"Haunted Hikes: Spine-Tingling Tales and Trails From North America's National Parks," by Andrea Lankford. Santa Monica Press, 2006, 373 pp. paperback, $16.95.
Telling ghost stories around the campfire is a time-honored ritual of summer. It's easy to imagine that the mysterious rustling in the dark woods just beyond the circle of firelight is something spookier than a passing raccoon. (Though that's exactly what it is, of course.)
For campers who love a good ghost story, here's a new book that should be stowed in the backpack. "Haunted Hikes" is a field guide to supposed supernatural doings in many of America's best-known natural areas. Even the most skeptical will find much of interest here because author Andrea Lankford, a former National Park Service Ranger, has uncovered as much fascinating history as she has mapped alleged paranormal activities.
The entry on Mammoth Cave, for example, tells about former owner John Croghan's ill-fated attempt to establish a tuberculosis treatment center in the cave.
"A few of the 'consumptive cabins' still exist and can be seen while touring the cave," Lankford writes. "In front of one of the cabins is a slab of stone upon which the bodies of the dead tuberculosis patients were placed before they were removed from the cave. They call it Corpse Rock. Some say, if you listen long enough, you can hear coughing in this section of the cave."
No doubt you can, probably from chilly visitors coming along on the next tour who forgot to wear sweaters. But what a great tale for the campfire!
The 19th-century cave guides are buried in the Old Guide Cemetery in the park. So not surprisingly, there are also stories of present-day guides saying they've had odd experiences when they've turned off lights during tours. These include being "playfully shoved by an unseen force" and hearing footsteps when no one was around.
You'll also read about more malevolent spirits, such as the flesh-eating Windigo of Michigan's Isle Royale and an ax murderer along the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.
In addition to the stories, the book contains park contact information, maps of the "haunted" trails and even a "skull rating" of scariness. A four-skull trail is nightmare fodder. A one-skull trail is good for a spooky giggle.
Travel writer Susan Reigler checks out new and classic travel literature, guide books, maps and more each Sunday in Armchair Traveler. Have a suggestion? Call her at (502) 582-7078 or e-mail her at sreigler@courier-journal.com.
Source: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 0/FEATURES
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