CASCADIA #7: Crater Lake - Crossroad to the Below-World?

Thanks for tuning into Curious Cat's very special season three, Cascadia. As the scorching heat of summer continues, I hope you'll retreat with us into the musky wilderness, dip a toe in a chill alpine lake, and reflect on the perfection of nature. This week we travel south to a place not far from the California/Oregon border. Double knot your hiking boots, top off your hydro flask, then douse yourself in holy water or sage because this one is on the spooky side.

My first full panic attack occurred in a hotel room half a globe away from CASCADIA - but it was curiously part of Cascadia's legendary Ring of Fire. We were on the final days of a trip of a lifetime to Japan that included a visit to Disney's two parks - Disneyland and Tokyo Sea - which by the way was hands-down the best theme park I've ever been to before or since. 

Okay, back to that panic attack. We were staying in a hotel on Tokyo Bay and somewhere around 3am I woke up, heart racing, sweating, gasping in enough air not to faint. Everyone else remained asleep, which was better than them freaking out along with me. Heart pounding, sweating, crying. I basically thought I must be dying. 

If you've not experienced a panic attack , well I hope you never do. As the worst of it began to subside, I had an urge to press my hands against something ice cold. The best I could find in the slim room was a window. I sobbed, wiping my face with my pajama sleeve. After fifteen minutes or so, the attack had run its course. 

I shared that in love, but also so you will understand how my body reacts when I am near two places; Mount Shasta and Crater Lake National Park. Now as we dive into the facts, stories, legends, ufo lore, and mysteries of Crater Lake, you'll know what I mean when I say I have a visceral reaction to this location. 

 Let's get into it!

I. Introduction
2. Crater Lake Facts
3. Native History of Giiwas
4. Unexplained Missing Persons
5. The Old Man of the Lake
6. A Ghost Story
7. Episode Close

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