The Haunted West

Fall is here in the Truckee Meadows and we have been blessed with wonderfully warm weather for the holiday weekend. Halloween is a busy time for our paranormal community, most groups have some sort of event planned. It seems to me that it is a common thought is that Halloween is a perfect opportunity to gain exposure, promote the field of paranormal investigation and educate the curious. So why, on the eve of Halloween am I not out there hanging with my para buds converting the masses to the cause of seeking answers to age old questions? Because it's Halloween...and I am not willing to slap a "Kick Me" sign on my back for some drunken, snickering revelers seeking a little spooky thrill to take a swipe at. Really, take a ghost tour and you will inveribly hear references to proton packs and ectoplasmic slime. Think about it...we are not taken seriously by most people. It's not so much that people find what we do ridiculous - I myself admit there are elements of the

Just west of Goldhill Nevada on State Route 341, lies American Flats; and the remains of the Comstock Merger Mines cyanide mill. Time and wind have reduced the mill to strangely beautiful skeletal remains. The crumbling reinforced concrete monoliths (there are eight of them), rise out of the desert like post-apocalyptic temples, whose clandestine devotees leave cryptic messages and painted images as offerings to the silent, long dead gods. Some regard the ruins, complete with falling concrete, unprotected drop-offs, flooded tunnels and subterranean vaults a public hazard; others see it as an important piece of Comstock history. History   Circa 1925, courtesy of BLM  Gold and silver mining began in American Flat after 1860 when the Comstock discoveries extended beyond the Gold Canyon ravine. By 1864 American City had become a town and its citizens tried to secure the territorial capital from Carson City. Promoters at American City offered $50,000 to the Nevada

As an investigator, building solid relationships with site owners and managers of old haunted places is an important part of what we do. If a team is disrespectful, or leaves a site littered, chances are, they don't get invited back. Depending on the offence, the site might be closed to other teams as well. Angela and Ron, the caretakers of the haunted St. Mary Louise Hospital in Virginia City have been avid supporters of the paranormal scene since moving there, opening their doors to para cons, lectures, tours and investigations. When Angela asked if she could post a blog about the paranormal events offered by St. Marys, I quickly agreed. Anyone who has met this wonderful couple knows these two are dedicated to the history and restoration of historically important site. Haunted St. Mary Louise Hospital Currently the official on site Property Managers for the Haunted St. Mary Louise Hospital the last 2 1/2 years, we have had several personal experiences to share. This historic

As hobbies go, paranormal investigating probably doesn't quite fit into the same category as, say, knitting. But as with any hobby, sooner or later, a person wants to share their interest with others, maybe encourage others to join in the fun, start a knitting circle, or something. While I don't tend to broadcast the fact that I spend my free time ghost hunting, sooner or later, my penchant for haunted places leaks out to friends, family and acquaintances. On the surface, I get raised eyebrows from most, but given the opportunity (and nobody within hearing distance), these same scoffers will seek me out to learn more. See, I believe everyone harbors a guilty curiosity in the unknown, how else to explain the popularity of all those paranormal show out there? So, with this in mind, here's something for all you closet investigators: Women Investigating Ghost Sighting (W.I.G.S) has teamed up with VC Paranormal to offer "An Introduction To Paranormal Investigating"

Today I received an update on the memorial dedication of the Nevada State Hospital Cemetery. Anonymous wrote: "A new monument with 767 names (and acknowledging that there are likely up to 400 more unknown) has been installed in the hospital cemetery. It will be dedicated this Friday, January 21, 2011 between 2-4 pm. This event is open to the public. After the outdoor dedication there will be refreshments and historical displays inside the new Agriculture Building adjacent to the cemetery". This cemetery is a vital piece of Nevada's past; from 1882-1947, approximately 1000 patients from the nearby State Mental Health Institute lie buried on an adjacent piece of property with little or no ceremony to acknowledge their existence or final resting place. The memorial is a result of a tremendous effort by the Friends of Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services Cemetery. I'm hoping the weather holds and the day of the dedication is clear. If not, I'll bundle up

'Twas 4 days before Christmas and all through the house, nothing was stirring, not even a mouse... and me up baking cookies, and the dog looking for handouts, and Mariah watching something strange on Adult Swim, and oh yeah, the stupid cat (she's in heat and making a racket)... Okay then. Let's start this over. It's 12 midnight at the beginning of the Winter Solstice, and I'm up late alternately baking cookies, sipping on hot chocolate and wandering out onto the deck to enjoy the lunar eclipse. The storm blew through, leaving us with a clear and gorgeous night to view this celestial phenomenon. Reminds me that it's the little things in life...cookies, cocoa, a clear winter night, warm furry friends, and all the other little blessings that make me appreciate my wonderful life here on planet Earth. Here's wishing everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.