Raven Meindel / Crypto Haven Research & Investigations
EXPEDITIONS & OUTINGS
(Please click on our PHOTO STREAM for additional pictures from the more recent events listed below)
May 29, 2013 -- Mini expedition with Mark Peterson on horseback
On May 29th, I headed out with good friend Mark Peterson who is an amazing outdoorsman. He is a wildlife behaviorist and
horse trainer who has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to tracking and knowing where to find animals.
We set off early in the morning of the 29th of May in Washtenaw county near Waterloo rec. area to check out areas where two recent sightings of Bigfoot in October and November had taken place. We found a few things of interest, but the best part of this outing was just being out there on horseback riding trails and going into parts of the forest where probably noone else had been. Mark's horses (Dusty and Daisy ) are HIGHLY trained and can traverse terrain you wouldn't believe any horse could. Sure footed and sound of mind, they make you feel safe in some very precarious situations. In some instances we were on an almost completely downward decline on ridges. It was unnerving a couple times going straight down a slope amonst large rocks and small boulders, but
Daisy Mae took good care of me and so did Mark. I felt safe in their hands ( and hooves ). ** More photos to come **
horse trainer who has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to tracking and knowing where to find animals.
We set off early in the morning of the 29th of May in Washtenaw county near Waterloo rec. area to check out areas where two recent sightings of Bigfoot in October and November had taken place. We found a few things of interest, but the best part of this outing was just being out there on horseback riding trails and going into parts of the forest where probably noone else had been. Mark's horses (Dusty and Daisy ) are HIGHLY trained and can traverse terrain you wouldn't believe any horse could. Sure footed and sound of mind, they make you feel safe in some very precarious situations. In some instances we were on an almost completely downward decline on ridges. It was unnerving a couple times going straight down a slope amonst large rocks and small boulders, but
Daisy Mae took good care of me and so did Mark. I felt safe in their hands ( and hooves ). ** More photos to come **
March 7, 2013 -- Outing with the guys. Juvenile tracks, twist breaks, and structures, oh my!
We took down all the trail cams today and Bob and Tom will be reviewing them for the next few days.
I will post here if anything interesting should be found.
Today we found twist breaks, very large ones in fact, several prints both adult and juvenile possibly.
We also found one of our favorite large tree structures tattered and bent in a way no human could've managed
but without any supporting evidence, we'll chalk it up to Mother Nature for now. The structure is huge and we have tried on many occasions to push on it, lift one of the tree trunks that is a part of it, and pull on it. Not one of us could get any part of it to budge. We are all left scratching our heads as to how it may have been changed so dramatically without help of some kind.....some very STRONG kind.
The photo shown here is of a possible juvenile print of which we found several covering a small ice-covered area near a huge fallen tree.
More photos from today's outing can be seen at the flickr page by clicking the photo stream button.
I will post here if anything interesting should be found.
Today we found twist breaks, very large ones in fact, several prints both adult and juvenile possibly.
We also found one of our favorite large tree structures tattered and bent in a way no human could've managed
but without any supporting evidence, we'll chalk it up to Mother Nature for now. The structure is huge and we have tried on many occasions to push on it, lift one of the tree trunks that is a part of it, and pull on it. Not one of us could get any part of it to budge. We are all left scratching our heads as to how it may have been changed so dramatically without help of some kind.....some very STRONG kind.
The photo shown here is of a possible juvenile print of which we found several covering a small ice-covered area near a huge fallen tree.
More photos from today's outing can be seen at the flickr page by clicking the photo stream button.
November 11, 2012 -- Knocks in Research Area 2
Working with a parabolic microphone in RA2. It was a quiet day.
I knocked and had knocks returned on two occasions about 25 minutes apart, but silence otherwise.
There was movement in the brush and branches breaking occasionally, but likely that was the local deer moving in and out of the area.
We have heard knocks,howls, and whistles in this area several times and in RA1 as well, along with having found tracks
of various sizes.
I knocked and had knocks returned on two occasions about 25 minutes apart, but silence otherwise.
There was movement in the brush and branches breaking occasionally, but likely that was the local deer moving in and out of the area.
We have heard knocks,howls, and whistles in this area several times and in RA1 as well, along with having found tracks
of various sizes.
July 19, 2012 -- No Bigfoot, but possibly a "flying rod" aka "Skyfish"?
Tom Thomas and I went back to get the trail cam today ( July 19,2012 ) from Research Area 1, and though we so far do not see any Bigfoot in any of our pictures ( At the time of this posting we have more photos to analyze), something very interesting indeed did show up on photo number 108 taken on July 13, 2012 at 10:13 pm in the evening.
At first glance we thought it may have been a white patch of hair on the doe, which would make her what is known as a piebald color variation. But when I blew the photo up, as seen here to the left, what we captured is a bit more odd and quite possibly amazing. If you have never heard of Flying rods aka Skyfish, I suggest you do some noodling around the net to see some photos and read information about this paranormal/cryptid phenomena. They are not visible to the naked eye, but are often seen in film and on still shots later. Many people from all over the world have filmed hordes of these creatures undulating gracefully through the air but never saw them while the actual filming was taking place. Some claim they are all just insects and tricks of light, but insects are generally visible to the naked eye. I'm willing to agree that at least some of these may in fact be misidentified insects and light, but certainly not all. It's fun to know Tom and I may have captured one of these oddities in our quest for Bigfoot.
At first glance we thought it may have been a white patch of hair on the doe, which would make her what is known as a piebald color variation. But when I blew the photo up, as seen here to the left, what we captured is a bit more odd and quite possibly amazing. If you have never heard of Flying rods aka Skyfish, I suggest you do some noodling around the net to see some photos and read information about this paranormal/cryptid phenomena. They are not visible to the naked eye, but are often seen in film and on still shots later. Many people from all over the world have filmed hordes of these creatures undulating gracefully through the air but never saw them while the actual filming was taking place. Some claim they are all just insects and tricks of light, but insects are generally visible to the naked eye. I'm willing to agree that at least some of these may in fact be misidentified insects and light, but certainly not all. It's fun to know Tom and I may have captured one of these oddities in our quest for Bigfoot.
May 19,2012 -- Outing / Investigation of my research areas #1 and #2
Me, Bob, Glenn talking shop
It was a low key day. Very humid and warm but not enough to stop us all from trekking back in to my research areas to check on cam, bait, and new evidence. Trapper, Glenn, Joe, myself, and Bob checked out our bait station and cam, then trekked back to area 2 to look for anything new. We broke off into two teams. Bob, Glenn, and I went back into the bog, and Joe and Trapper were in area 1.
Bob was the first to locate some tracks, and Glenn and I found some as well. The ones Glenn found had perfect two imprints but sadly our photos do not do the actual tracks justice.
More photos can be seen in the photo stream.
Bob was the first to locate some tracks, and Glenn and I found some as well. The ones Glenn found had perfect two imprints but sadly our photos do not do the actual tracks justice.
More photos can be seen in the photo stream.
Feb. 18,2012 -- Joe Stewart and I check out a Bigfoot encounter area just outside Dexter, Mi.
Archway over gametrail
We got into the area and the sun decided to go behind clouds, so it got a bit nippy but we pressed on back in to where the original encounter took place. Along the way we heard several strange calls, heard knocks of undetermined origin. We heard some off to the southwest of where we were,and some to the northwest. Some from the northwest we determined were trees knocking together when the wind would kick up, but there were several that were very low to the ground, loud, and seemed intentional. ( Answering our knocks )
It suddenly dawned on Joe that the arches we were finding throughout the area were all over top of well-used gametrails.
Coincidence? I think not!
Bob and I had heard some strange things last week in there as well. And there wasnt a wind like today.
Something seemed to be following Joe and I out of the woods as we made our way through the brush. We could hear it crack and rustle through the heavy growth of trees, but when we stopped, it would stop. We also heard a couple calls that could have been birds, but not any birds we could identify.
I will be putting up some photos in the photo stream (on the homepage)
It suddenly dawned on Joe that the arches we were finding throughout the area were all over top of well-used gametrails.
Coincidence? I think not!
Bob and I had heard some strange things last week in there as well. And there wasnt a wind like today.
Something seemed to be following Joe and I out of the woods as we made our way through the brush. We could hear it crack and rustle through the heavy growth of trees, but when we stopped, it would stop. We also heard a couple calls that could have been birds, but not any birds we could identify.
I will be putting up some photos in the photo stream (on the homepage)
Jan. 21, 2012 -- Group recon outing in Dexter, Mi. in area of high activity.
On January 21, 2012, a group of us set out to do some research and investigation into
an area where there is quite possibly a Bigfoot habituation site. There have been sightings, encounters, and a lot of high strangeness in this area for many years. The accounts span decades.
In this particular area we were in there have been screams, howls, strange owl-like calls, coyote activity(often linked to a possible symbiotic relationship with Bigfoot), structures/markers, prints, and unexplainable activity such as fence posts being pulled up out of the ground, barn / stall doors being opened, objects being played with and /or missing, etc. In this photo from left to right : Bob Daigle, Jessica Dorow, Raven Meindel, Igor Burtsev, Joe Stewart. **Please click the photo stream banner for more pictures of this outing.
an area where there is quite possibly a Bigfoot habituation site. There have been sightings, encounters, and a lot of high strangeness in this area for many years. The accounts span decades.
In this particular area we were in there have been screams, howls, strange owl-like calls, coyote activity(often linked to a possible symbiotic relationship with Bigfoot), structures/markers, prints, and unexplainable activity such as fence posts being pulled up out of the ground, barn / stall doors being opened, objects being played with and /or missing, etc. In this photo from left to right : Bob Daigle, Jessica Dorow, Raven Meindel, Igor Burtsev, Joe Stewart. **Please click the photo stream banner for more pictures of this outing.
December 31,2011 -- Joe Stewart and I retrace steps where my husband and I discovered structures and prints in Dexter,Mi.
This is just one of several interesting structures found in Dexter,Mi. not far from my home. Though natural means are always the first considered when analyzing these formations, some -including this particular one- raise suspicions due to how intricately woven the branches are, especially regarding the middle piece which was essentially wedged in between the others after they were in position, and it appeared to have been moved to this location from somewhere else as there were no trees found that were missing that piece.
Joe and I have more pictures and a few videos from this outing that will be uploaded in to my photo stream very soon,so please check back!
Joe and I have more pictures and a few videos from this outing that will be uploaded in to my photo stream very soon,so please check back!
December 2, 2011 -- Small print found near to where horses are pastured/Dexter,Mi.
In the aftermath of the snowfall that came through the area during the evening of December 1, more than a blanket of white was found the next morning of December 2, 2011. If the print is what it is suspected to be, it is likely that of a curious juvenile as the print was only 9 3/4 inches long x 5 1/2 inches wide.
May 31 & June 1 -- Igor Bourtsev and Bob Daigle came to our home to visit, do presentations, and spend some time out doing research at some local sighting hot spots.
The first day we met up with Joe Stewart, another local researcher, and spent a good portion of the late afternoon / evening retracing the steps where Joe and Bob came upon tracks and sign in January. We found some pretty interesting stick structures and more. It was terribly hot ( 90 degrees ) but thankfully there was a light breeze. We decided to head back when we could see a storm rolling in.
Bob, Jessica, Joe and I do plan to conduct more research in that particular area in the near future.
During the evening Igor gave a presentation at the house and we hung out and had pizza afterward.
The next day Bob did his presentation and we watched some of his research films. We talked about some well known cases, discussed some of our theories, and enjoyed sharing some of our project and research stories.
It was such an honor and a pleasure to be out doing work with and learning so much from Igor. It is an experience I will always treasure.
Bob, Jessica, Joe and I do plan to conduct more research in that particular area in the near future.
During the evening Igor gave a presentation at the house and we hung out and had pizza afterward.
The next day Bob did his presentation and we watched some of his research films. We talked about some well known cases, discussed some of our theories, and enjoyed sharing some of our project and research stories.
It was such an honor and a pleasure to be out doing work with and learning so much from Igor. It is an experience I will always treasure.
May 13/14/15 , 2011 -- 23rd Annual Bigfoot Conference / Expo at Salt Fork State Park, Ohio
We ( Cryptid Seekers team) attended the conference/expo and had a table promoting our services and selling some of our Cryptid Seekers items.
Later in the evening on the 14th after the conference was over, some of us went on an outing to a nearby 'hot spot' for Bigfoot sightings. It was a great weekend. A lot of fun had by all!
Later in the evening on the 14th after the conference was over, some of us went on an outing to a nearby 'hot spot' for Bigfoot sightings. It was a great weekend. A lot of fun had by all!
May 6, 2011 -- In forest of and around Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Mi.
Jessica and I made our way through some of the trails at the botanical gardens in Ann Arbor, and also went out to the field and forest beyond to check out animal tracks and sign. We spent a good 3 hours out observing, tracking, and taking photos. Some photos I took and some were taken by Jessica. This was a leisurely outing but we found some interesting tracks and sign, and it was a fun day.
October 29, 2010 -- Holly Demon Tour and Presentation
In the spring of 2009, the Haunted Travels
of Michigan team of Kat Tedsen and Bev Rydel were invited by Mid Michigan Paranormal Investigators on an extraordinary case that combined a demon investigation and eventually, a deliverance.
The case centered around a young woman who was experiencing visions of paranormal creatures at both her home and business. One of the investigations conducted that night ended in an exorcism/deliverance. The other was a demon investigation. What happened during both of these was unexpected and shocking. This true story is the the featured story in Kat and Bev's "Haunted Travels of Michigan, Vol. 2" book. I, along with my husband Adam and our friends Mark Curtiss, Gerry and Teresa Bacon, attended one of the presentations and went on a mini tour of the antique shop where some of the events took place.
The case centered around a young woman who was experiencing visions of paranormal creatures at both her home and business. One of the investigations conducted that night ended in an exorcism/deliverance. The other was a demon investigation. What happened during both of these was unexpected and shocking. This true story is the the featured story in Kat and Bev's "Haunted Travels of Michigan, Vol. 2" book. I, along with my husband Adam and our friends Mark Curtiss, Gerry and Teresa Bacon, attended one of the presentations and went on a mini tour of the antique shop where some of the events took place.
Sept. 17 & 18th 2010 -- Manistee National Forest / Baldwin Michigan mini expedition
When we got to the Day Star Motel, we got our belongings settled in and rested up from the road trip. We visited with Tony & Lisa who own Day Star Motel and have now become good friends of ours. If you are ever in the area, I suggest you stay with them. You can't beat their prices, accomodations, or wonderful hospitality. http://www.thedaystarmotel.com/
That first evening, around 6:30 pm, we headed off to the forest to explore and hopefully find some interesting signs and sounds.
We drove back roads and headed in wherever we "felt" it might be a good area to look around in, being careful not to tread on private property or disturb anyone. We were in the same general area where last year I was on expedition with MonsterQuest.
We did hear a couple of interesting howls ( Sadly,by the time I got my equipment out of the van, they stopped), and found many sets of tracks along the road and into the woods, but the most interesting thing we came across was on the second day of our expedition, in the town of Luther, at a unique little tavern called "Logger's Landing" where an older gentleman (who wished to remain anonymous) allowed me to record him telling Jessica and I about an experience he and his wife had 5 years prior to our visit.
They were driving home one evening, when suddenly something very tall that "wasnt a dog but looked like a dog, and it wasn't on four legs" came ambling across the road in front of them. But as they drove past it, " it jumped down and got down on all fours, then leaped off into the woods"
The gentleman continued on saying "It wasn't a s dog, and it wasn't a bear."
Even though five years have passed, he still seemed visibly shaken when talking about the experience.
When we first arrived at the Logger's Landing and shared with the locals why we were there, people smiled, snickered, and even giggled. But after we had been there for a little while, they began to open up and even share some bits and pieces of the Dogman legend they themselves knew.
It's amazing how the locals are either completely convinced there is something "unnatural" in those woods, or quite adamantly opposed to the whole idea and even think it crazy to believe in such things . A couple times, little disputes even broke out around us.
It's a shame we didn't have more time to stay and talk or look around, but we do plan to go back in the Spring to the place where the fellow and his wife had their encounter. He gave us the location and details, and we will follow it up on our next trip to the area.
That first evening, around 6:30 pm, we headed off to the forest to explore and hopefully find some interesting signs and sounds.
We drove back roads and headed in wherever we "felt" it might be a good area to look around in, being careful not to tread on private property or disturb anyone. We were in the same general area where last year I was on expedition with MonsterQuest.
We did hear a couple of interesting howls ( Sadly,by the time I got my equipment out of the van, they stopped), and found many sets of tracks along the road and into the woods, but the most interesting thing we came across was on the second day of our expedition, in the town of Luther, at a unique little tavern called "Logger's Landing" where an older gentleman (who wished to remain anonymous) allowed me to record him telling Jessica and I about an experience he and his wife had 5 years prior to our visit.
They were driving home one evening, when suddenly something very tall that "wasnt a dog but looked like a dog, and it wasn't on four legs" came ambling across the road in front of them. But as they drove past it, " it jumped down and got down on all fours, then leaped off into the woods"
The gentleman continued on saying "It wasn't a s dog, and it wasn't a bear."
Even though five years have passed, he still seemed visibly shaken when talking about the experience.
When we first arrived at the Logger's Landing and shared with the locals why we were there, people smiled, snickered, and even giggled. But after we had been there for a little while, they began to open up and even share some bits and pieces of the Dogman legend they themselves knew.
It's amazing how the locals are either completely convinced there is something "unnatural" in those woods, or quite adamantly opposed to the whole idea and even think it crazy to believe in such things . A couple times, little disputes even broke out around us.
It's a shame we didn't have more time to stay and talk or look around, but we do plan to go back in the Spring to the place where the fellow and his wife had their encounter. He gave us the location and details, and we will follow it up on our next trip to the area.
October 2009 -- MonsterQuest's "America's Wolfman"
In October of 2009 I was invited , along with several other experts in various related fields, to seek out the Michigan Dogman aka American Werewolf. Pictured here on location are myself, Mark Peterson (Animal locator /Tracker) and John Warren (Native American expert and guide)
Below are various pictures we took while on breaks or in between filming.
Below are various pictures we took while on breaks or in between filming.
June 2009 -- Bigfoot print? Or big foot print.
Print found while on an outing in June of 2009. The track was coming up an embankment out of a corn field and looked like it had stepped over the guardrail. No other evidence was found on either side of the road, but the track was interesting nonetheless.
This particular track was found near Ann Arbor, Michigan.
This particular track was found near Ann Arbor, Michigan.
