In Episode 5, Alexis, along with Andrew and Kyle learn that The Dark Watchers have been silently observing travelers along California's Santa Lucia Mountains for over 300 years. But what happens when they decide to do more than watch?

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https://youtu.be/eYi0cWjg1UM

Video Edited by Colson Kepford

In this episode, we explore three chilling encounters with these towering shadow figures:

- A Monterey hiker's terrifying experience inspired by John Steinbeck's "Flight"

- A rattlesnake and hummingbird attack near Topatopa Mountains where a Dark Watcher simply... watched

- Two girls' haunting sighting on Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo

Are the Dark Watchers connected to Chumash afterlife beliefs? We dive deep into December's Child and Chumash World at European Contact to uncover the truth about these 10-foot tall figures in cloaks and wide-brimmed hats.

🎙️ Hosts: Alexis, Andrew, and Kyle

📍 Locations covered: Monterey, Santa Lucia Range, San Luis Obispo, Highway 101, Topatopa Mountains

⚠️ If you're driving through Central California at twilight, keep your eyes on the ridgelines. Someone might be watching you back.

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Char Man of Ojai, California

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 | Cold Open / Intro

8:15 | The Steinbeck Connection

12:06 | Story 1: The Rattlesnake & The Hummingbird (Char Man Territory, Ojai)

20:21 | Discussion: Do Dark Watchers Gather Tea?

22:33 | Story 2: Highway 101 Encounter (Reenactment)

27:09 | Discussion: Are the Dark Watchers Real or Just Optical Illusions?

30:10 | Story 3: Chumash Afterlife Connection

37:05 | Discussion: Dark Watchers vs Dementors - Who Wins?

40:21 | Closing Thoughts & Credits

Sources:

San Francisco Gate - https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/dark-watchers-santa-lucia-range-stories-steinbeck-16012812.php

All that interesting - https://allthatsinteresting.com/the-dark-watchers

Weird California - https://www.weirdca.com/location.php?location=179

Forteana forums - https://forums.forteana.org/index.php?threads/dark-watchers-vigilantes-oscuros-ominous-figures-santa-lucia-mountains-california.68244/

Books:

The Chumash World at European Contact - Lynn H. Gamble

December's Child - Thomas C. Blackburn