Thanks in part to such programs as “Ghost Hunters,” “Haunting Evidence,” and “Paranormal State,”
ghosts and the paranormal are fascinating a lot of people these days. And many people are learning that ghost tours and haunted locations can help add some excitement to tourism.

“It’s a wonderful way to learn about the history and culture of a city,” says Rhetta Akamatsu, author of Ghost to Coast: A Handbook of Ghost Tours, Paranormal Investigators, and Haunted Hotels.

Rhetta has collected contact information for ghost tours and paranormal investigation groups from coast to coast in this useful book. From Alabama to Wyoming, almost every state is represented. (A few, like North Dakota, do not seem to have any.) In addition, for the brave tourist, there is an illustrated list of haunted hotels.

“I only chose hotels which bragged about their ghosts on the Internet or in their brochures,” Rhetta says, “so that I knew they would be friendly to the ghost-curious.”

This 175-page directory also includes articles ranging from Rhetta’s own paranormal experiences to how-to guides for beginning paranormal investigators.

Ghost to Coast is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, and most other major bookstores.

“It’s also available internationally,” Rhetta says with a laugh. “So if you’re in Hong Kong, or Germany or the UK, and you want to plan a trip to the U.S. to visit our ghosts, just Google Ghost to Coast and you can pick your destination.”

A measly 176 pages from cover to cover, this book promises to help you find that perfect haunted hotel for this year’s vacation, book a ghost tour, or contact a paranormal investigator about those pesky bumping noises you keep hearing in your attic.

Videographer, George Gunn does not believe in ghosts. As he walked along a footpath in Outwood, he filmed two joggers as they ran down the path. Later that day, he watched the footage and was surprised by what he saw.

The film showed a misty figure standing on the path, fading when the joggers ran through it. To George, it resembled a Roman soldier. He showed the film to Mike Hooley, a fellow member of his video club, who was also baffled by the sight. Neither of the men are ready to shout ‘Ghost!’ But they do plan to research the area for Roman settlements.

Last weekend, I wrote about the Sci-Fi Channel’s interviews with five people who either directly witnessed aftermath of the Roswell Crash. Another witness has stepped forward, 82 year-old Earl Fulford to discuss this “memory material that Trowbridge had talked about.

On the 10th February we had the extreme pleasure of interviewing Earl Fulford, a first hand witness to the infamous ‘Roswell Incident’, now 82 years of age. In July 1947 he was stationed at what was then called the Roswell Army Air Field. (RAAF) He was a Staff Sergeant with a Top Secret clearance and served with the 603rd Air Engineering Squadron. (AES)

In this exclusive interview Earl describes the events that occurred on that fateful day as he personally experienced them. He also provides extensive details regarding his background and military career.

The first segment of this interview will be live in the main area of the OpenMinds Forum within a few days. In the meantime, you can visit their site and read more details about this strange “memory material.” While I’m very intrigued with what this man has to say, I can’t help wondering why the US government hasn’t come crashing down on these people to silence their testimonies.

Usually, I find myself in the skeptical camp when I read a ghost story. Maybe it’s the real deal, or maybe it’s fiction. There was something about this story that struck a chord in me. I’m not sure what it was, but after I read the last word, I thought, “Wow. That was powerful.”

Excerpted from Kate’s Room

One afternoon I got out of work from the hospital early. It was a beautiful spring day, so warm, smelled good outside, the sun was shining throughout the house on Cedar Avenue. I was in the newly renovated kitchen doing dishes and looking forward to the weekend ahead. The window in front of me was open and I was enjoying the sounds of neighborhood kids playing. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon. I was the only person in the house at that time, save for our six cats, who usually all slept upstairs together until night came. Suddenly, I began to hear a quiet song playing on a piano. I couldn’t recognize the specific song, it sounded as if a child was trying to pick out some simple melodies and chords. It was slow and pretty. I remember thinking how sweet it was that a neighbor child probably was just learning how to play. I put my ear to the open window, listening for the direction of the sweet, youthful melody. But I discovered the music was not coming from outside. I felt a little anxious as I walked slowly over to the basement door (which was right off the kitchen). I stood at the top of the basement steps and listened to what I didn’t really yet believe: that the sweet little tune was coming from my basement. Yet there was not supposed to be anyone home except me.

Strangely, the music kept playing for quite a while. I was way too scared to go downstairs and prove or disprove this oddity. So I rationalized and told myself, “You’re probably imagining that it’s a real song; it’s probably one of the cats walking around on the piano keys.” So I walked back into the kitchen and called for all the cats. They usually would all come to me if called. All six cats came sleepily down from the upstairs of the house - none of them had been in the basement at all! The now eerie little tune kept playing from the old, forgotten piano in the basement. I ran out to the front porch and waited for Gary (my husband at the time) to come home. He did come home about ten minutes later. I felt very unsettled. Gary reassured me, he told me I probably imagined everything, and went inside.