Monday, January 26, 2009

Dagnabbit!

I keep forgetting to bring pictures/video in to post. I'm extra special stoooopid. Must be this frig'n acrtic winter we're suffering through.

But, I will have some tomorrow. And, as an added bonus, I might post some of the infamously Haunted Stanley Hotel from a few years back. They are worth a looksee.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Thank You East Coast

As our trip winds down, I wanted to thank eveyrone that helped make our weekend so wonderful . . .

Pam (thanks for driving all the way here from NY)
Glen
Kelly
Chris (thanks for driving from RI)
Jim (thanks for the wonderful gift bags)
Erin
Christine
Laura (thanks for teaching me the proper way to "creep")
Rachelle (we'll pony prance better next time)
Eric
David
Aprille

Most especially, I want to thank Mark. Not only did he pick us up in Manchester, he also showed us around Boston during the snow storm, dropped us at the mall and surprised us by taking Tuesday afternoon off to take us to the Providence airport (via T.A.P.S. for a photo opporutnity). Mark, I think it's official, you are the nicest guy who's ever inhabitated planet earth. There's definately going to be a little something extra in your trick or treat bag this year.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Day three in Boston has been fun and tiring

Kate and I had fun site seeing and eating seafood and enjoying the whole Boston experience today. But, that's not what you want to hear, right? You want to hear about how we snuck up to the 15th floor to take tons of pictures in the locked ballroom (you mischevious little monkeys).
Well, it's true. We decided to take our own self-guided tour to the haunted spots of the Omni Parker house.
We checked out the area around the haunted room on our floor, 303. Rumor has it you can smell cigar smoke and whiskey. We smelled smoke, but, can't be sure if it wasn't from someone sneaking a smoke in a nearby room.

It was then that Kate discovered room 366. She thought, if there's a room 366, there MUST be a 666. Well, there is and here's proof . . .


After that, we ran around the 10th floor for a while and took tons of pictures, but, no proof of hauntings. We were morose.

We figured we'd head up to 14 next where an apparition of a little girl has been seen. Here's where things get freaky. We were in the second to last elevator, elevator 3, when the doors open, I moved out of the way because there was someone to the left of the elevator and I didn't want to run into them. But guess what? There was no one there! I saw their shadow on the floor and it was moving towards the elevator. Kate was looking at her camera and missed it. But, don't worry, she experienced the next thing.

So, I'm a little freaked but that just makes the ghost hunting more fun. We take the stairs up to the 15th floor where the ballrooms are. One was open and we went in and took pictures. The other was locked and, for a nano second, we thought about climbing through the coat check window to gain access. But, we decided that was a little too much work so we went back down stairs to the 14th floor.

When we got there, Kate saw a sign that said "Elevator to Ballrooms". We found it, and we went for it (after much coaxing from Kate, I'm forever worried I'll get caught and hauled away by the po-po). We go upstairs and it's all dark in the big ballroom, the elevator mechanisms are up there so the sound is frightening and we're all alone. But, after much time and many pictures, nothing happens, so we head back to the elevator and back down to 14. (Funny side note about what a mook I am. Mark calls as we're creeping towards the ballroom elevators and I near about jumped out of my skin from the ring/vibrate.)

We get to 14 and walk around to the main elevators. Just as we round the corner, elevator 4 opens up before we can hit the call buttons. No one is in it. No one is out on the floor but us. It was the elevator the shadow had been in front of on our way up. And, it was enough to make us think maybe there is some truth to this haunted 14th floor rumor.

After that, it was to the Last Hurrah for a nightcap. Tony, our server who had waited on the whole crew Saturday night, was there and offered to take us on a personal tour of a few of the locked public rooms. We didn't have any ghostly experiences, but I wanted to mention it because it was such a kind thing for him to do for us.

Ok, that's it. I'll talk more tomorrow but am tired and fear that I may nod off any secon . . . .zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day two in Boston winds down

It's been a great day. We slept in, saw some sites, did some shopping and ate an amazing dinner. Like to hear it. . . here it go. . .

After sleeping in, we noticed a couple bugs in the room (eeewwww). So, we got ready pretty dang quick and left so they could come in and spray.

We met the others down in the lobby to do our hugging goodbyes and make plans to get together soon (think, HauntCon in Milwaukee, 4/30-5/3).

After our good-byes, Mark gave us a tour of the snow covered brownstones on Commonwealth Avenue and Marlborough Street. They were wicked awesome. So pretty, especially when viewed through the falling snow. He also took us down Newbury to look at the boutiques and past Berkley. Then he drove us to The Shops at Prudential where we all hugged him goodbye. (So sad Mark is gone.)

Then, it was time to shop! Pam was a trouper and stuck with Kate and I for shop after shop after shop. So, did you guys know the The Shops at Prudential have a covered walkway to the Copley Shopping Mall? No? We didn't either, but IT DOES!!! So, even more shopping (poor Pam).

Towards the end of the our spree, Pam decided she was going to try and beat the next round of snow back to NY. Therefore, we solemnly made our way back to the hotel to pack her up. But, when we got here, the sprayed room reeked to high heaven. So, before we could pack her up, we had to pack ourselves for the big move to the new room. This room was even nicer. We ooohed and aahed over it for a while and then got Pam together on the road. Kate and I were very sad to see her go.

Kate and I decided to ease the pain with more shopping. Did you know there's a Macy's steps from the hotel? No? We didn't either, but THERE IS!!! We didn't actually buy anything, but looking is always fun.

We decided it was time to eat and called the Concierge to find a good restaurant near Macy's. It is no exaggeration to tell you that Ivy, a little Italian bistro/pub, had some of the best food I've had in a long, long time. Scallops, fondue, carbornara fettucini, gelato, wine. It was so good we were to go going back on Monday but they are closed for a private event. But, who knows, maybe Tuesday for lunch.

Now, we are nestled snug in our beds and watching whatever we surf to on the tv.

Tomorrow, it's the all day trolley. You buy a ticket and can jump on and off whenever you want and get back on. This is how we'll see the city. I'll fill everyone in tomorrow.

Sweet dreams!

Boston - morning breaks on day 2

And with it comes a winter storm that I can't help but feel responsible for. Did I bring it from Chicago? Why does the snow follow me? Do I need a restraining order?

I'm going to post some pictures from yesterday a little later (need to wait til the others are up and I can turn on a light to find it).

Today, hopefully, we can do some historic tours and whatnot.

Stay tuned. . . .

Boston - 1st night

We made it to Boston and checked into the hotel. If I had to describe our room in one word, that word would be mammoth. They upgraded us to a junior suite and it is has a huge ass dressing room. It is flipping awesome.

We got settled in, made a quick trip to CVS, then headed down to the first bar, The Parker. There we hooked up with Chris, Jim, Erin, Dave, April and Christine. We ate a little food, which rocked, had a little dessert, which sucked and then moved the party of to the Last Hurrah where Rachelle, Eric and Laura joined us. Now, it was a party and a bit of a free for all. You know what it's like when you get haunters together.

Half way through the festivities, Kate's luggage FINALLY arrived. That took a load off. (Did I mention Southwest shall hear from us? Oh, yes, they shall!)

While we didn't close down the place (don't look at us like that), we didn't end the night there either. Some folks had to peel off and head home, with the promise that if they can come back in the next two days they will. Some of us went on a ghost hunt.

The 10th floor of the Parker House is supposed to be hella haunted. Laura, Mark, Chris, Pam and I decided to go check it out. Laura brought a bunch of ghost detection equipment and Mark had one of those thingymajings that registers temps by point and clicking.

While we didn't find any ghosts, we did find we are nothing if not goofy. Luckily, we had Laura with us who knew that in order to find ghosts you have to do the "creep" walk. We traversed the hallways in our best scooby gang creep. We lost Chris at one point and found him backed in an alcove, hands over face, with terror in his eyes. He's a fabulous actor! Mark found a cold spot, which turned out to be an ice machine. The only thing we did find was a really cool, creepy set of stairs hidden away that seemed to lead to nowhere.

We heard there were sightings and whatnot on the Mezzanine as well, so we headed there. When we got off the elevators, there was a lone flight attendant sitting there trying to access the internet via her blackberry. We told her what we were doing there and she said she had heard some stories. That's all we needed. We dropped to the floor in front of her like children, legs crossed, chins resting on hands, and listened.

She told us that she and other attendants stay there all the time and that they've seen/heard some things. Specifically, they've seen the apparition of a little girl on the 14th floor wandering up the stairs dressed in period clothing. They also say they've heard people partying in the halls in the middle of the night. When they open the door to confront them, there's no one there and the noise stops It was pretty cool. We decided to thank her by leaving her alone.

That was pretty much it for the night. We did a bit more hanging out and then it was beddie bye time.

Salem/Boston - And so it begins. . .

After a bit of a rocky start (Southwest only got one of our bags here, the other had to be couriered to the hotel at our expense which they shall hear about, oh yes, they shall) we made it to Salem and the loving arms of our East Coast Haunt Clubbies (does "clubbies" work? thought I'd give it a try).

There was much hugging, out of affection and a need for warmth, and rejoicing. We tried to get something to eat at The Hawthorne Hotel, but so were a bunch of other people and the wait was 45 minutes. So, it was off to a restaurant across the stree who's name escapes me. Kate, Pam, Mark, Glen, Kelly and I ate, laughed and generally got caught up.

Then, it was off to the House of Seven Gables for a tour. Our guide, Scott, was really good. It's distracting when the guides suck, but he was great. And, not at all put off by our shennanigans. In fact he and the other three folks in the group joined right in. If you ever get to the House of Seven Gables, the "firewood closet" is really cool.

Right across the street from there is the oldest candy store in the US, Ye Old Pepper Companie. It beckoned to us with it's chocolately siren song. We were unable to resist and entered the store to check out all it's decadent goodness. I may have spent all my allotted money for the trip in there. Don't you hate when that happens?

With candy in hand, we bid Salem a fond farewell and hauled our asses to Boston.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Come Drinking With Some East Coast Haunters

C'mon! You know you want to. All the cool haunters are doing it!

At least 15 of us are hooking up in Boston this Saturday, January 17th. If you want to join us, we'll be in one of the two bars at the Omni Parker House. (Not sure which yet, but I'll post it on Saturday when we make our decision)

If you're close by and needing a haunters fix, stop in a hoist a few with us.

Here's a link to the hotel. . . .

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/BostonParkerHouse.aspx

Hope to see some folks there!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Boston is so close I can taste it!

This Saturday I will be hanging in Boston with many folks from the East Coast Haunt Club. Our original plan was to pub crawl. Then we realized how stupid that is in this weather. Instead, we will be hanging out at only one pub. There is still some debate on which one, but that will be decided before Friday. So, stay tuned if you care to join us!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Hmmmm. . . . .

I've been blogging here for a while now and very few people have ever commented. I mention Garage of Evil, and I get three comments right away.

So, is the moral here, I should mention them in every blog?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hauntcast

Garage of Evil turned me on to this podcast and I've really enjoyed the first two shows. If you get the chance, take a listen. . .

http://www.hauntcast.net/

Monday, January 5, 2009

Hope everyone had a great New Year's!

And now it's time to look forward to all the fun Halloween-centric things going on in the coming year. For me, that starts with a trip to Boston in two weeks to hang with all the East Coast Haunt Club folks. It cannot come soon enough!

After that, there wil be the Transworld on March 27th-29th in St. Louis and HauntCon on April 30th - May 3rd in Milwaukee.

This year, I'm thinking of maybe doing Midwest Haunters in June.

And, of course, I there will also be the New England Haunter's Gathering sometime in late July or August.

In addition to all those things, I'm going to try and squeeze in a trip to the Stanley in Estes Park and a trip or two to Omaha and NY to see some of my favorite haunties.

Everyone have a wonderful 2009.