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In years worth of research, we've encountered that every state has the story of a baby that drowned in the creek or river below a bridge. And if you park your car on that bridge, turn off the lights and wait mysterious hand prints will appear on your car and in the distance you can hear a baby weeping.
The famed "Gates of Hell" can be found in every state. In Colorado's own Adams County, the Gates of Hell can be found on Riverdale Road where, in actuality, some old, unused underground chicken coops lie beneath the earth. Many generations of teenagers, looking for a good scare, crawl into the coops where the walls are covered with "blood" and mysterious symbols promise an encounter with Satan himself or at least his evil entourage. If you are brave enough, here you shall wait until he or they appear. If you should encounter him, beware! Make no deal for you may be unwittingly selling your soul to him. During our exhaustive research efforts, which continue to this day, we've figured out that one thing is for certain! Review publicized ghost stories and haunting lists very scrupulously. Although we do find that most urban legends are derived from actual events, beware of the added drama that makes it just exactly what it is; an urban legend! Exhaust all of your resources. Talk to the locals. Research, research, research! Here is a simple guide that will aid you in whether it's a true haunt or an urban legend. "If you turn off your lights and wait" ... This usually means urban legend. True spirits won't care if your car is on or off. And lights play no part in how strongly the ghost will approach you. Although it's easier to capture photos in the darkness ... and let's face it, it adds to the ghostly atmosphere ... the ghosts themselves don't usually care if your lights are on or off. The Gates of Hell ... or The Devil Himself ... We personally believe that if Hell exists, why would Beelzebub put little doorways and gates to it all over the world? Think about this from a logical standpoint. Hell is the place for sinners and damned souls, according to all the religious myth. It is not the place for curiosity seekers only. If you hear of a haunted place whose only claim to fame is that Satan appears or the gates of Hell exist there, we suggest you chalk it off as an urban legend. "It totally really happened!" Anyone who has to ensure you repeatedly that it really happened is usually making things up. Really! WE SWEAR! Really!! "This friend had this friend whose cousin's fiance'" ... We've all learned this little lesson a time or two in life. Need more be said? "And then, from nowhere"... Someone printing, publishing, or telling a ghost story will often to need to dress up the words to make them seem easier to swallow for the readers, such as we've done in the first two paragraph's of this section. Certain things are expected to add drama and curiosity in this kind of portrayal. "And like a wisp of wind through my hair, the spirit caressed our souls." A true paranormal investigator will rely on hard-core data and evidence and makes no use of "fancy talk". No haunting should be reported with flair ... most are quite boring and simple in fact. Any group that insists that each one is 100% fantastic and pack-full of mystery and has never conducted an investigation that just had a ghost and that's it; well these people are just looking for attention. Do not trust anyone who does not have varying results of their investigations. "Well, no one else but us could get it but..." Any group claiming that they are the only people capable of capturing evidence on a certain site is shaming the true paranormal community! This field is not about whose camera is bigger and whose photos are nicer ... this is about investigation. Plain and simple. There should be no need to compete with other groups to get the evidence. Nor should there be any reason to bash other groups to get in good with the owners and/or caretakers of a reportedly haunted location. "You won't see anything unless you follow these exact steps." We've heard of quite a few rumored hauntings with even MORE intricacies and chock-full of steps to follow than ever before. For example; it seems that you have to go into this certain cemetery, take off your shoes, walk barefoot over a certain area and wait for the hand to touch you. Then you have to say certain words, make certain to stand facing a certain way, and then you have to place one hand over your heart. Be very wary of these claims! Some spirits do react better to some things. Some ghosts like to be asked permission before snapping a photo. Some just want you to be quiet and they don't like noise. But if it's getting THIS detailed, just turn around and go home. No matter what color shirt you wear, or what socks you wear, or saying key phrases, etc ... just forget it, pack up and go rent a movie. It will probably prove to be much more exciting! "We (I) am world famous, so you have to go with me if you want to experience something "otherworldly." This is another good one. It's similar to groups suggesting that only they can get evidence at a certain location. Very simply put; don't buy it. First of all, if anyone has to bill themselves as world famous, chances are that they aren't but want to make themselves out to be big and important people. Don't follow these people around and encourage this type of paranormal competition. Any location that's haunted can be visited as long as it's legal to do so, and you don't have to have someone famous with you to get it done. We hope this has been helping in determining whether a claim is a haunt or a hoax. Question everything. Research everything. Run your sources dry. Conduct an investigation and then make your determination! |