This week on Wyrd Wessex, we’re diving deep into the world of Bigfoot with a very special guest, Eric Nelson, a retired California Highway Patrol officer and dedicated volunteer at the China Flat Museum and Bigfoot Collection in Willow Creek, California. Join hosts Andy and Craig as they discuss the history of this legendary cryptid and explore some of the most fascinating evidence and encounters.
In this episode:
- The China Flat Museum: Eric talks about the museum's history and his role there, recounting how a childhood fascination with shows like “In Search Of” led him to become a gatekeeper for some of the world's most incredible eyewitness accounts.
- The Patterson-Gimlin Film: We tackle the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence, the 1967 film from Bluff Creek. We discuss why experts, including anatomists and Hollywood makeup artists, believe its intricate muscle movement and unique gait make it virtually impossible to have been a hoax.
- The "No Body" Problem: One of the biggest challenges for believers is the lack of remains. We debate this key issue, exploring theories about acidic soil, quick decomposition, and why other elusive animals like the wolverine are rarely found either.
- UK Encounters: The conversation moves to sightings in the UK and the historical lore of “wild men” and “wood woesers.” Craig recounts a chilling story told by a soldier who had a close-range encounter with a large, hairy bipedal creature during military exercises on Salisbury Plain.
- Personal Encounters: Eric shares some of the most compelling stories he's heard directly from visitors to the museum. These include a retired FBI agent who saw a Bigfoot in Colorado and a woman who worked with primates and heard a mysterious orangutan-like scream in the woods of the Olympic Peninsula.
- Signs of Activity: Beyond sightings and tracks, Eric explains how Bigfoot researchers are using modern technology to identify the creatures through their unique vocalizations, and he describes the puzzling phenomenon of wood knocks.
- The Great Conundrum: We discuss the ethical dilemma of what would happen if a Bigfoot were ever definitively proven to exist, exploring why Native American elders believe they should be left alone and the risk of exploitation or endangerment.
- Wyrd News: A shocking news story about a man in Oklahoma who murdered his friend because he believed he had "summoned Bigfoot to kill and eat him.”
Stay Wyrd!
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Written and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens
Edited by Craig Brooks
Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)
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