Our Hunt at San Miguel Island/Santa Cruz Island (Channel Islands).
By Paul Dale Roberts, HPI Cryptozoologist aka Monster Hunter
Theme song for this article is Ball of Confusion by the Temptations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miZWYmxr8XE
PS: You will see where the 'ball of confusion' enters into this story below.
To see pictures from this investigation, go to this link:
http://s643.photobucket.com/albums/uu157/PaulDaleRoberts_2009/SanDiego/
On March 23, 2010, I received a phone call from a Captain Michael Hodges (not his real name). Michael tells me that he had his catamaran cruising around San Miguel Island (part of the Channel Islands) and saw a creature with spikes going down his back, reddish eyes, large head, tiny wings and leathery brown skin. The creature jumped a good three yards and disappeared near and around Cuyler's Harbor. Hodges also said while exploring the Caliche Forest (hardened Calcium deposit area); he picked up something odd on his FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) that seemed to vanish into the ground.
Michael is asking that on April 19, that I bring one other investigator with me to the Channel Islands. Michael is asking for a covert black ops mission to hunt down what he saw. Covert is that he does not want to be identified for paying for this mission. Michael will be having his friend Jacon Murlock fly me and one other HPI investigator to Santa Cruz Island for a stop over (to pick up a biologist) and then head over to San Miguel Island for the investigation. Jacon flies a Bell 430 helicopter, which will be taking off from Helitac Aviation, Inc.
Our stay will be paid for by Captain Michael Hodges:
Confirmation #148461054
Comfort Inn Mission Bay
4540 Mission Bay Drive #319
San Diego, CA 92109
Special Note: Reason for Staying in San Diego is to interview witnesses of the Chupacabra.
Our Stay in Hollywood:
Hollywood La Brea Motel
7110 Hollywood Blvd, Room 219
Hollywood, CA 90046
Equipment/Props to be Used for this Investigation:
Detect Ear Pro Listening Device
Rabbit Bait
FLIR Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera
3 video cameras
2 digital cameras
1 telescopic lens 35mm camera
2 high powered flashlights
2 binoculars
1 laser light
3 walkie talkies
1 Scoutguard SG550
2 Bushnell Trophy Cams
According to Wikipedia:
The Chupacabra - derives from the Spanish word chupar, meaning "to suck", and cabra, meaning "goat"; literally "goat sucker"), also called El Chupacabras in Spanish, is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico (where these sightings were first reported), Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter's Latin American communities.[1] The name comes from the animal's reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats. Physical descriptions of the creature vary. Eyewitness sightings have been claimed as early as 1990 in Puerto Rico, and have since been reported as far north as Maine, and as far south as Chile. It is supposedly a heavy creature, the size of a small bear, with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail. Biologists and wildlife management officials view the Chupacabra as a contemporary legend."
The other type of Chupacabra are the ones found in Texas that look like a large dog with mange or a coyote with mange. This creature has leathery skin and a deformed face. Some of the deceased carcasses have been recovered and DNA has determined that they are merely a coyote or dog that is diseased with mange.
The Chupacabra that Captain Michael Hodges witnessed is the original Chupacabra of mythical legend. The one that is rumored to have originated in Puerto Rico. The legend is that the Chupacabra which has reptilian skin, spikes down its back, large red eyes and looks like a deformed alien 'gray' is an experiment that went awry by our military at a secret military base in Puerto Rico. These creatures somehow managed to escape and started drinking the blood of chickens and goats in the surrounding landscape of Puerto Rico. Another legend is that the 'grays' created this monstrosity through DNA manipulation and the Chupacabras escaped from a zoo specimen collecting Mothership into the hillsides of Puerto Rico.
I will be searching for the Chupacabra with HPI Fortean Investigator/Cryptozoologist Christina George and reporting back with my findings to HPI Owner Shannon 'Ms. Macabre' McCabe. HPI Fortean Investigator/Cryptozoologist Chantal Apodaca was supposed to go with me on this investigation, but due to certain situations at home, could not make this investigation and Christina has taken her place.
I learn that the Chumash Indians once inhabited San Miguel Island. the island was discovered by European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 and Cabrillo may actually be buried on this island. We will be making a stopover at Santa Cruz island to pick up a biologist who does not want to be identified. This biologist is studying pinnipeds on the island, along with the black belly slender salamander and Southern alligator lizard. Another interesting fact about the Channel Islands is that the oldest dated woman in North America was discovered there. She was dubbed the Arlington Springs Woman.
Okay, let's get to the prelude of the investigation. April 18, 2010, Sunday, HPI Fortean Investigator Christina George is at my door. The time is 4:30am. Everything is dark. My dogs Pika and HPI (pronounced Hi-Pee) are going nuts. Hi-Pee puts on the baritone in his bark, comes out of the bedroom, goes halfway to the door, sees a silhouette at the window and runs back to the bedroom. I come out and see the silhouette and the first thing I thought of is that it was one of the 'black eyed boys' entity I have been reading about. The silhouette remains at the window and I grab a baseball bat and then realize I didn't have a stitch on. I run back into the bedroom, put on some shorts and grab my cell phone with bat still in hand. I approach the door and turn on the light and it's Christina. Whew! Christina laughs hysterically. I overslept and here she was ready to head over to Los Angeles and San Diego. Do you now see the BALL OF CONFUSION?
As we arrive in Los Angeles. Christina and I walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and checked out Grauman's Chinese Theater. Our ride finally showed up and took us to Helitac Aviation, Inc.
Jacon greeted us with big smile and told us to hop on board. Christina's red hair went every which way from the rotating helicopter blades. Our destination was Santa Cruz Island to pick up Captain Michael Hodges and the biologist. Michael really believes that he saw a Chupacabra and is willing to take the necessary steps to prove what he saw was real.
As we arrived at San Miguel Island, we set up base camp. Each member was equipped with a walkie talkie. Trap cameras were set up at certain rock locations. Most of the video cameras were focused at areas where we laid out rabbit bait. As the night progressed, the biologist picked up a heat signature anomaly on the FLIR. There was some excitement when the heat signature was detected and sighs of disappointment when it was discovered that it could have been an Island Fox. The gusts of wind were horrendous as we surveyed the surrounding investigative areas of the island. The wind sounds hindered us from picking up anything on our sound enhancer.
As the night progressed, we were unsuccessful in detecting any type of unusual creature. The flight back to Helitac seemed forever. After a long drive to Los Angeles and an unsuccessful attempt in locating the Chupacabra, our only hope lies in eye witness accounts from people we will interview tomorrow in San Diego. Note: I am writing this article in real time.
Hey, come closer and I will tell you a secret. The investigation on the island was absolutely boring and very cold. It was disappointing to spend so many hours on the island and not get anything. Josh Gates of Destination Truth, if you are reading this, skip this monster hunt. I am glad I am back in my room and the Jacuzzi at the hotel was also very nice. I think the fun part of going to the two islands was the helicopter ride, but of course again, I once flown a helicopter and I have been on US Army helicopters. It was a new experience for Christina and I believe she enjoyed it.
Shannon 'Ms. Macabre' McCabe on her own interviewed one witness. She interviewed a young Mexican boy. She asked the boy why his horse had a bite mark on his neck. The boy said it was done by a Chupacabra. Shannon McCabe and Tim H were in Los Angeles to promote http://www.rolda.org/ - we actually passed Shannon and Tim by on I-5, Christina and I were headed to LA and Shannon and Tim were leaving LA, we passed each other up somewhere near the Grapevine. We counted the exit signs to the point of contact.
April 19, 2010 Monday: Christina George and I talked to various people on the streets of downtown San Diego and met one gentleman that said he 'thinks' he saw the Chupacabra. As I was describing the Chupacabra and told him that he is known as the goat sucker and has been known to slaughter chickens and drain their blood, he acted like he was scared. He asked us if there were other Chupacabras in San Diego area. I explained to him, we are asking people on the streets to make a determination if the Chupacabra has migrated into this city. He didn't want to talk anymore about the Chupacabra, but still made the claim that he feels he saw one. Another gentleman I talked with said that his neighbor's aunt encountered one at a US border town near the Mexican border. He said that his neighbor said that his aunt saw the creature near her dog in the garage. The dog was frantically barking and she finally chased the Chupacabra away with a broomstick. Both men that I interviewed do not want to be identified in this article.
April 20, 2010, Tuesday: Major kudos to HPI Fortean Investigator Christina George. She was able to set up our interviews at San Ysidro, CA. Christina George is also an HPI Spanish Interpreter and was able to allow me to communicate to the people on the street that did not speak English. The interviews we conducted were as follows:
Jose Ponce: He says that the Chupacabra legend was very active 10 years ago. Most of the people he knows are skeptical that the Chupacbra actually exists. He believes if it did exist, someone would have captured one by now.
Maria from Tecate Mexico: She remembers the excitement and talk about the Chupacabra. She says that her neighbors believe and don't believe, but will take necessary steps to protect their children, home and animals.
Rosa Florencia and Estphana Juarez: They both believe that the Chupacabra stories are nothing more than myth. They claim that the legend started in Mexico to scare people and in the last few years the story is hardly told.
Norma Ruiz: Norma says that Jaime Maussan, paranormal investigator and journalist still talks about the Chupacabra. Norma says the story was very big 10 years ago and families would protect their children. When nothing seemed to be threatening, everyone started thinking that the story is a hoax. Norma feels the Chupacabra is a legend that caused an uproar 10 years ago.
Alma: Chupacabra had its heyday 10 years ago and now there seems to be a resurgence of the legend, because of the Mayan prophesy of 2012.
When Christina and I finished our interviews at this border town, we headed over to the haunted Hilton Gaslamp Quarter. The Hilton Gaslamp has a reputation of being haunted; it is in the area where the following establishments once claimed dominance: Phoenix Saloon 1875 to 1880; The First and Last Chance Saloon 1890; Hole in the Wall Saloon 1887; El Paso Saloon 1887 and the Stingaree Red Light District that once boasted 71 saloons in its district. The legendary (but by then retired) Old West sheriff Wyatt Earp ran three gambling halls here.
To finish up our investigation in San Diego, we decided to meet up with Michael Brown, Ghost Tour Guide Extraordinaire. Michael gives an excellent ghost tour and gave Christina and me a private demonstration of his ghost tour guiding talent! Check out his website at:
www.oldtownsmosthaunted.com and for information, email him at: Michael@oldtownsmosthaunted.com Now let's see where he takes us:
Creole Cafe: This is where the entity John actually interacts with people. Michael gave us a demonstration. By using K2 meters, Michael was able to tell the entity to step away from the K2 meters and the lights would stop blinking, then he would say to John, step closer to the K2 meters and make the lights all go on simultaneously. John would make all of the lights go on. Michael has been working with John for some time now and this is a ghost that performs on demand. John will at times touch people and a few times has touched people on the face, causing a heat sensation. When people walk out of the cafe, by the time they hit the 3rd step, the heat sensation will fade away. Michael showed us where there is a vortex between the Whaley House and the Creole Cafe. The K2 meters will go off like crazy at the vortex and it's nothing but open field between the two buildings.
Whaley House: Most Haunted (Travel Channel) filmed here. Entities that reside here are: Anna Whaley, Thomas Whaley Sr. and their daughter Violet. Violet shot herself outside of this building and died inside of the building. Activity: tugging on the clothes. People think that Thomas Whaley Jr. does the tugging. There is a ghost dog that licks people's feet when they wear sandals. People sometimes smell tobacco smoke, the tobacco smoke of Thomas Whaley Sr.
Old Town Saloon: People sometimes get pushed by an unseen entity.
Derby Pendleton Home: People sometimes see a male entity with top hat and mustache peering out of the window.
Cosmopolitan Restaurant: Built in 1829. It will soon be a hotel again. People get touched or pushed. People hear disembodied footsteps running down the hallway. People will see a little girl entity and faucets will sometimes turn on by themselves. Manager and several people watched a door open and a piece of furniture move.
Casa de Estudillo Museum: Black hooded figure is seen at times moving around this building. In 1827, this was the largest home built in its time.
El Fandango Fine Mexican Cuisine: Patrons have seen a lady in white walk through the wall.
Fiesta de Reyes: Patrons have heard ghostly children playing. At Childer's Books, some people were making fun of the ghosts and in this book store all of the ghost books came off the shelves and landed face up.
Geppetto's Toys: Porcelain dolls have moved on their own. There is a dropping sound phenomenon that has been witnessed by customers.
Barra Barra Restaurant: When this restaurant was the Jolly Boy, a waitress found spoons on the floor and the knifes and forks would move around on the table. To this very day, they will not place spoons on the table. Erica Ray, bartender has witnessed the beer pouring by itself and one time the mango juice flew up in the air.
Robinson Rose Home: Elevator will turn on by itself and move from one floor to another floor. A male ghost has been seen with a puffy white shirt and black hat.
Colorado House: Woman ghost has been seen peering through the window.
Courthouse Museum: Ghost child has been seen outside of this building.
Note: Michael Brown loves giving his ghost tours and he will never forget when he saw a ghost in this old part of San Diego walk from one area to another area. The walk was long and the ghost was seen for a good period of time. Christina George had a personal experience of being touched on the foot at the Creole Cafe.
Thank you Michael for this fantastic personal tour! Bravo! Thank you Christina for stopping at Arco and filling my gas tank with twenty bucks, so we could get back to our hotel, before the storm starts! Special Note: Christina George has now volunteered to become our HPI contract drafter. Ahh..life is good!
VP Richard Vasseur reviews Ghosts and How to Find Them by Teresa Williams. See the review here:
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1730
Special Note #1: Christina George and I ran into LMFAO - Redfoo aka Stefan Gordy and SkyBlu aka Skyler Gordy at: Roosevelt - A Thompson Hotel - Twenty-Five Degrees, where Christina treated me to a deluxe hotdog, French fries and coffee. Price for 2 hotdogs, French fries, coke and coffee: A whopping $31.83. Christina also treated me to tacos, chips, guacamole, sodas at Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, 4504 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. Full price: $19.52. Ahh..much better price.
Special Note #2: On the way to San Diego, Christina George told me an interesting story that kept me awake. I call this the Case of the Evaporating Woman. Christina tells me that one time she went to a party in Michocon, Mexico. When she was walking back from the party, she saw a lady on the side of the road that appeared intoxicated. Christina noticed she was saying something. Christina walked up to her and noticed she was wearing a black cloak. Christina asked if she could help her and the lady turned around and had no face and evaporated in front of her very eyes.
Special Note #3: While in San Diego, I received a call from Jenny in Citrus Heights. Jenny is absolutely terrified. Her mother once dabbled in the black arts and Jenny once played with a Quijia Board. At the age of 13, she has been followed by a small black misty entity. (The entity will at times look like black smoke). She is now 23 years old and the entity is still with her. On one night, he placed something heavy on her chest. Another night, he touched her leg while she lay in bed. The one thing that really terrified her, is that he came out in the hallway and danced like a Harlequin. This is a future case for HPI and I will call this case, the Case of the Dancing Harlequin Demon.
POSSIBLE FUTURE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION:
HPI Paranormal Investigative Scout Walter Recinos discovers a haunted location and HPI Researcher Laurie Rutledge discovers the following information:
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1729
Interview with Teresa Williams, Paranormal Investigator
Interviewed by Jazma VP Richard Vasseur
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1767The legendary (but by then retired) Old West sheriff Wyatt Earp ran three gambling halls here.
Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager
aka The Demon Warrior
Shannon McCabe's HPI (Haunted and Paranormal Investigations International)
www.hpiparanormal.net - NEWEST VIDEOS AT HPI WEBSITE!
http://www.chatterbrew.com/
Chatterbrew!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orDbRcLwDX4
UFO Investigation at Seaside YouTube Video by Bryan Coleman
Email: pauld5606@comcast.net
Cellular Paranormal Hotline: 916 203 7503
If you have a possible investigation call: 1-888-709-4HPI
Special Note: Christina George is not only a paranormal investigator, ghosthunter, but she is also a: cryptozoologist, Monster Hunter and Contract Drafter.
1 comment:
That still leaves a quiver every time I hear it. Chupakabra, brrrr..
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