Reckless Ghost Hunters

Once again I have removed a ghost story from our Legends of America pages as well as adding an Editors Note to our Ghostly Legends page. It sickens me that some "so-called" ghost hunters appear in the night at cemeteries and historic properties, allegedly with the intent of "ghost-hunting," but instead -- vandalize property, trespass, frighten residents, and often participate in on-site drunken parties.

Criminal behavior is NOT ghost hunting! Vandalism and trespassing are nothing more than crimes against property. For legitimate paranormal researchers, this type of behavior reduces their credibility and overall, gives ghost hunters a bad name. It has also significantly reduced the number of "ghostly legends" that appear on this website. Today, I only publish "new" tales for those who promote them, such as hotels and ghost tours; and places that are public and controlled by security. Even then, my enthusiasm for publishing these types of legends has been so dampened, that few are added these days.

I am not the first to point this out, more information can be found on these sites;

Vandalism is not Ghost Hunting
Getting Permission to Ghost Hunt

Motor City Ghost Hunters Code of Ethics includes:

FOLLOWING LAWS:

• No Vandalism.
• No Trespassing.
• Get permission before entering property (preferably written).
• No littering- leave locations in better shape than we found them.
• When investigating public property, let the local police & authorities know your intentions, and contact the local historical society if possible – then follow up by asking if they would like to see any evidence.

Now, if everyone else could get on board!

What's New - More Treasures to be found in Oregon

For our treasure hunter friends, Kathy has dug up a few nuggets on possible lost treasures and mines in Oregon. From a pirate treasure to the Lost Forest Mine, who knows, maybe you'll be the one to discover the legends are true! Check it out now at Legends of America

What are you searching for?

I'm always intrigued to find out what our readers are searching for on Legends Of America. So far this summer, Route 66 has been our most popular search term. And there's plenty to read about too. Legends of the Mother Road abound in page after page as we carry you through the entire route, write about the forgotten stops along the road, and tell tales of yesteryear when it was the super highway of the American West.


Other popular searches on Legends Of America include Jesse James, which has remained in the top 5 search terms on our site for over a year. Guess that outlaw spirit remains alive in a lot of us! Come read all about Jesse in our 10 page article "Folklore Hero or Cold Blooded Killer". And while you're there, don't forget to check out Legends Photo Print shop!

Dave Alexander- Legends Of America

Thumbs down to Governor Hollywood

Ok, having finally finished blogging our wonderful trip to California, I have one great big ole' gripe I've got to get off my mind. California Governor Arnold Hollywood (Schwarzenegger), has made a proposal to shut down as many as 80% of California's state parks. This would close some 220 of the state’s 279 state parks. Now, I realize that when you've got budget troubles, there have got to be cutbacks, but this appears to be a very short-sighted solution.

So, let's do some math. California state parks have an estimated 75 million visitors every year. On our recent trip, we spent an average of $1,500 per person for a one week visit and toured 10 state parks during that time. Had these parks been closed we would not have gone to California. Assuming we are "average" travelers and I think we are -- not staying at a Motel 6, but then not staying at the Hyatt either, California's loss of tourism dollars would heavily impact numerous businesses.

If only one half of the 75 million visitors to these state parks come from out of state and say, spend only $1,000 during their visit, they would spend over $37 billion during their stay in California. If they don't visit, because the parks are closed, that's a huge loss of tourism dollars for the state.

Now, I see, that in July, California's state park system escaped an immediate, almost-total dismantling by the California Legislature. Instead of 220 parks closing, a final budget gap of about $8 million spared most parks, but this does not avoid all closures and this topic remains high on the list of further budget cuts.

At a time that the news is filled with California's wasteful spending on items such as social programs for illegal aliens, excess spending in prisons, over the top travel expenses for politicians, and other inefficiencies, this potential budget cut idea appears rediculous.

Though I'm not a very political person, it appears from this outsider's point of view that California's left-wing extremists have damn near buried the state. Though this article is a bit dated, I couldn't say it better than this: "California Liberalism: Out Of Fashion?"

If interested, these are the state parks we visited during our trip.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Marshal Gold Discovery State Park - Coloma

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Donner Memorial State Park

Emerald Bay State Park

Columbia State Historic Park

Bodie State Historic Park

Empire Mine State Historic Park

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park

Mono Lake Tufa State Nature Reserve

Alcatraz!!!!!!!

I saved the best for last!!! For years, I've wanted to visit Alcatraz and about a decade ago I was in San Francisco and planned on doing it. What I didn't know then is that you have to have your tickets days in advance. I went home disappointed that time. But, not this time! Up and early in the morning we stroll along the pier taking lots of pictures and picking up souvinirs for our family. Plus, we all have to buy a jacket or a sweatshirt, cuz it's freezing. Ok, not exactly freezing, but it is 58 degrees and we've only brought summer clothes. Then, it's time to get in line -- a long line. I'm obviously not the only morbid person who's fascinated with visiting this island, with its long history and ghostly legends.

Sitting like a beacon in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, between San Francisco and Oakland, California, is Alcatraz Island. Though most prominently known for the years it served as a maximum security prison, the “Rock’s” history stretches far beyond those infamous days, and its legends and stories continue to find their way into American lore, complete with a number of ghosts who are said to remain upon the island.

Long before Alcatraz became home to some of the most notorious outlaws in the country, it was known as a place to be avoided by Native Americans who believed it to contain evil spirits. These Native Americans, called the Ohlone (a Miwok Indian word meaning "western people"), often utilized the island as a place of isolation or banishment for members violating tribal laws. Despite the legends of evil spirits, Alcatraz was also used by the Indians as an area for food gathering, especially bird eggs and sea-life.

There's lots more to the story, check it out.

Alas, it's time to start making our way back to a hotel in Sacramento. Then, a very early day tomorrow. Flight at 6:00 a.m. Though traveling is always a blast, there's a lot to say for going home.