Star Gazing & UFO Hunting!

Last night, Lesli & I drove up Chalk Hill Road, a windy road up the hills with wineries and ranches surrounding the area. We found the pull out where we had parked last August, for a night of star gazing and UFO hunting.The night was chilly with clear skies. The half moon bright in the sky with Jupiter shining proudly below it. We could hear the neighbourhood dogs barking, owls hooting and a few coyotes yapping off in the distance. No bears, no mountain lions. We felt safe. We had a blanket to sit on, our water bottles filled with warm tea, a bag of mixed nuts, raisins and dried fruits, Milka chocolate bars (the best chocolate ever!) and plenty of flashlights to guide our way in the dark. Our rental car (our Mustang ride) was parked facing the road, incase of the need of a quick exit. We looked up into the skies and saw a good dozen airplanes flying in the area, of which some we could not hear a sound. The stars were bright, and Lesli pointed out Orion and the Big Dipper. Lesli had found, via her cell phone, that a meteor shower would be visible (called Quadrantid meteor shower , best viewed at 3am) near the dipper.. and later on in the evening, we did see a streak appear which had us believe it was part of the shower. It was beautiful!

I had checked the forecast, clear skies after 10pm with temperatures dipping to 9C/48.2F. Perfect for sky watching. Back in August/11 we had enjoyed a clear evening as well, although with warmer temperatures. We had experienced over two dozen sightings of shooting stars, numerous airplanes flying above, and a fog rolling in after midnight. Last night a small puff of fog roll in close to 10pm. It did not encompass the area until after we left. We noticed it on our drive back down the hillside. Prior to that, we enjoyed the the chill of the evening sky-watching, while telling stories of our past experiences with the paranormal & UFOs. Our view of any shooting stars & meteor showers was not as visible due to the brightness of the half moon. Eventually the chill got the best of us, and we packed up before the sky had dropped into absolute darkness.

We wondered what we would do if an UFO had dropped by (I call it a “fly by”), or hovered above for a visit with us. Lesli called out to the sky, with one request that aliens do not visit her home. Good idea. I am not sure I could handle a visit into our home. Even though we had requested a “fly by”, we received nothing. We could account for all that we saw and experienced. Regardless, it was a beautiful night for star gazing, and a wonderful experience to hear the coyotes from one hill call to a pack on another hill. It brings me back to a time when I was outside of Edmonton (Alberta), in the rural town of Stony Plain, with a group of friends camping out, listening to a pack of coyotes calling another. We heard the replies, then witnessed one pack running across the hills, not far from us, to join the other. Nature at its best.

UFO hunting and star gazing is certainly one of my favourite things to do. It takes patience, focus, good preparation, a perfect place away from city lights, an extra layer of clothes & socks in cold weather conditions, hats, mittens, and a lot of hot tea and munchies. Don’t forget the flashlights! Best to ensure you are safe by sitting near your vehicle, keys at the ready for a quick get away, and a knowledge of what to do should you encounter a wild animal.  Do not sit there watching your cell phone.  You want your eyes to adjust to the darkness; and really, there is no need to be talking to others, texting or surfing the internet during a night of sky watching.  Is there?  Afterall, you want to be closer to the environment.

If you’ve experienced a UFO sighting, I’d love to hear about it! Tell us where you were, what you saw, and how you felt. We are always interested in your experiences!

Of course, Carl Sagan (whom I absolutely respect) and his scientific theories/explanations, has indicated he doesn't believe our earth has been visited by any extraterrestrial beings, that we should remain sceptical. I shall do so, until that day arrives when I experience what others have been talking about for years. As for UFOs, there are plenty of sightings if you take the word for what it means: “unidentified flying objects”, which can mean about anything and not necessarily aliens aboard a craft.

Talk soon, and happy UFO hunting!

kati

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.

Cemeteries of Sonoma County

Hello Friends,

As I mentioned in our previous blog, I thought I'd tell you about some of the cemeteries we visited at the end of Dec 2010 into the beginnings of the New Year 2011. They are:

Forestview Cemetery - established in 1873, aproximately 5 acres and dotted with Russian Orthodox crosses. Although we did not have any spirit contact here, this small cemetery lays off the main road, and gives off a peaceful feeling.

Oak Mound Cemetery - not known of the establishment date, however, the Cemetery folks advised it was in the mid-1860's & if we find any diffinitive answer to let them know. There are gravestones marked back as far as the 1840's, however, it was believed that a cemetery may have been near the town square, and due to a flooding, bodies floated up from underground. Therefore, they wanted to establish a cemetery on higher ground. Thus the cemetery today is on a hill.

Travelling the older part on the hill, we felt a pull in one area. Although our meters did not detect anything, using dowsing rods I connected with one soul. A feeling of sadness and a light headache, seemed to move around the small area. A mist is seen in the photograph. It was not there to our naked eye, but showed up in both the full spectrum shot as well as the normal camera shot, making this interesting.

Haunts of Sonoma County

Green Valley Road: On a grey sprinkly afternoon in late December 2010, Lesli and I took a drive down Green Valley Road, in Sonoma County, looking for a haunted lumber mill. As the story goes, a woman experienced what appeared to be people of a native tribe standing out along a tree line, talking and pointing at the mill, where the woman and a friend were. The woman had an urge to look behind her, and that is when she saw these people. They soon disappeared, but left the woman with a shaking feeling.

The area was known to be inhabited by the Pomo Native tribes prior to the white man storming in and taking over the land. Two ley lines are believed to run through this area, the Goat Rock ley line and the Joy Woods ley line. Where these two lines intersect, is believed to contain some of the most haunted real estate in the county. Green Valley Road is in that vicinity.

Ley Lines: Ley lines and their effect on the paranormal is only one theory VSPI is investigating. What are they? Alleged alignments of a number of "sacred" places of geographical interest, that are thought by certain beliefs to have spiritual power and contain unique energy.
As I am researching "ley lines" and their effect on the paranormal, I've discovered that many agree that there is a certain pull to animals and insects, to these areas of the earths energy. This is fascinating to me, as perhaps this pull is also evident for humans and spirits.

Back to Green Valley Road, since there was nothing much going on, we decided to check out the area. Unfortunately, we did not find a haunted lumber mill, but we did come across the connection to Mays Canyon Road, which is believed to be haunted with legends of its own. So we drove that road as well, and drove back a few days later, when the rains had stopped, to take some photos.

Travelling South for the Holiday Season

hello friends,

it's that time of year when I fly south to share the Holiday Season with my fiancée, her family and friends. i always look forward to this, as not only is it a special time to be with loved ones, but we always go ghost hunting and discover something new.

of course i'll be doing all the normal holiday things.. watching movies in our pajamas, enjoying special dinner parties, sharing gifts and joy, and golly so much more.. but i have to say, i enjoy investigating the paranormal in Northern California. there's something about the place that has me curious each and every time i'm there. often i feel a charge in the air, and there is the theory concerning "ley lines" and the paranormal that i wish to investigate further.

according to a book i picked up called "Sacred Sonoma" by Beth Winegarner there are several ley lines throughout the area, and places we've been to appear to be on or near these lines. therefore, i'm definitely wanting to know more, and how these lines correlate with ghostly and spiritual energy. i wish to add, the book is a great read!

so what is in store for VSPI this winter in Northern California? we're looking forward to a haunted cemetery that has a lynching tree. well, from what i read, the tree was chopped down many years ago, but the cemetery is one of the most haunted in the area. the tree was used by a vigilante group to hang 3 men accused of killing a Sheriff and two police detectives around 1920. stories of the tree appearing and casting shadows, strange figures walking around the cemetery and more is what drives paranormal enthusiastics to the site. there is also an abandoned cemetery that we are searching for, with spooky stories of it's own. then there's a few buildings of interest, but we'll see what we can find. a trek up a mountain side, along a spooky road and more are places we can explore.

VSPI and i

wish everyone a Glorious Holiday Season & a Grand New Year, and hope that you spend a joyous time with your family and friends.

be safe out there!

sincerely,

kati

Evidence @ The Giggle Dam Dinner Theater

Is the Giggle Dam Haunted? – Historical Facts & Evidence Found...

Hello everyone, it’s Kati of Vancouver Spooks Paranormal Investigations, checking in with you again. Thought I would provide an update to a most interesting investigation of the building at 2616 Shaunessy Street, formally known as the Port Theatre, and now known as The Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre.

I had an interesting interview with Bernie Pregler not long ago. Pippa of the Port Coquitlam Heritage & Cultural Society passed on a message from a member, who suggested we speak with Bernie about the Theatre, believing his father played a part in its history. She was right. So here is an update on the history of the Theatre:

1947 – Three men: Joe Pregler (born in 1905, from Port Arthur, Ont), Dave Kincaid (an investor from Lakehead, Ont) and Bob Miller (a furniture & woodworker – believed to have owned Paragon Woodworks), decided to go into a venture together and build a theatre in Port Coquitlam on a lot that was sitting empty on Shaunessy Street near McAllister. Across the street was the Pacific Stage Line Bus Depot (a website with information on this bus service: http://members.shaw.ca/jack_brown/pacificstage.html), which had a café and a U-shaped drive. At the corner of McAllister and Shaunessy was Hammond’s Garage.

1948 - Fraser Valley Investments Ltd (believed to be Joe Pregler, Dave Kincaid and Bob Miller) built Port Theatre, with Joe Pregler supervising the construction. Wood from 3-4 boxcars built to carry ammunitions to the allied effort in the Soviet Union during World War 2, was used in the building of the theatre by the contractor. This wood was purchased from Crown Assets Disposal Corporation. The building was opened in late 1948, called the Port Theatre, and was used as a movie house.

Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre Investigation

July 25th, 2010 - a Full Moon day. Mark & I (VSPI) arrived at the Giggle Dam, excited to be investigating this incredible theatre after hearing so very much about it. It was a sunny day, not too hot, and calm out. Once we walked through the front doors, we felt the rush of cold air hit our faces and legs. mmm.. a draft is created every time those doors are opened. Interesting, and something to be noted and kept in mind.

Sheila & Jon greeted us with open hearts and minds. I immediately felt welcome, not only be them but by the building. I had begun researching the background of the building, and found some very interesting information: it was built in 1948 & lumber from 3-4 box cars (built to carry ammunitions to the allied forces in the Soviet Union during WW2) was used in the construction. The building was used as a movie house for variety & vaudeville shows. It was originally called the Port Theatre. No further information could be found concerning this, nor when the place became the Column & Surf. However, it is known to have sat empty for a number of years, until the Port Coquitlam Cabaret Ltd bought the place in the early 1990's.

The building became a night club at that stage, and through the years it changed it's name numerous times in attempt to keep it's licence. In 1994, David Lowe (part owner) murdered William Rudy (silent partner) in attempts to keep the club going. David planned the murder, and carried it out in the club. He wrapped the body in plastic in the basement (where there are drains in the floor) & loaned a van to transport it and dump it in the woods at Harrison Mills, just outside of Aggasiz. The body was not discovered for 2 years, a skeleton by then. Once identified, the police found that Rudy had been missing from a motel room in Aldergrove for some time.