Subj: [ParanormalFlorida] Last Night's Investigation Report  
Date: 9/12/2004 2:00:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time 
From: AngelOfThyNight@aol.com  
To: ParanormalBuffalo@yahoogroups.com,  paranormalghostsociety@yahoogroups.com,  Paranormalflorida@yahoogroups.com,  ParanormalGhostSociety@groups.msn.com  


Last night we ventured into a very secluded and woodsy area in search of native American spirits however we ended up with a much larger adventure then a few haunts. It was real nice getting out since everybody was cooped up inside from hurricane Frances. The stars were out it was dry out and last night's trip turned out to be a great success as we investigated Blue Springs & The Thursby House, Blue Spring Tracks & Magnolia House, and finally the French Docks. 

It was a very long night and unfortunately we were not able to do anymore places due to not being able to find gas from the hurricane. However with over 5 miles of walking we had a very productive night full of ghost activity and Cryptid experiences as we ventured out into the woods. 

With all the stories and histories of every place you will understand why these places were chosen. But the Thursby house also marked as one of our first plantations so it really was very exciting. We left a little later then usual which in a lot of ways its beneficial considering due to the hurricane very little people were out so imagine how much higher the activity was heightened and so our adventure begins here.

Blue Springs & The Thursby House

We were driving down the dark road to visit here when John almost hit a tree half way in the middle of the road talk about a real rush. But the road was very dark and woodsy so it was only natural to come across something like this since we just had hurricane Frances but most of the road was fairly clear which was important since this area in very secluded. 

We walked to the main gates of Blue Springs State park there was a sign that due to the hurricane it was closed. It was strange to visit here at night as there was no people it was very quiet and you did not have all the campers, hikers, etc., around so we had the entire woods to explore ourselves which made it all the more eerie. The ranger station was about the only lit building as the farther we pulled away from it the less light that became available.

We walked down a very dark road and of course anytime you visit a place at night it looks a lot different so I had got a little turned around since there were a few roads that ran into the woods. I do remember Amanda and Teresa mentioned how they felt they were not wanted here. Amanda said to me she felt there was a big animal back in the woods and it did not want us there. She said that her and Teresa heard something follow us in the woods at the main entrance as they were following behind John and I.

We walked probably a good half of mile down the road when as we approached we heard dogs going crazy and a flare flew right up above us. At first I thought we seen a meteorite crashing to the earth but I believe it was Teresa she pointed out the smell and surely enough it was a flare. The question is though why was it so low and right above us? I believe that perhaps somebody out in those woods at perhaps a nearby home was trying to keep something away. I do not think they were aware of our presence. But the dogs the way they acted for at least half of the investigation it was apparent that the house perhaps the only one along the edge of the woods had more then dogs. The flare did not shoot up but rather horizontal.

We kept walking down the road it was very peaceful I noticed in a few areas there were a few colder spots since it is Indian ground it does not suprise me if we drew in some curiosity. But we spent sometime walking and came to an open area with some benches. I figured we were almost at our destination as there was a street lamp that was lit. I walked out into the open area and noticed a small little general store and diner. The lights were on and the apron was hanging at first looked like a ghost in the window. John and I checked it out then went behind the building only to find the Blue Springs Trail I was then quite relieved. We had taken a much longer way to get here but in the end it was worthwhile because we were able to get a feel for the area.

We came back to signal the girls and then we started our hike up the boardwalk which runs along the Blue Springs Lagoon and St. Johns River. There was a lot of wild life and you could see some Raccoons climbing trees watching us, frogs, and even fish in the water. The ladies mentioned how uncomfortable they felt here. I did not feel it at first but in my opinion I kept feeling something on the trail as it twist and turned up ahead. I felt very watched. We finally after hiking over the swamps on the board walk and through the woods reached a diving area and eventually the lagoon. We took a break and I sat on the ancient tree stump Amanda has photos to prove it lol.

We headed back and then visited a docking area where you can swim in the springs. The water was crystal clear however it was higher then the steal docks as it was pouring onto them. But I wanted to at least show them this area thought it was pretty interesting as water was on both sides of us. We then headed towards the Thursby house.

As we started to hike the opposite way on the Blue Springs house you could see through the trees some lights and the Thursby house which is really more like a mansion that has three floors and four if you include the basement. We arrived here after reading various history on the place and came out into an open clearing surrounded entirely by woods. The house at night was gorgeous as it was lit up by spotlights.

We started to walk around it and you could see the old wooden water tower and antiques in the windows. The back of the house was an extension that is where I felt something ghostly. It felt as if something was watching us. It was not a bad feeling but more like curiosity. But we all took some photos, walked up on the porch, looked in a few windows just to get a feel for the house. It looked like they were redoing the inside since this time all the furniture inside was stacked up.

We walked around about twice then John and I were checking out the stairwell to the basement when right behind us a branch snapped real hard and you could hear something real big take a couple steps. I turned around real quick and from what I noticed is I seen a 7ft palm tree swaying in motion. As if something ran past it. But whatever this was it was huge and you could feel at this point like it was something on a paranormal level rather then just a small state park black bear.

We went to go tell the girls which were behind the mansion and 5 seconds later they started to all come towards us because they mentioned somebody else was in the state park with us. Amanda said hey there is somebody over there with us and I noticed them trying to scoot behind the house to get out of sight. I thought to myself impossible since the park literally was all shut down from the storm. She said Rick it might be a ranger because she seen Brown as it was walking. But then she said maybe a bear then we all decided that it was neither based on all the facts.

The creature she seen was brown and honestly the only bear in those woods are black. She said it was very broad and large. It crossed the road about a 100 feet in front of the Thursby house. We were on the back side so perhaps it did not realize it was being seen. She said its waste was higher then mine so I had a pretty good idea that what she seen was a Florida Skunk Ape or in simple terms Sasquatch. Most of the time this creature has brown fur especially down here in Florida and since the park was closed, secluded, and full of woods anything could hide or take advantage of the idea that nobody is back here at night.

I put the time from when we heard the crash in the woods from the time Amanda seen the creature walk across the road and it was about 5 seconds which means whatever this was went 150feet in just a matter of that time.  We eventually went to where she seen the creature and there was a sign definitely taller then me and she said that this thing blocked the sign so I would say whatever this was probably was about 7ft in height again a nice average height for Florida Skunk Apes.

We then decided to take a road and head on out of there. On a few occasions I could not help noticed how followed I felt on this dark road. This one was much darker then the last will we came out on a main road in the park. But I kept my eyes behind me and it just did not feel right. But we exited the woods with ease and took a break back at the car. We discussed a few things about it and we all pretty much thought that this place is pretty weird and it was especially after that experience. We then headed on off to the Blue Spring Tracks & Magnolia House.