Arizona Travels: Highway Ghosts
Arizona
has many highways taking you all over the state. These roads travel though the
desert, mountains and take you to historic sites. The incredible scenery is not
the only thing people have seen on their day or night time travels on the roads.
Some have witness paranormal phenomena which they cannot explain. Claims are of
ghostly animals, people and objects riding through the desert or hitching a
ride have been reported by many. The next time you are on Arizona’s highways,
keep sharp eyes out for something or someone who may be spending eternity
wandering Arizona.
People
have seen Ghost Camels meandering the desert for decades. In 1857, camels were
brought to the desert to move supplies across the southwest for the army.
Because camels required less water than horses and mules, travel great
distances without getting exhausted, and can carry heavier loads, the War
Department requisitioned the use of around 72 camels. It wasn’t long before the
camel’s nasty dispositions and constant running off at night became a nuisance
to the soldiers. After the Civil War, the camels were either auctioned off or
simply let loose in the desert. The last of the camels found in the desert was
in the early 1900’s. It was captured and lived out its life at a zoo in
California. Now all people get glimpses of are ghost camels who are still lost
and roaming the desert.
One
story is that of the “Red Ghost” camel and its headless rider. They say the
rider was a young soldier who was deathly afraid of the camels. In order to
help him get over his fear, they tied him on top of a camel and smack the beast
on its ass. The frightened animal ran off into the dark desert with its
helpless rider never to be seen again. Is he the headless rider people have
reported seeing? If so, how did the poor man’s head get severed from his body?
I have no answers but keep a lookout for the both of them while traveling on
the highways.
Arizona
highways seem to go on forever in some parts of the state. It is hard to not
let your mind wander while traveling to your destination. Along the way you
might run into a hitchhiker or two. Most of them are real live people needing
help getting to their journey’s end, but there is one near the community of
Anthem north that appears to be a phantom hitchhiker. Anthem is located north
of Phoenix on Black Canyon Highway (Interstate 17). A shadowy male figure has
been seen along the highway holding a lantern. The Anthem Hitchhiker is the
name he was given because of the location people have laid their eyes on this
ghostly figure. He appears to be waiting for someone to give him a ride but one
big problem; he is a ghost and has been dead for years.
The
story told of this unlucky gentleman was that he was hitchhiking and hit by a
car on that very spot. He was on his way to Phoenix, but never made it. Now he
can be observed on the side of the road with his lantern trying to get a ride.
Those who have dared to offer him a ride has pulled their vehicles over just to
witness him evaporate into thin air. Others who were not so brave would quickly
drive by and look in their rear-view mirror only to see him disappear before
their eyes. If you are ever traveling on Interstate 17 near Anthem when the
skies are dark and the moon is out, beware of the phantom hitchhiker.
Anthem
Outlets at Anthem
4250
W Anthem Way
Phoenix,
AZ
Phone:
(623) 465-9500
Website:
www.outletsanthem.com
If
an eerie ghost camel or hitchhiker doesn’t stir up your paranormal juices, how
about a ghost bus? The Ghost Bus of Union Pass has been seen by many who travel
on U.S. Highway 93 from Phoenix to Laughlin, Nevada. It was in July of early
1990’s when Bus 777 with its 48 passengers headed off from Phoenix to Laughlin.
They were excited to relax and do some gambling at the casinos. The driver took
U.S. Highway 93 and headed north to his destination. After a brief stop in
Wickenburg they continued on but had bus problems along the way. It overheated
when they stopped in Wikieup and the driver wanted to wait for another bus. The
passengers were eager to start gambling and encouraged the driver to push on.
By the time they got to Union Pass the bus broke down. The 48 passenger pushed
the bus up the hill, quickly got in, and rode the bus down. One witness said
the bus was flying at a hasty pace and disappeared behind a hill. Bus 777, its
driver, and passengers were never heard from again. The police were puzzled by
the scene of the accident because they found no skid marks or any indication
that a disaster of any kind occurred in that location.
Three
years after Bus 777 disappeared; people driving along Highway 93 have reported
seeing a phantom bus near Union Pass. Usually the witnesses were on the highway
at night, traveling between Wickenburg and Wikieup, and noticed headlights
rapidly approaching their vehicles. The driver would honk and was afraid of
being hit by the oncoming bus. To their shock and surprise, the bus lapses
through their automobile, causing the driver and their passengers to scratch
their heads in wonderment. Perhaps while you are traveling on Highway 93 near
Union Pass, you might come across the ghost bus too.
Wickenburg
Laughlin, Nevada
Objects,
people and animals a not the only things paranormal on the Arizona highways.
How about a haunted highway for you to drive on? On the eastern border of
Arizona near Safford and Holbrook and up to the Four Corners is Route 666 known
as the Devil’s Highway. Many bizarre stories have been told of people while
they were traveling on that highway. The road with its steep curves and
dangerous switchbacks also has claims of ghosts, peculiar creatures and UFOs
scaring those who drive its eerie pavement. Other oddities reported are green
lights accompanied with loud shrieking and a thick fog which surrounds their
vehicles. In 2003 the Devil’s Highway was renamed U.S. Route 491. Are people
still experience weird phenomena on this highway after the name change? Why
don’t you travel on it and see for yourself.
Four Corners
http://navajonationparks.org/htm/fourcorners.htm
 |
| Mom, me, Dad, and brother each standing in a different state. Four Corners, 1973 |
Comments
Post a Comment