Ghost Towns & Haunted Hotels - Washington USA

Hello Friends,

Recently, Lesli and I packed our bags and headed south across the Canada - USA border into the green state of Washington, USA. We had our sights on visiting the old town of Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. I've heard stories of haunted hotels, bordellos from the early 1900s, a small ghost town area with a steel mill which closed leaving behind little evidence of it's existence, and the people.. oh yes, I heard the people are truly warm and welcoming.

I also read/heard about an interesting ghost town in the Cascade Mountains. In 1910 two trains were caught in an avalanche and killed 96 people. We decided to put it on our travel agenda of the two day trip.

It was a blue sky day, the air was crisp as we headed out in the morning to make our trip. The "lineup" (I've heard Americans criticize my use of this word, but that is how we say it here in Canada) at the border was a 10-20 minute wait, which isn't bad at all; and after a short but friendly chat with the border guard, we were on our way. We drove the I-5 to the Anacortes turn off, then followed the signs to Whidbey Island, and there we joined our dearest friend Donna in Coupeville for a ride across the northern point of Puget Sound to the peninsula and it's interesting heritage.

Photo courtesy Kati - on the Port Townsend - Coupeville Ferry

Corpse Hidden in Cellar! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

This twelve instalment of the true crime stories of Convicts buried in the Boot Hill Cemetery, New Westminster, B.C., is unique. Not only were there no witnesses to the crime, but the suspect hid the body in his cellar! Want to know more? Join me on this journey of discovery.

Meet Convict #3130 - Harry Davis

Courtesy Find a Grave - photo: Herbert Richards (2007) - Middle Section, North edge of Ravine

"Wild Boys" Hunted by Posse for Murder! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

I've run into a question of whether the next convict investigated is actually buried at Boot Hill Cemetery in New Westminster, B.C.  Why would I think otherwise? I'll explain as the convict's story is told.

Meet convict #1884 - Moses Paul

This story begins with a mysterious death in the Clinton, B.C. area. A man's body is found with his head crushed in. What had happened? Who did this? Who was this man?

Thank You! .. and What Comes Next...

Hello Friends!

Happy New Year!  “Thank You” for your amazing support throughout 2014. You have been most kind to us, and have helped us to carve a new path into 2015.  We wish to Thank some very special people who have entered our lives, and look forward to their continued friendship and connection.:

Jules Stirling – who lent us her personal time in 2014, gave VSPI support with several private investigations that required extra assistance and use of her truly amazing gift, and she recommended a few clients our way. She has now joined our team full time, and we cannot be more pleased. Thank you Jules!  You truly astound us each and every time we meet and go adventuring with you, and look forward to working with you closely.

Anne Bannerman – from Salmagundi West, a curio shop in Vancouver’s Gastown, who opened her store to us in the evening hours and welcomed us with open arms.  She allowed us to set up a late evening investigation, in which an employee joined us and shared her special gift (Patricia Cosgrave). Thank you! We have since discovered some interesting evidence and will be sharing it in the upcoming weeks, first with Anne and then with you.  We truly love the curio shop and always have a great time visiting. I encourage you to visit the shop for a unique experience! Check out their SW Facebook Page for more information.

2011 Adventures

Hello folks,

It's been a while since I've written.. actually it's been a year. 2011 has been a busy year for me in every way. In July I married my sweetheart in Vancouver BC, and we went on a wonderful adventure in California as our "honeymoon".

We went on a day trip to Fort Ross (Jul27, 2011), on the coast northeast of where we stayed; and conducted a formal investigation of a private mansion outside of Petaluma. Both were interesting trips! We were not looking for "spirits" at the Fort, and didn't find any.. however, we discovered a voice on our digital recorder interact with our discussion at the small Russian Orthodox cemetery just south of the Fort. No one was there. We carry our recorders with us everywhere we go. Lesli & I do not expect "spirits" to be present with each and every trip, and we do not have a belief that "spirits" linger in cemeteries, but perhaps drop in on visitation when family or friends visit their grave. We simply are not expecting "spirits" to hang out where their bodies are buried, but who is to say they don't from time to time? We just don't know.. and I think that is part of the curiousity and questions we have. When I pass on, will I hang around where my ashes are spread? Will I be able to pop in and out when someone visits the spot? Would I want to? It's as simple as that. This voice we caught on our digital recorder was interesting. A man with a friendly voice, reacting to our conversation of the wonderful view of the coast for those who are buried there. (PS: you can listen to the EVPs at our website: http://www.vancouverspooks.com/findings ) It truly is a beautiful and peaceful spot. I am wondering who this man was? He spoke without an accent, but then do "spirits" speak with accents if they are not of English decent? There are so many questions I have when it comes to "spirits" and their abilities or not. It was a bit of a cloudy day when we arrived at the Fort. I love history, and felt refreshed with the park. The displays are truly wonderful, and the fort itself is a recreation as most of the buildings were destroyed. I recommend anyone in the area to check out the Fort! By the time we got to the cemetery it was late afternoon, and during our visit we noticed the fog slowly enveloping the fort (we had a good view of the fort) and rolling towards us. We left shortly after taking a number of wonderful photos. It was getting late and time to get on the road. We drove south along the coastal highway to a small cemetery outside of Bodega. We wanted to visit the gravesite of a young lad who's life was cut short (at the age of 7yrs) during a family trip to Italy. Truly a sad story.

A Good Read - for Paranormal Enthusiasts

I've been engrossed in a book I picked up a month ago: "A History of Ghosts - The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts and Ghostbusters" - Peter H. Aykroyd with Angela Narth, 2009©.

It's been a great read so far, and reminds me of a book Lesli bought me for my birthday last year, "Poltergeist" - Colin Wilson. Both books refer to a number of the same mediums and paranormal investigators going back to the late 1800's, early 1900's; as well as the information they provide confirms their indepth research. That makes me happy, gives me the feeling that what I'm reading has been thoroughly investigated and confirms each other's findings. Therefore, I find myself following along with excitement and anticipation in what else I have yet to learn.

Yes, Peter H. Aykroyd is the father of Dan Aykroyd, the Canadian actor. According to Peter, his story of spending his childhood watching his family's parlor seances, inspired Dan to make the blockbuster movie, "Ghostbusters". How neato is that? For a parent to know his past experiences have touched their child's life, must be exciting. This is truly family. I know some of the choices I've made have been due to my own parents' experiences. It's a passing of family history.

The book is an easy and delightful read, filled with information and great short stories, as well as is extremely interesting and capturing. Not only does it contain "comments" and "end notes" of value, but also a list of "text sources" and "web sources" we can all check out. It is well worded, and about a subject I've been researching for a while. I tend to browse book stores everywhere I go, whether on vacation or during my weekly visit to neighbouring shops, and pick up on odd books here and there discussing stories/theories about the paranormal and spirituality. I've always enjoyed the touch of a books cover, smelling the paper filled pages inside, feeling each one, and thumbing through for anything that sticks out such as photos or titles on chapters. Books are great!

I'm on the 4th Chapter of this 5 Chapter book. It's definitely captured my interest, and I'm not rushing to get through it. I love to mark pages I wish to read again, and put little sticky notes on topics/paragraphs that hold information I want to research further. This book carries alot of interesting facts and accounts. I will definitely go through it many times again, and refer to the variety of information it provides, as well as share it with my partner. She's into reading as much as I am, and we love to the gift of sharing a good read!

If you have a chance, look for it, and check it out!

My sister Rose, was in Florida over the Christmas/New Year's vacation with her family. She was in an antique book store and picked up a wonderful read for me: "Ghosts in American Houses" - James Reynolds, 1965©. I am excited by this next read. It is filled with stories James picked up from lores and legends passed on. He's also shared his paintings within it's pages. He's a terrific artist! Thumbing through it quickly had me noting that some of the tales are from as far back as the early-mid 1700's. Just what I wanted to read! My sister knows me so well. I'll treasure this.

If you know of any great reads, let me know! I can always use another book! I'll add it to my ever growing paranormal library, and from time to time, blog about it.. so that everyone can catch onto this fever we share.

Happy Reading!
kati