Traveling with Ghosts, Goblins, and Things that Go Bump in the Night

October 2024

As we find ourselves at the end of the spooktacular month of All Hallows Eve, I felt it apropos to share some Big Suitcase Girl ghost stories from life on the road. As a lifelong fraidy cat, I grew up with an outsized aversion to vampires, begrudgingly listened to scary ghost stories told around the Girl Scout campfire, subjected myself to joining my friends in navigating haunted houses at our local carnival, and, as I grew older, read frightening works of fiction (and some super creepy non-fiction, some of which should have included therapy vouchers). Eventually, and with my parent’s reluctant permission, I took on watching a litany of disturbing films. This includes “The Exorcist,” my friends. What the heck were my folks thinking? Honestly, that might explain a lot about me and why I tend to fear my own shadow and often hear those dreadful things that go bump in the night. Frankly, I’m positive there’s a poltergeist in the alarm system at my house and have jokingly nicknamed it Carol Anne. As a sidebar and further proof of how early this nonsense started, I could and probably should tell you about how my father and brother nearly scared the life out of me when we were watching “Carrie” late one October night, but I’ll leave it to you to imagine the literal worst outcome.

Throughout the years, there have been occasions when I’ve convinced myself I was being watched, followed, or that there was “someone/something else” on an empty elevator or in my hotel room with me. I’m also not above dramatically pulling back the shower curtain or whipping open the closet to confirm that the Boogey Man isn’t hiding inside. Thank goodness for the move to glass shower doors! And before you rush to any conclusions, these goosebump moments haven’t (always) come after an evening of bevies. Although I’ve encountered “it” at hotels and AirBnbs from Santa Monica to DC to San Antonio, and all points between, the Magnolia in downtown Dallas ranks at the top of my list with, let’s just call it an “unnerving encounter”. Following a beautiful and high-end sunset wedding celebration, I awoke in the wee hours of the night with an unmistakable awareness of another being in the room. And, by other being, I mean that keen sensation of ‘we are not alone here’ – that there may have been an apparition from a different plane loitering around and dancing in the shadows of the room. I didn’t feel truly threatened but certainly wasn’t able to go back to sleep that night and was forced to consume extra caffeine before (and during) the drive home the next day. Ghosts and goblins notwithstanding, I am compelled to give a shoutout to the loveliness and history that is the Magnolia hotel, formerly the Magnolia Petroleum Co. building, and one of the city’s most beloved and venerable structures. Built in 1922, the 29-story building was the first “high-rise” in the US to have air conditioning and first skyscraper to grace the ever-growing Dallas skyline. Pegasus, the flying red horse, sits atop the hotel with a smaller version greeting guests in the lobby. And, around the corner, you can’t miss the “Giant Eye,” a massive outdoor art installation. Given my tale, you may wonder perhaps, if strolling past that watchful eyeball earlier in the evening or enjoying a nightcap under the scarlet winged equine caused my overly active senses to shift into overdrive, thus summoning the nocturnal specter. The world may never know.

Next, we find Big Suitcase Girl in 2017, during the solar eclipse, enjoying a stay at the historic and picturesque Stanley Hotel, located on the aptly named Wonderview Ave. in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. Once known for its peaceful and serene setting, in the years following the release of Stephen King’s novel “The Shining”, the Stanley gained notoriety as a setting for paranormal activity and is often found at or near the top of lists of “the most haunted hotels” in the US. As previously mentioned, I’d never claim to be an enthusiastic ghost hunter, but I do bring to the table quite a vivid imagination. After checking in, I found myself rambling down the long interior hallways expecting to see identical twin sisters in matching blue plaid jumper dresses. I freely admit I could be found taking pictures of mirrors, half expecting there to be a ghostly image staring back at me. And I willingly spent a bit of time in the daylight hours traversing the hedge maze found on the expertly manicured gardens outside the Grande Dame. Spoiler alert: no ghostly sightings, no eerie otherworldly midnight visitors, and the hair on the back of my neck…it was completely relaxed. What we did experience, however, was being treated to several glorious hours perched on Adirondack chairs positioned on the stunning west side verandah, that offered the perfect vantage point for most of the eclipse that made the trip well worth it. 10/10 would recommend, at any time of the year, with or without the spookies.

This is a good stopping point and time for me to share this month’s: Cautionary Tales and Helpful Hints from the Road.

• You may recall in the July 2024 issue, I shared my thoughts and suggestions about “if you sense a situation just doesn’t feel right”, don’t ignore it. Always listen to your Spidey senses and if you see or feel something is amiss, say or do something. Find a group of people to walk with or close to rather than going solo. This applies whether you’re returning to your walk-up apartment in a bustling city or to your home or condo in suburbia. While we all enjoy listening to music (or walking directions) on our chosen style of ear buds/headphones, might I suggest you utilize just one bud at a time or, to also save your hearing, keep the volume such that you can easily hear someone approaching from behind, an ambulance, firetruck, or other speeding vehicle (or cyclist) headed your way. If possible, don’t talk on your phone when walking to your car – be it in an isolated and shadowy parking garage, unfamiliar and sprawling parking lot, or if you have multiple bags of groceries and goodies or precious children in tow. Take the time to take stock of your surroundings when you get out of and lock your car or depart your rideshare vehicle. Speaking of which, if your Uber/Lyft driver calls/messages and asks you to ‘walk to the next block,’ which will take you under a sinister-looking bridge with no streetlamps, decline their request and cancel the ride. Ratings be damned – your safety is THE priority when traveling, my dear readers. Frankly, it’s worth it to consider carrying pepper spray, whistle, or other deterrent to protect yourself and alert those around you of an attack. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance and/or an escort from a nearby security guard or police officer. Lastly, when in doubt, always remember the sage advice of Ron Burgundy and “keep your head on a swivel” to avoid finding yourself in a dicey and dangerous situation. Things can escalate quicky out there…

Here’s hoping Big Suitcase Girl continues to offer insight, suggestions, highlights and, at times, a smattering of lowlights, mixed with a bunch of levity around the big world of travel, no matter the size of suitcase you choose to bring. More soon!