Mammoth Cave Nat'l Park

[ripstick]

Hey gang!

I just found this topic in a Google search when looking for information related to strange happenings or some history behind the Little Hope Cemetery.

Reason being, I was passing through the Mammoth Caves area on my way home to Wisconsin from a convention in Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend, and I needed a place to bunk down. After getting a room at the Mammoth Caves Motel, I needed to get some food in my stomach. It was late, about 10:00pm or so, and their diner was closed -- so off to Cave City to see what was still open and serving food.

Well, after only about 5 minutes or so of driving while talking to someone on my cell phone, I spot the Little Hope Cemetery on my right. I slow down and proceed to mention this to my friend, but I suddenly lost my signal and was cut off. I turned around and pulled into a little dirt and gravel area that appeared to have been cleared for visitors on the opposite side of the road.



I parked the car, and was immediately struck by the deafening sounds of the wildlife in this area! It was unbelievably loud, but soon I got used to it and it then faded to ambient noise.

Luckily I had my 3-cell Mag flashlight in my car, and my camera because something later really caught my attention.



I slowly walked across the road and towards the cemetery, where it was absolutely pitch black as there were no street lamps or house lights to speak of. I didn't feel out of place there, and it seemed extremely serene. I walked around the gravestones, shining my flashlight on them and reading the names, dates, and inscriptions. I made my way around the southern perimeter where many of the gravestones are set back right in the woods. Some very old burials indeed.







There were insects galore flying around, so it didn't surprise me that a few ended up lighting up in a photo or two.



This one clearly looks like a moth with its wings extended in flight.



However, I only point this out so that you have a clearer understanding as to what was showing up in some photos soon after.

So I'm continuing to take photos with my flash, and here's the next one that has something on it that I didn't see at the time.



I was taking a photo of the gravestone clearly centered in this photo, but hadn't noticed that something watching me.



From this photo alone, I wouldn't have even given it a second thought -- just another insect or such, right?



See? More stuff flying in front of the camera and getting lit up by the flash.

But suddenly something catches my attention... I think it was an animal sound, like a cat, but not really -- it's hard to describe.

I then suddenly look to see these two glowing eyes at the far end of the cemetery at the edge of the woods. I froze for a moment to try and fix its position and gain a little perspective on how close or far away it was.



I tried lightening up the photo to try and clear it up a little and give some better reference points in the cemetery.



The really strange thing I noticed right away was how it blinked. First the right eye closed and then the left eye, followed by the right eye opening and then the left eye opening. It was a rather slow motion, almost intentional and not habitual -- if you understand my meaning. Very strange indeed.

Not until I got home and looked at these photos in their full 7.2 megapixel format did I discover some eerie images of these 'eyes'. Here the red boxed inset is seen in at full resolution...



To be honest, the above image sent a chill down my back. It almost looked surreal or photo-shopped. That's not how I remember seeing these eyes at all -- but this is how they showed up in my photos. Creepy as hell.

Here's another photo of 'blinky' as I have come to call him...



Lightened up for clarity and perspective...



And the red boxed inset at full resolution...



I soon found myself walking slowly back towards my car, keeping my eyes on 'blinky'. Just before I got to the edge of the road, I snapped this last shot.



Lightened up for clarity and perspective...



And again the red boxed inset at full resolution...



I did stop by again at about 3:30pm that next afternoon on my way home, and took this photo of where I believe 'blinky' was watching me from the night before. There was a very faint trail here, and the photo doesn't pick it up well at all -- but believe me it's there.



Here I pose by a gravestone pointing to where the creature 'blinky' was watching me.



All in all it was a great experience, and I would love to hear from anyone who has visited this cemetery or knows of any strange stories surrounding it.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

[Thea]

Hi! You got some great photos! I have heard alot about this little graveyard and want to get out there soon myself. I have been by there a time or two. Your "blinky" is not all that uncommon a phenomenon in cemetaries. Hells Gate is also known for something watching you and being able to pick up the eyes in the photos.
Thanks so much for posting your story! Have you ever done any investigating before? You seem like a natural!

[matt]

Dude, what's up? Very good post! I wouldn't mind going back there. I visited Mammoth Caves (and stayed in the same motel as you) back in the day. I didn't do any hunting as I was a kid there on vacation with my dad. But I might have to head back there soon and check that out. I know exactly where that's at. Maybe I'll find the same thing.

You didn't go looking for the source of 'blinky'?

[ripstick]

Hi Thea!

Thanks for the reply. I had shown these photos to some of my friends and they are convinced the animal watching me from the ground was an owl -- a 'Burrowing Owl'. Although they can be found in all states west of the Mississippi Valley, it's a little bit off the beaten trail for one to be in central Kentucky -- so I'm not entirely convinced.

If I wasn't just 'passing through', I would have definitely gone back again for another recon. Although I've never really done any planned investigating, I have been known for being quite precise and detailed when retelling events that I've been witness to.

I have another story about a presumably haunted restaurant in California that I visited -- both during the day and at night... so maybe I'll post that one when I get a chance.

[ripstick]

Hi Thea!

Thanks for the reply. I had shown these photos to some of my friends and they are convinced the animal watching me from the ground was an owl -- a 'Burrowing Owl'. Although they can be found in all states west of the Mississippi Valley, it's a little bit off the beaten trail for one to be in central Kentucky -- so I'm not entirely convinced.

If I wasn't just 'passing through', I would have definitely gone back again for another recon. Although I've never really done any planned investigating, I have been known for being quite precise and detailed when retelling events that I've been witness to.

I have another story about a presumably haunted restaurant in California that I visited -- both during the day and at night... so maybe I'll post that one when I get a chance.

[ripstick]

Hey Matt!

Thanks for the comments. That's so cool that you had been there as a kid -- my parents always dragged me out west for vacations and such. I am definitely interested in going back though... gotta see whether or not the 'Burrowing Owl' theory holds any water.

[whiteshadow]

Those don't look like owl eyes to me. The eyes look almost animated . How strange. Great photos, thanks for sharing ripstick.

[matt]

I had a blast too. It's a great place, even if not haunted hahaha. I'd love to go back on just that level too, but if there's a chance to see some ghost stuff, that's always a plus.

[beachbead]

the eyes in the photo look like Bobcat eyes, they tend to come out at night looking for rabbits, deer, insects and rodents, the small path you saw must of been the bobcats path or a deer path. you was also lucky not to run into snakes, there all over the place in mammoth cave.