If you are on the West Coast this weekend, specifically in the vicinity of Skamania County, Washington, then you probably should log off your computer now and head over to the Bigfoot Bash and Bounty!
Guest speakers include: Joe Beelart, Henry Franzoni and the oh so charming Robert Michael Pyle!
Go on Git!
Bigfoot Bash and Bounty
Friday, August 28, 2009
2009 Texas Bigfoot Conference
Just a reminder that the 2009 Texas Bigfoot Conference is coming up quickly! This awesome event is hosted by the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy.
September 26th!
Register now!
Sharonlee says you better!
Have you seen their list of speakers?
Click this link right here! Or else!
September 26th!
Register now!
Sharonlee says you better!
Have you seen their list of speakers?
Click this link right here! Or else!
Ohio Expedition
As promised, I am posting information about the research that my partner Bob was conducting at Salt Fork State Park while I was out cavorting on the west coast.
The significance of the clucking noise mentioned is that myself and Don Keating have both heard and recorded this clucking noise and it seemed to have been a signal indicating the presence or absence of humans in the area. I'm just speculating, but that is the conclusion that I have come to. Any thoughts or ideas?
Bob's report:
Friday night August 21st at Salt Fork State Park, we all sat in our chairs on a horseshoe shaped ridge that funnels down to a bowl shaped depression. The depression is full of a lot of downed trees and scrub brush. The outer edges of the top of the ridge are surrounded by forest. Almost everyone had night vision equipment and I was the only one with a parabolic mic.
The sky was clear and the stars were really out. It was a moonless night. I saw one real nice shooting star and others in the group saw quite a few.
Jason and Dave hiked down a ways into the depression in front of our position. We had heard some Bared Owl calls and Jason then did some whoops. The first Owl call I heard didn't sound right to me. Instead of a tapered off sound at the end of the call it stopped abruptly. For a while there while they were down in the depression Jason and Dave were doing some whoop calls and we were hearing different answers back. At times it also sounded like two different animals were calling to each other at different positions. At one point Jason got a whoop response back to one of his whoops.
After a while of enjoying sitting there and hearing the different calls coming from different directions Jason and Dave came back up to our sitting position. I had been scanning around with my night vision but didn't see anything interesting. At almost the same time Jason and Rick said they caught some movement through their NV off to our right flank from in the tree line. They continued to scan the area but caught no more movement. I was listening to the area of the movement with my parabolic mic. I heard a clicking noise come from the area. Jason was closest to the noise/movement area and I asked him if he had heard it. He said no. Immediately after that I heard the same clicking sound. I asked the others if any of them had heard it but no one did.
The clicking sound I heard sounded like a noise you make with your tongue bent back on the roof of your mouth then popping it forward while opening your mouth. Each time I heard it there where about 5 or 6 clicks in a row. The sound was very distinct through the parabolic mic. I can't say how far away the sound came from but the max distance the mic is supposed to be good for is 300 feet. No one else picked up this noise without a parabolic mic.
After a while of no action on the ridge we drove over to an area where Don Keating and Scott A where researching. They were basically hanging out at a picnic area using listening devices. Don started talking about a clicking noise that he had recorded in the past year from nearby. He still had the original sound file in the recorder and he played it back for us. I was astonished because it was the same exact clicking sound that I had just heard back up on the ridge. On Don's recording you can hear something that sounds like a bipedal gate walk up to the mic and start messing with it then you hear a series of about 5 or 6 clicking noises. I have also heard this same clicking sound from a recording Sharon has picked up.
For me this was very interesting. I wonder if anyone else out there in Squatchland has heard anything like this?
Jason and Rachel, Bigfoot, Sylvia, Rick, Dave and Bob
The "Ridge"
Bob also adds:
One thing that is important I want to add about my clicking sound report is that Don Keating had a biologist that specializes in primate behaviour listen to the sounds and he said that it sounds like the clicking sounds that are made by some primates for communication. There is a segment on this in Don's recent documentary "Sasquatch At Salt Fork".
The significance of the clucking noise mentioned is that myself and Don Keating have both heard and recorded this clucking noise and it seemed to have been a signal indicating the presence or absence of humans in the area. I'm just speculating, but that is the conclusion that I have come to. Any thoughts or ideas?
Bob's report:
Friday night August 21st at Salt Fork State Park, we all sat in our chairs on a horseshoe shaped ridge that funnels down to a bowl shaped depression. The depression is full of a lot of downed trees and scrub brush. The outer edges of the top of the ridge are surrounded by forest. Almost everyone had night vision equipment and I was the only one with a parabolic mic.
The sky was clear and the stars were really out. It was a moonless night. I saw one real nice shooting star and others in the group saw quite a few.
Jason and Dave hiked down a ways into the depression in front of our position. We had heard some Bared Owl calls and Jason then did some whoops. The first Owl call I heard didn't sound right to me. Instead of a tapered off sound at the end of the call it stopped abruptly. For a while there while they were down in the depression Jason and Dave were doing some whoop calls and we were hearing different answers back. At times it also sounded like two different animals were calling to each other at different positions. At one point Jason got a whoop response back to one of his whoops.
After a while of enjoying sitting there and hearing the different calls coming from different directions Jason and Dave came back up to our sitting position. I had been scanning around with my night vision but didn't see anything interesting. At almost the same time Jason and Rick said they caught some movement through their NV off to our right flank from in the tree line. They continued to scan the area but caught no more movement. I was listening to the area of the movement with my parabolic mic. I heard a clicking noise come from the area. Jason was closest to the noise/movement area and I asked him if he had heard it. He said no. Immediately after that I heard the same clicking sound. I asked the others if any of them had heard it but no one did.
The clicking sound I heard sounded like a noise you make with your tongue bent back on the roof of your mouth then popping it forward while opening your mouth. Each time I heard it there where about 5 or 6 clicks in a row. The sound was very distinct through the parabolic mic. I can't say how far away the sound came from but the max distance the mic is supposed to be good for is 300 feet. No one else picked up this noise without a parabolic mic.
After a while of no action on the ridge we drove over to an area where Don Keating and Scott A where researching. They were basically hanging out at a picnic area using listening devices. Don started talking about a clicking noise that he had recorded in the past year from nearby. He still had the original sound file in the recorder and he played it back for us. I was astonished because it was the same exact clicking sound that I had just heard back up on the ridge. On Don's recording you can hear something that sounds like a bipedal gate walk up to the mic and start messing with it then you hear a series of about 5 or 6 clicking noises. I have also heard this same clicking sound from a recording Sharon has picked up.
For me this was very interesting. I wonder if anyone else out there in Squatchland has heard anything like this?
Jason and Rachel, Bigfoot, Sylvia, Rick, Dave and Bob
The "Ridge"
Bob also adds:
One thing that is important I want to add about my clicking sound report is that Don Keating had a biologist that specializes in primate behaviour listen to the sounds and he said that it sounds like the clicking sounds that are made by some primates for communication. There is a segment on this in Don's recent documentary "Sasquatch At Salt Fork".
Thursday, August 27, 2009
PNW Trip Pics
Beachfoot 2009 Group Photo
Slash with Mike Esordi at Bluff Creek
Early Bird (not!) Diner in Willow Creek. Home of the Bigfoot Burger!
The Bluff Creek Company
Sharonlee in Bigfoot cage at Bigfoot Motel in Willow Creek
Craig playing 'rock paper scissors' with Bigfoot statue at Willow Creek China Flats Museum
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
And more!
On Saturday, the day began at 10 a.m. with presentations from Tom Steenberg and the drawing for door prizes. My name was drawn and I won the book, Where Bigfoot Walks Crossing the Dark Divide, by Robert Michael Pyle. Luckily for me he was also in attendance and offered to sign the book for me. Almost everyone was a winner! There were Bigfoot books, Bigfoot wine made by Ron Morehead, plaster casts and many other donations that were offered as door prizes.
The group broke for lunch and reconvened at 2 p.m.. We sat down to a presentation by "John" who is a criminal investigator. This presentation was so enjoyable and informative! He spoke for a little over an hour and he could have easily gone on for another!
Todd then gave out more door prizes. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun. The sun was warming us everytime the wind would let up and give it a chance.
I walked over to Robert Michael Pyle to have him sign my book, and this took over an hour as Bob Gimlin was regaling us with stories about the day he and Roger Patterson stumbled upon Patty.
I asked questions and he answered them forthright and with much detail. Honestly, if anyone thinks this man is lying about what he saw, they need to sit down and talk to him and ask questions.
The conversation was in depth and open. I learned about the night of October 20th, 1967. Bob and Roger had to gather up Roger's horse and head back to their camp to retrieve the casting materials, they went back to Al Hodgsen's store and Bob picked up some empty cardboard boxes to carry them back. The casts were poured but they had to wait hours. Around 4 a.m. it began to rain and Bob put the boxes over the casts so they wouldn't get ruined. It began to pour and the low road out of Bluff Creek was being washed away. The truck with the horse trailer was a front wheel drive and they had a heck of a time getting over Onion Mountain...so many little details that none of us had ever known, unless of course you had talked with Bob and asked the questions.
The conversation soon turned to butterflies and tattoos and we laughed and joked like nobody's business.
I walked away to mingle and Robert finally signed my book.
We then posed for a group picture to memorialize the event. We had to get about 50 people in the picture and that was no easy feat!
We then were told to meet at 5 p.m. to sing Happy Birthday to Peter Byrne. It was a surprise birthday party for him! Donations were made in lieu of gifts for Peter's project in Nepal. I will add a link so you can donate as well! :)
International Wildlife Conservation Society
Yvonne and Todd then began the preperations for the cook out and again everyone was eating and mingling.
That evening, Robert M. Pyle read his stories to us with his engaging style as the campfire roared. Ron Morehead then gave the Sierra Sounds presentation in place of the absent Scott Nelson.
So we are sitting in the glow of the roaring campfire and Ron is playing audio from the Sierra Sounds. It was surreal.
The group broke for lunch and reconvened at 2 p.m.. We sat down to a presentation by "John" who is a criminal investigator. This presentation was so enjoyable and informative! He spoke for a little over an hour and he could have easily gone on for another!
Todd then gave out more door prizes. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun. The sun was warming us everytime the wind would let up and give it a chance.
I walked over to Robert Michael Pyle to have him sign my book, and this took over an hour as Bob Gimlin was regaling us with stories about the day he and Roger Patterson stumbled upon Patty.
I asked questions and he answered them forthright and with much detail. Honestly, if anyone thinks this man is lying about what he saw, they need to sit down and talk to him and ask questions.
The conversation was in depth and open. I learned about the night of October 20th, 1967. Bob and Roger had to gather up Roger's horse and head back to their camp to retrieve the casting materials, they went back to Al Hodgsen's store and Bob picked up some empty cardboard boxes to carry them back. The casts were poured but they had to wait hours. Around 4 a.m. it began to rain and Bob put the boxes over the casts so they wouldn't get ruined. It began to pour and the low road out of Bluff Creek was being washed away. The truck with the horse trailer was a front wheel drive and they had a heck of a time getting over Onion Mountain...so many little details that none of us had ever known, unless of course you had talked with Bob and asked the questions.
The conversation soon turned to butterflies and tattoos and we laughed and joked like nobody's business.
I walked away to mingle and Robert finally signed my book.
We then posed for a group picture to memorialize the event. We had to get about 50 people in the picture and that was no easy feat!
We then were told to meet at 5 p.m. to sing Happy Birthday to Peter Byrne. It was a surprise birthday party for him! Donations were made in lieu of gifts for Peter's project in Nepal. I will add a link so you can donate as well! :)
International Wildlife Conservation Society
Yvonne and Todd then began the preperations for the cook out and again everyone was eating and mingling.
That evening, Robert M. Pyle read his stories to us with his engaging style as the campfire roared. Ron Morehead then gave the Sierra Sounds presentation in place of the absent Scott Nelson.
So we are sitting in the glow of the roaring campfire and Ron is playing audio from the Sierra Sounds. It was surreal.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Lincoln City, OR
On Friday morning we set out from Autumn's house in 2 cars.
I rode with Autumn on the way to Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies. We had about 45 minutes discussion of many issues in bigfoot research and she sure did teach me many things I had not known before.
As a side note, I like the fact that I am so new to this field compared to many of you, and I learn new things and keep an open mind. I do not have any convictions that would prevent me from listening and understanding other people's points of view.
Let me first tell you that we are on our way to an event called Beachfoot. This is the second annual gathering of Beachfoot and it is by invitation only. Don't worry, I wasn't invited, I kind of tagged along as a "plus-one". Believe me, I would not have been invited on my own merit. The guest list was premiere.
We pull in to the Halderman estate, 7 acres of rural land donated for the weekend by Hal and Lupe Halderman. Todd Neiss is there to greet us and he takes us up the hill to get registered. I figured we would check in, go get some dinner change and come back for the campfire chat. Well, I decided I was not going to be in "reporter" mode since I was an unofficial guest and didn't want to ruffle any feathers. So of course I am not prepared with a camera or audio recorder when Bob Gimlim comes up and gives Craig Woolheater a big hug and starts laughing and joking with him.
I shake Mr. Gimlin's hand and I am sure I muttered something totally unintelligent. I was in awe of this handsome, sweet cowboy!
As we make our way back towards the camp area we are greeted by Tom Yamarone, Cliff Barackman Paul Graves and Jerry Hein. Bob Gimlin then invites us to have dinner with them. He brought some fresh ground buffalo to make burgers. We run off to the store to get buns, beans and I got some salmon for myself...I didn't want to eat a buffalo! LOL!
We returned and the gang enjoyed buffalo burgers, ranch style beans and fresh veges from Bob's garden. Yams and Jerry and Paul did most of the cooking and it was the best meal I had in days!
Steve Inness joined us along with his friend Jason. We finally got the salmon cooked and Bob was like, "Oh boy, salmon! Can I have a piece of that?" In my head I am thinking Bob, you can have it all! but he just wanted a little and half was for Autumn too...it turned out great!
After dinner we headed to the campfire and sat around while Autumn sang, and Yams and Paul played guitar. It was so much fun!
I am sitting behind Ron Moorehead, and Orey Inness...there are so many faces! Such notables of the bigfoot world!
Then as the evening goes on, a familiar face comes alight by the fire's glow as he walks closer to the circle....Bruce Harrington!? LOL! He sees Diane Stocking and says hello, gives her a hug and a kiss, then he sees me and comes over and does the same! It was good to see another familiar face! By another, I mean Diane, she greeted me with open arms and a big hug.
We then retire and promise to meet back Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for presentations and more.....
I rode with Autumn on the way to Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies. We had about 45 minutes discussion of many issues in bigfoot research and she sure did teach me many things I had not known before.
As a side note, I like the fact that I am so new to this field compared to many of you, and I learn new things and keep an open mind. I do not have any convictions that would prevent me from listening and understanding other people's points of view.
Let me first tell you that we are on our way to an event called Beachfoot. This is the second annual gathering of Beachfoot and it is by invitation only. Don't worry, I wasn't invited, I kind of tagged along as a "plus-one". Believe me, I would not have been invited on my own merit. The guest list was premiere.
We pull in to the Halderman estate, 7 acres of rural land donated for the weekend by Hal and Lupe Halderman. Todd Neiss is there to greet us and he takes us up the hill to get registered. I figured we would check in, go get some dinner change and come back for the campfire chat. Well, I decided I was not going to be in "reporter" mode since I was an unofficial guest and didn't want to ruffle any feathers. So of course I am not prepared with a camera or audio recorder when Bob Gimlim comes up and gives Craig Woolheater a big hug and starts laughing and joking with him.
I shake Mr. Gimlin's hand and I am sure I muttered something totally unintelligent. I was in awe of this handsome, sweet cowboy!
As we make our way back towards the camp area we are greeted by Tom Yamarone, Cliff Barackman Paul Graves and Jerry Hein. Bob Gimlin then invites us to have dinner with them. He brought some fresh ground buffalo to make burgers. We run off to the store to get buns, beans and I got some salmon for myself...I didn't want to eat a buffalo! LOL!
We returned and the gang enjoyed buffalo burgers, ranch style beans and fresh veges from Bob's garden. Yams and Jerry and Paul did most of the cooking and it was the best meal I had in days!
Steve Inness joined us along with his friend Jason. We finally got the salmon cooked and Bob was like, "Oh boy, salmon! Can I have a piece of that?" In my head I am thinking Bob, you can have it all! but he just wanted a little and half was for Autumn too...it turned out great!
After dinner we headed to the campfire and sat around while Autumn sang, and Yams and Paul played guitar. It was so much fun!
I am sitting behind Ron Moorehead, and Orey Inness...there are so many faces! Such notables of the bigfoot world!
Then as the evening goes on, a familiar face comes alight by the fire's glow as he walks closer to the circle....Bruce Harrington!? LOL! He sees Diane Stocking and says hello, gives her a hug and a kiss, then he sees me and comes over and does the same! It was good to see another familiar face! By another, I mean Diane, she greeted me with open arms and a big hug.
We then retire and promise to meet back Saturday morning at 10 a.m. for presentations and more.....
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Elkton, Oregon
We head out early to get to Autumn William's home.
Why can't we stick to schedule?
We decide to take another 1.5 hour detour to go see Crater Lake. I'm just as guilty as the rest for wanting to add this stop. It was really cool.
We finally arrive at Autumn's and she is playing her piano and singing as we stand in the doorway listening. She has a beautiful voice and I hinted to her that I would love to sell her CD on my website.
She shows us around and is so so happy to see her buddy Craig. She then takes us next door to meet her mom, Sali and her dad, Bob...oh! and grandpa Bill!
Sali's house is the most wonderful thing to see! Each room is decorated with a theme and it would take weeks to see every treasure that is tucked away in each room!
If you all think Autumn is beauiful, you should know that she gets her looks from her mother! And funny, too! The whole family has such a wonderful sense of humor and made me feel so comfortable and right at home with them!
We went out to the local eatery for a quick bite then back to Autumn's to hang out and shoot the breeze.
This is has been a once in a lifetime trip for this Bigfoot Field Reporter.
I have to get permission to tell you all about the rest of the journey, and I hope I can! You won't be disappointed!
You want a what?
Well, we are getting pretty far up north now. We are waving goodbye to Linda and Bob at Happy Camp to travel 2 hours out of our way for an In-N-Out burger.
You're kidding me, right? I don't even like hamburgers, but, I'm just along for the ride.
So we head north to Redding, CA...the last place in California to get an In-N-Out burger before hitting the Oregon border.
The drive is beautiful going around Mt. Shasta. I'm getting crabby.
So we get there, have some so-so hamburgers, and everybody is happy.
I guess it's "cool" to say I had one. I still prefer Big Macs.
You're kidding me, right? I don't even like hamburgers, but, I'm just along for the ride.
So we head north to Redding, CA...the last place in California to get an In-N-Out burger before hitting the Oregon border.
The drive is beautiful going around Mt. Shasta. I'm getting crabby.
So we get there, have some so-so hamburgers, and everybody is happy.
I guess it's "cool" to say I had one. I still prefer Big Macs.
When we become the story
So after a while of chatting with Bob and Linda, we decided to go check out the area where a forest ranger had a sighting of a bigfoot in 2005.
We followed Linda and Bob about 5 miles up the road and pulled over.
Linda began relaying the story of how this forest ranger was on her way to work at about 8 a.m. when a large, hairy, bi-pedal creature crossed the 2 lane road in front of her and proceeded up a steep hill with about a 90 degree angle.
The woman was shaken and when she got to work she reported to her supervisor what she observed. The supervisor then went to check out the area around noon, and claims to have seen the creature sitting at the top of the hill staring down.
So here we all are walking across the road, imagining how it went down for the ranger. We were poking around on the hillside when all of a sudden Bob yells out that he thinks he found an impression.
The impression was impressive! I crawled up the embankment and was checking it out when I noticed how deep and distinct was every toe! It appeared as if the creature making the print had stepped or maybe leaped about 5 feet from the road and onto the hillside, but had needed his full weight on his toes to traverse the steep terrain.
I took some pics and Bob was ecstatic! He had just been talking about how disappointed he was in not having found any sign in the years that he had lived in Happy Camp!
Linda and Bob promised that they would come back to cast the print the next morning.
How did it come out guys?
Happy Camp
Today we are taking a 12 hour drive north, stopping to visit Linda Jo Martin and Bob at Happy Camp!
We arrived in the small town of Happy Camp, only to find that there was no cell reception here either, surprise surprise.
We stopped at the local convenient store and asked to use their telephone book to look up Linda's number. We find her listed in the phone book and realize we can't call without cell reception. The clerk was gracious to let us use the store phone.
We got ahold of Linda and she said she'd meet us at the Bigfoot Statue on the corner!
We waited a few minutes and took pics in the blistering heat.
Linda and Bob pull up and we all started talking and taking pics together and with the statue.
Bob told me a story of his encounter in the late 70's. He had been camping out alone, doing some bow hunting. He drifted off to sleep and was awakened by what he assumed was a police siren...not the full siren, but the tail end of a siren if you can imagine what sound I am trying to describe.
He figured it was probably just a local cop making his rounds and he drifted back off to sleep, only to be awakened again by the same sound! He didn't think much of it until it became apparent that this police officer must be in trouble and was sounding off his siren for assistance.
Bob didn't go to check it out, he was too tired. In the morning, he began grilling up some hamburgers when all of a sudden he heard the sound again! This time he was determined to figure out what the heck was going on..he grabbed his bow and took off after the sound.
He never did see what it was, but he heard it continue it's siren like call up and over the mountainside.
He burned the burgers.
We arrived in the small town of Happy Camp, only to find that there was no cell reception here either, surprise surprise.
We stopped at the local convenient store and asked to use their telephone book to look up Linda's number. We find her listed in the phone book and realize we can't call without cell reception. The clerk was gracious to let us use the store phone.
We got ahold of Linda and she said she'd meet us at the Bigfoot Statue on the corner!
We waited a few minutes and took pics in the blistering heat.
Linda and Bob pull up and we all started talking and taking pics together and with the statue.
Bob told me a story of his encounter in the late 70's. He had been camping out alone, doing some bow hunting. He drifted off to sleep and was awakened by what he assumed was a police siren...not the full siren, but the tail end of a siren if you can imagine what sound I am trying to describe.
He figured it was probably just a local cop making his rounds and he drifted back off to sleep, only to be awakened again by the same sound! He didn't think much of it until it became apparent that this police officer must be in trouble and was sounding off his siren for assistance.
Bob didn't go to check it out, he was too tired. In the morning, he began grilling up some hamburgers when all of a sudden he heard the sound again! This time he was determined to figure out what the heck was going on..he grabbed his bow and took off after the sound.
He never did see what it was, but he heard it continue it's siren like call up and over the mountainside.
He burned the burgers.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Extraction
When Bobo and Slash saw the car, they were like, "Whoa dude! This is F**ked up!" They decided the best course of action was to tip the vehicle over the edge and call it in stolen. LMAO...love it!
Craig of course said no and we removed every piece of gear, luggage, coolers, etc. from the back of the Santa Fe. We climbed into Bobo's truck, but there was no room for Slasher so he rode the back of the truck, up the mountain and removed his shirt at one point while hanging on with one hand!
We finally get to the top of the mountain, which seemed to be about a 5 mile ride, and Mike and Diana are looking at us like, uh oh...where is the car?
Then we told the stories, tried to call loved ones...spotty cell coverage. Then we played a game of hide and seek all through Orleans and Willow Creek.
In our hunt for a wrecker service to extract the vehicle, Bobo went one way, we went another and before long we were separated from the gang. Sheesh!
I stayed at the Bigfoot Motel, while everyone else took care of the tow truck etc. About 9 pm I am upset. I imagined they all went over the mountain...finally I get a call and they got the truck out, for a mere $597.50 fee.
I treated the guys to steak dinners. They deserved it!
Bobo and Slash stayed with Wooly until the whole mess was over. They are my personal heroes and I hope to meet up and hang out with them again some day soon.
Craig of course said no and we removed every piece of gear, luggage, coolers, etc. from the back of the Santa Fe. We climbed into Bobo's truck, but there was no room for Slasher so he rode the back of the truck, up the mountain and removed his shirt at one point while hanging on with one hand!
We finally get to the top of the mountain, which seemed to be about a 5 mile ride, and Mike and Diana are looking at us like, uh oh...where is the car?
Then we told the stories, tried to call loved ones...spotty cell coverage. Then we played a game of hide and seek all through Orleans and Willow Creek.
In our hunt for a wrecker service to extract the vehicle, Bobo went one way, we went another and before long we were separated from the gang. Sheesh!
I stayed at the Bigfoot Motel, while everyone else took care of the tow truck etc. About 9 pm I am upset. I imagined they all went over the mountain...finally I get a call and they got the truck out, for a mere $597.50 fee.
I treated the guys to steak dinners. They deserved it!
Bobo and Slash stayed with Wooly until the whole mess was over. They are my personal heroes and I hope to meet up and hang out with them again some day soon.
Word of the day-Harrowing
So, we all start getting up and shaking off the chill from the night. The sun slowly begins to make it's presence known. Breakfasts are made, hikes to the creek for one last look-see.
We break camp and load everything into the rental Santa Fe and people pile into Bobo's truck to head up the mountain. Great, we are getting an early start!
Bobo sped up a little so he wouldn't dust us out. The sun is getting warmer.
We were traveling a little ways behind Bobo and I was taking video of the crazy ride from the back seat, and Brad was taking still shots with his fancy camera.
I gaze upwards at the rock slide area and said, "Hey Brad, that is a great photo op". At this point Mr. Woolheater, thought he would help us out by stopping so we could take a picture.
The Santa Fe is a front wheel drive vehicle. Craig then gave it a little gas to get our momentum going when the shale and other loose rocks shifted and slid the truck to the edge of the drop off.
We were screwed.
We tooted the horn hoping Bobo would hear our S.O.S. but to no avail.
We didn't want to disrupt the vehicle in any way for fear of it tumbling down the mountainside. After about 15 minutes, I said, "I have to get out, my leg is pinned against this gear and is going numb". Brad then instructed me to open the door very slowly without jiggling. This was difficult as the passenger door was tilted at an angle due to the position of the car and I had to work against gravity to hold the door open so I could get out. I was like a ninja I tell ya. I slowly slid out of the back seat and was tempted to scream SEE YA! and take off running for dear life. But, I stayed. I tried to assess our situation.
Craig and Brad are big guys and their weight was holding the car steady.
I used Brad's camera to take pics of the tire angles so they could make a plan of action.
There was no way this car was moving without going down the mountain.
I helped Brad exit the vehicle by holding the passenger side door open and anchoring it with my entire body weight...he got out. One to go.
i was constantly letting out my very loud whistles to get anyone's attention. Nothing.
So Craig is sitting in the vehicle alone. He could not go out the driver side door because it would have brought the car down with him. We decided to wait it out for the return of the rest of the tour gang.
Then we heard the rocks giving way beneath the front tire!
We said, we gotta get him out of there!
Brad and I both anchored the car from the passenger side, using our full weight.
Craig then slowly slid from the driver's side to the passenger side. and finally popped out.
What a relief!
I said he moved slowly, but I never saw a man his size move so quickly or nimbly!
After about 10 minutes of ground kissing and high fives, Bobo returns with Slash..did I mention how cool those guys are?
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We break camp and load everything into the rental Santa Fe and people pile into Bobo's truck to head up the mountain. Great, we are getting an early start!
Bobo sped up a little so he wouldn't dust us out. The sun is getting warmer.
We were traveling a little ways behind Bobo and I was taking video of the crazy ride from the back seat, and Brad was taking still shots with his fancy camera.
I gaze upwards at the rock slide area and said, "Hey Brad, that is a great photo op". At this point Mr. Woolheater, thought he would help us out by stopping so we could take a picture.
The Santa Fe is a front wheel drive vehicle. Craig then gave it a little gas to get our momentum going when the shale and other loose rocks shifted and slid the truck to the edge of the drop off.
We were screwed.
We tooted the horn hoping Bobo would hear our S.O.S. but to no avail.
We didn't want to disrupt the vehicle in any way for fear of it tumbling down the mountainside. After about 15 minutes, I said, "I have to get out, my leg is pinned against this gear and is going numb". Brad then instructed me to open the door very slowly without jiggling. This was difficult as the passenger door was tilted at an angle due to the position of the car and I had to work against gravity to hold the door open so I could get out. I was like a ninja I tell ya. I slowly slid out of the back seat and was tempted to scream SEE YA! and take off running for dear life. But, I stayed. I tried to assess our situation.
Craig and Brad are big guys and their weight was holding the car steady.
I used Brad's camera to take pics of the tire angles so they could make a plan of action.
There was no way this car was moving without going down the mountain.
I helped Brad exit the vehicle by holding the passenger side door open and anchoring it with my entire body weight...he got out. One to go.
i was constantly letting out my very loud whistles to get anyone's attention. Nothing.
So Craig is sitting in the vehicle alone. He could not go out the driver side door because it would have brought the car down with him. We decided to wait it out for the return of the rest of the tour gang.
Then we heard the rocks giving way beneath the front tire!
We said, we gotta get him out of there!
Brad and I both anchored the car from the passenger side, using our full weight.
Craig then slowly slid from the driver's side to the passenger side. and finally popped out.
What a relief!
I said he moved slowly, but I never saw a man his size move so quickly or nimbly!
After about 10 minutes of ground kissing and high fives, Bobo returns with Slash..did I mention how cool those guys are?
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Bobo and Slash
So there we are sitting around in the dark.
(We are not allowed to have a fire due to the many forest fires. The firefighters are local heroes around here..restaurants open up for them after a long day of putting out fires.)
It was now approaching 11 pm and we had given up on Bobo when all of a sudden, careening down the mountain side at about 60 mph and coming to a screeching halt within inches of Diana's chair, it's Bobo!
This dude is HUGE! He introduces us to his friend Jimmy, and they are two of the coolest dudes ever! They have the whole California surfer vibe going on...squatching in flip flops...they were a riot!
Bobo and Jimmy (aka "Slash") kept us entertained with stories all night long.
It was freezing out. We all retired about 2 am. Bobo and Slash camped further down from our campsite and it wasn't long before Bobo came back to our camp and told us there were squatches in the creek. Mike, Diana and Brad heard an odd whistling all night but that is about all, no sightings, no rock throwing.
To be continued......
(We are not allowed to have a fire due to the many forest fires. The firefighters are local heroes around here..restaurants open up for them after a long day of putting out fires.)
It was now approaching 11 pm and we had given up on Bobo when all of a sudden, careening down the mountain side at about 60 mph and coming to a screeching halt within inches of Diana's chair, it's Bobo!
This dude is HUGE! He introduces us to his friend Jimmy, and they are two of the coolest dudes ever! They have the whole California surfer vibe going on...squatching in flip flops...they were a riot!
Bobo and Jimmy (aka "Slash") kept us entertained with stories all night long.
It was freezing out. We all retired about 2 am. Bobo and Slash camped further down from our campsite and it wasn't long before Bobo came back to our camp and told us there were squatches in the creek. Mike, Diana and Brad heard an odd whistling all night but that is about all, no sightings, no rock throwing.
To be continued......
Bluff Creek or Bust!
Met up with the entire gang in front of the Bigfoot Museum in Willow Creek. The museum is usually closed on Mondays, but they opened it up just for me since I had never been there before! I felt honored!
I took some video and pictures and those will be forthcoming.
We then headed up the road to meet Steve at his bookstore. He was going to be our guide into Bluff Creek.
We eventually get on the road to Bluff Creek, and the lead vehicle pulls off the road and we follow. I was a little tired and didn't realize that we had actually pulled up to The Bluff Creek Company store! This was the actual place that Bob and Roger got their supplies.
A gentleman approached us and he knew Steve. He was the owner of the property and I asked him so many questions! He did request that nothing be reported about my conversation with him. However, I can tell you that he has plans to tear down the building if he cannot sell the property! He is asking a FIRM $650,000.00. Soooooo, if there is anyone out there who is interested....my birthday is August 27th! :)
We then proceed past Fish Lake, which in hindsight would have been the best area to spend the night but anyway... we drove through the mountains until the Believe it Tour van could go no further. We then consolidated all the gear and people into two trucks. Steve led the way down the mountain. It was highly treacherous with just a narrow road with the side of the mountain on one side and a straight drop down on the other. Driving verrrrrrry slowly we finally arrive at the bottom, and there she is! Not Patty, Bluff Creek. It was a very reverent feeling being there. I felt like a kid at Disneyland.
Steve then took us to the film site. It was a nice hike through dense brush and fallen trees. The actual sighting area seemed so small when you see it in person. Crossing over some fallen trees, I fell through a beaver hole, swallowing my entire right leg! I was glad there weren't any angry beavers in the hole!
Took lots of pictures! I know you are all waiting for the pictures!
We hiked back and set up camp. Steve was not spending the night with us and he soon departed leaving us alone, at Bluff Creek with one vehicle.
We sat around, talked, ate dinner and waited for James "Bobo" Fay to arrive.
I took some video and pictures and those will be forthcoming.
We then headed up the road to meet Steve at his bookstore. He was going to be our guide into Bluff Creek.
We eventually get on the road to Bluff Creek, and the lead vehicle pulls off the road and we follow. I was a little tired and didn't realize that we had actually pulled up to The Bluff Creek Company store! This was the actual place that Bob and Roger got their supplies.
A gentleman approached us and he knew Steve. He was the owner of the property and I asked him so many questions! He did request that nothing be reported about my conversation with him. However, I can tell you that he has plans to tear down the building if he cannot sell the property! He is asking a FIRM $650,000.00. Soooooo, if there is anyone out there who is interested....my birthday is August 27th! :)
We then proceed past Fish Lake, which in hindsight would have been the best area to spend the night but anyway... we drove through the mountains until the Believe it Tour van could go no further. We then consolidated all the gear and people into two trucks. Steve led the way down the mountain. It was highly treacherous with just a narrow road with the side of the mountain on one side and a straight drop down on the other. Driving verrrrrrry slowly we finally arrive at the bottom, and there she is! Not Patty, Bluff Creek. It was a very reverent feeling being there. I felt like a kid at Disneyland.
Steve then took us to the film site. It was a nice hike through dense brush and fallen trees. The actual sighting area seemed so small when you see it in person. Crossing over some fallen trees, I fell through a beaver hole, swallowing my entire right leg! I was glad there weren't any angry beavers in the hole!
Took lots of pictures! I know you are all waiting for the pictures!
We hiked back and set up camp. Steve was not spending the night with us and he soon departed leaving us alone, at Bluff Creek with one vehicle.
We sat around, talked, ate dinner and waited for James "Bobo" Fay to arrive.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Drove 4 hours to Willow Creek to meet up with the Believe it Tour gang. I stopped too many times taking pictures of things bigfoot related.
Checked into the Bigfoot Motel, then drove up to Cinnabar Sams to meet the Believe it Tour gang, Mike, Diana and Brad. Also in attendance were Linda Jo Martin and Steve Sreufert, the owner of Bigfoot Books in Willow Creek. Steve had a lot of knowledge about bigfoot in the area.
We all went back to the motel and changed into squatching clothes. Steve took us to Brush Mountain Lookout for a little night hiking and squatching.
We were able to play around with the thermal camera and Gen III night vision. We didn't see anything but we had a great time watching the meteor shower.
Headed back to the hotel for a good night's sleep!
Checked into the Bigfoot Motel, then drove up to Cinnabar Sams to meet the Believe it Tour gang, Mike, Diana and Brad. Also in attendance were Linda Jo Martin and Steve Sreufert, the owner of Bigfoot Books in Willow Creek. Steve had a lot of knowledge about bigfoot in the area.
We all went back to the motel and changed into squatching clothes. Steve took us to Brush Mountain Lookout for a little night hiking and squatching.
We were able to play around with the thermal camera and Gen III night vision. We didn't see anything but we had a great time watching the meteor shower.
Headed back to the hotel for a good night's sleep!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Arrived in Sacramento and proceeded to drive 2 hours to Vacaville to meet Bob and Kathy Strain, and John and Montra Freitas for dinner. I did not interview them at all, but we just ate, laughed and had a good time! John and Montra wanted to see the movie District 9 so we all went to the movie theater across the street. I had been awake for over 24 hours at this point and slept through the whole movie.
That's about it for this day.
That's about it for this day.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday
Whew what a morning!
I hope you all enjoyed The Sasquatch Triangle radio show last night. Ed Welch was a great guest and the hour flew by quickly!
If anyone is interested in joining Ed in his Bigfoot and Dogman research, he sure can use a bushwhacking partner! He has been going out alone and has almost died twice!
Please tune in tonight to my radio show, The Bigfoot Field Reporter at 9 pm on Talkshoe.
My guest will be Eric Altman who is the Director of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society. Eric will be discussing current and near future projects!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter
Please check out the Believe it Tour website too! They are having too much fun out there in California!
I hope you all enjoyed The Sasquatch Triangle radio show last night. Ed Welch was a great guest and the hour flew by quickly!
If anyone is interested in joining Ed in his Bigfoot and Dogman research, he sure can use a bushwhacking partner! He has been going out alone and has almost died twice!
Please tune in tonight to my radio show, The Bigfoot Field Reporter at 9 pm on Talkshoe.
My guest will be Eric Altman who is the Director of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society. Eric will be discussing current and near future projects!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter
Please check out the Believe it Tour website too! They are having too much fun out there in California!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday Morning
Good morning! I've been having fun watching the videos and posts from the folks on the Believe it Tour! Aliens, ghosts, espresso... that's the life!
On Saturday I will be heading to the west coast to do some interviews with our fellow Squatchers and will meet up with the Believe it Tour! on the Bigfoot leg of their adventure!
Willow Creek, Happy Camp and of course, Bluff Creek! I am so excited I can hardly wait!
Tonight's guest on The Sasquatch Triangle is...Ed Runninghorse! Yay! Ed is the one and only Firstbillyjack on youtube and he is a very active researcher in Minnesota!
The show begins at 9 pm this evening and is on blogtalk radio.
Join host Don Keating and his lovely and talented co-host Sharonlee as we talk about EVERYTHING bigfoot! :)
On Saturday I will be heading to the west coast to do some interviews with our fellow Squatchers and will meet up with the Believe it Tour! on the Bigfoot leg of their adventure!
Willow Creek, Happy Camp and of course, Bluff Creek! I am so excited I can hardly wait!
Tonight's guest on The Sasquatch Triangle is...Ed Runninghorse! Yay! Ed is the one and only Firstbillyjack on youtube and he is a very active researcher in Minnesota!
The show begins at 9 pm this evening and is on blogtalk radio.
Join host Don Keating and his lovely and talented co-host Sharonlee as we talk about EVERYTHING bigfoot! :)
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