The Haunt of Autumnforest
February 26th, 2010 by John Wolfe
The title for today’s entry reminds me of a spooky spot I’d love to visit somewhere in the deepest, darkest of woods. However, Autumnforest isn’t a location you can go to physically, but instead, she’s a person who’s created the virtual equivalent of that spooky spot amidst the woodlands. Comprised of all the things I hold dear: Halloween, the paranormal, and the creepy; Autumnforest’s Ghost Hunting Theories is a fantastic blog for Halloween buffs, horror fans and supernatural aficionados alike. While I could write a lengthy entry describing her knack for crafting amazing tales of horror, or talk about her mind-opening theories that shatter antiquated concepts regarding the paranormal; in this post, I’m focusing on her ’09 Halloween haunt/party.
Being a fellow inhabitant of the Southwest, Autumnforest knows just how challenging it is to transform desert landscape into autumnal scenery. Capturing the more commonly associated feelings of fall and Halloween, amidst cactus and rocks, isn’t always easily accomplished, yet she manages to pull it off without a hitch and is a great hostess to boot! I’m busy enough tending to my yard haunt on Halloween night, but she manages to find time for decorating the yard, taking care of trick-or-treaters and entertaining party guests. I wonder if she’d like to bring her talents to New Mexico on October 31st? 
I could always use an extra hand.
In all seriousness, her haunt has a lot of great elements — the graveyard scene and haunted doll room being two of my favorites. I know she has plans to expand even more for Halloween 2010 on the scary doll stuff and I can’t wait to see exactly what she has up her sleeve.
Whatever you do, whether you’re in the mood for Halloween, horror or theories on the supernatural, you gotta swing by Ghost Hunting Theories. It’s indeed the virtual equivalent of that sweet, spooky spot way back there in the forest.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
thanks for the tip! enjoyed browsing through her blog. I’ve already signed up to follow her very interesting submissions!
February 27th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Wow! I’m quite honored! I am a total amateur up against your Halloween dec’s, but I do my best to keep the neighbors unnerved and let them know a horror writer and ghost hunter lives in the neighborhood–the place looks so cheery the rest of the year–gotta give them something to worry about.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:58 am
I really dig sites like autumnforest’s. The blend of paranormal, Halloween, and spooky stuff is great.
February 27th, 2010 at 7:31 am
I am glad I have an authintic fall environment here in the good ole city of music, Nashville. I cant imagine trying to get that look in a desert. I would still draw from local flavor I think. I feel it has a strong effect on people when the environment is familiar and at the same time horrific and threatening elements tell you on a lower level that there is danger. That makes them edgy and that is when you jump out and the screams start. lol
February 27th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Pam,
You’re very welcome. It’s totally my pleasure.
autumnforest,
You gotta “represent” in the neighborhood – for all of us Haunters out there.
I love your style and I don’t even think of haunts in terms of comparisons. Everyone does their own unique thing and by letting that shine, all who host a haunt and get in the Halloween spirit are pros. You rock!
frightnight,
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you 100%. To me, all of those things are Halloween. Granted, it’s primarily about decor, masks, parties and treats, but it’s soooo much more, too.
Ethan,
You guys back east are definitely more in the “fall zone” than those of us out west… lucky ducks!
I do love the Southwest, though. But, I did used to live in Maine when I was a kid and that part of the country just oozes fall during September and October. It’s extraordinary! You make a great point about drawing on some local flavor for the haunt atmosphere. I’ve never really tried that with my set-up. I usually go the opposite way to try and transport people out of the desert setting, even just for a moment on Halloween night.