This event changed lives, and ended a friendship..... The story begins on a July 4th, late evening in 1995. My witness, Joe, was in the Army and was home on leave. He was hanging out with his high school friend, Aaron, and his cousin Kenny. They had watched an Independence Day firework display and decided to do a night time hike along the railroad tracks that run parallel to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The time was around 11:30 pm and the moon was full. They had walked approximately a quarter mile when they entered a clearing, and heard a distant, high pitched scream. It had a raspy quality to it. They continued on....for a time, and then turned around to head back. They re-entered the clearing and were slammed with a VERY aggressive, powerful roar that froze them where they stood. The witness said it was high and low pitched at the same time. It sounded like a lion's roar at the end. He said that's when he could feel his chest vibrating. He also said the sound was, "Blasting us as loud as a firetruck at at parade."
All three of them were staring at the marsh trying to find the source of the sound, when suddenly it erupted out of the water. It was on two legs and moving fast, pushing water out in front of it...swinging it's arms. It was running through chest deep water as fast as they were running on land. He said, "It was like the three of us were linked--like something flipped a switch and we all moved as one unit".
They ran as fast as they could, looking back occasionally to see if it was chasing them. Fortunately it did not climb up on the tracks, and seemed to be satisfied with getting them out of the area.
He describes the Sasquatch as being 8 to 9ft tall, and weighing between 320 to 375lbs. It had broad shoulders, and a broad chest. It had a very athletic, body builder build, with a narrow waist.
The witness shared his struggles in the aftermath of their sighting. He had been ashamed of himself, and of his response. He was on active duty, and he didn't react they way he'd been trained as a soldier. It created so much doubt for him. His friend Aaron, cut all ties with him and his family after that night, and wouldn't talk to him even after he came back home from the Army. His cousin, Kenny, is still struggling with the event to this day.... And when they made plans recently to go to the location, Kenny just couldn't go.
He said to me, "After 22 years, I should be over this by now. I gotta get this thing out of my head. It was one of the most terrifying things that has ever happened in my life'.
Fortunately, the process of working on the sketch has helped. He is now able to look at the image, and talk about it with others.
Here is the link to the published BFRO report:
http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=15885
Thank you for sharing your story with me, and working with me to create this artwork Joe, and Thank you to Mark Maisel for his excellent BFRO report, and for entrusting your witness to me."
And Thank you to all my Sketching Encounters Subscribers! You help to make this possible.
Warmest regards,
Sybilla
And Thank you to all my Sketching Encounters Subscribers! You help to make this possible.
Warmest regards,
Sybilla