The legend of the Jackalope, or variations of it, can be found all over the United States, but it is familiarly found hopping about in the lore and legends of the west. Here we know it as a critter of cryptozoological whimsical-lore that is often described as an average sized hare or jackrabbit, but with antlers. It is found on postcards, in taxidermy form in random cafes, and … [Read more...]
The Great Cache Valley Ghost Tour
I moved to Logan Utah in July of 2021. I hadn’t spent a great deal of time in Logan before moving, so I wasn’t overly familiar with the city or Cache Valley. All I knew was based upon assumption. The first three things that came to my mind when thinking about the city were farms, livestock, and Utah State University ― the latter being the reason for my move to the area ― … [Read more...]
Leprechauns in Utah? Where else but Leprechaun Valley?
I have a fascination with Faerie Lore. Even when I was a little “laddy,” I dug through old tomes to learn as much as I could about magical little people. Whenever I am asked to chat or write on this topic, the magic quickly consumes me. One group I am often asked about at this time of year centers around leprechauns. They are often described as solitary faerie and have been … [Read more...]
Spooky Dating Ideas for Valentine’s Day or any other Day
February is the month for love, but let’s be honest, dating can be exhausting and sometimes awkward. It can be difficult getting to know someone, especially when they’re wearing their “dating mask.” You can’t get to know someone by sitting in a movie theater, and sometimes going out to eat isn’t an option because of the cost, so what do we do? Perhaps go on a walk, talk, and … [Read more...]
The Monster Rabbits of Washington County
In the summer of 2002, I collected one of the most fun and interesting stories I have ever stumbled upon. A gentleman by the name of Darrell contacted me to say that he had an “interesting story” to share. He insisted on meeting in person so he could “size me up first.” I was fine with that so I agreed to go to his home in Draper the following day. The next morning I … [Read more...]
Meet Krampus, the Anti-Santa Who Seeks Disobedient Children this Christmas Season
There are various pieces of holiday lore scattered around the world that might seem to fall more in the traditions of Halloween than of the jolly contemporary versions of the winter and Christmas Holidays. But these Winter Holidays have darker historical trappings than most people realize, as there are all manner of grotesque metaphysical beings and beasties that lurk about … [Read more...]
Strange Sightings In Utah County: Don’t Walk Alone After Dark
I have spent my entire life collecting tales about the weird and mysterious elements of Utah — stories that at first seem completely unbelievable, but sometimes, just sometimes, there ends up being more of a foundation of truth than we’d like to admit. (See my article about The Giant Flying Manta Ray of Provo for evidence of this.) Since 2011, I have been documenting sightings … [Read more...]
The Last of The Hobos and Utah Phantom Train
I grew up on a “haunted” racehorse farm close to the border of Vineyard and Orem. Trains would run north and south along the tracks exactly west of the farm. These trains ran past a bar that was literally “on the other side of the tracks,” and just a stone’s throw away from my farm. I believe the bar was called Danna and Shirley's Hitching Post. Many of my nights were spent … [Read more...]
Bigfoot In Mormon lore … is Bigfoot Cain?
Who is this hairy hominid? The Sasquatch or Bigfoot (both terms are plural and singular) is North America’s largest cryptozoological mystery. The name “Bigfoot” has come to denote any unknown relic hominid that is reported throughout the world. However, each unknown creature does have is own label, such as the Yeti or Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas. It is … [Read more...]
The Giant Flying Manta-Ray of Provo Utah
About eleven years ago a woman shared an interesting story with me. Late one June night she was walking along University Ave., a little after 10 PM and near 300 South when she saw a “gigantic black manta-ray” flying across the Provo sky. “This thing was four-hundred feet in the air, coming from the South-East and flying North-West. It had a fourteen-foot wingspan and its body … [Read more...]