Three years ago I added another hobby to my already full life. I've been giving ghost tours in Ellicott City. I started doing this on the suggestion of a close friend who thought I would be a good tour guide. I kept the information on my desk for months, until I decided what the heck why not do something that I really hadn't in my wildest dreams thought I would do। Here's the thing, I never even knew that there was such a thing as ghost tours, and though I do have some familiarity with the paranormal and have even seen a few orbs, and witnessed a haunting, I never thought that people actually went on "ghost tours." Come to think of it when I imagined who would go on these tours, I saw a Black Sabbath type goth crowd, with a side of Wicca, and a sprinkle of druids.
Well obviously since the Blair Witch project, which really was a dud in my opinion, the interest in the spirit world is a booming business. There are ghost hunters, ghost whisperers, ghost cleansers, certified paranormal investigators, and all manor of folks who follow the wonderful world of the afterlife. Most of the folks who come on these tours are far from what I imagine. They are mom's, dad's, grandparents, friends from out of town, college kids, red hat ladies, girl and boy scouts, birthday parties, and numerous social groups with a sprinkling of druids, pagans, goths, Wiccans and paranormal groupies.
What we do in Ellicott City is a combination of history, and ghost stories, all first hand accounts from residents, business owners, tourists, and people who work in the town. I love history, and have always thought that I was born out of my time but that's another story. There's something telling about walking the streets in this historic town, (founded in 1771 by three Quaker brothers) with a different group of strangers and telling the stories. I get to learn about the nature of this small town the townies who like to try to scare us and the people who are willing to turn off their tv's and cell phones and black berries and all other forms of distraction and listen to our stories.
I say our stories because after a year and a half I had my own experience. I wasn't looking for anything to happen, it just did, and I had a witness, but that's another story. If you want to know more, come on one of my tours to find out. I had the privilege of being able to write Ghost Tour II which I will be giving on October 11th at 8:30pm and on October 31 at 6:30 and 8:30pm. and again in November. The season ends at the end of November right after Thanksgiving. For more information go to www.VisitHowardCounty.com.
