Enter the Valley: UFOs, Religious Miracles, Cattle Mutilations, and Other Unexplained Phenomena in the San Luis Valley

by Christopher O'Brien

An investigative journalist and renowned UFO expert reveals the bizarre occurrences in and around the San Luis Valley, including alien abductions, animal mutilations, underground bases, the hunt for an Indian treasure, and more. Original.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Supernatural

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 1999

About the author

Investigator on paranormal events in the San Luis Valley—located in south-central Colorado/north-central New Mexico.

O'Brien has investigated UFO reports, cryptozoology, cattle mutilations, secret military activity and folklore.

Reviews

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author hits the ground of the San Luis Valley in Colorado and New Mexico to investigate all sorts of reported weirdness (cattle mutilations, UFOs, ghosts, violent/unexplained history). The story of Sister Marie Jesus Agreda was fascinating. A Catholic who never left Spain, this bilocating nun supposedly appeared to Indians in the American Southwest and taught them about Christianity. When Catholic missionaries arrived in the area the locals corroborated her story. Today, the Sister continues to confound the Catholic Church and scientists. Her body hasn't decayed since her death over 300 years ago. I also enjoyed the story of a "mysterious" glass skull. After someone accidentally discovered it, the skull became a media sensation. Psychics, channelers, and New Age believers had a field day over the "find." Was the skull made by Atlanteans, Lemurians, or space aliens? Practically vibrating with excitement, these true believers ascribed all sorts of mysterious qualities to the skull. Then, a local glass maker spoiled all the fun. He called the press to essentially say, "The hype needs to stop." You see, he makes crystal skulls to sell for "Day of the Dead" celebrations. The one that had been found was a lower quality skull he had made. Thinking no one would want to buy it, he had placed it on some family property as a marker. It was just, uh, well, glass. Nothing more. Other stories feature a 19th Century serial killer, strange religious practices, and cannibalism. I'd recommend to those interested in Curiosities and Wonders!

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining book on the San Luis Valley, which straddles southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, and mysterious happenings that occur and have occurred there, from Alfred Packer's cannibalism in the 19th century to contemporary UFO sightings and more.

[Christine Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because I learned things about the San Luis Valley that I had now know. I only knew that I had an odd attraction to it. I once drafted an auto bingo game using features of the San Luis Valley: school bus graveyard, weird religious billboard, jerry-rigged houses, landscaping using old tires, above ground funeral pyre (only in Crestone), hippie coffee shop, UFO evidence, etc. I wish I could find it because it was pretty cool and gave you an idea of what the San Luis Valley is like.

Chris O'Brien is the specialist of esoteric knowledge about the SLV. Sections of the book cover different aspects, such as serial killers from the 1800s (the Espinosa brothers), stories about hidden gold, cattle mutilations, UFO sightings, uncommon religious rituals (the Hermanos Penitentes who flog themselves), theories about underground inhabitants (troglodytes), government conspiracies especially regarding aircraft, Huerfano County ("The Huerfano") and its lore, and odd orbs that like to enter people's house. This was all fascinating stuff because it was grounded in SLV lore. However, when O'Brien covered people who communicate with individuals who are in comas, he lost me. Maybe these people live in the SLV, but they aren't relevant to the landscape. I did enjoy the section of the book about Lynn Weldon, a professor at Adams State in Alamosa who taught courses about the paranormal. My own biology professor at Purdue, Al Chiscon, taught us about the (relatively high) probability that there was life on other galaxies and it was impressive.

I don't know if space aliens have visited San Luis County, but I do know it is an interesting place. My husband and I were camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park and a fighter jet zoomed over us, treetop level. You can see how people get ideas about spaceships. Great Sand Dunes is not far from Colorado Springs, the location of the US Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, and two Air Force bases.
Since Chris O'Brien wrote his book, San Luis Valley has been the location of cult leader Mother God (Amy Carlson) and the legalization of above ground cremation on funeral pyres in Crestone. There are some very strange structures, especially Cano's Casa, a house constructed of beer cans, in Antonito. Antonito also has more truck tire yard art than I have seen anywhere else.

O'Brien's book is fascinating when it is covering SLV lore, but fizzles a bit when discussing communication with the comatose.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the trilogy of UFOs, paranormal and cattle mutilations on the San Luis Valley, excelent book, worth reading.