In this episode, we journey into the rugged sandstone cliffs and shadowed trails of Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois, where Amanda recounts a night that changed her understanding of the wilderness forever. Visiting the remote reaches of the Shawnee National Forest, what began as a peaceful evening under the stars slowly unfolded into an unsettling experience marked by strange lights in the sky, an eerie silence in the woods, and the unmistakable sound of something walking just out of sight beside her.<br /><br /><br />Amanda shares what it felt like to move through the darkness with an unseen presence pacing her step for step, how the atmosphere of the forest shifted around her, and why the location itself now carries a deeper weight for her. Rooted in firsthand testimony and grounded in the geography of one of Illinois’ most iconic natural landmarks, her account offers a vivid glimpse into the mystery that still lingers in this secluded corner of the Midwest.<br /><br /><br />Join us as we explore Amanda’s chilling experience in Garden of the Gods and the quiet, unsettling questions that remain about what truly moves through those woods after nightfall.<br /><br />🗣️ <b>Share Your Story</b><br /><br />Had a Bigfoot encounter or strange experience?<br />Send it to [email protected] – your story might be featured on the show!<br /><br />🎥 <b>Watch &amp; Subscribe on YouTube</b><br /><br />🔴 Subscribe here → <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BigfootSociety?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bigfoot Society YouTube</a><br />💬 Leave a comment &amp; let us know your thoughts!<br />📞 Leave a voicemail with your story → <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/bigfootsociety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Speakpipe</a> (Use multiple voicemails if needed)<br />👥 Share this episode → <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5v75Od-X38" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watch &amp; Share</a><br />🎧 More episodes → <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3t1vwtsKh-MGeHs0XglFJE5LwUHpmJm_&amp;feature=shared" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Podcast Playlist</a><br />🌲 Recommended: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3t1vwtsKh-Mk4032IyZtWgP6LVPU8uat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Jersey Bigfoot Encounters</a><br /><br />💥 <b>Support the Show &amp; Get Perks</b><br /><br />✅ Join the community on <b>Supercast</b> – <a href="https://bigfootsociety.supercast.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Become a Member</a><br />✅ Listen ad-free &amp; early on <b>YouTube</b> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Qq45W6iaTU8FE9kelxT7Q/join" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Join Here</a><br /><br /><b>📱 Let’s Connect</b><br /><ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigfootsociety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@bigfootsociety</a></li><li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bigfoot_society" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@bigfoot_society</a></li><li>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bigfoot.society" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@bigfoot.society</a></li></ul>🧰 <b>Tools &amp; Partners I Use (Affiliate Links)</b><br />These help support the show at no extra cost to you:<br /><ul><li><b>Beam (Better Sleep):</b> <a href="https://share.shopbeam.com/hnpc4ype" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Try Beam</a></li><li><b>Wildgrain (Better Bread):</b> <a href="https://wildgrain.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/6ogi3frocb2zwtbx8gx8lksvnpgb6tnxbhqlhfk2/8487" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Join Here</a></li><li><b>Seed (Probiotics):</b> <a href="https://refer.seed.com/x/JQ3nHF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get Seed</a></li><li><b>Medi-Share (Healthcare):</b> <a href="https://bit.ly/4iHULko" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn More</a></li><li><b>LMNT (Electrolytes)</b> Free Sample Pack with your first purchase! : <a href="http://elementallabs.refr.cc/default/u/byronstephanie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get LMNT</a></li><li><b>Organic and non-GMO groceries delivered for less</b><br /><a href="http://thrv.me/uarEhS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://thrv.me/uarEhS</a></li></ul>🎙️ Podcasting Tools:<br /><ul><li><b>Repurpose.io:</b> <a href="https://repurpose.io/?fpr=28951" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Try It</a></li><li><b>Descript: </b><a href="https://get.descript.com/r3bclm1qi6r3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign Up</a></li><li><b>Streamyard:</b> <a href="https://streamyard.com/?fpr=bigfootsociety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Start Recording</a></li><li><b>Riverside.fm:</b> <a href="https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=rewardful&amp;via=bigfootsociety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Try Riverside</a></li></ul>🎧 My Audio Interface: <a href="https://amzn.to/3L1q8XY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">View on Amazon</a><br /><br />☕ <b>Buy Me a Coffee</b> – <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bigfootsociety" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Support Here</a><br />🛍️ <b>Grab Some Merch</b> – <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bigfootsociety/?etsrc=sdt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shop on Etsy</a><br /><br />📬 <b>Mailing Address:</b><br /><br />Bigfoot Society<br />125 E 1st St. #233<br />Earlham, IA 50072