Legend Tripping: Natalina’s Chosen Destinations
July 17, 2009 by natalina
Filed under Paranormal, The Unexplained, Travel
Legend Tripping, also known as “ostension”, is the practice of traveling to the site of mystery, infamy, paranormal activity, or horrific acclaim. Most often used in terms of touring the sites of murder victims or reported hauntings, the definition has spread to include any location that has some aspect of the unknown or the unusual attached to it. Formerly the stuff of adolescent rites of passage, the popularity of the Legend Trip has grown and is now practiced by adventurers of all ages.
I’ve embarked on a few mini Legend Trips…reportedly haunted graveyards, notoriously spooky churches, etc. But if I had the opportunity to put together my dream Legend Trip, I already know where I’d go. Oh! And it is often said that proper Legend Tripping must be carried out by a minimum of three people, so I’m going to need a few of you to come with me. Any volunteers? I’ll bring the cookies!
Here is my Top Six list of Legend Tripping destinations.
1. Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Location:Â Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky
Waverly Hills Sanatorium is an abandoned tuberculosis hospital that was built in 1910. It is said to be one of the most documented haunted hot spots in America. It is said that thousands people died within these walls. There are many legends attached to this place, and it was the home to much suffering when it was a functioning facility. There is the gloomily named “Death Tunnel” or “Body Chute”, which is 500 ft tunnel that was used to transport bodies out of the hospital discretely without upsetting the other patients.
Then there is Room 502, where a nurse supposedly killed herself after becoming distraught by having been surrounded by so much misery. On this same floor, another nurse reportedly hung herself because she had become pregnant with the illegitimate child of a doctor at the Sanatorium, and then contracted TB herself. She was found hanging from the pipes of the top floor of the hospital, and the aborted fetus was later found in the well system.
Now, with such a morbid history, you may wonder why I want to go there…. well, because I’m curious! I want to see if there truly is anything to all of the rumors of spirit encounters and sightings. I want to be scared. To get a better idea of just how spooky this place is, check out the following short video. It’s really good.
2. The Denver International Airport
Location:Â Denver, CO
I won’t spend time going over why this place is so cool, because I already did a detailed post about it a few days ago. But I highly encourage you to read the post. This place is a MUST for anyone interested in the creepiness that can be found in even the most modern of buildings.
Mysterious Murals and Monuments at the Denver Airport
3. The Bennington Triangle or The Bennington Black Hole
Location:Â Bennington County, VT/ Green Mountains
Image from Hecklerspray.com
Now, if we learned anything from the nightmare of The Blair Witch Project, it should be that we do not go wandering through the woods in an area known for strange happenings and disappearances.  However, I’m going to throw caution to the wind on this one, and visit a real site not unlike the now famous woods of Burkittsville, Maryland.
The Green Mountains of Vermont, also known as the Glastonbury Wilderness, have gained a bit of infamy over the years. Over a 5 year period of time, 10 people have gone missing in this area, never to be found. This, along with reported sightings of strange creatures, lights, and specters has gained the area the title as the Bennington Triangle, taking a cue from the mysterious happenings at the Bermuda Triangle. Native Americans have long shunned the place, calling it cursed. Learn more about this scary place here: The Bennington Triangle
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4. The Georgia Guidestones
Location:Â Elbert County, Georgia
Another American oddity which I’ve previously discussed at length here on Extraordinary Intelligence. Check out the post to familiarize yourself with the place, because we’re gonna be going there! American Stonehenge: The Georgia Guidestones
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5. Winchester Mystery House
Location:Â San Jose, CA
My post about the Winchester Mystery House is THE most visited section of this site. I receive tons of visitors every day looking for information about this fascinating home, with an even more interesting history. I’ve had people comment and email about their experiences here, which makes it all the more urgent that we include this on our Legend Trip! Plus, sunny California sounds nice, doesn’t it? Check out my post about the Winchester Mystery House. It truly is a magnificent and mad place. Winchester Mystery House
6. The Stanley Hotel
Location:Â Estes Park, Co
Oh hell YES we are going here! In fact, it may need to be our first stop…I don’t know..depends on who’s driving. We’ve got to work out these details, folks!
In case you didn’t know, The Stanley Hotel is the spooky site where Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining. The Overlook Hotel was based on this very spot. Although Kubrick’s original version wasn’t actually shot on this location, the 1997 made for T.V. miniseries was.
The place is said to be mad haunted, and has been investigated by many paranormal researchers. Check out the following clip from Ghost Hunters visiting this famous hotel. This includes the scary incident where investigator Jason has a glass break in the middle of the night and experiences doors slamming while he sleeps.
Ok, so there’s my six. Now, I think to make it a great Legend Trip, we need to round this list out to ten, don’t you? So, it’s your choice. What are the 4 other places we’re going to go? I’m already packing my bags!
By the way, I am all about taking this thing international! My passport is aching to be stamped. Let’s do this!
Hello Nat. Nice blog sweetheart!
Uh, Roswell? Hello? Dumbass!
And before you get all indignant about the fact that I called you a dumbass, stop and take a deep breath. Well, not too deep or you’ll put someone’s eye out.
Anyhoot, obviously I just came here to give you a hard time, babe. You know you’re cute as a button!
Now send me an email freak, before I hurt you!
There are a few sites in the Tarheel state that should be on the list:
The Brown Mountain Lights (north of Morganton) Mysterious lights have been appearing above Brown Mountain for years. So far, there has been no explanation for them.
The Devil’s Tramping Ground (Siler City) Fair Warning: It’s a bit of a let down when you compare it to legend…but it’s still cool to say you’ve been.
Roanoke Island-home of the U.S.’s biggest mystery, The Lost Colony.
Plug: While on the outer banks stop by the Native American Museum in Frisco…lots of energy flowing through that place.
Hey Mandi…Roswell! How could I have missed that! You’re so smart. Too bad you are also a crap face.
Will! These places sound awesome! I’m going to explore all of them. I’ve never heard of any of them, much less visited them! Well, I’ve heard of Roanoke Island, but never really looked into it. Totally added to the itinerary. Thanks for stopping by!
“Mad haunted”, I like that turn of phrase.
It’s not haunted, but the site of that massive meteorite in Siberia that flattened all those tress gives me the creeps. It doesn’t exist like that anymore, but those photos are freaky!
Oh yes, Tunguska! That’s it! Ok, so we’ll add Siberia to the itinerary. Let’s see. I’m going to have to pack a few more cookies for that trip!
I recently read that scientists are now saying that Tunguska was hit by a comet, not a meteorite. I really don’t know what difference it makes, but it sounds a lot cooler!
I’d love to go to Waverley Hills, that looks like my idea of fun!
As for Bennington, because of the dates, I’m betting there was a serial killer living in the area. He eventually died and te disappearances stopped. Just my take on it.
Great post!
Yeah Cheryl…Waverly Hills will certainly be one of our stops. THere was even a horror movie made about it. Although I haven’t seen it.
I think the serial killer thing is a good bet. However it doesn’t account for the strange lights and that sort of thing. It would probably be a thrill just to check it out.
Ok, so Cheryl is bringing the beverages.
Ah, yes, Waverly Hills. I saw a documentary on it a couple of years ago called Spooked. The place looked as creepy as hell … and yeah, I wanna go there too! I’ll bring the proton packs – and the six-packs.
Check out some info on that doco here
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437484/
I used to live in a very small town in a house just down the road from an old cemetary – the kind with the big-ass grave stones and even bigger cracks in the cement (or whatever they use) over the actual hole, like something, or someone, had broken out.
As an added ‘bonus’, a young boy had once drowned in the well that is on the property, situated right near my old bedroom window.
Suffice to say, I used to have some sleepless nights. But, while I was probably glad for the fact back then, sadly I never saw any ghosts.
Great post BTW!
Sgt! We neeeeeed proton packs and most certainly six packs! Hoorah for you!
I think that documentary was on the Sci Fi channel, and I missed it. I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on it. I’m sure it would be great! THanks for the reminder!
That old house sounds creepy and awesome. Too bad we don’t appreciate things as children thw we do as adults!
Thanks very much for the props! I think we’ve got quite a dream team of trippers assembled here!