Wicked Creation

I’m taking the weekend off—no tours booked—and I’m heading back to my old stomping grounds in western Nebraska to have a little fun.

Speaking of fun, there’s a very interesting story just about an hour north of my hometown of Alliance, known as The Vampire of Dawes County:

In the late 1800s near Dawes County, ranch reports began circulating about cattle turning up dead, mangled, and sometimes exsanguinated across the open range. At first, it was written off as wolves or simple range loss—but the pattern didn’t quite match what experienced cowboys were used to seeing.

During this same period, a cowboy named Jack Lewis became part of one of the most enduring accounts. Separated from his group while tending cattle, Lewis later claimed he was suddenly attacked in the dark. A violent struggle followed—brief, chaotic, and enough to draw the attention of nearby riders. He survived with injuries that were serious, but not fatal.

According to later retellings, the other cowboys tracked the assailant into the surrounding hills. They described it as something unnaturally fast and strong—“not moving like a man should move,” in some versions—but whatever they pursued vanished into the landscape and was never confirmed or captured. Over time, the story absorbed the language of frontier fear and uncertainty, eventually becoming part of regional “vampire” lore tied to the Pine Ridge backcountry.

key chains! Starting at $3

Autumn is on the way… and so is spooky season.
But the ghosts? They’ve been here all year. Join us this weekend for one of our two ghost tours with spaces left—each with its own eerie twist.
For a synopsis of each tour or to grab $15 tickets visit https://mphtours.com/

👽NEW TOUR LANDING🛸Venture just outside the city limits for a seated stargazing experience unlike any other. Bring a camping chair and settle in for 90 minutes beneath the stars. You will hear a blend of famous extraterrestrial and UFO encounters alongside lesser-known, chilling stories, including personal and second-hand accounts gathered over the years.

The exact meeting location is revealed after purchase. Limited parking space means availability is very restricted. Recommended for adults and mature teens ready for a serious, eerie journey beyond our world.

**For audiences ages 12+. $15 per person. All attendees MUST bring a camping chair to use.
https://mphtours.com/

👻🔥🎉 BONFIRE GIVEAWAY! 🎉🔥👻

We want to hear from you! What was your most memorable Halloween costume as a kid — and why?

🧡 We’ll read through your stories and pick our favorite on Saturday.
The winner gets:
🎟️ 1 FREE ticket to the Big Spooky Bonfire
➕ 50% off a second ticket (in case you want to bring a brave friend!)
🎁 Prize value: $37.50

Drop your story in the comments below — and don’t hold back!
🕯️ Let the spooky nostalgia begin...

Do something kooky this weekend!
$15 tickets https://mphtours.com/