, “what is that?” I really enjoyed this documentary and I recommend it. It makes me want to head to The Kettle myself someday, then someone can film a documentary about finding me because I most likely won’t find my way out…

Finding Jay is available for pre-order now for Blu-Ray and will be available for streaming services on July 1st. You can also catch Jay at the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure next month. He will be presenting there with his son Blake.

And also on the Travel Channel next month in, In Search of Monsters.

Finding Jay Trailer:

https://youtu.be/yb5PLOjUMrk

We are so accustomed to attributing rabbits to the adorable Cadbury chocolate egg wielding ball of fluff, that we never really think on their history and how they came about being part of this holiday. So I thought I’d dig into the history of Easter celebrations and learn all about them. And maybe find out what’s up with delicious chocolate eggs. So put the chocolate bunny down and enjoy the read.

Okay let’s start with eggs. Because we enjoy leaving a trail of chocolate egg wrappers everywhere. Originally eating eggs (the real eggs) was forbidden by the church for the week of Good Friday and Easter. Any eggs laid that week were decorated and given out to the children.

And now for the Easter bunny, also called “Easter Hare” was born in Germany. He was first thought up to encourage children to be good and if you were, he would come with eggs. On some occasions he also brings small toys. Sound familiar? Rabbits also have generally large liters (kittens), which represents new life. The earliest documented case comes from the early 15 hundreds. And then again in 1700s in Germany, whose migration to America brought along this tradition which obviously stuck.

The bunny is also part of other cultures and is seen as everything from spirit guides to being seen as mischievous, but overall they are seen as representations of life and fertility.

So now where did the chocolate bunnies and eggs from Hell come from? In Victorian time they were giving children satin covered eggs to celebrate with. Then in France in the 19th centuries they began making chocolate eggs and bunnies. Obviously they became popular leading us all to be battling tight jeans.

Unfortunately like all holidays in America, we somehow turn the importance and focus of the actual holiday to material gifts. And it becomes a store holiday just like Christmas. We all have lost sight of what these holidays truly are about. There is one big positive here and that is it’s another day you can spend with your family and nothing is better or worth more than that.

Hope you had a great Easter…

I was trolling through movies on Amazon Prime the other day when I came across one about the scariest cryptid out there. (well to me anyway), The Wendigo.

This movie simply titled Wendigo, came out in 2001(not sure how I missed it). It stars Patricia Clarkson (Shutter Island) and Jake Weber (Dawn of the Dead).

It was strange to see a cryptid movie not about Bigfoot on Amazon. Not that I’m knocking Bigfoot, it was just something different to see.

It starts off with the Family going to a friend’s vacation home, and on the way they hit a deer that a hunter was tracking. And naturally as it always goes In horror movies, they now have issues with their redneck neighbors (What would these movies be without a gun toting redneck around).

After settling into the house they head to the local store and meet the Native American store owner who tells their son all about the history of the Wendigo and then gives him a totem of one. Now this part of the movie I liked, they stuck to the actual lore of this cryptid, but after this scene the movie goes tits up. There’s a sledding and a simultaneous accidental shooting (By guess who). The father in this film is without a doubt having a bad day, (and I should mention, never go sledding with this idiot). After they have a sledding and shooting accident a Wendigo spirit shows up and screws up the whole movie, like a cop directing traffic. They should have stayed centered on the rednecks as the only antagonists in this film. The Wendigo ending left me with that “what the hell just happened here” moment. You all know what I mean, I call it the 2001: A Space Odyssey effect. You get all the way to the end and then boom an ending only Stanley Kubrick could understand, but If you do watch this movie and figure out the ending, let me know what it was about. Despite the confusing ending, if you like the Wendigo lore I recommend watching it at least once and of course email me with your thoughts on the ending…because right now I’m standing by my “what the hell” theory.

Trailer of Wendigo:

https://youtu.be/43G7rai6rVk

You can reach me at:

sasysquatchgirl@gmail.com

And if you have suggestions for the next Woman of the Woods to highlight? You can also reach me at:

womanofthewoods2@gmail.com

Copyright April 2019, property of Bigfootmountain and Sasysquatchgirl all rights reserved

All pictures used in accordance to the fair use act

I finally had a chance last night to sit down and enjoy a documentary, I popped in Paranormal Bigfoot by Bill and Amy Lancaster. First, I want to say thank you to them for sending it out to me, and second I want to acknowledge that they are taking on a subject here that has caused some people to be shunned. People are kicked off of social media groups who first paint you with a red mark, then ban you from their page.

We are able to talk about a hairy monster dwelling in our nation’s forests but we can’t discuss any possibility that they could have paranormal energy or power. If we are looking for the truth of Bigfoot, then we have to at least discuss this subject before completely ruling it out.

This is what Bill and Amy did. They sought out therapists and scientists, as well as people from the cryptozoology field to take a good look at this. While they did put all this information out there, they did not push this belief on you which made it easy to watch and absorb.

They tackled some of the major questions we all have, whether we say them out loud or not. Although I believe sasquatch is flesh and bone I have experienced some moments out there in the forests I simply can’t explain.

Some of the subjects it tackled were the UFO connection and the interdimensional theory, etc. Bob Gimlin made an appearance in it as well. He referred to sasquatch as “people of the woods” He brought up something I’m always struggling with, who is making those stick structures, if in fact they are stick structures and not just nature made. He suggested that those structures we see out there are welcomes and a thank you for the gifts you leave. I’ve never heard anyone say they could be a welcome or thank you before. That isn’t my belief necessarily, but it’s definitely something to think on. The biggest point being, I do want to think on it now, not roll my eyes.

They discussed orbs and lights seen around the time they appear. About faulty batteries and animals reaction to them etc. This part touched a nerve in me. I’ve had a few unexplainable moments inside the Freetown Forest in the Bridgewater Triangle. In one day I experienced most of those occurrences. I had a weird and heavy feeling out there on a trail. My trusty dog who usually stays at my side took off running to my sister. And I stopped and took pictures of the area my vibes were coming from. While i did this my sister was taking pictures of me. Those pictures I took came out red. Solid red. And the picture my sister took of me had my whole body enveloped in white light. We still to this day can’t explain what happened. We even tried on several occasions to recreate those pictures. We couldn’t.

They touched all the hot button subjects that you would expect when paranormal or interdimensional Bigfoot is mentioned. And I don’t want to give away the whole plot, so I’ll leave you with this. I recommend watching it. And if you are going to, then do it with an opened mind. It probably won’t change your beliefs. Those are most likely set in stone. But you can at least understand there are other theories out there, and these possibilities are at the very least worth discussing. And definitely not worth shunning anyone.

You can catch this documentary streaming on Amazon Prime and the DVD also available for purchase from the website:

https://bilco-productions.square.site/

Copyright April 2019, property of Sasysquatchgirl and Bigfootmountain, all rights reserved.

Throughout the ages, man has always had a way to pass down history, traditions and discoveries. Wether it was carved on a rock, painted on a cave wall or passed through verse by the bards of their time. The important news always found a way to get around from place to place.

Just like a rumor mill, I am aware that it sometimes can become more ridiculous by each telling. Sometimes the story would be embellished a bit by whomever may be telling it to make it more exciting or to fill in some of the holes in the story. But getting that information is still important.

Would it surprise you that we still pass information on that way today? If you look at bigfoot encounters, we still often share those by word of mouth. And the bards of our generation go and collect the details. Share them at conventions on podcasts or what have you.

The reason I was thinking of bards was because I always hear people say there are no experts in cryptozoology. I get that, I do, we haven’t gotten him on the list, and the science community still wants to stand clear of it. So as a result, I think these collectors and these historians and modern day bards are in effect, the experts. These experts are the ones that know all the stories. They have the casts, and the samples and records to look at, at their disposal. We have quite a few well known historians, to many great ones to name. But I also consider the expert as that person that you would go to for information or advice. A colleague or perhaps you have a mentor. But that number you call for all intents and purposes are your experts. They have read everything, been in the forest regularly themselves and is well versed in the subject of all cryptids, folklore or what have you.

The most important thing here is not who the expert is, or what makes one, but rather that all of us keep gathering and sharing the information we receive so that bigfoot survives us. So the next generation of researchers or enthusiasts will get out in those woods too, and maybe make a connection. Maybe that bard will sing a rhyme about the night he talked to Bigfoot…

copyright March 2019, property of Bigfootmountain and sasysquatchgirl all rights reserved.

Pictures from google public domain and final graphic created by Jay Bachochin

A bit of history:

Most of us think of abandoned and closed sanitariums as something fun to urban explore in or to go ghost hunting if you will. But we forget these places have real history. Less paranormal but no less frightening in their own right.

These hospitals often took mentally challenged children as well, simply because families and society had no knowledge of how to care for them or to help them succeed in the world outside their home. Often it was because of the stigma a family would get from not having a perfect child. Just think, your best friend’s autistic child who is in school learning real life skills would not have had that opportunity. They would have been most likely in a facility such as this.

Medfield State Hospital was built in 1892 to house the mentally ill patients. The first of such hospitals to be built in the cottage style. It was designed by William Pitt Wentworth. It remained in operation until April of 2003.

At it’s closing, it was completely shut down, deemed unsafe to wander inside. From the outside you can see all the buildings wear and tear.

The hospital grounds consisted of a 1.4 miles. It was self sufficient in its heyday, they grew their own produce and raised their own livestock. It also supplied its own heat and electric. It had 58 buildings and was eventually overrun with 2,200 patients in its care.

Now that we know all about its physical space, what about its human inhabitants. What were their lives like? How were they treated?

Well, we know the typical forms of treating mental illness in that time period were used such as electric shock therapy. I always think of great suffering and horrible living conditions when I think of old asylums. These were the peoples society didn’t want around. Some families didn’t want these relatives around hence why these types of hospitals were needed.

Since we know they farmed their own resources, it was easy to surmise the patients were assisting in the fields. Depending on their condition, this may have been something they enjoyed, and hopefully were not forced to endure.

One thing that gives me some hope was the reasoning behind the different design. They built the facility in the cottage style, to make the patients feel like they were in a more homelike environment. More windows added more natural lighting, making them feel slightly less captive than they were.

This hospital of course was not without it’s share of patient tragedies. Some of the more known public cases were as follows, one patient died of shock when a caretaker put him in a tub of scalding hot water. Imagine if you can, how hot that water had to be. Another patient ran away and after several days her missing body was found and ruled as death by exposure.

There were three cases of assault on these patients and all three assaults lead to their deaths. And finally when the influenza virus struck in 1918, It killed a total of 55 patients and 5 staff members. The healthier patients had to care for the sick and dying. The local cemeteries were overrun, and it led to the hospital itself having to dig ground for their own cemetery.

While walking around the cemetery noticing the same dates on so many of the stones, you can’t help, even if you are aren’t a sensitive person to these things, you can’t help but feel the grief that time must have caused.

Due most likely to volume of deaths and funding, most gravestones simply had a number on them. If you were number 50 that died, then that was your headstone. Imagine having such a life as they had, then be just a number at the end. My stomach hurts and tears are form in my eyes when I think on it.

A shining light did finally come for those souls, bless their hearts, a boys scout troop went through and found some of the patients names and the headstones were changed.

Recent past:

The hospital was used for a few different things before it’s official closing. It was made secure and used to house the criminally insane, then later it was used as a teaching hospital for Tufts. Then the reports that the building was becoming no longer physically safe to remain open it had to officially close it’s doors in 2003.

Claim to fame:

The hospital and grounds were used to film such movies as The Box, Shutter Island and the New Mutants. Looking forward to seeing what else they film there.

Paranormal whispers:

For all the rumors I’ve heard regarding the hospital being haunted, I haven’t heard any specific stories of anyone witnessing anything. That’s not to say it didn’t happen, I just didn’t see or hear it anywhere. The abandoned asylums all over the country have been labeled as paranormal hotbeds. To me, you don’t need to see a ghost or a shadow to feel the misery, grief and sadness of these places. You know all their real history. The suffering, abuse, experimental care, and finally being the thrown away and unwanted of society. You don’t need to see ghosts to feel the oppression, you only need to stand before one of its buildings for a second and you’ll know all you need, and most likely more than you want.

My brush with the unexplained:

I visited the Medfield State Hospital a total of three times. One at night and twice in the daytime.

I too, heard the rumors of hauntings. The first visit was at night. (Because come on, everyone loves a scare). I turned on the IOvilus to see if any presence would talk to us. After a bit it began spitting out all the right words to scare you off, I wondered if the Medfield Police were in control of it. It said come, fear, threat, legion, well you get the picture I’m sure. And I thought If it really wanted me to come, it shouldn’t have mentioned the whole legion thing.

The daytime visits were different. The town of Medfield, in an impressive decision made the grounds open to the public, therefore dissuading most of the the thrill seekers who would otherwise “sneak” in.

Again, I turned on the iOvilus. This time I felt like something was really leading us around. It kept saying number 9. We were baffled until we realized the buildings were numbered. We searched out number 9 and got ready to have an otherworldly conversation.

I asked it questions such as, “is there something you want to tell me, etc.” it began saying things like can’t talk, fear, water etc. a mystery for us to solve. Then I visited it again yesterday. I walked all the grounds, and the conservation land. The IOvilus was running while I casually walked and talked. Nothing till I ended my trip at building number 9. I can literally hear the Beatles singing Number 9 in my head. I asked if it remembered me and did it have anything else it wanted to tell me. It said three words then nothing else. It said, told, family, gasp. Putting all the words in total that it said together, I could literally feel the misery and grief. What may have happened to this person? I knew it wasn’t good. Was this the patient that was burned in the tub? I may never find out who or what it might have been. but I’ll never forget the words and maybe someday the mystery will be solved.

Final thoughts:

These grounds are both beautiful and haunting. A walk through history. A place with so many lost souls with stories we may never know. Is it haunted? I can’t tell you that for sure. I didn’t see anything ghostly, does it still have some echos of lives surviving in there? I would say yes. And maybe I was privileged to learn of just one of those stories.

I recommend stopping by and seeing for yourself. Maybe for a nice scare and a stroll, who could ask for more than that?

video tour of Medfield State Hospital:

https://youtu.be/dXGxqrX_Fvs

Videos from my visits:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hJraFbbuGLx2G44e9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9dS6jecCuMPC694h6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qk4y1k6CpMHUhLeN6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UTB3f5c4BCvhj4E99

Copyright March 2019 property of Bigfootmountain and Sasysquatchgirl all rights reserved

Sybilla posing with one of her sculptures

Recently I wrote a story on some of the wonderful women who are out there in the woods investigating reported encounters, and searching for the truth that Bigfoot is still roaming the forests even today. There are just so many wonderful ladies in the field, and I’m hoping to highlight as many of them as I can for you, so you can to get to know what they do, and why they do it.

I was very lucky recently to have caught up to both a great researcher and artist that I admire. A wonderful role model for the future women of the Woods, Sybilla Irwin, just before she goes off grid and spends full time in the National Forests of Eastern Tennessee collecting and investigating witness accounts.

Here is that chat,

What is your earliest memory of drawing?

As a kid I adored horses. I loved to read stories and taught myself how to draw by studying the books illustrations. I would sit on the floor and pour over those illustrations for hours.

How long have you been interested in art?

I wasn’t seriously interested In art till I took an art history class at Texas A&M. In that class, one of the projects was to do two art pieces. It could be sculpture, or painting, In any medium. I chose to do two oil paintings. I had never painted In oils before. I chose to do two self portraits. One was in a very modern style, from a photograph, and the other was done sitting in front of a little mirror. I painted all through the night. (I still have both paintings).

When my professor saw them, he pulled me aside after class and begged me to leave the Theater Department, and transfer into the Art Department. He tried on multiple occasions to talk me into becoming an art student. I think that the turning point for me, when I realized from his reaction to my paintings…that I had some talent.

Sybilla creating her magic

Do you have a favorite medium?

Whatever medium I am currently working in…that’s my favorite.

I so enjoy the process of creating. Each medium has a different feel. I tend to work in cycles. I may paint In oils for months, then switch to wood burning. I may start the underpainting in acrylics and finish it in oils. I also love the immediacy of pastels.

Then there is sculpture…which I also adore…just so many mediums and so little time. Alas!

Sybilla working on one of her sculptures

I see that you have taught art as well, did you have a favorite class to teach? Or an age group you preferred working with?

I am a Certified Special Education teacher, and honestly my favorite classes we’re learning disabled children. There is nothing that compares to having a student advance four grades levels in their reading ability because you’ve had the time to spend with them.

I taught junior high art classes for nine years, they are my favorite age group to work with. I loved teaching children how to break a complex subject down into its basic shape, then make it look three dimensional with tonal values.

Does the idea for some pieces just jump in your mind, or are they triggered by something you’ve seen, what is your process?

Sometimes the shape of a piece of wood will suggest a sculpture. My creative juices get triggered by everything and anything, including dreams, and music. It can even be a spoken phrase. It’s crazy living with this brain.

How long have you been interested in Bigfoot?

I’ve been interested in Bigfoot, Aliens, Ghosts and all Cryptids since I was a little kid. I experienced a lot of weirdness growing up so I knew if these things were happening all around me, than there must be more going on in this reality than what meets the eye. Some of us are just wired differently.

How long have you been a Bigfoot researcher?

I became a member of the BFRO in March of 2008. Before joining the BFRO I had been reading reports and books on the subject since 2000.

Are you a skeptic or a believer?

I had my first visual encounter in October of 2008 in Honobia, Oklahoma. After you’ve seen, and heard them, you are no longer operating on belief, you’re a knower.

So you have seen them, felt them?

I have seen multiple. And I have definitely felt them around. I am a very sensitive person, I can feel when other things are around as well.

What made you put the two subjects together, the art and Bigfoot?

Another BFRO investigator asked me if I would be willing to work with one of his witnesses. She had found an image that was close to what she saw, but it needed some modifications with the hair. That’s what got me started. Other investigators then began approaching me to help with their witnesses as well.

I absolutely love working with witnesses. My heart goes out to the ones that have been traumatized by their encounters. Sometimes the drawings help them. For some…the nightmares stop.

Witness sketch from an encounter between a researcher and a Bigfoot in Oklahoma in 96′

What has the process like painting from witness encounters?

Typically when I am working with a witness, it starts with a long phone conversation. They tell me about their encounter, and then I ask a gazillion questions. I have to create an image in my mind before I can start. I know what questions to asks to help me build that image.

At the end of the session I will ask them to go to my web site and look at the witness sketches to see if there is anything there that resonates with what they saw. Sometimes they find one that looks very close, sometimes not.

I create the first iteration based on the interview, and I will send it to them. They tell me what corrections to make, and then we ping it back and forth until they tell me it’s perfect, or at least that it’s close as we are going to get. It is rewarding work.

Sketch from an encounter in 76′ in California

Is it harder to put a piece together if it’s a story you are struggling with?

It would be hard to put a piece together for someone that i did not believe was telling the truth.

Have you had Bigfoot art shows? Or are you planning too?

I speak at conferences, and show the witness sketches while telling them about witness encounters.

I have no plans to for an art show at this time, but will be working on a book.

Sybilla doing a convention presentation

Do you have a site where your art is available for purchase?

My art is available for purchase from my website and store.

www.sybillairwin.com

Do you take commissions?

I do take commissions. Anyone wishing to inquire about a commission can reach me by email at:

sybillachristine@yahoo.com

or they contact me through my website above.

Is it hard juggling family, art and BFRO time?

My children are grown, happy and successful people. That enables me to travel and do the research and art that I love.

I am about to embark on a brand new research adventure, living off grid in my little camper in the National Forest, doing art work, and research full time. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love.

Could you tell us a bit about your blog?

I started the blog when I was living at a research location in northern Kentucky. I would share some of the daily happenings at that location, including audio, photos. I will probably pick it back up once I am doing field work again full time…Soon!

Do you travel often?

I have been away from my home state of Texas since 2012. I lived on active habituation site for five years. I have been in Northern Georgia, working full-time at “Expedition Bigfoot” The Sasquatch Museum, for a year and a half. If you haven’t been to the museum it’s fabulous!

Now it’s time to get back into the what I love the most…Field work.

copyright March, 2019, property of Sasysquatchgirl and bigfootmountain, all rights reserved

All pictures from Sybilla Irwin’s collection, used with artist permission

In my last post, Courage Under Fire, there were two strange incidents I described that sounded as though something heavy was running at me on two legs. During both times the heavy running came to a complete stop. I didn’t see or hear anything else after those few seconds.

Whatever it was that was making that sound definitely got its point across and I left as soon as I regained my wits. My whole body was screaming “get out of there”. After I released the article I had a few messages from others who had a similar encounter as mine. I’ll share one with you now from Appalachian Paranormal Experiences.

I realize that are stories are different but our experience is similar. I really was stumped. What could or would do this? Then my sister sent along an article about seismic communication If you aren’t familiar with this, Wikipedia describes it as “the process of conveying information through seismic vibrations of the substrate. Which in this case would be the earth itself”. In other words, pounding on the ground. It is also described as an ancient sensory modality used in the animal kingdom. What could be more ancient then a Bigfoot? And they are already using a form of it with wood knocks. They are communicating something with those as well.

The trick is figuring out what they wanted to convey. But since I felt fear and the urge to leave, I assume that the message was threatening. Maybe they were defending their territory or testing me to see my response. Was it even a Bigfoot? This land is near a cemetery, just like the encounter above. Was it something else? I am positive that i have experienced infrasound before. That heavy nauseous feeling it creates has come over me a few times while I’ve been out exploring.

The key for me is to be aware that this is possibly a form of communication, and not something charging up on me. I need to take a deep breathe and open my senses up and try to translate the messages coming at me.

If anyone else has had a similar experience and would like to share it. I would love to hear it. You can message me here, or my email:

sasysquatchgirl@gmail.com

Courage Under Fire:

https://sasysquatchgirl.com/2019/03/03/courage-under-fire/

Thank you to Appalachian Paranormal Experience. Keep an eye out, a book will be coming from him soon.

There is nothing better than a walk In the woods. It really is a spiritual place for me. I think, pray and make some major life decisions out there. Some hikes aren’t always a search for the big hairy guy, often they are just me getting in tune with nature and myself.

I’m usually very relaxed going in, and if strange vibes happen to come on then I’ll trust my gut instinct when and if it happens.

On two occasions, In relatively the same area, I did have those strange vibes come on. To me they translated as I might not be alone anymore and or there may be possible danger. And both times my gut has told me exit stage left and quick.

After I got home and relaxed I thought, how will I ever have that encounter if I don’t give my gut some Tums and keep going forward?

I should start by telling you a bit about these two particular encounters, and then you can help me decide if I made the right call at the time, or if I should have stayed and faced my fears.

The first incident, in a new area to me mind you, the further I entered the woods, the more uneasy I began feel. On the right side of the trail there was a ledge looking down to a small river and field and to the right of me there was thick tree coverage.

Up ahead I saw large tree down blocking the small trail. While I figured out what to do next, I stopped to take pictures of the area. Then I felt it. There was no way I was alone. Then I heard the run, heavy on the ground like a bull charging. A full on heavy footed bipedal run up the hill beside me.

First thing that happened, I froze in my tracks. I think I may have stopped breathing. My heart was definitely pounding. Then it all just stopped. It went from full on to complete full stop. I saw and heard nothing else after. As soon as I regained composure, still standing in the same spot. I flew out of there.

At the time my choice to leave felt like the right thing to do. My gut was screaming run. Then at home I thought, did whatever it was stop to give me a choice? Test if I was ready to see? Or was it as surprised as me and didn’t actually know I was there?

The second incident was on the same conservation land maybe two miles away. I again felt something, this time my gut was screaming whatever was about to happen was menacing. Much heavier feeling came on me then before. On my left on this trail were tall weeds. At my 4″11 I couldn’t see over them and it was far to thick to see through. Then it happened, again. Heavy footfalls charging. I froze a second again. I took a deep breath, because whatever this was, it was close and I wasn’t out running it. And then just like the previous time, it came to a full stop. I didn’t hear or see anything else. Was this the second test? Did I make the right choice? Again my gut said to leave quickly.

I never thought of myself as a chicken. I’m alone unarmed in the woods often, I’ve had a bear encounter and thought on my feet, so why are those two moments in time different?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I know for a fact Bigfoot was running at me. I didn’t actually see anything. But something was there, and because I left the area I’ll never know what that something was.

There are so many strange goings on in the woods, even strange people doing nefarious things. So how do you decipher what is actually happening?

I’m happy to say I have returned to to these same two spots often. I’ve not heard anything like that since then.

So what do you think? Did I leave to soon? Would you have stayed?

My plan is to stick it out if those vibes hit me again. I walked into the forest relaxed and I’m choosing to leave it that way…

area of first incident

Area of Second incident