Bus Trip

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Bus Trip
By Marty McClintock

September 21, 2002- Visit From The Capital Ghost Forum ....


The entire bus and car entourage arrived at the US HOTEL in Hollidaysburg, PA. just in time for a brief history lesson taking them back through time to the days when there was no Hollidaysburg.

History is an integral part of “Ghost Hunting” for it is essential to know what has transpired in an area - in and around a building - to be able to gain knowledge of what might be going on at a haunted sight. This should be done, or shared after an investigation so that the individuals participating are not tainted by preconceived notions of what they should be looking for.

However, since this was not an “official” scientific investigation, we tried to fill in history that is known - but in dispute. We did, however, not give out any information concerning the entities, although some of the group had seen tapes and heard stories.

When we took Kelly and John Weaver there for their first investigation, we wouldn’t even let them read the menu history!

As you all know, it takes a tremendous amount of time to go through all the pictures, audio and camcorder tapes. That night our group alone had 4 1/2 hours of tapes - each - and pictures - and logs. We are still working on those as are the CGF people. So this is a short account of what we’ve found so far- some of it verified, most not.

Consensus: food was great! Company was stimulating - all of it - seen and unseen!

We had given everyone maps of the hotel since it is really a maze, and so that they could keep track of where they experienced anomalies. We had a camera set up in the best location on the 2nd floor with a continuous feed to the group below. I think that everyone there - some of them total novices- saw orbs. Because we had sooooo many people to take upstairs, it helped to have the TV to watch as other groups toured and commented on what they were seeing- feeling - getting pictures of.

The first reported “feeling” was when Ben went up to set up the camera. He had a “sensation” and I can’t describe it in public! As the people began to come down from upstairs we had reports of VERY heavy air, shoves, places that just felt too “bad” to enter and cold spots.

Upon reviewing the video - of course we started with the last one first - we saw what we had been seeing downstairs- orbs! It got to the point at one stage that I went up to do a "dust dance" to see just how much dust there was - lovely dance it was too - but there was NOTHING! One problem we’re having in reviewing is that we had the camera set-up so that we only can see the people from the waist down!

We could identify John Weaver taking thermal readings at one point and finding a 10 degree drop - not there seconds later. We saw Brutus’s dad getting orbs on his Sony, heard lots of people saying “wow” did you get that one, and that’s a beauty - we THINK it was “Ray Krouch”.

Al Brindza got some great EVPs that will be posted soon and Jon McClintock got some orb photos. Kelly’s web site has a picture posted.

SO, still reviewing, gathering, and asking. We’ll have an update next time. But I can tell you, things were just getting good when we had to quit!

P.S. The bus driver got to see orbs through the viewer on the camera - so he’s hooked! Also the tour was such a great success AMG has been asked to host tours of the Hotel over Halloween week.

Excerpt from Allegheny Mountain Ghosthunters October 2002 Newsletter

www.amghosthunters.com

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Capital Ghost Forum Bus Tour
By Kelly Weaver

What a wonderful day we had! We send out a big thank you to Jon McClintock and his wife Marty, along with Al and Jo Brindza and Ben Mazur for a job well done at the US Hotel.

For the first trip I ever planned, I was pleased with the turnout. Even the "ride home" movie was very well timed with our "mandatory" stop. Bus Driver "Mike" told the company he wants to take us on all of our ventures, so he will be an "honorary" member. I just loved the video feed in the dining room where we could watch the spirits follow us about in room number 6!



The food was excellent, and I could have not been more pleased! We began the day with a visit to the crash site of Flight 93, which is about 3 miles from the small town of Shanksville, PA in Somerset County, a sparsely populated part of the state.

A temporary memorial has been erected overlooking this former strip-mining area. "Quiet" is the overwhelming impression when you survey the surroundings. It is something a camera cannot capture. There is no question that you are standing on hallowed ground. The memorial consists of a gravel area with a chain link wall and two flag poles - one flying the Pennsylvania State Flag, and one flying a US flag that has flown over the Capitol in Washington, DC. There is a small field of wooden patriotic angels, one for each crash victim. Crosses of all kinds are displayed, from simple needlepoint to elaborate wooden ones. Under a very large cross is a plague that reads, "To the children of the Heroes of Flight 93 from the children of a Hero from World War II." The chain-link wall is filled with mementos and messages from families of the victims, organizations and individual visitors. I myself wrote my condolences on the white wall. There are also photographs, stuffed animals, stickers, flowers, tons of ballcaps, patches from police and fire departments, verses, and American flags made from all kinds of materials. No words can really explain how I felt. I "tuned out" so I could handle the rest of my day, but I will always remember how surreal that area seemed to me.

The Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County removes objects from the memorial when they become endangered from the weather. With the help of volunteers, objects are being cleaned, cataloged and stored at the Somerset Historical Center for the future, permanent memorial. The people of Shanksville and Somerset County take their responsibility as "caretakers" very seriously. You can't help but wonder what you would have done had you been on board Flight 93. They say when faced with a crisis, you rise to the occasion. I guess the story of Flight 93 was another example of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Whether you call them heroes or not, the devil showed his face that day and the passengers and crew managed to stare him down and ruin his plans. This visit is something I will always remember. I'm glad I had the honor of paying my respects to these brave souls.

You can contact Kelly here.



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