Camels of the American West

Here is an interesting article a friend found on the “Weird California” website pertaining to camels in the Southwest. Be sure to read the full article as it discusses a rather fascinating myth!

Millions of years ago, camels roamed the North American continent. The camel family evolved here and migrated over into Africa and the Middle East as they slowly died out on this continent. One species of camel even persisted in California until only 15 thousand years ago. Today, old fossils and bones of these ancient camels are still found; as recently as October 2002 down in Long Beach.

But although these camels long died out, rumors, folklore, and legends in the American South West still tell tales of wild camels and even ghost camels wandering the deserts of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. Some attribute these sightings to remnants of the US Camel Corps put together back in the mid 1800′s. Although how the camels could survive until today or if they have been reproducing in the wild is a mystery. A few states once had laws on the books preventing the use of camels on certain highways, a result of problems occurring with camel use shortly after the closure of the US Camel Corps. Nevada, for example, passed a law in February of 1875 prohibiting camels and dromedaries from running at large on public roads in the state. The act was repealed in 1899.

Continued: http://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=36

Book Trailer – The Ancient Ones

Check out the book trailer for my first paranormal mystery novel, The Ancient Ones.

2011 Desert Sleuths Anthology

Murder and mayhem western style.

The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime offers 20 exciting tales. Everything from old-time shootouts to modern day forensics, noir to comedy can be found in the compelling anthology. Walk on the wild side of the SouthWest, as Arizona celebrates its centennial year. Hang up your spurs, kick back and enjoy!

Click on the link below to order any of the Desert Sleuths anthologies:

http://www.desertsleuths.com/Anthologies.html

Here is a review by Debe Branning, Arizona Haunted Sites Examiner, of the Ancient Ones.

http://www.examiner.com/arizona-haunted-sites-in-phoenix/a-visit-with-the-ancient-ones

History and Hauntings of the Southwest

Where do you find underground passages, Indian ruins, Stonehenge-like monuments, an alternate dimension and ancient petroglyphs of the solar system?

You can find all of these elements, which culminate into the adventure of a lifetime for Lorelei Lanier, psychic medium, and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, in Lori Hines’ first paranormal mystery novel titled The Ancient Ones. Published by Aberdeen Bay, it is the first in the trilogy and is available in print and kindle format through Amazon.com.

Since the main characters are investigators, Lori partnered with Sonoran Paranormal Investigations (SPI) in Phoenix to lead ghost hunts of the places featured in her novel. The first book signing and ghost hunt took place at the Triangle T Ranch in Dragoon, Arizona on May 28th. The ranch, owned by Linda Kelly, has been featured on an episode of Psychic Kids. According to Linda, “guests, visitors and staff have all experienced unusual phenomena, including three men playing poker in the dining hall, an Indian princess riding through the property on a horse, a Hohokam woman, and the spirits of Cochise and Geronimo.”

Established in 1922, the ranch boasts a colorful and exciting past. In 1929, it came into the hands of Metta Tutt and was named the Triangle T for “Tutt”. Since then, the Triangle T has been the site of many historical events. It was the center of intrigue during World War II. The subsequent rumors that high-ranking Japanese officials were detained at the ranch were recently confirmed by award-winning author Jane Eppinga, after years of exhaustive research and the lifting of the 50-year moratorium on classified information. Details of the incarceration of the world’s “most wanted” war criminals are available in the library at the Triangle T.

Located adjacent to the Amerind Foundation archaeological research center and museum specializing in Native American cultures of the Southwest, the Triangle T Guest Ranch is rich in its own Native American History. Apache Chieftain Cochise and his band used the ranch as a summer camp for many generations. The ranch also holds a centuries-old sacred ceremonial location among the boulders, complete with petroglyphs and rock carvings.

The Triangle T hosted the ghost hunt, which took place from 11:00 p.m. and lasted until 1:30 a.m. with guests from Phoenix and Southeast Arizona roaming the property to try and get a glimpse of the past. One of the teams had an experience within the lower dining hall, hearing footsteps on the outside stairway that goes to the roof, though no other teams were in the area. And it sounded as though a person were walking on wooden stairs, though the steps had been covered in cement. Could it have been a spirit going about their lives in another dimension, crossing with the curious in our dimension?

Historic Vulture Gold Mine

Discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg, Vulture Mine was one of the Arizona Territory’s richest mines and it was still producing, at decreased levels, until World War II. Today, this ghost town provides visitors with the opportunity to see a genuine vision of what life was like in an old west mining town. Many buildings remain intact and there is also a fair amount of mining equipment to see, as well as an old schoolhouse, the assay office, the dining hall/saloon, old blacksmith shop and power generating station.

Vulture Mine’s wealth allowed the camp to blossom into a self-contained town by 1880. Along with roughly six boarding houses, the town boasted a cookhouse and mess hall, a blacksmith shop, several buildings associated with the mine, stores, offices, saloons, and even a school. By this time there were about three hundred miners and their families living in town. Vulture City peaked with a population of about 5,000 residents. Owner after owner would face many challenges turning a profit with the mine over the next several decades as the main gold vein was lost. However, the mine was not officially shut down until 1942. Throughout its lifespan, the mines at Vulture City officially produced upwards of two hundred million dollars in gold.

Due to all the spiritual activity, Vulture Mine is one of the favorite places for paranormal teams throughout Arizona. Actual paranormal experiences from visitors, staff and investigators include a floating head at the ball mill, children’s voices at the schoolhouse and on the playground, a man standing in front of the bunkhouse, smells emanating from the old dining hall and physical encounters with not-so-friendly ghosts inside the assay office.

Other locales included in The Ancient Ones include Wickenburg, Bisbee and Tombstone in Southeast Arizona, and Sunset Wupatki National Monument north of Flagstaff. It contains true facts pertaining to Native American history, Arizona history and the metaphysical.

The Ancient Ones cover blurb:

Lorelei Lanier is adjusting to the powerful connections she has to spirits. Unfortunately, her medium abilities are only the beginning. While working a dark arts case with the FBI and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, she discovers she is the reincarnation of Annie O’Shea, the original owner of the Texas Canyon Ranch where the mystery unfolds. And Lorelei’s astral abilities that saved her from a mine three years ago are becoming stronger upon discovery of an extinct, ancient race of people.

Underground tunnels, Stonehenge-like monuments, petroglyphs of the solar system, an alternate dimension and hidden Indian ruins—clues discovered in Southeast Arizona pertaining to the ancient ones existence. But Lorelei has much more to worry about than the supernatural. She is struggling with her feelings for fellow investigator Ian Healy. Pagan and Wiccan, it is Ian’s ability to heal with his eyes that captures her heart.

Two mysteries, one in Southeast Arizona and the other north of Flagstaff, soon culminate into a new reality for Lorelei Lanier. Will she be prepared for what the ancient ones have in store?

Where to Find The Ancient Ones

Where do you find underground passages, Indian ruins, Stonehenge-like monuments, an alternate dimension and ancient petroglyphs of the solar system?

You can find all of these elements that culminate into the adventure of a lifetime for Lorelei Lanier, psychic medium, and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, in Lori Hines’ first paranormal mystery novel titled The Ancient Ones.

Check out the following link to find out where to find The Ancient Ones – available in stores and gift shops in Metro Phoenix, Southeast Arizona and Wickenburg:

http://lhauthor.wordpress.com/my-novels/list-of-stores-that-stock-the-ancient-ones/

Guest Appearance on Para-X Radio

I will be appearing as a guest on Michelle Hall’s The Psychic Next Door on Para-X Radio on Monday, May 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Arizona time. This is a national and international network – Michelle mentioned 6 or 7 countries participate.

Go to this page to listen to the interview and click on the Para-X Radio control on the right top: http://www.para-x.com/index.html. There is also a live chat feature and Michelle will be monitoring that as well during the show in case you have any questions! Or, the call in number is 240-439-8165.

Or you can listen to the replay when it’s available here: http://www.para-x.com/demand.html.

Here is the link to Michelle’s bio: http://www.para-x.com/PND.html.

Have a great weekend!

Lori Hines, Author

The Ancient Ones on Sale at The Astrology Store!

There is a limited amount of copies of my first paranormal mystery novel, The Ancient Ones, available for sale at The Astrology Store in Glendale!

The Astrology Store
5731 W. Glendale Ave
Glendale, AZ 85301
Main Tel #: (623) 463-6286

I am working on getting it into other bookstores in the valley. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by and ask for a copy!

Lori Hines, author

The Ancient Ones – Available on Amazon.com

My first paranormal mystery novel, titled The Ancient Ones, is available on Amazon.com via the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608300528/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aberbay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1608300528

Cover Blurb
Lorelei Lanier is adjusting to the powerful connections she has to spirits. Unfortunately, her medium abilities are only the beginning. While working a dark arts case with the FBI and the Arizona-Irish Paranormal Research Society, she discovers she is the reincarnation of Annie O’Shea, the original owner of the Texas Canyon Ranch where the mystery unfolds. And Lorelei’s astral abilities that saved her from a mine three years ago are becoming stronger upon discovery of an extinct, ancient race of people.

Underground tunnels, Stonehenge-like monuments, petroglyphs of the solar system, an alternate dimension and hidden Indian ruins—clues discovered in southeast Arizona pertaining to the ancient ones existence. But Lorelei has much more to worry about than the supernatural. She is struggling with her feelings for fellow investigator Ian Healy. Pagan and Wiccan, it is Ian’s ability to heal with his eyes that captures her heart.

Two mysteries, one in Southeast Arizona and the other north of Flagstaff, soon culminate into a new reality for Lorelei Lanier. Will she be prepared for what the ancient ones have in store?

Book Signing Party – The Ancient Ones!

Please note the correction in bold! Unfortunately, I left the most important detail out…

Just a reminder that Lisa DeChiara with Holding Sacred Space will be hosting a book signing party and book reading Friday, May 6th at 7:00 p.m. This is my first book signing and I would love to see everyone there! I will be reading from my novel for a half hour or so with questions and a signing after.

The Ancient Ones is the first in a series of three. The Caves of the Watchers is the second.

Hosted by Holding Sacred Space
Held at Lisa’s house: located just east of Tatum,  south of Greenway Road – 15059 N 49th Way, Scottsdale, 85254
Call if you get lost: 602-705-4416