The location of Hidden Bloodlines originated from a haunted vacation at
the historic Stanley Hotel, registered at the time as the second most
haunted hotel in the country. Located in Estes Park, Colorado, the
Stanley Hotel touts itself as a hotel “7500 feet above ordinary.” As new
Colorado residents, we chose the Stanley to celebrate our wedding
anniversary. Little did I know, it was the start of something much
bigger… a seed was planted and a story grew.
To say it was a
unique experience is an understatement that started the moment we
checked in. The registration desk was crowded with an excited group of
people carrying unusual equipment. They belonged to a club of “ghost
busters,” and they planned to use the tools of their trade to detect
ghosts they felt certain resided in the hotel.
We went all out
and took the Ghost Tour which was the precursor of what was to come. A
few of the stops included Room 418, the most haunted room in the hotel,
the infamous Room 217 where Stephen King and many dignitaries (including
four presidents) stayed, as well as the staircase on the fourth floor
that went to the bell tower where numerous photographic sightings of a
male ghost were made. Clearly we were in for a long night. Our room was
next to the fourth floor staircase and was a popular “haunt” for ghost
busters. The excited whispers, clanging of equipment, and creaks kept us
up long into the night.
Our bleary eyes and fatigue were short
lived — the excitement of these special hotel guests was contagious.
Once again, we met at the registration desk as we checked out. Although
these ghost busters did not detect any ghostly residents, they were
planning their next trip … certain of their success.
One year
later, on our anniversary, we stayed in the most popular room in the
hotel, Room 217 where the ghost of Mrs. Wilson is supposed to be a
permanent visitor. She was the chief chambermaid in 1911. On the day the
hotel opened for the season, the hydroelectric plant went down. Mrs.
Wilson was lighting the gas lamps when she was almost killed. Acetylene
was pumped into the rooms, and in Room 217 there happened to be a gas
leak. When Mrs. Wilson went into the bathroom, it blew out the front of
the hotel. She was blown through the floor into the MacGregor Room and
survived. Almost forty years to the day, she died of a heart attack in
that room. Although Mrs. Wilson is supposed to fold and put away your
clothes, she must have taken a vacation the night we stayed. In spite of
the fact that we have stayed many times since, we have not seen any
ghosts… yet.
What is your most memorable vacation?
Karen Van Den Heuvel
www.KarenVanDenHeuvel.com
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3 comments:
Karen, we took the ghost tour and even though we ourselves didn't see anything ghostly, our friends saw a mean looking male ghost in their room! I'm looking forward to reading Hidden Bloodlines. You're a fine author.
Isn't it fun when a vacation inspires a book? I have to say, though, that I'd prefer not to stay in a haunted hotel, even if it resulted in a book as exciting as Hidden Bloodlines. Thinking about your story still sends chills down my spine -- the hallmark of excellent suspense.
Karen, my favorite vacation is hard to pin down, except to say, I love visiting England, and try to go as funds allow. My last trip was to attend my friend's daughter's wedding in Reynoldston, Wales. Amazing. The Gower Peninsula is remote and stunning with moors, dales, and salt marshes. There was lots of excitement but no unearthly beings. Cheers.
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