JavaBob’s Book Signing at the Bigfoot Discovery Museum
By Linda Martin – © 2009
Just published as of today… this video of JavaBob (Robert Schmalzbach) who was my friend and neighbor a few short years ago. He still owns the property next door but rarely comes here anymore, and when he does never bothers to contact me. I’m putting this video here to share with other local folks who might like to know he’s doing well and still looking for Bigfoot.
His book is Monsters Myths and Me: And now my eyes are open. The book signing was on September 19 in Felton, CA (Santa Cruz Mountains.)
For what it’s worth, I didn’t agree with everything he wrote about me in the book but once I got around to reading it I wasn’t too freaked out by what he wrote in there either. Memories vary from person to person… that’s a fact.
I was not nearly as impressed by ‘he whose name will not appear on my blog’ as JavaBob was and wondered why he would form a Bigfoot organization business with that person. I do believe his book explains his feelings and motivations, aside from mere financial objectives. Bob is a respectable person and I am glad he’s speaking out more and becoming more of a public figure now rather than staying in the shadows while that other person dominates the spotlight.
In the video he mentions that another Chamber of Commerce member suggested Bigfoot as a theme to market our economically destitute community — well, that was me. I started the Bigfoot research here but got left in the dust by “the guys” during the summer of 2005 … ending with my decision that I just couldn’t work with that other person; I lost faith in the other person’s ability to be objective and kind, especially towards a certain female person who had given him thousands of dollars for his Bigfoot research.
Of all the people in GABRO (Great American Bigfoot Research Organization) that came here to Happy Camp that summer I ended up liking Ruby Rubin and Elbert Yee. I was never on the other side of the debate, mainly because of quality of character issues. Elbert was simply a professional quality, kind hearted person who I could not help but respect. He was totally above board, totally honest. Ruby, though stressed, was doing what needed to be done and was treated rather shabbily… and that was the main reason I had to quit working for GABRO. After a while I couldn’t stand to hear the negative comments and complaints anymore. I got the impression there was no respect for most women in the organization – Peggy Marx being the one exception – and figured there was no place for me in this Bigfoot research team. Plus… one could not help but notice that the people who were supposed to be doing the research simply weren’t there most of the time, leaving a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, and I was not an experienced Bigfoot researcher at the time.
On top of all that, some of the things they wanted added to that video stream were just plain dumb and had nothing to do with Bigfoot research. Maybe the last straw was when I was asked to prepare a video of a bear and pretend it was a Bigfoot. We all knew there was absolutely no evidence of a Bigfoot being there that night – so what was the point of putting a bear on the Bigfoot video stream? I can’t respect someone who would act as if a fuzzy video of a bear’s butt was worth showing to people who wanted to see a Bigfoot. But then along came that disgusting hand – something I could not stand looking at – and they wanted that on the video stream and on the front page of their site. (I owned a web design business at the time and was doing their site updates.) It was about that time I was asking myself, “What am I doing here?” So I disconnected myself from the organization.
Okay, all those things combined – and you have a pretty good picture now why I couldn’t work with ‘he whose name will not appear on my blog’ and why I’ve wondered for the past four years why JavaBob, someone I actually respected, was doing so.
I always liked JavaBob. I was close to his precious daughter Janeen before she died suddenly in January 2006. I think I was the only person in town who couldn’t stop crying during her funeral… she was such a sweet and pure-hearted young woman. Even now I’m crying, just thinking about her. I miss Bob and Vicki, his wife, and wish she wasn’t so set against living here in Happy Camp.
September 6, 2009
The Bigfoot Discovery Project Video Archive
By Linda Martin – @2009 – http://www.bigfootsightings.org
Yesterday’s Bigfoot Site of the Day was the Bigfoot Discovery Project’s Video Archive. I spent a lot of time last night watching some of the many short videos of Michael Rugg of Felton, CA sharing his Bigfoot knowledge and wisdom. It was an enjoyable, mesmerizing experience, and I eventually realized I was too tired to write about the site… so for the first time in the duration of this Bigfoot Site of the Day project, I fell asleep without writing a post about the site I was checking out.
The place to find out where the site of the day is – is Twitter. I post the name of the site and a link to it there – usually early in the morning. I then spend the day reading the site (or in this case, watching it) and usually write something about it on this blog before midnight. Last night was the exception… sorry about that (in case anyone cares.)
Michael Rugg’s Bigfoot Discovery Museum in the Santa Cruz Mountains provides a central place for Bigfoot researchers to gather, and for people in the area to go to report things they’ve seen, heard, or experienced. He’s there to record the reports, and the ones he’s convinced of he includes on his Bigfoot sightings map which is there for members of the public to study.
The Bigfoot Discovery Project videos are full of his stories about Bigfoot encounters – mostly in his local area. Some of the museum exhibits are featured, and he recommends a few good Bigfoot books. The archive is definitely worth spending some time in. I watched episodes seven through forty-one yesterday. I’ll go back for more as there are now over 100 episodes of this video series!
August 23, 2009
Bigfoot Songs – Tom Yamarone
Tom Yamarone’s blog, Bigfoot Songs, chronicles his many squatching expeditions, participation in conventions, fortuitous meetings with Bigfooting friends, . . . and music. Tom is Bigfoot’s bard so there’s music throughout this blog. We’re talking lyrics, photographs of his performances, music videos, and sound files. He even plugs other Sasquatch singers and songwriters.
After reading the entire blog this afternoon I’m left with the impression of a busy family man who likes to get away on back-country adventures with his Bigfooting buddies, and who stays busy in the Bigfoot community by helping to organize conferences, large and small.
Some of my favorite articles in his blog:
A Visit With John Green in 2005 – and a photo of a reverse copy of the Skookum cast.
A Virtual Tour of the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, CA – Tom has done a lot to promote this museum!
Operation Odyssey II July 20-22, 2007 – a weekend of practicing field techniques.
Jerry Crew Knew What To Do – in which Tom tells us how he got to talk to Jerry Crew’s son, and what he said.
One more cool link – Tom’s YouTube archive: Bigfoot Songs
Months ago I visited Bigfoot Songs, then saved my pennies and bought Tom’s CD, which is a trip into Bigfooting history. You can listen to a few clips at his site: Songs For A Bigfoot World – CD. Through the songs you’ll learn about Albert O., the Skookum Cast, Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, and Bigfoot himself!
In mid-June 2008 I got off work and went to Parry’s Market here in Happy Camp for something cool to snack on (Sweet Nothings – they’re organic and I’m addicted to them during the summers.) When I got to the checkout counter there was a young man in front of me – someone I didn’t know. Roberta, the cashier, said, “Linda, someone was just asking about you!” She started calling for this unknown person and he emerged from the produce aisle. It turned out to be Tom Yamarone, who I’d never met until that day. The man in front of me at the checkout counter was Bart Cutino.
Tom knew of me from this blog, and I am so happy that he thought to ask Roberta about me. Obviously there was some synchronicity going on or I wouldn’t have crossed paths with Tom and his friends, but fate directed me to go to the store at just the right time for this happy event to take place. The others who were in the store with Tom and Bart were Wally Hersom and Cliff Barackman. What a wonderful thing for me, to get to meet all these outstanding Bigfoot researchers all at one time. And it was totally unexpected!
We walked out in front of the store and asked Virginia, another of the Parry’s Market cashiers, to take the photograph (below) of the five of us using Tom’s camera. At the time I asked his permission to use it on my blog, and he assented, then sent me a copy in email. Then my computer crashed. I was thrilled to find it again in a slide show on his blog’s June 2008 page.
From left to right: Cliff Barackman, Bart Cutino, Linda Martin, Wally Hersom, and Tom Yamarone. They were on their way home from a BFRO expedition in Oregon. I should call this photo “My Lucky Day.” I hope I’ll get a chance to see them again soon. In the meantime, a visit from Bigfoot would be welcome…August 18, 2009
The Bigfoot Museum
I know many of us aren’t lucky enough to live close to the Willow Creek or Felton Bigfoot Museums, but there’s a wonderful Bigfoot Museum online. This is a virtual Bigfoot information project created by Michael Esordi of Connecticut. I noticed he didn’t list himself along with a group of well-known Bigfoot researchers on the museum site, but you can see his bio on the Believe It Tour site.
On Bigfoot Museum, you’ll find all things Bigfoot – with a few articles, a list of names Bigfoot has been called, and current Bigfoot event information. Right now the site lists the Believe It Tour and the Texas Bigfoot Conservancy’s upcoming conference which will feature Brian Brown, Daryl Colyer, Jerry Hestand, Alton Higgins, Peter Matthiessen, Robert Swain, John Bindernagel, Chris Bader, Carson Mencken, John Mioncynzski, Keith Foster, Bill Dranginis, and Peter Matthiessen. I’ve also heard Loren Coleman may be speaking there.
Where did I hear that? Well… I had the extreme good fortune of spending time in Willow Creek, California two days ago with the Bigfoot Museum’s founder, Michael Esordi, and the rest of the Believe It Tour team: Brad Pennock and Diana Smith. We had dinner with Craig Woolheater of the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy, and he mentioned that Loren Coleman is expected to speak at the conference. I have to admire people with the verve and energy to put on conferences! …or speak at them!
About meeting the Bigfoot research team in Willow Creek – I’ll write about that soon. I took lots of photos. I’ve been waiting for the team to show up in Happy Camp today and will write about the entire Believe It Tour adventure as soon as my participation in the event concludes.
The Bigfoot Museum site has only two articles, and Michael might appreciate having more. I love the article by Ray Crowe on Baiting. Very helpful! One always wonders what Bigfoot might like to eat, but Crowe’s article goes beyond that with suggestions on how often to bait, and what courtesy Bigfoot would appreciate while you’re there trying to make new friends.
There’s Bigfoot TV at the Bigfoot Museum website (YouTube videos) and a selection of photographs, some from exhibits, and some from a conference. You’ll also find links to organizations, groups, and friends. You can get a link to your Bigfoot site or blog there – Bigfoot Believers and Friends.
The last part of the site is the Bigfoot Museum store – where you can buy a replica of a 1967 Bigfoot footprint from the Patterson-Gimlin film site, or your very own Bigfoot action figure, or a variety of t-shirts and other gear. Site owner Michael Esordi is a talented graphic artist and has devoted time to developing a collection of Bigfoot themed designs. Must see! He also owns the domain, Bigfoot Surplus.
October 13, 2008
Santa Cruz, California Bigfoot Sighting, 1999
I’ve spent a lot of time in Santa Cruz. I used to live there, many years ago, and my first job, in 1970, was at the John Ingalls brussel sprouts cannery that used to be on Laurel Street near the railroad tracks. It was torn down years ago.
I’m well aware of how spooky the old forest north and west of Santa Cruz can be. It is a charming yet shadowy and sometimes eerie area with a narrow two-lane highway winding through it. The redwood trees and dense, lush undergrowth make a trip through this forest an experience to savor. Yet I never thought of that area as a place where there might be a Bigfoot lurking in the woods.
Why? Because the Santa Cruz area is densely populated by human beings. There are miles of unpopulated forested hills there in the California Coast Mountain Range, so I know it is possible that Sasquatch are living there, but if they’re there, I’ll guess they’re feeling fairly well penned in by now as human civilization encroaches on all sides.
I was surprised to receive the following sighting report in my email, but the woman who wrote it is willing to put her name next to the claim. That’s always a good first step toward making a sighting report believable. She also told me she discussed this with Mike Rugg, owner and curator of the Bigfoot Museum in Felton (a small town in the forest near Santa Cruz) who told her there have been other sightings in the area.
Colette Alexander’s sighting report:
June 1999: Cypress Grove (on Pocono trail) 1 mile up Highway 9 from downtown Santa Cruz, California – at San Lorenzo Creek.
My friend and I were having lunch by the creek. There is a well worn trail in the first pull-out on the right hand side of Highway 9 just up from Highway 1 and Highway 9 intersection in downtown Santa Cruz.
It was a weekday around lunchtime and there was one other person, a fisherman wading in the creek and fishing less than 50 yards away. The brush is fairly heavy there, so I do not think he even noticed us.
We were eating sandwiches and enjoying nature. I looked to my right, “spacing out on the forest” when I noticed about 20 yards away a pair of big black eyes. At first I thought it was a person, maybe a homeless person (there’s lots residing in Santa Cruz), but as I focused I noticed that it was a large gorilla-like hominid “Mimicking me – eating my sandwich!” It appeared to be a juvenile female – lifting a leaf to its mouth in the same motion and speed as I was eating my sandwich. Except when I saw it do that and realized this was happening – I slowed down my bite to the sandwich in shock and so did it – with an expression of amusement and kindness at mimicking me! I wasn’t scared, but definitely in shock.
I slowly turned to my left to nudge my girlfriend to show her, and no sooner did I do that, when I looked back it was gone. It could have just closed its eyes! It’s camouflage was incredible! It was as tall or taller than me. I was sitting down and it was sitting or squatting. I could not see it’s legs. It had black/brown fur – noticed no neck and huge shoulders. Hand and face looked gorilla like except that the front of its face was flatter than that of Primates known. I could see it had straight, white teeth. No fangs. I also noticed that it seemed to have had gray moss on its fur, definitely did not bathe, but did not smell anything. (And I’d never seen a homeless person with moss on them – soot, maybe, but not Spanish moss).
The expression of amusement and the mimicking me eating a sandwich was probably more shocking than just the mere sight – although that was incredible in-of-itself. The intelligence was not animal-like! It was eating what is believed to be the Cypress leaves (young growth there in the spring). Also note: next to a creek. Seems like most sightings are in the creeks. It is imperative that migratory patterns and food sources are noted in our sightings. I studied primate anthropology in college two years after I saw a Bigfoot and it’s taken me years before I thought it important to report this and I would take a lie detector test to prove this was a truthful encounter.
In a follow-up email Colette added: “I was a firefighter in Humbolt county for two years and have been way back in the woods, Shasta/Trinity fires in 1987. Only seen/heard coyotes. Never even thought or necessarily believed in their existence until I saw it myself. . . . Natural man – the meek – may in fact – just inherit their earth back.”
Now there’s a thought that brings up goosebumps on my arms. How do you feel about that?
Does anyone in the Santa Cruz area want to research this more? Let me know if you need contact information.
[Update: This is being investigated and documented further by David Paulides of North American Bigfoot Search.]
Here’s a map of the area.
More Bigfoot sightings in that area: Campers Claim They Saw Bigfoot
