Finding Bigfoot

Tonight is Bigfoot night in the house. Even our four year old likes to watch the new episode. Mom is not a supporter but tolerates the boys watching.

Finding Bigfoot is a big hit on Animal Planet. The format of each episode follows a formula like many reality shows. They learn of an area with Bigfoot Activity, then go there, hold a town hall meeting, learn of three viewings to investigate and then walk around the forest in the middle of the night with video and Flirs. They even have an investigator nearly as big as a Bigfoot ( his name is Bobo) that they use as a proxy to check on reality of sightings. Areas prone to Bigfoot presence is called Squatchy (short for Sasquatch).

Unfortunately, they never develop hard evidence other than some questionable footprints. Viewers and investigators hope to videotape a Squatch around the next tree or bend in the trail.

They try every means to flush out Squatch's. One of my favorites was the disco ball in the forest. Most skeptics would find the lack of evidence proof of the lack for Bigfoot. However, you have to be impressed with the many many personal sightings from people from all walks of life.

I was most impressed with the season transition show with interviews of the researchers. Three of four are believers and one is a science based skeptic (Ranae). They were much more serious about valid proof. Two of them claimed to have seen one in person (no evidence). The investigators make the show suspenseful as you always what will be caught on tape in the next segment.

I am open minded about many of the these unexplained phenomena. But, I also have a hard time explaining the lack of credible evidence. Many of the testimonials leave you wanting to believe the witnesses. They dont come off as crackpots.

I decided to check in Colorado and learned that several credible sightings have occurred here. One not far from Vail and along a route I have driven several times. My hair stood up with the report of an early morning sighting that the witness was quite shook by. The details were complete and she was confident in her sighting but knew others would want to discredit her. I found the report credible and exciting.

I'll just keep my eyes open...