It’s that spooky time of year again, perfect for sharing eerie tales.
Sometimes the most chilling stories are those that don’t involve mythical creatures but rather real-life mysteries that remain unsolved.
Washington state is home to its own share of strange occurrences, from legendary beasts to puzzling geographical features. Each case reminds us that there’s still a lot we don’t fully understand.
Here are seven mysterious phenomena from the Evergreen State:
What were the Oakville blobs in Western Washington?
The enigma of the Oakville blobs continues to spark curiosity even after all these years.
In 1994, residents of the small town of Oakville experienced some unusual weather.
Instead of regular rain or hail, they found a gelatinous, clear substance falling from above.
Some people and animals became ill after coming into contact with the blobs. The state looked into it, but no definite conclusions were reached from their tests.
Now, over 30 years later, we’re still left wondering what those blobs really were. Some think it was related to military experiments, while others suggest “star jelly,” a material thought to originate from meteor showers or other space phenomena.
With testing samples long gone, it’s unlikely we’ll ever discover what rained down on Oakville back in 1994.
Netflix’s “Files of the Unexplained” featured the Oakville blobs in 2024.
A variety of other shows and popular social media series have also looked into this mystery, including Watcher’s You Tube series “Mystery Files.”
Multiple severed feet have washed ashore on this beach on Gabriola Island in British Columbia.(Image credit: STUART ISETT / The New York Times) p>
Why do feet wash up on Salish Sea beaches?
“Files of the Unexplained” also highlighted another strange occurrence in Washington: disembodied feet still inside sneakers washing up along beaches around the Salish Sea. p>
Over the past two decades or so, about two dozen feet have turned up on shores here. p>
While some believe there has been an uptick in recent years, experts think more sightings may just be due to increased attention through social media. p>
DNA analysis has helped identify some foot owners. Most belong to individuals who went missing and are believed to have died by suicide or accident. p>
The identities of others remain unknown due to decomposition making identification impossible. p>
The high number of people living and engaging with nature around Puget Sound results in many bodies ending up submerged for various reasons; experts explained this trend to Vox back in 2017. p>
This means these bodies eventually become food for ocean scavengers that typically begin with softer body parts like those above the ankle-leading often to amputated extremities. p>
Sneakers are especially buoyant shoes which then float these detached feet ashore thanks to water currents. p>
Though some suspect darker motives behind these lone appendages’ appearances, it’s primarily specific conditions surrounding Salish Sea that likely result in more discoveries along local shorelines. p>
Mima Mounds are one of Washington’s enduring geologic mysteries. Washington Department of Natural Resources
What are the Mima Mounds in Thurston County?
Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve showcases yet another natural phenomenon that’s puzzled scientists for many years now. p >
A collection of dirt mounds reaching heights up to seven feet and spanning 40 feet wide has been nicknamed soil or prairie pimples. P >
This geological feature exists worldwide but still lacks a solid explanation for how it forms. P >
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources suggests possibilities such as seismic activity or glacial influences. P >
If you want a good look at these unique hills made up mainly silt sand and pebbles visiting Mima Mounds preserve is your best bet although other formations can be found nearby too. P >
The start of ‘Gravity Hill’ on Crosby Rd., where putting your car in neutral will seemingly move you uphill, past the old building. Karlee Van De Venter
How does Gravity Hill in Prosser work?
You can find Gravity Hill on rural outskirts near Prosser located within Eastern Washington state.
If you pull your car towards bottom before shifting it into neutral somehow you’ll end up being drawn upward along roadways leading away downhill!
Theories abound regarding why this occurs!
The most sinister-and far-fetched-explanation suggests ghost children might push cars uphill!
Certain visitors advise dusting vehicle backsides using dirt/flour prior commencing journey stating tiny handprints appear afterwards.
A magnetic reaction within landscape is another hypothesis while yet another more common belief-which scientists have explored-is it’s merely an optical illusion!
Your vantage point from ground level makes discerning if hill you’re standing upon truly belongs part larger incline difficult resulting perspective creating movements as naturally follow contour larger slope beneath!
This theory however faces skepticism regarding elevation testing suggesting not everyone agrees why exactly Gravity Hill exerts its curious force over vehicles!
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