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Subject:
Our NJ/NY 2007 Paranormal Expedition Investigation Report!!!
Date: 3/2/2007
From: LordOfThyNight@aol.com
To:
ParanormalBuffalo@yahoogroups.com,
Paranormalflorida@yahoogroups.com,
ParanormalGhostSociety@googlegroups.com,
paranormalghostsociety@yahoogroups.com,
ParanormalGhostSocietyConnections@yahoogroups.com,
ParanormalGhostSociety@groups.msn.com,
TheParanormalGhostSociety@yahoogroups.com,
pgsociety@groups.aol.com, SupernaturalFlorida@yahoogroups.com
The
Pine Barrens
(Days
2, 3, 4)
This report is going to be one giant report since we spent a few days in
the Barrens. What this will exclude is all the ghost towns and places we
stopped in the Pine Barrens. But I want to give others an idea of what we
had to endure. The Pine Barrens is a rough place people here get stuck
even the locals with 4 wheel drive. Its a place people get lost in
its a place full of ghost towns, foundations, tales of the Jersey Devil.
Its a place with a lot of native American history and the forest in some
areas can be treacherous while hiking due to the many vines covered in
sharp thorns.
It is day 1 and we entered a dirt road which was supposed to take us to
Hampton's Furnace the book Adam had was way off scale so we were a few
miles away from it. This road we took went past cranberry bogs and deep in
the woods. It was bumpy and hill as the truck went up and down up and
down.
This road had pot holes 8 to 10 feet in length and width. The pot holes
were iced over but below the ice was some areas that had 3 feet deep water
and we found this out quickly. So I had to go through each one very fast
and use 4 wheel drive so we would not get stuck. Some looked very deep and
I plowed through them with ease but another guy up the road did not make
it and we stopped pulled him out of it.
He showed me his GPS system and told me where to look for some ruins he
said take the first left up ahead we did it dead ended at Batso River or
Mullicka River. We found other roads that went to the left or the right
but some were so narrow that the truck was getting scratched up. The
problem is once you go down certain roads in the Pine Barrens you start to
realize their is no turning back so the amount of focus I put into this
had to be with certainty.
We came across the Quaker Bridge an area high in Jersey Devil Sightings we
got out walked around nothing out of the ordinary but lots of strange
stories told here so to be here and read about it on the web was really
awesome that is how I can describe it.
We parked near the bridge went for a woods hike Andrew got very hostile
and told me Hamptons furnance does not exist and I probably should not
believe what I read on the internet sadly did he know that it did exist
and their is books about it along with photos of other paranormal groups
showing it.
I spent about 4 hours looking for it my atlas did not show it on the other
side of the river I had the general area but the wood bridge we found was
out so that is why we never got to it. I had some GPS coordinates from a
professional group who gave them to me they led us up a dirt road it
was very uphill until I reached some ice which the truck got stuck in.
I put it in 4 wheel and I got us out of it I was not to worried that is
what having a 2007 truck is for getting out of binds lol.:) I found out
the reason why we got stuck is someone buried some PVC piping in the pot
hole which the tires kept spinning on so the road to the furnace was
impassable. We tried to take another road to go around it and came across
a lake cross the road it went over 100 feet down the road and was very
deep. At that time I gave up and figured I would get Hampton's from the
north on my way home.
I got lectured on how I wasted time little did they know that I had a 4
hour time killer added in the schedule so our hiking and off roading was
just a way for us to get use to the Pine Barrens I seen it as a learn
experience especially driving around so many miles down dirt roads would
up our chances of seeing something strange.
Eventually I looked at my Atlas found that a ghost town was near by to the
south east. I only had a few roads going off to the south east only one
would take me their I went on a good guess based on tire tracks and road
conditions and we took a road covered in ice and water for miles it was a
long journey and we almost got stuck a few times. It was getting dark and
we made it to the ghost town but I could not find the foundations of
Washington which is okay its just a bunch of cellar holes.
See I misunderstood the guy that I talked to that was stuck. He said the
roads to Washington and Friendship were fine but what he misunderstood is
I was not talking about the townships outside of Wharton I was talking
about the ghost towns inside Wharton Forest so I thought the roads would
be fine going up little did I know that the local misunderstood me cause
their are very large towns south of the forest named after the ghost
towns. I did see a few deer leaping around the woods but not a lot of
animals which to me was strange but these deer were pretty cool much
bigger then the ones in Florida that we have.
I found us a well used wide dirt road I knew if I stuck on it that it
would lead us out of their and sure enough it did come out to a camping
area and some historic bridge. I did not stop the guys were complaining
how they were hungry and what they failed to understand is that in the
Pine Barrens food, restaurants etc do not come as a luxury here.
As we pulled on out we were near another locations which ill Discuss later
called Harrisville. That will be a separate report. At this point Andrew
was napping in the back he claims he was not but I seen his eyes closed I
was happy he was getting rest I had no problem with it so their was no
excuse for the guys to complain to me they were tired when the truck was
very roomy to rest in. After Harrisville and dinner we set back off
into the Pine Barrens.
Andrew was telling us how he is not use to the cold and is not adjusting
to it. Deep down inside I again felt he was not prepared I told him how to
dress, how to keep your body warm, I spent almost 20 dollars on heat
packs which go in your gloves, shoes, and pockets. He refused to use them
maybe a pride thing who knows. I offered to stop at the store he refused
to pick up warmer clothing my job is not to babysit but to lead these
investigations. The guys both looked pissed off at me I felt I did a
stellar job driving in a national forest that I never been to. I put on
over 50 miles on dirt roads that were unmarked and I got us out of there
that to me deserves recognition.
At this point I tried to explain to them both that this is how
investigations go some places you find sometimes you get stuck sometimes
you get cold it all comes with being an adventurer this type of exploring
comes with a price and sacrifice. Andrew kept mentioning he wanted a hotel
room I was like oh boy here we go no motivation sighs. Whatever happened
to guys wanting to cross rivers, climb mountains, hike through snow and
camp out under the stars man I have yet to meet others like me and we been
around for how many years?
Anyhow we reentered the pine barrens but in another national forest I was
in search of the Union Clayworks another place with heavy Jersey Devil
sightings and cool tunnels to explore. I did not find the clayworks Adam
was supposed to do his research on this place and the book only gave a
compass direction which is go south west down this dirt road. Well the
book showed it at the dead of the road the problem was is their were a few
roads going off in that direction some we could have easily gotten stuck
on at night I was like hell no.
We passed a cranberry bog in the woods and I drove for about 12 miles we
seen beer cans on some of the trees and bottles. I parked us near an area
where it dead ended hoping to find the clay works it was a party area
figured what the hell.
We got out and started hiking down the road. The guys forgot to shut off
the dome lights in the truck nobody would run back so I went by myself.
When I was in the truck shutting off the lights and getting something out
of the back I heard something moving around the woods and I heard some odd
noises. Something knew I was alone and it was watching. I felt it believe
me and I heard it apparently whatever it was had intelligence and maybe
this was meant for me I don't know but it was just across the dirt road.
We hiked over a mile down a trail composed off a lot of gravel and dirt.
It was a eerie trail Andrew kept being sarcastic saying where are the
trails in the pine barrens. I felt that off roading, making our own trails
and hiking down this should have answered his question. Bitch and moan the
whole way I guess nobody is ever happy.
We hiked all the way around and it came out to a dirt road which we had to
back track to the truck we never found the clay works I felt bad but when
I told Adam we would be partners on this I did not realize I had to map
everything and do all the research. Considering he is from Jersey he can
get a hold of points of interest from the state forest he failed to do so
therefore he failed me. But nonetheless I enjoyed the night hike this was
a secluded forest the pine barrens were more open but this set of woods
had ALOT of roads going off. I almost went off a drop off that is probably
where the clay works were but the truck would not have made it over it if
it did there would be no way getting back out so that was that.
After I got us out of this national forest which came to a main road I
headed back out to where we started our journey it was about 15 miles away
so we traveled far. I wanted to look for another factory ruins called
Brooksbrae. Someone gave me some general directions to it that said look
for trail blazes cross over the tracks on this road and you'll run into
it.
Well I found the trail blazes not sure if they were the right one
sometimes the sun discolors paint on the trees. They did not want to get
out they were like lets skip it unfortunately the place you skip is the
place you see bigfoot or the Jersey Devil so I cannot just skip places
because they are tired.
I was pretty upset at this point people who are explorers do not just say
hey lets skip it when we are already their lol. Anyhow it turned out that
this was a hiking trail and it took us to a very large open square field.
I did not see any factory ruins Adam's book said they were back here I
think they were but the guys wanted to go back to the truck Andrew was
like are we done here making psychic wise crack jokes directed at me.
Their was a small dirt road going off to the right along the tracks I
still feel if they gave me more time I could have found this cool place
which had big foundations and some tunnels. So I left cause you cannot
deal with investigators who have no heart for this type of stuff and that
was that.
I took us up to Leeds Pointe after this it was an area most people told me
to camp at and this is where I was going to camp. I found out that the
park was no longer a park that in fact their was many houses at Leeds
Pointe marked with private property. I found a very overgrown trail to the
right I was curious it was gated but nowhere really to park and the guys
were telling me to pull over anywhere and they would sleep.
I was not going to do this we were in a large town their were cops
everywhere. I drove around Leeds Pointe a couple times including the cape
area which over looks Atlantic City and a fishing village. I did not find
anything no foundation, no trail in the woods etc So it saddened me that
we could not camp here. I was okay with it but I was doing this one for a
few members by request and it turned out to be a no go or otherwise if I
tried it would have meant being arrested for camping on private property.
I started to drive towards Atlantic City Andrew said to go their and get a
hotel so I headed out that way and the guys seen a hotel. They told me to
stop but I could not stop because the gas on the truck was empty. They
then started bad mouthing me and at that point I stopped the truck I don't
think they understand that without gas in the truck we would not be able
to defrost it when we woke up the next morning meaning no heat, no way to
get the ice off the windows etc so I went ahead and filled the tank for 50
dollars Andrew told me he quit the team cause I got gas nice team eh?
I drove into Atlantic City found us a cheap hotel since they demanded I
find one right away I sure did find one lol it had no heat at all working,
the power outlets did not work and Adam once again was on his cell arguing
with his GF over camping in the pine barrens. I was just going to sleep in
the truck at this point I just about had it with the BS. This why its hard
being a leader because investigators get cocky they think they know it all
and its their first major investigation so I let them enjoy the room
without no heat. I did have plans to investigate nearby two historical
cemeteries one from the 1700's but at this point without any sort of
support and being ganged up on I had to throw away those two places also
because I go the lecture from Andrew how I never stop going and going.
I woke up the next morning Andrew told me if I want we can fist fight
it out I was at this point really upset by his statement. Honestly I may
start handing out to my investigators mental evaluation test because
simply what I seen going on is a nervous break down of someone who could
not endure this journey and I know its not for everybody but they both
were very aware that this would not be an easy trip that it would be cold,
miserable, sore feet, cold hands etc etc and I got the lecture on how he
thought we would be hiking and not driving most of the trip but what he
failed to understand is that each ghost town in the Pine Barrens is
separated by 10 to 20 miles of woods so either you hike it or you drive it
lol.
I just felt as if these guys were not prepared I brought over 130 lbs of
gear/clothing to use in the woods and when I see someone not stocked up it
upsets me when I tell them before the trip to pick up food, can goods,
water etc. I promised them a more productive day and it was as we visited
Estellville Glassworks,Weymouth Furnace,The Blue Hole,Pleasant Mills
Cemetery,and Batso all in the Pine Barrens but of course those will be in
separate reports below.
After visiting these places we were right on schedule I was freaking
thrilled the sun was just going down and I had it so we could set up camp
in the woods. I was going to have us camp near the ghost town of Herman we
could not find it and when we did it was gated and near a house NOT GOOD.
But we visited this other small state forest near an old cemetery and town
of Friendship and I off roaded. Now this is Day 3 into the investigation.
Apparently this state forest was no longer in use the roads all dead ended
with fallen trees. I wanted to camp here it was fenced off from a nearby
house but it was a public area and the guys said its cool but we cannot
have a fire I was like ummm okay. I found this area with a stack of logs,
not to far from the river, and hidden in a lower area no thorns no vines
soft leaves to me it was perfect. Once again I get told what to do. So
after miles of driving I got back in the car and took the guys to another
place I had in mind.
I took them to an old knocked out wood bridge with a unused trail. It was
just getting dark so we hiked a half of mile back. To the right was a
little trail which led to another and we found a cozy little camping area.
We ran back to the truck the guys grabbed their tents and sleeping bags. I
grabbed two spot lights, food, back pack, sleeping back and some
investigative supplies because I had plans for us to do a long hike into a
ghost town later that night.
When I was alone in the woods doing something I heard a scream in the
woods it was miles away but it sounded like nothing I ever heard before I
don't know if it was the Jersey Devil. I do not know what it was but it
sounded like a giant bird.
Our camp in the Pine Barrens when we returned was set up nicely. I had my
sleeping bag facing the woods while the guys had their tents blocking the
trail on both ends. The guys started a nice fire we all gathered some wood
and the fire burned most of the night till I woke up about 4am and it was
dead cold. It was about 5 degrees below freezing so its only natural that
a small fire would not last long enough if it was not kept up.
I bought a special sleeping bag able to withstand freezing temperatures I
slept with an opening so I could watch the woods most of the night.
Nothing came near our camp I did not hear a thing and I slept very well
out under the stars. I kept about 4 hand warmers in my bag which kept my
feet warm the guys were in their tents. I did enjoy camping in the barrens
but I knew once we got out of our bags it was going to be cold.
We got up around 7 am packed up camp I was shivering my infection was
stinging so bad from the cold it was the hardest thing to have to endure.
I got to the truck and popped some Motrin then got us to the main road in
this really cool small town right in the middle of the pine barrens. We
stopped at this diner called the Silver Coin diner I had a giant breakfast
really good service I was impressed the waitress stayed on top of things
and she got a hell of a tip.
After we got done eating we went across the street Adam needed supplies to
treat his blisters I did not get any but I brought two changes of shoes
that I was alternating with again these trips are all about preparation
you always bring a comfortable pair of sneakers just in case. We got the
supplies necessary it happens but it also can be prevented.
We did finish off the Pine Barrens visiting other sites but we did one
major hike on Day 3 that stood out beyond all the other investigations. We
went down a narrow dirt road along an old set of pioneer tracks and we
also visited the Carranza Memorial which has a cool history in itself but
I wont get into that now until I update the site.
Anyhow once again we had to go off roading their was not to many ice holes
we had to go through and we had a few dirt roads that we followed
according to the GPS when the road became impassable Andrew looked on the
GPS and said we are a few miles away so I parked at pretty much made it a
point that we are going to hike on in to some ruins.
We started our hike to the ruins and about an eight of a mile in we
crossed some wood planks I found the hind leg of a deer no skin and no fur
was on it. It was in the middle of a trail. I thought to myself where is
the rest of the body, where is the fur or skin. But I did not think much
of it till a mile down two more woodsy roads I came across the other leg
bone it was a match in size and also had no fur on it.
It looked like I was on a case to finding our first Pine Barrens
mutilation. I could not figure out while the two leg bones were so far
apart and the question is why were they on the trail we were hiking
afterall their was other overgrown trails and roads. It was barren back
here so quiet I could hear a pin drop we were really in the heart of the
barrens no houses, no vehicles, and nobody for miles.
We did reach the ruins I spent a lot of time here taking photos and we did
make it back to the truck my vehicle could have never made it down this
trail their were some very deep water holes. I rather hike it then chance
it any day. Being out doors was awesome it was a warm day out overcast and
I got to see the Pine Barrens first hand.
On the way back to the truck behind it off to the side I found the remains
of the rest of the deer it was the right one it had no hind legs, the
spine was ripped out and the front leg was separated cleanly from it. The
photos will speak for itself.
After this investigation we did visit a few other ghost towns in the Pine
Barrens which again will be separated reports. The pine barrens are very
vast I think this is a place that you would have to do hundreds of hikes
on various trails and roads. It took me a few days just to find anything
out of the ordinary hence the mutilation. But all we can do is theorize I
did not see any Jersey Devil's but I heard things some of them do not add
up. Were we being watched who knows!!!
I chose the Pine Barrens because it is a competitive place a lot of people
get stuck here some do not make it out of here and its the only forest in
the country like this so everybody should at least camp once here and
rough it for the experience of things. Many of these towns died out some
were chased out by the Jersey Devil so to drive past them is eerie knowing
this.
I do feel that something is in these woods I did try to focus some of the
investigation on Bigfoot too did not find any bigfoot prints although I
did find some areas with horse prints. I think one of the best ways of
traveling here might be by horse cause on foot after awhile can only go so
far and by truck you can still get stuck and not receive help for possibly
hours or even days. All them rumors you hear about weird locals are not
true people are fairly nice towards the Pine Barrens very friendly they
wave etc etc
I do feel that my team was not prepared and I got reamed for it because
they refused to bring a cooler filled with drinks and food. I had enough
food and such to last me days but the guys wanted me to take them to a bar
to drink and that just does not do it for me while we are in the middle of
trying to conduct an investigation.
Anyhow going back to day 2 let me continue our ghost town investigations
as we carry on with Harrisville Papermill Ruins!!!
Our best ghostly photo was taken on a trail deep in the Pine Barrens
Above not to far from our campsite!
Above
the energy of the pine Barrens many ghost stories are passed around the
campfires in the Pine Barrens at night!
The
mutilation you see above is that of a deer. You can clearly see the leg
bones taken in the first two above are at different locations and
ecosystems. This is all part of the same deer. The one leg and carcass
were separated by a good distance while the other leg was found about a
mile away. We never did find the head and the mutilation if you study the
photos does show signs of struggle something got this deer and it tore it
up.
Strange
Tracks Found A 1.5 Miles Away From The Deer Carcass they were bigger then
two of my fist put together each track was separated by a couple hundred
feet.
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