Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Villisca & the cost of Ghost Investigations

Well we said we would return, and I am in the process of booking the second of two trips to Villisca for 2013. Unlike most group trips, these are booked before I make the reservation. I know that none of the people who are going will back out.

Villisca is a very haunted place. It will separate the men from the boys, so to speak. There is a very strong and mean entity there. It spun a camera around , scratched a person and pulled a blanket off of another. It isn't a place to play games , or taunt. It is a place to be on guard. The spirits there are strong enough to harm you, and that is a rare thing indeed. When spirits can move things and harm people, it is a  place that is a true paranormal investigator's delight. I wouldn't recommend it for first timers, especially if there is not an experienced person in the group.

The day we left the house after our first investigation this spring, we said we were going back. We had not even known yet that we had so many EVPs, and a photo or two that is still unexplainable. We saw things move, heard furniture move, thumps, and at one point the house and barn both shook at the same time. There were no earthquakes reported that night.

The spirits are inside, outside and in the barn (the so called "safe place"), and there are more spirits there than the family that was killed on June 10, 1912. I have a woman with a very southern accent on several EVPs, and the mother who was killed there was originally from Illinois, so it isn't her, although I know she is also there.

Usually when you try to get a group together for an investigation, you get a bunch of folks that say they want to go, they beg, promise, and put their name on the list. Then, nothing. Something always "comes up". With my friends I have instituted a "until you pay you aren't going" and "if you don't go you don't get your money back" policy. Too many times I have had people back out , where it cost each of the rest of us more to go, or we came close to cancelling and losing a deposit. When I spoke to the Villisca owner, Martha this weekend, she said that she has had people back out all the time and was left with just the small deposit she had requested, but no full payment for the night. Not only is that a shame as she gets financially harmed, but if there were a night on the calendar this year we would have gone again. She would have made the money and we would have had the pleasure of returning before next year.

I managed to book a night close to the anniversary of the murders for our first visit next year (we are actually going twice...so far anyway). I am sure more people will want to go and there may even be a third visit. The point is, if you say you are going somewhere.....go. When a group is reserving a space, some poor soul is dropping down a deposit. Usually on these excursions, there is a fee depending on how many people go, the cost is shared, so when you drop out, everyone's price goes up! I can tell you that people who drop out on me, don't get asked again on my dime, unless there was a darn good reason like an illness, death in the family, or some other real emergency. Yet they still don't get a refund. It is sad it has to be that way, but that is the way it is.

Many do not realize that the whole "ghost hunting" hobby is expensive. Any hobby is really. Most good places are between $75-100 per person. This doesn't include getting there, food and possibly a motel. There are bargains out there, but they usually involve larger groups and you may be in with a bunch of screaming strangers (or like me have a strange woman attached to your hip at Waverly because she was scared to death). Having a location all to yourself all night, is expensive.

Villisca is an eight hour drive from here, so add in the gas money, snacks, drinks, and meals.....it will actually be over $250 per person, and that is if you don't throw a motel room into the deal to rest up! Whoever makes the deposit, is already out that money (Villisca is a $200 deposit). We are not going to slap down $200 so a bunch of folks can back out. Luckily we have a solid group already booked, and another booking in the process.

Before volunteering to go on an investigation, know what all the costs are, and use your head. Don't expect the group leader to tell you you will have to pay for food sometime over a two day period, that should be something you should know. Know how you are getting there. Don't say "I'm in",  then hope to find a ride. Know that you will be paying for gas whether you are driving or not. Have some extra "emergency" money on you if you are going a few hours away. If the car breaks down you will need repair funds and maybe a motel...and more meals. Make sure you can have that day off (and the next one as you will be worn out), and pay up as soon as you can. The group leader isn't an ATM (if you go with me, you pay before you are even considered to be going at all).

Book a trip on the thought process of, "I can afford it, even if everyone backs out", if you can't, get the money first, or don't book.

Then ENJOY! Know where you are going, plan the trip and be safe!

Peshaui Wequashimese




(C)2012 Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.

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