WMGHS Trip Journal

July 13th, 2003 INDIAN RIVER

We arrived at our first destination, after many jokes about the numerous sightings of roadkill, around noontime. After camp was set up, we visited the The Cross In The Woods. This location was quiet and beautiful. Our next item on the agenda was to find out where the local cemeteries were. The one we picked was a large old cemetery with no name or signs. After dinner and laughter around the campfire, we headed out to the cemetery near dark. This cemetery was a very active one, indeed! Check the photos out under the JULY CEMETERY INVESTIGATIONS page.

July 14th, 2003 INDIAN RIVER/ ONAWAY

After a late breakfast, we headed to Rogers City to the County Library to do research on the "Halfway Station, Hawks County Road 451" - listed on many haunted locations websites. On our trip to and from Rogers City, we came across some interesting things - the head in the field, Ocqueoc Falls, and an old funeral coach. After arriving at Rogers City, and doing extensive research, we found many half-truths to the legend. Here on this website, is the complete story of this location, the two young men that went on a crime spree, and the aftermath. No paranormal photos exist on the website to this location. The building is completely boarded up and you cannot see inside. It was not worth the hour's drive back to the location. But now, WMGHS has researched and will clarify the whole story of the Hawks County Road 451 location. After coming back from this expedition, WMGHS and family members kicked back, ate dinner, analyzed last night's photos, and relaxed in front of the campfire for the night.

July 15th, 2003 UNDISCLOSED LOCATION/GHOST TOWN

Our third morning started out in one of the worst ways - rain! It had rained over night and well into the morning. But that sure didn't stop the raccoons from making their way into one of the vehicles and eating themselves fat during the night! We had to break down camp in the rain and make our way to the UP. Unfortunately, that meant crossing the Mackinac Bridge during the rain and heavy fog. Lucky for us though, the sky cleared as we headed west and the rest of the day was windy but beautiful. We arrived at our destination, set up camp, and then proceeded to pick up our special permit that allowed us exclusive access to this undisclosed ghost town. We also had full access to other ruins in the area and the cemetery associated with the ghosttown. We did a daylight tour of the location, had dinner, visited a beautiful nearby attraction KITCH-ITI-KIPI. We finally returned to the ghost town at dusk for our investigation. We were given access to areas that all other visitors never get to see. We had an awesome time!! Check out the photos on the HISTORIC LOCATIONS page.

July 16th, 2003 IRON MOUNTAIN

We arrived at Summer Breeze campgrounds in Iron Mountain after a long morning of driving through road construction sites, around 2pm. We set up camp and then determined the location of that night's investigation. We decided on the former town of Waucedah, MI. Almost nothing stands from the original town except for a couple of private homes, the old school, and what remains of the cemetery. History of the town and the photos we captured are on the HISTORIC LOCATIONS page. We also came across some bones in the cemetery as well. This investigation was cut short by an upcoming thunderstorm.

July 17th, 2003 IRON MOUNTAIN

Our fifth day of the trip was deemed a "relaxation day" for all of us. Co-founder Vicky and her mom decided to do some research about Waucedah at the local library, and the rest of us either relaxed at the campsite, or went to the Iron Mountain Iron Mine,. It was a facinating tour 2,600 feet into a mountain on a train to view what iron ore mining in the 1800's was like. Investigator Julie and her friend Alison arrived, dinner took place, and the rest of the evening was spent in laughter around the campfire.

July 18th, 2003 CHAMPION

Oh boy, where do I start with this one? On the way to Champion, we were almost in a horrific accident that surely would have killed some of us. There was a long flatbed semi loaded with timber and a large delivery truck behind it. I guess the semi was going too slow for the delivery so he decided to pass the semi at a high rate of speed. The problem was he decided to pass on a blind curve, and there we were coming the other way! Vicky was in the lead and the delivery truck just about hit into Vicky head on (we were going 60mph on this highway). It would have killed Vicky, possibly my family because we were right behind Vicky, and also would have included the semi, Julie's car and my parent's car. Luckily, Vicky has fast reflexes and hit her brakes and swerved. The delivery truck missed her and the semi by inches!! After all that excitement that we didn't need passed, it was a peaceful drive to Champion. Camp was set up, met up with our liason for the northern region, gave us some of our locations, and from then on we were very busy. After a quick dinner, it was off to our first destination of the former Catholic Church Orphanage which as been abandoned for decades. We were able to go into the first floor only due to unstable conditions of the other 5 floors, and of course the outside of the complex. After an hour spent there, we went to the historic Landmark Inn, where one certain room is reportedly haunted. In that room, we set up our nightvision camera to record all night long. When that mission was accomplished, we head back to camp since it was after midnight.

July 19th, 2003 CHAMPION

We woke up, had a very quick breakfast, and then went back to the Landmark Inn to retrieve our video equipment before the 11am deadline. Later on in the afternoon, we went on a daylight tour of undisclosed Lighthouse, and then stopped at a huge, funny tourist trap in Ishpeming called - Da Yooper StoreWe then headed back to the campground, had dinner, pack up our equipment, and then headed back to the Lighthouse for our over-night investigation. Investigation photos and events are listed on the HISTORIC LOCATIONS page. Let's just say that we have definately deemed this lighthouse to be haunted.

July 20th, 2003 HOME!

We woke up early and we were off for the long trip back home. It was a very facinating, exciting, but tiring trip hitting so many locations within one week's time. We arrived home approx. 7:30pm, and we were all happy to sleep in our own beds again.