Eerie Exit

Salmon Cr. Exit at Night

As a society we have a fascination with the ghostly world. The idea that something lurks outside of Real makes the hair stand up on our neck and bumps crawl across the flesh of our upper arms. Even those of us who don’t ‘really’ believe seem fascinated by the possibility. But when we experience first hand something eerie, we tend to move along, get out of there fast.

 

I don’t believe. Mostly. Even though I grew up in a haunted house. Even though I can remember the Grey Lady bumping in her rocking chair. I was just a kid. I believed a lot in those days.

 

I don’t believe in ghosts or spooky spirits anymore. But, there is a place where I don’t park my car and meet my mother any more either.

 

Occasionally, when time was tight on my drive from Eureka to marital arts in Garberville, my mom would drive to the Northern Salmon Creek freeway entrance and pick up my littlest so she could watch him while my older boys and I worked out. One or the other of us would get there first and wait in the dark shaded corner still in sight of the freeway.

 

For some reason, the area collects trash. Most of our road is nearly pristine but this one pullout close to the freeway, lush with thick trees and primeval ferns, is splattered with the trash of decades. People have tried to clean it up. I have seen orange trash bags stuffed full one day and old tires and newspapers there the next. And, eerily, the refuse never looks new but is always caked with decaying leaves and rotting vegetation.

 

Still, it was a good cool place to meet on hot summer days. We did this several times. I had a noisy carload of boys. Mom was alone.

 

I didn’t like the place. The pasty streamers of toilet paper slid from beneath decomposing plants. An ancient mattress with rusty stains leered at me from beside a severed stump. No matter how noisy the boys, they always quieted as we sat there. Waiting. The air pushed down hard against the car windows and somehow, no matter how hot, I wasn’t comfortable with the glass open. I tamped down those feelings. I tried to ignore them.

 

But one day Mom said, “Why don’t I meet you on the other side, next to the Holmgren Homestead?” Abashed she added, “I know it’s silly but I just get the creeps in the other place.”

Not long after that, I saw the local rescue squad there. “What’s up?”

The leader shook her head and laughed, “Oh, some guy roaming the woods swears he saw a body up there. But after we got out here, he couldn’t find it again and neither could we. Probably just smoked too much of his product.”

I smiled. Nodded. Maybe. Maybe not.

 

Nothing happened there to us. No evil spirit showed its severed head. No ghostly apparition intoned hollow voiced warnings to us. But, nonetheless, I’m glad we meet on the other side now.

 

I’m glad we moved along. I’m glad we got out of there.

And, I wonder if they’ll ever find that body.

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Dan
Guest
Dan
16 years ago

To quote the Cowardly Lion: “I believe in spooks.”

Firstly, because the existence of ghosts and the like make things more interesting.

But also, from a scientific standpoint, the human brain is one big electric engine and, as physics tells us, energy can be neither created nor destroyed, just transformed. So, when a person dies, all of that brain energy has to go somewhere, right?

Dan
Guest
Dan
16 years ago

To quote the Cowardly Lion: “I believe in spooks.”

Firstly, because the existence of ghosts and the like make things more interesting.

But also, from a scientific standpoint, the human brain is one big electric engine and, as physics tells us, energy can be neither created nor destroyed, just transformed. So, when a person dies, all of that brain energy has to go somewhere, right?

Staff
Member
16 years ago

Reincarnation?

The Afterlife?

I know what you mean though. I don’t really believe but, somehow, I don’t really not believe either.

Dan
Guest
Dan
16 years ago

Not sure about either of those.

But, if you look at any of the “evidence” of hauntings, it always includes some kind of weird electro-magnetic energy.

Dan
Guest
Dan
16 years ago

Not sure about either of those.

But, if you look at any of the “evidence” of hauntings, it always includes some kind of weird electro-magnetic energy.

Carol
Guest
16 years ago

Follow your instincts.

When I lived up the Mill Creek watershed outside of Fortuna city limits, I had a feeling there was someone living in our woods and watching us. One evening I noticed there was a trail off Mill Street. I followed it and found a camp in the woods. I called the sheriff’s office and a deputy came out and checked it out. they found a journal of the camper, a parolee according to his writing and he was camping in our woods.

Carol
Guest
16 years ago

Follow your instincts.

When I lived up the Mill Creek watershed outside of Fortuna city limits, I had a feeling there was someone living in our woods and watching us. One evening I noticed there was a trail off Mill Street. I followed it and found a camp in the woods. I called the sheriff’s office and a deputy came out and checked it out. they found a journal of the camper, a parolee according to his writing and he was camping in our woods.

Mom
Guest
Mom
16 years ago

Excellent description – all those ‘strange’ feelings came back as read your story.
By the way, Grandma has always felt the same way about that particular corner. She often comments about her feelings when we pass that way.

Mom
Guest
Mom
16 years ago

Excellent description – all those ‘strange’ feelings came back as read your story.
By the way, Grandma has always felt the same way about that particular corner. She often comments about her feelings when we pass that way.

Jen
Guest
Jen
16 years ago

I believe in spooks too. I think we impact the world around us in different ways.
The people who owned our home before us lived here for 40 years. They had eleven children who scattered all over the U.S. The first night we stayed here, I was awoken by a sound in the living room.
“Mama! Mama!” The little voice cried. I thought one of my sons had woken up.
But no. They were both sound asleep and the sound still called even as I looked in on the boys.
I followed it and the minute I entered the kitchen, it stopped.
I’m convinced the family that lived here still keep a watch over our home. It doesn’t creep me out. They are benevolent and kind.
Your story DID creep me out, however.

Jen
Guest
Jen
16 years ago

I believe in spooks too. I think we impact the world around us in different ways.
The people who owned our home before us lived here for 40 years. They had eleven children who scattered all over the U.S. The first night we stayed here, I was awoken by a sound in the living room.
“Mama! Mama!” The little voice cried. I thought one of my sons had woken up.
But no. They were both sound asleep and the sound still called even as I looked in on the boys.
I followed it and the minute I entered the kitchen, it stopped.
I’m convinced the family that lived here still keep a watch over our home. It doesn’t creep me out. They are benevolent and kind.
Your story DID creep me out, however.

Ernie
Guest
16 years ago

You are all very silly to believe in spooks goblins and prowlers. I have more to say, but I have to go pull the shades and lock the doors… Is that voice I hear inside or out…

Ernie
Guest
16 years ago

You are all very silly to believe in spooks goblins and prowlers. I have more to say, but I have to go pull the shades and lock the doors… Is that voice I hear inside or out…

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
16 years ago

I don’t like that pull out either. And we always stop there on our way in- finally the kids can hop out to pee before we make the last stretch up the hill. I always stand guard and watching and half expecting to see movement out of the corner of my eye.

That is also near to where the “bad guys” lived- the ones the police told me to forget about when we figured out that they were probably the thieves that broke into my car, and stole a bunch of things I’d been planning to take with me when I moved into the dorms for college. I was warned that it wasn’t worth risking my life for. I have always had a bit of anger there at that spot as well…

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
16 years ago

I don’t like that pull out either. And we always stop there on our way in- finally the kids can hop out to pee before we make the last stretch up the hill. I always stand guard and watching and half expecting to see movement out of the corner of my eye.

That is also near to where the “bad guys” lived- the ones the police told me to forget about when we figured out that they were probably the thieves that broke into my car, and stole a bunch of things I’d been planning to take with me when I moved into the dorms for college. I was warned that it wasn’t worth risking my life for. I have always had a bit of anger there at that spot as well…

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
16 years ago

Like Jen, our current house was occupied by a family before us for nearly 60 years. While I am usually spooked in places like basements, I always feel watched over in a very positive and warm way in all the dark corners here. I like that.

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
16 years ago

Like Jen, our current house was occupied by a family before us for nearly 60 years. While I am usually spooked in places like basements, I always feel watched over in a very positive and warm way in all the dark corners here. I like that.

Sandi
Guest
16 years ago

Awesome picture. You’re story gave me the absolute biggest set of goosebumps. It’s good to follow that “feeling.” I know it’s saved my butt a couple of times…

Sandi
Guest
16 years ago

Awesome picture. You’re story gave me the absolute biggest set of goosebumps. It’s good to follow that “feeling.” I know it’s saved my butt a couple of times…

alaskasteve
Guest
16 years ago

I love the story and REALLY love the photo, thanks Kym!

alaskasteve
Guest
16 years ago

I love the story and REALLY love the photo, thanks Kym!

Kato
Guest
Kato
16 years ago

In New England, there’s a clause in real estate law whereby a potential buyer must be informed of any ghostly rumors about a property. Lots of unsettled spirits back there… listen to your “senses” when you get that feeling!

Kato
Guest
Kato
16 years ago

In New England, there’s a clause in real estate law whereby a potential buyer must be informed of any ghostly rumors about a property. Lots of unsettled spirits back there… listen to your “senses” when you get that feeling!

Ben
Guest
Ben
16 years ago

Kym,,, That was the site of the “Salmon Creek House” an old place the Holmgrens rented to a band of hippies from the Minneapolis, St. Paul area. The house burned maybe twenty years ago and the shop building right where you parked was torn down. Some of the folks who lived there became solid citizens and others came to unhappy ends, as I recall. I think maybe Coco lived there for a bit. I’ll ask him. The house was made of 2x4s stacked for walls. Many parties but I never went. I think I thought it was a little too crazy. I had plenty of crazy at Astrinsky’s.

Ben
Guest
Ben
16 years ago

Kym,,, That was the site of the “Salmon Creek House” an old place the Holmgrens rented to a band of hippies from the Minneapolis, St. Paul area. The house burned maybe twenty years ago and the shop building right where you parked was torn down. Some of the folks who lived there became solid citizens and others came to unhappy ends, as I recall. I think maybe Coco lived there for a bit. I’ll ask him. The house was made of 2x4s stacked for walls. Many parties but I never went. I think I thought it was a little too crazy. I had plenty of crazy at Astrinsky’s.

Staff
Member
16 years ago

Ben, Ask him please. If I see him, I’ll ask too! I know the place there burned down a long time ago. I know I’m being silly but the place is just creepy.

Tosh
Guest
15 years ago

Hi Kym, I really enjoy your blogs. I would like you to go to BFRO.com (bigfoot reasearch org and go into Humboldt county and read the reports. Read the one that is about 2 sisters note the date it was written and then write me @ [email protected] you will know where Iam talking about when you read it. It ties into this story about the overpass. I got goosebumps when I read this. Many regards from the Southwest T.

Tosh
Guest
15 years ago

Hi Kym, I really enjoy your blogs. I would like you to go to BFRO.com (bigfoot reasearch org and go into Humboldt county and read the reports. Read the one that is about 2 sisters note the date it was written and then write me @ [email protected] you will know where Iam talking about when you read it. It ties into this story about the overpass. I got goosebumps when I read this. Many regards from the Southwest T.

trackback

[…] the way out in Sedonia, and I know that house burned down. And the reason the woman called me was I had written several months before about the eerie feelings my mom and I had in the same area of Salmon […]

trackback

[…] the way out in Sedonia, and I know that house burned down. And the reason the woman called me was I had written several months before about the eerie feelings my mom and I had in the same area of Salmon […]

Tj
Guest
Tj
15 years ago

So weird. A few years ago I was parked near there waiting for a ride up the hill and my friends and I got totally spooked out. Of course, it was dark and I started telling scary stories.

Tj
Guest
Tj
15 years ago

So weird. A few years ago I was parked near there waiting for a ride up the hill and my friends and I got totally spooked out. Of course, it was dark and I started telling scary stories.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

But why did you start telling spooky stories? I think it was because of some sort of atmosphere there.

the other sister
Guest
the other sister
15 years ago

I wrote my story this morning. I remember being with my sister when she came to visit. We were tellig stories as sisters do and we always turned to midnight tales. Shw began to tell me of her nightmare logger and stopped haflway in the telling. I picked my own telling of an experience I had, the fear the hiding under that log. The seeing in my head of the man with the axe. I even went so far as to tell of his bald head and the hollow intent in his eyes. Our twin hauntings had happened at least six years apart and we had never told each other, or anyone for that matter, and yet we knew the tale and finished each others thoughts. I do beleive in spooks, I do, I do, I do beleieve in spooks.

the other sister
Guest
the other sister
15 years ago

I wrote my story this morning. I remember being with my sister when she came to visit. We were tellig stories as sisters do and we always turned to midnight tales. Shw began to tell me of her nightmare logger and stopped haflway in the telling. I picked my own telling of an experience I had, the fear the hiding under that log. The seeing in my head of the man with the axe. I even went so far as to tell of his bald head and the hollow intent in his eyes. Our twin hauntings had happened at least six years apart and we had never told each other, or anyone for that matter, and yet we knew the tale and finished each others thoughts. I do beleive in spooks, I do, I do, I do beleieve in spooks.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Your comment caused the hair on my head to stand up and try and scurry off. It is still writhing! That is even more creepy. I may have to rewrite the story with your experiences included!