Not exactly as planned

  Therese and I tried to leave early for Old Fort Niagara.  After I left, I realized, my boyfriend had my ATM card.  I had to drive out to get it from him at Nazareth.  I got coffee first, which of course, I spilled on my hand, while wearing a glove that held it against my skin longer.  Once we finally got on the road, it seemed like we were in business.

   We were still looking good as we drove through Buffalo and crossed the bridge on 190 onto Grand Island.  Traffic came to a complete stop and we were eventually forced to exit 190.  Although we were able to make it to Niagara Falls by way of Tonowanda, we didn't feel like we had enough time to get anything done at Old Fort Niagara.

   We were planning to stop to see the Falls anyway, so we swung by the park visitors center to try to find some information on Maid of the Mist.  I did find a childrens book with an adaptation of the story from what was recorded by Louis Henry Morgan (a Rochestarian).  Anyway, the day wasn't lost and we did find some information for the book.

  Looking at the town of Niagara Falls, NY is a sad side.  The shops are all closed, there are very few restaurants who are still operating.  I could blame the time of year or the recession, but these things are not to blame.  Niagara Falls began to die years ago.  It's not the vibrant colorful place I remember from my childhood.  The NY side of the Falls is a ghost town and I don't mean that it's haunted.  As we ate a late lunch, noone passed by the windows.  The streets were empty, of cars and people.

   Finding the details behind these stories I remember makes me remember the magic I once saw there.  The park is still amazing, but the surrounding town is dead.  It seems all that's there is a park and a casino.  Somehow,  I still love to go there.
                                                                                    -America-

Niagara Falls

    Tuesday Therese and I will be going to Niagara Falls to visit Old Fort Niagara.  We'll be researching the Headless French Soldier for the book.  I've always found the story very intriguing, so I'm happy to have the opportunity to retell it in my own words.  I remember the story fairly well, but you'll have to wait for the book to hear it from me. 


   As well as I remember the story, I can't help thinking there's more to it.  I also need to take a few photographs, which I'm really looking forward to because they've been framed in my head for weeks now.  Due to the long history of the fort, which has been under British, French, and American control at various points in time, there must be other ghost stories.  Perhaps there's something I've overlooked for my book.


   I'm really hoping for good weather because as long as we're driving to Niagara Falls, we should really stop at the park and take a look at the actual falls.  I always thought there was something magical about Niagara Falls. 


                                                                                        -America-

        So, here's an update.  We are still learning how to do a blog, and so are still in the process of setting everything up.  Sorry for the delay in getting new posts up.

         We decided to do this because we've been interested in the supernatural for a very long time.  We have visited creepy places all over the place, not just in and around Rochester.  Creepy things happen relatively often and not only when we go someplace we think may be haunted.  We are not only interested in spirits, but also the stories behind the supposed hauntings.  We realize that some "hauntings" are caused by easily explainable scientific phenomena.  Whether true or false, some stories are worth telling.

         I am planning to write a book about mysteries and ghost stories in western New York.  It should be available this fall from Heron's Bend Productions ( http://heronsbendproductions.com/ ) and Studio America.  Therese is my research assistant.  This blog will not tell the complete stories I will include in the book, but will track our experiences while researching them.  The first story we are going to research is The Headless Soldier of Old Fort Niagara.  We have been reading about the legend and will be visiting the fort in the next few weeks.

                                                                                                    -America-

For information on Old Fort Niagara, check out these sources:

A History and Guide to Old Fort Niagara

Old Fort Niagara: The story of an ancient gateway to the West

America Naparsteck and Therese O'Brien Present: Mystic Seekers of Ancient Truths "Attorneys of the Paranormal"

Greetings,  Konichiwa, Aasalaamu Aleikum, Jambo, Shalom, and Zdrastya!

           First of all, I think it is important to mention that neither of us is actually an attorney.  We simply call each other "my attorney," because we are always there to help each other out of a bind.  We are trying to search for the truth behind myths, legends, and anything else which could be considered paranormal or unusual.

          We stand between this world and the next; searching for answers to why we have always been connected to the other side.  We did not choose this path; it chose us.  Although we did not know each other as children, we shared experiences, so similar our connection could not be denied.  The gates we have opened may no longer be closed, which leaves us searching. We are still left with questions, unanswered.

          Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, as we seek these truths for ourselves, we wish to share our experiences.