Visitors to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah can marvel at the unique natural wonders of thousands of pieces of petrified wood that have transformed into rock over hundreds of millions of years. The park offers beautiful trails, a picturesque lake, and campsites, as well as a luxurious bathroom facility with heated floors and wall-to-ceiling tile.
However, park officials warn visitors against pocketing any pieces of petrified wood, as they believe it invokes a curse that brings bad luck to those who take the rocks. Park manager Chad Jones has received numerous letters from remorseful thieves who have experienced a string of misfortunes after taking the petrified wood. Some stories include minor accidents like tripping and falling, while others report more serious incidents such as car accidents or house fires.
Despite the warnings and the curse, some visitors still continue to take pieces of petrified wood from the park. While technically the park could charge these individuals with a crime, Jones believes the value of the petrified wood is priceless and difficult to quantify. He acknowledges that the curse may just be a coincidence or confirmation bias, but the abundance of anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be some merit to it.
Regardless of whether the curse is real or not, the legend persists and continues to be a part of the park’s culture. The park has warnings posted against taking rocks, but the thefts continue. The shoebox full of letters from those who have experienced the curse serves as a reminder of the consequences of defying nature’s will.
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