Old Town

 

The old section of Huntsville was founded by the Grimsley family. They have laways been an aloof, private

sorta family and clearly the only ones in that part of town that could host a "private party". I wonder what is

going on there tonight. Clearly they don't want visitors.

Just over the bridge stands the Johnson's house. I overheard John Johnson talking in the inn saying that

he has just had enough. He put his house up for sale last week. He says strange things are going on.

The trick or treaters say they have been chased away bywitches flying on brooms--everyone knows

that's crazy, but the kids insist!

Then, at night he has heard several loud thumps, like something banging into the side of the house. . .

Then, on Halloween night he only had one kid show up to Trickor Treat. A strange boney little kid

who didn't talk much.

Mr. Johnson said he put up a Scarecrow as a Halloween decoration, but large rats came to

eat and steal the corn. Of course, the neighborhood cat thought this was a good idea.

Rumor has it the the Grimsley party is going to be a grand affair.

By the looks of that banner I would have to agree.

That gate keeper, the guy checking invitations looks pretty serious about his work.

Look at all those bats flying around the driveway . . .

The Grimsley's seem to have strange tastes in garden statues. Those old world gargoyles look almost real.

It also seems like there are quite a few guests arriving for the party. Looks like the Wolf family is

arriving by limo.

Around the corner from the Johnson's stands what used to be the Edward's house. The Edwards moved

out just after Halloween last year. The house has fallen into disrepair recently, but the new owner

seems like a friendly sort of fellow. He is at least out front offering goodies for Trick-or-Treaters.

Not only the Edward's old house, but their garage and workshop seems to be falling apart as well.

Come to think of it, most building in this part of town are in a pretty sorry state.

At the end of the street stands of old cemetery.

The cemetery is owned and run by Mordecai Mould, who also owns Tomestone Works and the mine,

along with the mortuary. Recently he has been a selling special fertilizer used at Tipling's Winery.

Mordecai's Tomestone factory.

The old graveyard above the Tombstone works.

Skull Rock

Hauntsville's most well known geographic feature is Skull Rock. A large exposed piece of dolomite rock

that can be sceen for miles. Abraham Girmsley, the town's founder made his fortune as a member of the

merchant marine. When he retired and came to Hauntsville, he built a lighthouse on top of the rock

to remind him of his seafaring days. Recently strange lights have been seen coming from the old building and

Bobby Wilson swares he has seen ghosts flying around the lighthouse.

The best way up to Skull Rock has been to climb along the slide of the Coldcreek Falls.

But the recent rains have made the rocks along the falls to dangerous to climb.

Besides, the fishing in the creek has really gotten better of late, fish seem to be actually

jumping down the falls to get away from the high lakes.

The forest above Hauntsville and below Skull Rock has had some strange glowing lights in recent nights.

The Witch's Coven

While the residents of Hauntsville do not enter the forest above the falls, there is a great deal

of activity in those woods.

Wails and moans have been heard in the wooded section near the old cemetery and Mordecai has been gathering

"old" bones he says he finds in the forest some mornings.

Old Dame Hecate has been runing the Witch Flight School for eons.

Young witches come for flying lessons regularly. But some of the new flyers don't

seem to quite have the hang of it yet.

A sign out front advertizes a talk by the famous wizard Shandor. His topic will be

Electrifing Spells and will be given at the Brew Pub Halloween Night.

Shandor practicing his spells in the growing night fog.

(Note to village builders: There is a fog/mister located inside the skull with a fan mounted behind it.

This allows for clouds of "fog" to waft from the mountain and surround Shandor. However the

moving fog does not show well in photographs. The photo above was taken with a flash to freeze the fog.

 

Witch Circe is cleaning up the pub for Shandors lecture.

Shandor is a young and brash wizard, given to showmanship and not always good wizardry. Looks like the veteran and wise wizaard Merlin will also be at tonight's talk. With two wizards present--there

could be some real fireworks before the night is over.

Thanks for taking this year's tour of Hauntsville. I hope it either puts you in the mood for Halloween

or at least brought a smile to your face or triggered an old memory. .

 

If you enjoyed the tour please click the book below and sign the guestbook.

Don't forget to come back in late December for a viewing of this year's

edition of A Dickens Christmas.