The Third Annual International Cryptozoology Conference

As many of you know, I was first inspired to take a more serious look at cryptozoology when I visited the International Cryptozoology Museum in 2013. So when I was asked to return to Portland, Maine and speak at the International Cryptozoology Conference (which happened to be across from the museum!) it felt like I had come full circle after five years of hard work.

We spent two days driving, stopping early each night so we could check out some of the other cool stuff New England has to offer (which mostly consisted of trying lobster in various forms). Saturday I woke up at the crack of dawn because I wanted to get there and set up as soon as possible. The vendors' area opened up at 6 AM and I was there waiting. I quickly set up and then began to wander around and converse with my fellow peddlers. I got to meet some really fantastic people including Stephen Bissette, Joeseph Citro, Andy McGrath, Katy Elizabeth, Hayley Eldridge and more. I also was able to catch up with old friends such as Aleksandar Petakov and Loren Coleman. Over the course of Saturday, I spent way too much money and had a great time. After the day was done, Aleks, Katy, Andy, myself, and a few others went out for dinner, which was even better.

I spoke on Sunday. There were a pretty good amount of people in the audience and I enjoyed talking about my cryptid predation research. I spent even more money and even sold out of my books!

The biggest highlight was when the International Cryptozoology Society gave me the Mark A. Hall Young Cryptozoologist Scholarship Award. I was completely blown away. I had no idea that I was going to be given the award, but I was honored.

Honestly, I think the event was one of the best conferences I've ever been to. I learned lots, met some of the best people in the field, made new friends, and was able to teach others about my research. I had a wonderful time.

Mark A. Hall: One of the Greats

It seems too often these days the cryptozoological community is effected by the passing of one of our own: Smokey Crabtree passed in January of this year, Rob Riggs passed in November of last year, and the Sasquatch Chronicler, John Green, passed in June. There were unfortnuately many more. I never got the chance to meet any of these three gentlemen, but their passing effected my anyway, if only as a kid who was influenced by their works and hopes to one day be lucky enough to stand atop the shoulders of the cryptozoological giants they truly were.
We have, unfortunately, lost another one of the greats; Mark A. Hall.
Despite the fact that I never met Hall, he still greatly effected my life and how I came up into the field, cautious but also open minded. I remember reading Hall's works when I was still in grade school; he was a huge influence on my development as a researcher as well. His research and books all fascinated me and intrigued me.
Loren Coleman, in his lovely obituary to the life and research of Hall, said, "it may be years before the younger researchers realize what a loss this is..." Trust me, Loren, I realize.
Hall was always a groundbreaker in the field, exploring new or largely ignored ideas and topics or shedding new light on well established topics. The field will never be the same without him.