Cryptozoology in my back yard

Bigfoot or Sasquatch, if you prefer, has always been an intriguing subject to me. As a child one of my friends told me she saw one peeking out behind an evergreen on her property up north. Whether a large, hairy primate exists in the woodlands or swamps of North America, I do not know, but it is fun to investigate the evidence.

Now I live in the area that was once up north and have been poking around various blogs and YouTube studying the evidence that’s out there. (Further confirming to my husband that I am, in fact, not normal. I suppose there wasn’t a question about that.) On the surface this is research for a novel I’m working on where the main character is an amateur cryptozoologist. But in reality, it’s fun or procrastination –whichever term you prefer.

Strangely, sightings and encounters are reported from all over Michigan, but there is a strange silence for my county.  My county is perfectly squatchy. There are many acres of national forest that aren’t bisected by major roads and which are filled with all kinds of wildlife. Coyotes, foxes, and even bears have been sighted. What better place for Sasquatches to hunt and frollick. But the major research organizations have nothing.

There are also many hunters and outdoorsmen in the area who are familiar with the woods and what animals might inhabit it. Surely they would have run across a large, hairy creature at some point? Or a footprint or a wood knock or a strange howl?

Perhaps, this just confirms how elusive and shy Bigfoot is. He can remain well-hidden in a place perfect for his habitation. Or that he doesn’t exist at all.

Through some searching, though, I discovered that Bigfoot has indeed been sighted in the county. A woman reported that she feeds a family of at least ten blueberry bagels frequently. Well, no wonder they haven’t been seen anywhere else. They are hanging out at her place for the bagels and cream cheese.

This doesn’t mean I won’t keep my eyes open while running in the national forest.