K is for Kentucky Hauntings

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

K = Kentucky

Every state has their stories passed down from one generation to the next, and Kentucky is no different. I compiled a list of places to visit, to get your scare on.

In a Alexandria there is a place called Witch Hill. Tree + witch hanging + curse = spooky

Annville on Highway 577 At night on a full moon you can see a glowing grave

Arbourville at Union College. A ghost of a student haunts room 245. He fell out of a second story window.

Bardstown at the old Talbolt Inn are haunted by ghosts that were killed there.

Bellefonte at Bellefonte Hospital, an old catholic run hospital. It is said a nun named Frannie haunts the halls. She is seen mostly near the emergency room.

Jackson at Combs Cemetery has had many sightings and noises within it.

These are only a few, and to see the full list of haunted Kentucky towns CLICK HERE.

Every town has their story. Does your town? Do tell.

In my town the rumor from the kids is that the school is haunted from a resident from the past. I think they just like to scare the new kids coming into middle school though.

I'm not rating today, due to the multiple locations.

Source

J is for Jerusalem

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

J = Jerusalem

J was a challenge, and the pickings were slim. I chose Jerusalem as our stop today for it's ancient intrigue, and its holiness. During its long history the city has been destroyed twice, and attacked fifty-two times. If the walls could talk in this city, its tales would span, to what seems like, the beginning of mankind. 

The Well of Souls is located under a site of a ruined Jewish temple. It is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant--the sacred vessel of the original Ten Commandments tablets that God gave to Moses at Mt. Sinai. No one knows if the well truly exists, and there has been no archaeological exploration.

Ancient stone markings have been uncovered, dating back thousands of years ago. The strange V shapes cut into the ancient bedrock has archaeologists stumped.  CLICK HERE to read the story, and see the picture.

The Garden Tomb was discovered in 1867, and was identified as the burial place of Jesus. Of course no one knows for sure.

This ancient city probably holds secrets yet to be discovered.

Spook factor: 2

Intrigue factor: 3

Beauty factor:3

Biblio: Natgeo, picture source, Wiki

I is for Islands

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

I = Islands

We're going on an island hopping adventure today. I couldn't decide on a specific island because they're all amazing, and unique in their own way. So, I'm sharing all of them with you.

Ellis Island in New York the island of hope, and tears. It was America's largest, and most active immigration center. Over 12 million immigrants were processed. Some gained entry to the country, while others were denied, tearing families apart. It made me wonder if my ancestors walked through the doors of this immigration building, looking for the American dream. So, I searched the Ellis Island passenger lists. Guess what? My maiden name is there! I have no doubt some of those people are my family that immigrated here from Italy. Very cool! Click here to search the records for your family.

Easter Island is the most isolated place on earth, and is made up of extinct volcanoes  Easter Island is off the coast of Chile, and it's over 2,000 miles away from any civilization, adding to the mystery. It's famous for it's 32 feet high statue people, called Moai. They're carved in the image of the island's Rapa Nui ancestors, and date back to the 12th century.

For all the controversies about Easter Island CLICK HERE.

Hawaiian Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, and are the exposed  peaks of an underwater mountain range, known as, Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain formed by volcanoes. The islands are amazing, from their indigenous Polynesian people and culture, to the beautiful landscape, and vivid blue oceans. What's not to love! It's also riddled in mystery. CLICK HERE to read.

Galapagos Islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of South America. The island is known for its diverse wildlife, and incredible marine life. The Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to swim in the ocean.  Charles Darwin studied here, noting the unusual species due to isolation, and the adaptions they made in their environment. It gave way to his Origin of Species theory. Want to know 10 bizarre facts about the islands CLICK HERE.

I won't be rating these, and I'll let you be the judge. 

Biblio: nps site,Wiki,

H is for Highgate Cemetery

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

H = Highgate Cemetery 

We have left Scotland, and have arrived at our eighth stop on our tour today in north London, England. In the early 19th century, London was experiencing high mortality rates, and there wasn't enough space for burial. Parliament opened seven new private cemeteries to be opened in the countryside around the capital. These cemeteries were Kensal Green 1833, West Norwood 1836, Highgate 1839, Abney Park 1840, Brompton 1840, Ninhead 1840, and Tower Hamlets 1841. Also known as the "Magnificent Seven."

In 1839 fifteen acres was set aside for members of the Church of England, and two acres for "others." May of 1839 was the first burial in Highgate, Elizabeth Jackson. Apparently Highgate was the place to be buried, and became the capitals most fashionable place to rest in peace. The monuments became more eccentric, as families outdid each other, but by the 1960's it became rundown. It wasn't until the 80's that the cemetery had a restoration. The grounds are still full of flowers, trees, and shrubs that have been left to grow wild. Looking at the pictures below you can see why the Highgate Cemetery has intrigued me.

                                                                     Unknown grave

                                                      Circle of Lebanon, West Cemetery

Karl Marx grave, East Cemetery. Karl was a philosopher, historian, sociologist, economist, and  

                                                                      revolutionary.

                                            Entrance to the Egyptian Avenue, West Cemetery 

 Tales have been told of strange activity at the Highgate Cemetery--sinister cults holding ceremonies in the abandoned  ruins before the restoration, a vampire in the old part of the cemetery, and ghostly sightings.

This city of the dead is chock full of history, and beauty. Are you scared, or would you visit this site?

Spook factor: 2

Intrigue factor: 4

Beauty factor: 5

Biblio: picture source, Wiki, haunted-london.

G is for the Gettysburg Battelfield

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

G = Gettysburg Battlefield 

My daughter Isabel, a fifth grader, has joined us on our tour stop today. She'll give us a small history lesson.

The battle of Gettysburg happened in Pennsylvania, and is described as the civil wars turning point, and the largest-bloodiest battle of the war.  Robert E. Lee led the army of confederates, and Ulysses S. Grant led the union.

The battle happened on July 1, 1863 and ended on July 3, 1863 on Culps Hill. As many as 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or even missing! 

Thanks Isabel!

With so many soldier casualties all losing their lives within such a concentrated area, its no wonder some think the Gettysburg Battlefield is haunted. Phantoms of the past are said to be seen drifting over the fields. Screams, moans, and the sounds of gun and cannon fire have been heard. Do the ghosts of the past still haunt this area. You decide, but before you make a decision check out this video by the North East Paranormal Society of Gettysburg, PA.

Spook factor: 3
Intrigue factor: 4
Beauty factor: 3

 Biblio: Wiki, historynet, youtube.

F is for Fyvie Castle

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

F = Fyvie Castle

The tour bus hasn't left Scotland yet, and our sixth stop is Fyvie Castle located near Aberdeenshire.  There is just something about castles, and their tragic history. The earliest parts of this castle was built sometime in the 13th century. It was owned by five powerful families throughout time. The five castle towers represent those families, and are named after them--Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon, and Leith. There's nothing special about the outside of the castle--no moats, large walls, or impressive landscapes. Reading about the inside didn't seem impressive either--great wheel stair, a collection of famous portraits, and a weapon display. But the castle had me at "curse."

The curse of Fyvie Castle

Fyvie, Fyvie, thou’ll never thrive

As long as there’s in thee stones three:

There’s one in the oldest tower,

There’s one in the lady’s bower,

There’s one in the water-gate,

And these three stones you’ll never get!

That’s the proclamation by Thomas the Rhymer who cursed the castle forever and created one of the most interesting haunted myths in the world.

(Source)

It is told in the 13th century when Lady Meldrum died her body was sealed in the wall of a secret room per her request.She cursed the room, and disaster would fall to anyone who entered. In 1920, during renovations, her remains were found. From then on the castle was haunted by noises and unexplained things. Her ghost is seen, and is called the "Grey Lady."

The "Green Lady" is thought to be Lilias Drummond. In 1592 she married Alexander Seton aka Lord Fyvie. After having five daughters, and no heirs, her husband had an affair--just before Lilias sudden death. Was it a broken heart that killed her, or foul play? Six months later, and her husband married again. That's when the "Green Lady" started to make herself known.

Andrew Lammie, is an 18th century trumpeter who fell in love with Agnes. Her parents didn't approve. When Lord Fyvie found out, he was mad because he wanted Agnes for himself. He sold Andrew as a slave. It is said, Andrew escaped, returning, but only to find Agnes had died. Andrew cursed Fyvie and his family. Each blow of the trumpet would forecast death of each Lord as a reminder of the pain he and Agnes had suffered. Since then a trumpet is heard at night, just before the time each Lord died. There are also reports of people seeing a man standing near the wall.

Spook factor: 4

Intrigue factor:4

Beauty factor: 2

Biblio: Wiki, angelsghosts, hub pages

E is for Edinburgh Castle

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

E = Edinburgh Castle

The ancient Edinburgh Castle is located on the top of an old volcanic mountain in Scotland. It dominates the skyline with its stone walls, and buildings. It might have been used as far back as 900 BC--the late bronze age. During the Middle Ages it served the seat of royalty, but became the center for military activity, and has seen many wars. If you're visiting the castle after lunch, bring earplugs because the one o' clock gun still fires every day. But enough about the facts. 

The castle's legends is what intrigues me. *key spooky music now*

The 'Stone of Destiny,' or 'Stone of Scone' is a traditional coronation stone. It's an oblong block of red sandstone, and was kept at the castle with the crown jewels of Scotland. Legend says that the real stone was swapped out with a fake stone. So, who took the stone, and where is it today?

The castle is called one of the most haunted places in Scotland. The Lone Piper is just one ghost that has become a superstar. A few hundred years ago (which is not that long ago, seeing how old the castle is) secret tunnels were discovered in the castle that led to the city. The piper boy had to play his pipes in the tunnels, and above ground they would listen, and chart it. One day his music stopped, and he was never seen again, but some people can still hear him playing his pipes in the tunnels. Will you hear him?

Other ghosts include: A headless drummer, French prisoners from the Seven Year War, Colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War, and a dog wandering in the grounds' dog cemetery. 

Reported experiences include: sudden drops in temperature, seeing shadow figures, feelings of being watched, and tugging of clothes.

Is the castle really haunted, or is it an assumption because of its long history, and all its conflicts. Be brave, and enter at your own risk.

Spooky Factor: 5

Intrigue Factor: 5

Beauty Factor: 5

Biblio and picture source: Wiki, Picture, teatime-mag, about.