In the News - May 2026

We asked you listneners to send us some spooky stories this season, and you did! This episode we share the story of the Wailing Woman from Grand Canyon, the Lady in Black from Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, and truely strange and mysterious tale from near the boundary of Yosemite National Park.

Retired Ranger Bruce Bytner recounts his 24-7 two week stay at the 18th century Hampton Mansion of Hampton National Historic Site. The mansion, completed in 1790, was once the largest private home in America, contributing to its ghostly lore.which is known for its rich history and reputed hauntings. Bruce is a great story teller and his fist hand accounting of his haunted encounter haunting had our spines tingling!!

If you follow us on social media, you might remember a couple of weeks ago we shared a post from the podcast called Rangers of the Lost Park – such a cool name… where the host, Liz, was gracious enough to have us on her show. We had such a great time with Liz, and she managed to get some of our history and experience out, and we got to share some of our favorite stories. If you love your public lands, and want to learn about protecting them for future generations, please give Rangers of the Lost Park a listen. The guests on the show include rangers, tribal leaders, nonprofit stewards, advocates, and everyday outdoor users who explain how public land governance works, what’s at stake, and how you can help. Liz says “in a world of bad news, her purpose is to connect people not only to public lands and the beauty of the outdoors-but also to promote community and spread joy. Please do us a favor…, find Rangers of the Lost Park on Instagram, and tiktok, we're not sure where else, and hit that Follow button and check out the podcast on Apple or Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Since most of you probably didn’t bump over and listen to our visit with Liz, we’re releasing the episode on Crime Off the Grid!

Dude. Chillin’. Good vibes. Right?That's the image most of us have of surfers. But what happens when the waves get crowded, tempers flare, and someone decides they've had enough?In this episode of Crime Off the Grid, we're heading to the California coast for a very different kind of surf story. From Fort Point beneath the Golden Gate Bridge to Rodeo Beach in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Morro Strand State Beach, we'll look at cases where arguments over waves escalated into serious violence— and victims who found themselves fighting for more than the next wave.

Yosemite in 1974. A young couple was hiking back to Bridalveil Campground after camping by a Ostrander lake when one of them was shot and killed. Was it murder? or an accident? The deceased was found by hikers propped up beside the trail and they wondered... was this person alive or dead? At the scene, there was a pamphlet on the ground nearby called Spiritualism, Sorcery, and Witchcraft. An arrest was eventually made and at the trial, a spiritual guide (or maybe a witch?) put a curse on Yosemite's Law Enforcement Specialist. You can't make this stuff up!