31 Comments
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Jan 16
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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you so much, JT. As always, I really appreciate you reading and commenting.

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The Debatable Land's avatar

Great piece. Great photos. Great track. Ah Metric. What’s not to like

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you so much! 🩶

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Lynn Reilly's avatar

Oof. So intense. So good. Thank you for taking us with you.

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you so much Lynn! 🩶 that means a lot to me. Also I thought you might appreciate the synchronicity of the dream and then the story. The metric song came up on random shuffle right after the story ended. I think my favorite part of this outing was how the universe packaged it up. 😍

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Amanda Royal's avatar

I really enjoyed this one, especially the beginning. It's very no-holds-barred.

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

It was a weird synchronicity. I had to include it, although I felt like maybe it was too gross. 😬 But you are the best. Thank you for your amazing support.

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Kara Westerman (she/her)'s avatar

The place and your photos are truly amazing. i love that you just go your own way, knowing somehow that a genre will grow up around you. I don't know how to say what it is that you write, meaning I don't have a category to put it in. Thats the best part! There's no-one else like you.

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Amanda Royal's avatar

I agree with you that it's so unique. I call it nonfiction horror. I don't know if Lyns likes that moniker or not.

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

I like it! I didn’t know that’s what I was doing but I’ll take it! 😍 thanks Amanda! You’re always making me look good 🥰

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Kara Westerman (she/her)'s avatar

that’s great!

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Kara thank you!! I love how cool Substack is, they let me experiment and play around. I’ll keep doing that as long as they tolerate me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ this is one of my favorites so far because I love haunted hiking. Thank you so much for encouraging me and for all of your support. I’m having so much fun! You are such an important part of that. 🙏

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Maria Luz O'Rourke's avatar

Both natural and supernatural - the best combo for maximum spookiness 😍🐦‍⬛🍁

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you Maria! Those are my favorite 😍

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HANNAH's avatar

I loved loved loved this! The pics and your writing is magnificent and bewitching

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Wow thank you a lot, Hannah. What an awesome compliment. Thank you for taking the time.

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Sacred Healing Remedy's avatar

This is awesome! How you draw the reader in, the atmosphere/suspense, the images. And that ending. Part Grimm’s Fairytale part Peter Straub (I’m thinking Ghost Story) but all Dreary. Chills. And of course I want to go there. Well done. ❤️

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Yay thank you Sacred!! I haven’t read Peter Straub but that sounds like high praise. Thank you so much for reading and commenting and for your encouragement. You’re the best

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rena's avatar

The shots of trees are exceptional!

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Omg thank you so much Rena!!

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Robin Blackburn McBride's avatar

Wow! Love this, Lyns! Good and spooky, and your pictures are wonderful. I've never read Hawthorn's Ethan Brand. I really like how the last passage connects with your dream.

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you Robin! Me too! I thought it was such a cool synchronicity. Thanks for reading and commenting. I always appreciate you.

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SuddenlyJamie's avatar

What a fabulous place. Thank you for taking us along! Your photographs are gorgeous - so atmospheric. Each one is like a story on its own, and then your words … felt like I was right there.

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you Jamie! This one was so much fun. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment, all your kind words

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Rhaine Della Bosca's avatar

Just wow! Mysteriously spooky. Love it!

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you so much! I’m so glad! I appreciate you reading and commenting. It really means a lot. 🩶

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Tim Shuter's avatar

Well, I'm spooked. Great Story. Thanks

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Tina Hedin's avatar

This was scary! I love the beginning and how it transitions into the story of the hike. I listened to the audio and maybe that made it even more intense – then went through and looked at your gorgeous photos. Words + pictures + audio make an immersive spooky experience!

I have had a feeling of irrational panic in the woods when it's starting to get dark and I'm alone. I relived that feeling while on this hike with you. I love this: "I am not afraid of it. I am part of it."

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Sorry to make you relive a frightening time. I should honestly be more panicked about hiking in the woods alone, especially at night, in the cold without any decent gear or anything. I’m a total dipshit whose luck will one day run out. But honestly it’s more people I fear in the woods than anything else. Thank you for listening and reading and for your wonderful compliments. I always listen to yours while reading and looking at your pictures and it makes it so special! I’m so grateful you’re here, Tina! It makes me so happy, you don’t even know!

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David Kirkby's avatar

Spooky, Lyns!

And great photographs with it....

I do most of my hiking solo too, listening to the wind instead of to companions.

Keep walking - keep writing!

Best Wishes from Australia - Dave :)

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Thank you so much, David!! I’m so happy to hear from you. Thank you for your encouragement and support. Happy Trails! 🩶

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