Explore the Mysteries of the National Parks with author Mike Bezemek. Discover forgotten stories of the first UFO sighting, lost explorers, and other unsolved national park mysteries.

Episode Resources:

• Get your copy of "Mysteries of the National Parks"
• Learn more about Mike Bezemek's work

Was the first-ever UFO sighting covered up by the Roswell incident? What really happened to the honeymooners who vanished on the Colorado River? Author and outdoor adventurer Mike Bezemek joins us to uncover the shocking secrets and strange events hidden within America’s most treasured landscapes. In this episode, we dive deep into his fascinating book, Mysteries of the National Parks, exploring forgotten tales that defy simple explanation.

From bizarre crimes to perplexing natural phenomena, this conversation peels back the curtain on the unsolved national park mysteries that have puzzled historians and scientists for decades. We investigate the incredible story of the first UFO sighting in 1947, where pilot Kenneth Arnold witnessed nine mysterious objects over Mount Rainier, an event that predates the more famous Roswell incident. Mike Bezemek reveals why this foundational story has been largely forgotten and shares the plausible explanation behind the Roswell craze that followed. We then travel to Yosemite for the tale of a brazen stagecoach robbery where the bandits posed for a photograph—possibly the only authentic picture of a Wild West holdup in existence.

The discussion covers a wide range of incredible stories, including the tragic Glenn and Bessie Hyde disappearance in the Grand Canyon, where the newlywed couple and their boat vanished without a trace after a perilous journey down the Colorado River. We also explore the eerie phenomenon of the Angel's Glow at Shiloh Battlefield, where wounded Civil War soldiers' wounds emitted a strange blue light, a mystery later potentially solved by a high school science project involving bioluminescent bacteria. Other incredible topics include the strange history of the Gateway Arch and its surprising connection to Mussolini, the famous sliding stones of Death Valley's Racetrack Playa, and the debate over whether Utah's Upheaval Dome was created by a salt formation or a massive meteor impact. These tales are just a fraction of the 35 incredible cases explored in the book, revealing that our national parks hold more than just beautiful scenery—they hold secrets.

About Our Guest:
Mike Bezemek is an author, outdoor writer, and adventurer whose work focuses on history, travel, and mystery. His latest book, "Mysteries of the National Parks," is the culmination of decades of exploring the U.S. National Park system, from the grand landscapes of Yosemite to the historic battlefields of the East. His curiosity was sparked during a cross-country road trip that led him to investigate the Lost Colony of Fort Raleigh, inspiring him to collect and document the strangest and most compelling mysteries our parks have to offer.

Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00 ) The Hidden Mysteries in Our National Parks
(02:17 ) Mount Rainier 1947: The Forgotten First UFO Sighting
(08:27 ) Behind the Book: Weaving History, Adventure, and Mystery
(10:22 ) Yosemite's Bizarre Stagecoach Robbery: The Only Known Photograph
(13:51 ) The Author's Inspiration: A Cross-Country Journey of Discovery
(17:31 ) The Gateway Arch's Twisted History: A Surprising Mussolini Connection?
(20:56 ) Death Valley's Racetrack Playa: The Mystery of the Sliding Stones
(24:27 ) Vanished on the Colorado: The Disappearance of Glenn and Bessie Hyde
(29:24 ) Angel's Glow: Solving a Civil War Mystery at Shiloh Battlefield
(34:18 ) The Making of a Mystery Book: A Lifetime of Research
(39:35 ) Upheaval Dome: Meteor Impact or Salt Dome?
(42:21 ) What’s Next for Mike Bezemek?