Skepticism | The Good Life ~ Sacramento

The Good Life ~ Sacramento

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New Ghost Adventures in Old Sacramento

May 5, 2011 at 5:38 pm · Filed under Ghost Adventures, Historic, Old Sacramento, Skepticism, TV Shows

Dat you, Scooby?

I took a very personalized ghost tour of Old Sacramento quite a few years ago, and was left surprisingly intrigued. The various stories – from cold-blooded murders and spirits walking up from the water, to fire victims and galloping ghost horses – were rich and compelling, and left some long-lasting impressions burned in my mind. While I have not yet taken an Underground tour, I do have a newfound respect for Sacramento’s past. So when I heard that ‘Ghost Adventures’ had come to town for a sleepover, I was mighty curious.

Watching the show, however, it seemed to me that Zak & the gang were not told many of the juicy stories I had once been privy to, or perhaps they just weren’t letting on. I did, nonetheless, particularly enjoy the part where Sean the tour guide was overwhelming Zak with his vast array of run-on knowledge, because anyone who’s attended one of Sean’s Sacramento history tours knows the amusing feeling of trying to mentally keep up with him.

Honestly, I was hoping the show would fully capture Sacramento’s shadowy past and how it literally lingers on today, but maybe my expectations were set too high and hometown self-consciousness just too acute. That said, I did enjoy the fact that they “locked” themselves in three different locations – the Eagle Theatre, old Supreme Court building and underground of the B.F. Hastings building.

I don’t know if Ghost Adventures’ equipment and expertise is improving to the point that they get more and better evidence – or if they’re just getting better at faking it – but I was impressed with the “shadow” figure and realistic sounding “intelligent voices”. I also always appreciate it when they try to debunk something right then and there, giving the viewer on the other side of the tube a little credit as well as immediate gratification. But really, when you add the unmistakable footsteps, loud banging, and chair rocking on its own, the evidence piling up seems almost… too good to be true.

Heck , if I were locked in an old, supposedly haunted building all night long, I know for a fact that I’d scare myself into being a believer. And after a while – if nothing happened and I by chance got used to the darkness – I might just get bored enough to pull some pranks. Does that make me a skeptic? Of course. But am I also a believer in something that I can’t quite put my finger on… that’s an affirmative as well.

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About ‘The Good Life, Sacramento’

There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which it was built, the rivers that flow through, the bounty around it and the people who make the Sacramento area their home. Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and so much more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing post-rain spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town with friends or family. There’s truly something here for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and night-time adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.