The Unexplained
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The Unexplained
Reporter: Phil Dinges
Email Address: phil.dinges@weau.com
The Unexplained
We've all been home alone, and thought we heard something strange, but
some people say they've seen things that can't be explained. As children
we heard stories of spooks, specters and ghosts. Most of us grow up and
dismiss the things that go bump in the night. Others though, cling to
those stories, and spend their time investigating the unexplained.It's
an age old question. Do ghosts exist? We talked to a long-time
paranormal investigator and a Lutheran pastor and they have differing
views on the subject of ghosts, but both agree there are things in this
world, neither science nor religion can fully explain.Teresa smith owns
the Anderson House in Wabasha, Minnesota. She says she believes ghosts
haunt her historic home."I did have a couple come down and go 'I
can't do it'.
Sorry, you got a really beautiful place, but I just can't do
it'" Smith said.The 150-year old bed and breakfast sits near the
Mississippi River. Some say when the sun goes down, it can be an eerie
and sometimes uncomfortable setting.Chad Lewis asks the questions "are
we alone in the universe? What happens when we die?Lewis is a paranormal
researcher and author has been studying the paranormal for years, with
an open mind."I don't know if we're trying to prove or disprove
anything. I think what we are doing is trying to experience something"
Lewis said.Legend says a woman named Sarah was staying in the motel with
her husband, a fisherman. One night, he never returned from a day on the
river.
Lewis says "she was said to be so distraught over his departure that she
took her own life in the building and she eternally waits for his return
every night."One local historian believes she may have jumped from the
window of room 25 of the hotel. Two psychics say they believe
Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. During our stay, one
guest was so overwhelmed by Sarah's presence that she broke into
tears.Hypnotherapist Tamara Gleason, tried to console the woman and
explain what she was experiencing. "It's not yours ok? It's not yours.
You're just feeling her energy ok? She's very very sad but she's moved
on ok?
This is an empathic impression."Gleason says "she was picking up on the
woman's feelings. They weren't feelings of her own."Nick Wilson a hotel
guest and participant of the ghost hunt said "I think I kind of felt
something in one of the rooms up there and it was just kind of like just
tingly on the back of my neck and didn't really want to go in
there."Chad Lewis says it's hard to classify ghosts or even tell
how many types there are because there is no concrete evidence they even
exist. After looking over our video we shot the night of the ghost hunt
we saw a bright ball of light come shooting past the camera. Was this a
type of spirit called an orb? Or was it something simpler like a bird, a
bug, or a bat? Lewis says that's part of the problem when it comes to
paranormal investigations.Lewis says "this leads us to the old question
does seeing equal believing or does believing equal seeing?
I need to see something. I need to see an U.F.O. or have some kind of
physical connection" said Wilson.When asked if she believed if ghosts
resided on her hotel, Smith answered "I do believe there are spirits
here and I do believe they are at peace."If there even is such a thing
as a human spirit, there is no telling for sure what happens to it when
we die. Does everything go black? Do we go to heaven or hell? Or do we
wander the earth without our physical self?Pastor Nestingen says "the
church's traditional belief about death is that it's not the end of
life."Rolf Nestingen is a pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
He says organized religion would be foolish to not support the idea of
ghosts since Christianity includes the Holy Spirit and is based on
faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.
The conviction of things...not seen. Do I believe in ghosts? Yes. Do I
believe in eternal life? Yes. Do I believe in heaven and hell? Yes"
Pastor Nestingen told us. But Lewis's answer was a little
different. Simple answer, I dont know, but I think that's what
keeps me going. Lewis says there are some ghost stories that have
even been acknowledged by the state and federal government.The Paulding
Light in Michigan is so popular the National Parks Service put up a sign
so people can get to the spot, and decide for themselves.
