EP 63: THE CURSE OF ESCALANTE PETRIFIED FOREST-UTAH!

Written By Dylan Cantu

In Utah there is a state park known as Escalante Petrified Forest. Many people from all over the world come to visit this state park to catch a glimpse of the very alluring petrified wood found in the park. Now some of these people will notice that there are signs in place warning visitors to refrain from taking these fossils home with them. And you should count yourself lucky if you heed this warning because for those that don't they claim to have taken more home with them than they bargained. A curse is said to turn the thief's life upside down, they are forced to endure the unluckiest chapters of their lives. That is until they return the petrified wood to its rightful home. So is there really a curse that haunts the petrified wood in the Escalante State Park? Well take a listen to this week's episode and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park on a map

 

The beauty that is petrified wood

 

How petrified wood becomes petrified!

 

Heed the warning!


THE RETURN LETTERS

 

FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR THEME SONG

 

PITBULL - HOTEL ROOM SERVICE VIDEO

 

SOURCE MATERIALS:

For the story:

  1. CABRERO, A., & KSLTV.com. (2020, October 31). Many Visitors Learn To Regret 'Curse' Of Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. KSLTV.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://ksltv.com/447997/many-visitors-learn-to-regret-curse-of-escalante-petrified-forest-state-park/

  2. Armstrong, C. (2018, February 7). This Utah Legend Will Send Chills Down Your Spine. Only In Your State. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/utah/escalante-petrified-forest-state-park-legend-ut/

  3. Hollenhorst, J. (2014, May 26). Fossil-theft phenomenon has petrified forest visitors returning 'keepsakes'. KSL News. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.ksl.com/article/30052683/fossil-theft-phenomenon-has-petrified-forest-visitors-returning-keepsakes

  4. Utah State Parks.gov. (n.d.). Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Utah State Parks. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/escalante-petrified-forest/

  5. King, H. M. (n.d.). What is Petrified Wood? How Does it Form? - Fossils. Geology.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://geology.com/stories/13/petrified-wood/

For the Video:

  1. Pitbull, & YouTube. (2009, November 14). Pitbull - Hotel Room Service (Official Video). YouTube. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2up_Eq6r6Ko

  2. Smith, W., & Youtube. (2013, February 3). The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Theme Song (Full). YouTube. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCqRmx3Dnw

For the Image:

  1. Google Maps. (n.d.). Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Google Maps. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.google.com/maps/place/Escalante+Petrified+Forest+State+Park/@39.9287922,-113.7815089,7z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x388b173900a4cdac!8m2!3d37.7865057!4d-111.6306651?hl=en

  2. Young, M. (2017, November 12). Curse or coincidence? Conscience letters from thieves who stole from Petrified Forest | news.com.au — Australia's leading news site. News.com.au. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/warnings/curse-or-coincidence-conscience-letters-from-thieves-who-stole-from-petrified-forest/news-story/41ece596f332b2099ef6ba2d11a8b3e1

  3. CABRERO, A., & KSLTV.com. (2020, October 31). Many Visitors Learn To Regret 'Curse' Of Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. KSLTV.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://ksltv.com/447997/many-visitors-learn-to-regret-curse-of-escalante-petrified-forest-state-park/

  4. Hollenhorst, J. (2014, May 26). Are felonious fossil fanciers plagued by an ancient curse? Deseret News. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.deseret.com/2014/5/27/20542141/are-felonious-fossil-fanciers-plagued-by-an-ancient-curse

  5. Oatman, H. (2019, July 29). Letters of the Damned: Exorcising the Curse of the Petrified Forest. Collectors Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/curse-of-the-petrified-forest/

  6. Mancini, M. (n.d.). How Does Petrified Wood Form? | HowStuffWorks. Science | HowStuffWorks. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/petrified-wood.htm

  7. Frederick County Public Schools. (n.d.). Petrified Wood Information | ESSL Lessons. Frederick County Public Schools. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://education.fcps.org/essl_lessons/petrified_info

Dylan Cantu
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