The wasteland rebuilds one settlement at a time. This August, let’s make sure these two come back better.

As a huge fan of the Fallout series, I love that Fallout 76 is set in Appalachia and embraces the real-life cryptids and mysterious happenings that fueled my interest in the unexplained. Now, after devastating flooding in the heart of the region, the area needs all of our help to rebuild, and I am using this platform to help spread the word on an amazing event in one of the hardest-hit areas: Weston, WV. 

After reading the following press release, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. 

[VAULT-TEC PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT]

PRIORITY: SETTLEMENT RECOVERY

Location: Appalachia Sector – Weston & Buckhannon

Date: August 22, 2026. Attention, wastelanders. The July 21 deluge turned quiet West Virginia towns into a temporary Capital Wasteland of mud, debris, and submerged vehicles. Record rainfall (up to 7+ inches in hours) overwhelmed creeks and rivers. Homes, businesses, and roads took heavy hits. Two lives were lost in Upshur County. Hundreds of water rescues pulled people (and pets) from the rising tide.

The waters have receded. The real fight—rebuilding—continues this August.

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It: Donate caps (real currency works better) to verified local and state relief funds, the Red Cross, or community recovery efforts supporting Lewis and Upshur counties.  

Supply drop: Non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and tools still help as families clear mud and rebuild.  

Volunteer: Join cleanup crews or support centers if you’re in the region.  

Spread the signal: Share accurate needs and official donation channels. Rumor control keeps the wasteland efficient.

Brotherhood of Steel (and local responders) note:

Communities are strong. Neighbors pulled neighbors out of attics. Fire departments, National Guard, and mutual-aid teams worked through the night. Now it’s time for the rest of us to pitch in so these settlements rise stronger. Remember the Vault-Tec motto (slightly modified for flood season):

“Prepare for the future… by helping your neighbors today. ”Stay hydrated (preferably with purified water, not irradiated runoff).

And keep an eye on the Pip-Boy (or these pages) for the next community update.

#WastelandStrong for Weston & Buckhannon.

If you need official donation links or current recovery status, search local WV emergency management, county pages, or major relief organizations for “Lewis County / Upshur County flood recovery 2026.”

Mothman TNT Area - Investigation Pictures

Having stopped by Point Pleasant,  WV for a day of exploring the myth of the Mothman, I was extremely excited. Not only do I love the story of the Mothman, this makes the first time since my transplant that I was able to venture out into the wild.  Sure,  I didn't go crazy. Hell, I didn't even make it a night expedition, but I did get va shall hike in and go check out one of the famous sighting locations: the TNT Area.

Now part of the McClintic Wildlife Management Area, the TNT bunkers may be run down, but I will say they still hold a creepy energy.  It did send chills down my spine. Of course,  whatever small animal that was stalking me from the treeline helped with that.  But oh well.  

If you aren't familiar with Mothman or the sightings in and around Point Pleasant,  this is a great rabbit hole and a tremendous amount of lore. This area,  known then as the West Virginian Ordnance Works, was reported to be the home of this game red-eyed cryptid from late 1966 until early 1967. In fact,  to many researchers,  the first recorded sighting of Mothman took place near the gate of one of the abandoned munition shortage facilities. 

While there were also many other strange phenomena that took place during this period in and around the area,  it was the Mothman, not Indrid Cold, or the Men in Black, or even the ultraterrestrials, that wove its way into the fabric of the region.  A 7-to-10 foot-tall winged entity with glowing red eyes has become part of the folklore and at one point America's most famous cryptid. 

Here are some pictures from that area and some motivation for me to get back into the field.  

Mothman: Beyond the Legend (2023)

I just found out yet I'll be heading off to Point Pleasant, WV at the end of the week for a quick birthday trip and I can't wait.  If you have ready my blog from the outset,  you will already know about my fascination with Mothman and most of the world of cryptids. I can't wait to explore the birthplace of a legendary cryptid.  To help prepare,  I searched out a documentary that I hadn't watched yet and found this 2023 entry,  Mothman: Beyond the Legend. 

Plot: Global sightings challenge the notion that the Mothman is a figment of imagination, but rather an omen of change—or simply beyond our understanding.

This was an interesting documentary on the Mothman that prevents information in a straightforward manner.  While it does lack some of the flair of many of the higher budgeted entries in the topic,  this one definitely takes on quite a bit of material and methodically produces it in a way that flows together quite well. Not only do they discuss the besieging of Point Pleasant, they discuss how the myth has endured and its impact on pop culture.  They also present some cases from all over that have similar characteristics such as the Owlman of Cornwall. In the end,  this was a simple refresher for me that came across pretty good.  Yes,  it is definitely completed on a low budget featuring some and stock footage,  but for informational purposes it served us purpose. In the end, if you are looking for reenactments or craft effects this one may not be for you,  but if you are simply looking for information, give this one a shot.  

Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion (2021)

As I stated yesterday,  I didn't the day inside a Mountain Devil marathon.  Actually being a bit jealous,  as I know and have didn't time in the field with some of the researchers featured in the series.  Oh well,  that's what I get for moving away from the area a few years ago.  With they being said,  here is Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion from 2021.

Plot: This mockumentary explores the sightings of Aliens and Alien Spacecraft in Pennsylvania in the 1970's. While at the same time, sightings of a large hairy creature many know as Bigfoot were sighted at the same time.

I really liked the source material in this one.  Being from the area,  I am familiar with many of these cases and absolutely loved the content.  However,  while the interviews and stories were good,  the execution of the reenactments were hit and miss.  The performances by the cat were uneven to say the least.  Since of them were just bad. While txt did take away of the effectiveness of the source material.  The effects and costuming were also rather uninteresting and to me tom away from the quality of the film.  I understand this is a low budget entry,  but the creatures looked really bad and unbelievable. In the end, while I did enjoy it,  it was hard to watch.  While I understand what was intended,  the validity of the true stories was easily overlooked by the attempt at over the top dramatizations. It definitely isn't for everyone. 

Mountain Devil 2 (2022)

The cold is starting to frustrate me a little,  although it is so much warmer here in Virginia Beach than it was when I was at home in Pennsylvania last week.  While I was there I didn't time thinking about my days in the cryptid and paranormal community.  When I got back yesterday I decided to continue that with a Mountain Devil marathon. Next up is 2022s Mountain Devil 2. 

Plot: In 1976 a book was published titled "The Creature" that swept over Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers all over the state of Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been the most quoted work on the subject of Bigfoot. But, who was the author and was there any truth in the story?

To me,  movies like this are more about the information and story than the overall quality and technical aspects. This low budget investigative docudrama has an interesting story and drives into a unique piece of Pennsylvanian lore. While less about Bigfoot itself and more of an investigation into the origin and Prentiss truths in the book The Creature, this one is a mixture of interviews and dramatizations based on excerpts from the book.  Featuring a large group out local investigators,  it movie does provide some insight into the research that has taken place. Unfortunately,  this one did drag a little and did not really drive into the Bigfoot mythos. Something that will definitely turn off some enthusiasts that are looking for a straight forward documentary.  Fortunately for me,  having grown up in the area, the focus on the local lore kept me engaged throughout. While there are side solid cinematography aspects,  some of the material feels underwhelming and that does seem to impact the pace.  In the end,  this one won't be for all cryptid enthusiasts,  but if you enjoy a piece based on a legend and the potential research of that legend,  give it a shot.  

Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure - 2017

Today ended my trip to the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure. While the weather was not the greatest, it in no way ruined the amazing conference organized by researcher Eric Altman. Overall, the weekend, despite the cold and rain, was packed full of interesting speakers and some great presentations. Most importantly, all of the proceeds benefitted three great charities: Unity A Journey of Hope, Lucky Paws Animal Rescue, and Fayette Friends of Animals. 

Here are some random shots caught during the weekend.

Mountain Devil (2017)

Although I have not been able to make it into the field in some time due to school or softball, there no better place to spend some time than on a real Bigfoot investigation. To my surprise when I went to Family Video, I found a new release that was filmed here in Pennsylvania. A movie that I had heard about for some time from researchers in the Bigfoot community in this area. In fact, here at the Ringmaster’s Realm, there are actually investigation journals from outings with some of the investigators shown in this film. While this movie is miscast as a horror movie, it is a solid docudrama: 2017s Mountain Devil.

Plot/ Based on the true events that occurred in the Appalachian Mountains, Mountain Devil recounts the frightening events of the night Frank Peterson and his friend spent the night in a secluded cabin stalked by something they could not explain. With only a few clues and journal entries, we try to piece together the shocking events, and attempt to shed insight into one of the greatest mysteries of our time

Let me start by saying that this docudrama sits somewhat close to my heart. Many of the Bigfoot investigators involved with this project are personal friends. With that being said, I can vouch for the validity of the investigation principles shown throughout the movie. Everything that was shown from the measurements techniques, to the tree bend discoveries, to the group investigation methods are practiced when out in the field. Plus, no one in the group claims to be an expert, in fact they make this statement on camera in the film. Based on a true story, the overall tale is interesting and the production elements utilizing a mixture of actual investigation footage, witness interviews, and the reenactment of the source material works well together especially considering the low budget nature of the project. Yes, the film is miscast as a horror movie, there are some choppy moments with the editing and overall video quality, but that is to be expected. In the end, even though I may be a touch biased with my review, I will say that this is an honest documentary and everything seen in the investigation practices shown are real. I have been in the field with many of these researchers and I will likely join them again soon. If you enjoy Bigfoot documentaries and want to see the process as it truly is, check out this film. It is definitely more believable than the higher budged shows that have almost ruined the field.

The Feeding (2006)

 

 

After watching some slashers, I decided to venture into the mountains for some type of creature driven feature last night. Monsters, whether real or fictitious, always make for somewhat interesting villains, and some are extremely interesting. In the end, I decided upon another low budget entry from earlier in the century. That selection was The Feeding from 2006.

 

 

Plot/ High in the Appalachian Mountains and under a full moon, a timeless evil rises. An awakened predator whose savagery and ferocity are matched only by its insatiable appetite.

 

 

Many of the same items I mentioned yesterday are apparent in this low-grade horror outing. Although, unlike yesterday’s entry The Legend of Bloody Jack, which had The Asylum involved, this one was truly an independent entry. It has the storyline filled with holes and unanswered questions, the acting is just so-so, and the make-up effects on the creature are far from the best. There was a touch of blood and gore, but neither that nor the boobs could make this one rise about others in the vain. In the end, it was somewhat entertaining and did help pass 90 minutes. Would I recommend it? No, not unless you are a diehard werewolf fan and have not ventured into these woods.

 

 

Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie (2008)

After watching the Pittsburgh Steelers dismantle the New York Jets, it was time to find something to watch. When searching, I was in the mood for something a bit different, as I am a bit tired after hiking with Jillian in the Forbes National Forest today. What I decided on was actually a documentary, Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie from 2008.  It has to be decent, it shows the hoaxer side of Tom Biscardi, doesn't it?

Plot/ Through the experiences of two amateur Bigfoot researchers in Appalachian Ohio, we see how the power of a dream can bring two men together and provide a source of hope and meaning that transcend the harsh realities of life in a dying steel town.

When I turned this on, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was so much more than I could have expected. Sure, it really is not a Bigfoot or Sasquatch research film, in fact, that is just a subtle backdrop to the story. This one is clearly a documentary about friendship (although it does quietly discuss how shady Tom Biscardi is in researching the subject).  As a documentary fan, it was an interesting break for me from the cryptozoological, horror or UFO related material I have been watching. In the end, if you enjoy documentaries that look into the real world of friendship and the strange world that draw people together, you may enjoy it.