Valley of the Skookum: Four Years of Encounters with Bigfoot

I started reading Sali Sheppard-Wolford's Valley of the Skookum, and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. reading it, almost getting to the end but not quite, and finished it the next day. (Sali Sheppard-Wolford is mother to Bigfoot researcher Autumn Williams. )I expected to find the book interesting, but had no idea I would be so drawn to it. And I'm not sure why I felt such a strong connection and a familiarity with the topic as I was reading the book. Part of that connection might be due to Sali's writing style, simple and honest, a personal narrative of highly strange experiences. Sali writes about her years living in a remote place in Washington, with her young children, including Autumn, who was the youngest, staying at home with her mother during the day. Sali (and eventually the entire family) encounter Bigfoot, along with many other high strangeness events, including UFOs and orbs of light.There's a beauty to this story and I can't put my finger on it. As I said, there was an echo of something that kept tugging at me. That aside, her experiences, while unique, do parallel other "LTW" (long term witnesses, as Autumn Williams calls them) of `paranormal" Bigfoot encounters.This isn't fiction. This could be seen as a bold statement, after all, all this supernatural Bigfoot stuff causes so many researchers to gnash their teeth at the very thought of such things. But there are only two possibilities: one, she's lying. Or two, she's not. I don't think she's lying, so she's telling the truth. I choose to believe she's telling the truth. For one thing, her narrative style rings true. For another, as unbelievable as it may sound to some, her story isn't an isolated one. There are other witnesses out there with strange tales involving "high strangeness" Bigfoot encounters. Bigfoot researcher Autumn Williams (her daughter, and author of the Bigfoot book Enoch) saw Sasquatch when she was a child, confirming Sali's account. And lastly, I had the pleasure of seeing Sali Sheppard-Wolford give her presentation at the recent Oregon Sasquatch Symposium (which was a great conference all around) and it is clear Shepherd-Wolford is telling the truth.One of the things Sali writes about are orange orbs seen by herself and witnesses in the area. At times they're described as "basket ball sized" and when I read that, I almost fell off the bed. I've been collecting sighting reports of orange orbs for some time, and often they're orange "orbs" that are really pinpoints, or star sized, orange lights. The orange orb I saw so many years ago here in Oregon can be described as "basket ball sized."Impossible to know if these were the same kind of lights, or if the orbs in Sali Shepherd-Woolford's book have anything to do with Bigfoot. It's possible they do, it's possible the area is full of energy that caused these things to occur. Keep in mind that when I say "UFO" it doesn't mean flying saucer (necessarily.) In this context, I don't think they were. Of course, I wasn't there.It is a fantastic story. And it may all seem a little much; psychic traits, psychic vampirism or energy drains, UFOs, MIBS, and Bigfoot. Sounds like a cheesy sci fi movie. As impossible as it may sound to some, there are people who've experienced these things. I know, because I know some of these people myself, and I've experienced a lot of these things myself.It's a simple, honest and beautiful book.

This is one of the most compelling books about Sasquatch that I have read and I have read a LOT. It is well written, flows simplistically and it clearly has a depth of feeling that reflects the author. I did not want this book to end and I will surely and shortly start reading it again. As a person (me) of fairly deep emotion, almost to my detriment, I resonated with this story even though I have never had a known encounter (only one very unusual and frightening to me and my camping-partner scream/vocalization in East Oklahoma in 1977 - now I know it's a hotbed of sighting so maybe I did hear a Bigfoot). I would caution any newcomer to Sasquatch that one is better off with first hearing about the plethora of sightings and absolutely most critical of all, to understand the scientific and bonafide evidence, if not proof, that there is a Sasquatch out there. Then one can venture into the more mysterious, spiritual and paranormal aspects that are found in this book. If you start with this one and you find you cannot believe it, don't give up - go back to the Youtube videos and presentations on the evidence. Enjoy the journey!!

Sali Sheppard-Wolford seems likeable enough, and her talent for writing is very obvious. A story that holds you spellbound, but not your typical flesh and blood Bigfoot encounter. Events similar to those found in B. Ann Slate and Alan Berry's "Bigfoot" are called to mind. See my recent review of that book to better understand. Strange events even started to occur in my own home during the reading of this book, like footsteps in the middle of the night, and my bedroom television set turning on by its self at full volume. Very dangerous ground to trod on. Read only with much prayer and faith in God. Proceed with caution.

I enjoyed this engaging and well written account of time spent in what paranormal researchers would call a "window area", where all kinds of strange phenomena take place. It's not a straight out bigfoot book, but more of a high strangeness, Fortean, and very spiritual account. None of the spiritual content overwhelms the very interesting narrative of the events that take place in the valley. Sasquatch, glowing orbs, a ghost train, and very sinister MIB's with long memories are all here. I have a theory that people like the character "Tami" were burned at the stake in previous times. She seems to be trouble! I would recommend this to anyone who like the weird stuff.

I had to purchase a second copy of this book, after traveling extensively in Asia. Very deep in every way with aspects to it's subject matter that have yet to be understood in our current times. After having my own encounters with similar peoples on two separate continents, I sought solace in this book which definitely assisted me in better understanding what happened in my own travels. The Author is a wonderful person as well to meet in person. The friendships developed by the people detailed in this writing is just as important and powerful a read. I invite my friends in the healing communities worldwide to read and further meditate on it's contents."Ankha bund karo, ur dil kholo." Close your eyes and open your heart- Zahor Bano Begum 1984

Being fascinated with anything about Big Foot how can I not like this. This was not great, but not bad either... just a good read about her BF experience. So, I just bought her daughters book to read next.

A very well written book. Although I dont follow the "UFO-BIgfoot" crowd, I very much enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in the big guy. As other reviewers have stated, I didnt want to put it down and want the story not to end. A very nice break from the repeated stories you find in most "Bigfoot" books. It will make a nice addition to my collection. Thank Sal

If you haven’t read about BF habituation, this helps. But they don’t really reach out to BF, the BF reaches for them and it’s a hardship on everyone because they reach for outsiders who have a very evil agenda.

Very readable novel. A page turner. Interesting insights into the paranormal written in a plausible way. Enjoyed the book.

Incredible book, fascinating read, I couldn't put it down!The idea that this goes on leaves me in awe of those who are blessed to see it.

Well written, intriguing read