A half-dozen Alert Underground Readers forwarded this LA Times article about all the odd people living up here, and while I’m forced to point out we’re pretty accepting of crazy up here (witness the County Board of Supervisors), I have to admit the surge in Bigfoot sightings mentioned in the article is probably my fault.

Mount Shasta, home of crazy people

The mothership is docking...

From the article:

The mountain has been touted as the site of an energy vortex that allows passage into the metaphysical dimension; the birthplace of a spiritual foundation whose adherents believe they can ascend to the eternal realm; and a hot spot for UFOs that hide in the clouds and enter the mountain’s core through mystery “portals.”

Newer to the repertoire are sightings of Bigfoot (the word serves as both singular and plural, like fish and sheep), believed by some to conceal themselves by passing into a fifth dimension.

“Mt. Shasta has always had a spiritual drawing, but it’s getting more and more popular,” said Karen Anderson, a supervisor in the town’s visitors bureau, who estimated that a fourth of the area’s tourists come for that reason.

To assist seekers from around the globe, the bureau’s website includes a list of energy healers. Shops carry crystals for the “spiritual pilgrim.” Drop-in channeling sessions are held each Sunday at a spiritual center. Guides lead soul-cleansing treks up the mountain in all seasons.

I can’t speak to the UFOs (locals believe the Lemurians’ giant space ships are docking with the mountain when the summit is obscured by lenticular clouds), but the recent Bigfoot frenzy can probably be blamed on… Singlebarbed.

I twice took Singlebarbed fly fishing on the east side of the mountain.

I should have expected someone would make the inevitable mistake. (Not that I’m suggesting he needs a shave or anything.)

See you on the mothership, Tom Chandler.

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