Art begins by discussing the impressive ratings jump his show experienced in Nashville, Tennessee, skyrocketing from a market position of 12 to number one. This remarkable increase in listenership is attributed to the show’s engaging and diverse content. Art highlights a mix of current affairs and unique topics, such as the President’s State of the Union address focusing on combating terrorism and the so-called “axis of evil” countries. He also touches on controversial issues like the Enron scandal and its undisclosed lobbying expenditures.
In a shift from politics, Art delves into more sensational news. He reports on a hostage situation in a Los Angeles bank, where the suspect eventually surrendered. Additionally, he covers the arrest of Governor Jeb Bush’s daughter for attempting to fraudulently obtain Xanax and the denial of a boxing license to Mike Tyson.
Intriguingly, Art discusses an unusual event: a 7,000-pound satellite, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, is expected to fall back to Earth. Despite reassurances, there’s uncertainty about where it will land, adding a sense of unpredictability and excitement to the broadcast.
Art shares a surprising piece of news from the literary world: Stephen King, the renowned horror writer, is contemplating retirement after publishing five more books. King, known for his horror novels, has planned to release a collection of short stories and a limited series for ABC. He expresses a desire to end his career on a high note, fearing redundancy in his work. Interestingly, Art shows a keen interest in interviewing Stephen King, emphasizing the value of long-form interviews, which are a hallmark of his show. He contrasts this with the often superficial nature of TV interviews, citing the depth and insight that can be achieved in a radio format.
Art then speculates on King’s retirement, predicting that the writer’s creative impulses might eventually draw him back to writing. This reflects Art’s understanding of the creative process and the allure it holds for artists like King. He also mentions a legislative update from Representative Dennis Kucinich regarding HR 2977, which originally included controversial topics like chemtrails and mind control technologies. These have now been removed from the bill, leading Art to ponder the reasons behind this change and the potential political pressures involved.
Further, Art announces the optimization of the “Coast to Coast AM” website for mobile devices, specifically targeting iPhone and Android users. This upgrade reflects the show’s commitment to staying current with technological trends and enhancing listener accessibility.
Art then shares a piece of unusual news from the UK about a mysterious virus affecting British frogs, causing their limbs to fall off and leading to a painful death.
Art Bell discusses an intriguing topic involving a man named Mel Waters. Waters, known for discovering a seemingly endless hole, has reportedly found another such hole with unusual properties. Art expresses both skepticism and fascination about the likelihood of someone finding not just one, but two bottomless pits. He suggests that Waters might have been led to the second hole due to his notoriety from the first discovery. This segment reflects the show’s interest in exploring mysterious and unexplained phenomena.
Art then shifts to a more lighthearted, yet bizarre story about an eBay listing. The seller offers to personally deliver an “ass kicking” to the highest bidder, under specific conditions, including not fighting back and covering all travel expenses. Art expresses disbelief and amusement at the absurdity of the listing and the fact that there might actually be bidders for such an unusual offer.
He also notes the oddity of the world, citing an unexpected snowfall in Pahrump, a desert area near Death Valley, as an example of the strange and unpredictable nature of life.
Art discusses the case of John Hutchinson, who claims to have had dealings with Area 51. Hutchinson’s reluctance to delve into this topic during an interview with Art raises questions and adds to the mystery surrounding Area 51.
Art then addresses the accessibility of technology, specifically computers and the internet, acknowledging that not everyone is tech-savvy or owns a computer. He suggests using libraries or friends’ computers to access information, highlighting the increasing importance of the internet in business and everyday life. He also speculates about the future of traditional shopping malls as more people turn to online shopping.
The show takes an adventurous turn when a caller, Thomas from Mesa, Arizona, volunteers to be lowered into Mel Waters’ mysterious hole, previously discussed on the show. Thomas views this as a noble contribution to human knowledge, despite the risks involved. Art, both amused and bewildered by the caller’s willingness, humorously questions his sanity.
Following this, another caller, Donald from Atlanta, shares personal experiences with a guardian angel-like entity. Unlike the typical shadowy figures discussed on the show, Donald describes this entity as a radiant white presence that has protected him in numerous life-threatening situations, including car accidents and a fall from a tree. Art listens intently, pondering the nature of such entities and questioning why a guardian angel would allow these dangerous situations to occur in the first place, instead of preventing them.
A caller from Cleveland inquires about Mel Waters and his mysterious hole, sparking anticipation for Waters’ upcoming interview where he will discuss not only the original hole but a new one he has been led to.
Next, a caller from Oregon, who identifies as a Bigfoot field researcher with the Southern Oregon Bigfoot Society, shares his experiences. He discusses their efforts in baiting and tracking several families of Bigfoot, detailing their preferences for certain foods and the physical evidence they’ve collected, including hand and foot casts. The caller reveals they have had close encounters with Bigfoot, including a sighting from just 50 feet away, though they lack photographic evidence.
Art also hears from a caller from Illinois who speaks about strange occurrences in the woods near his home along the Fox River. He describes a sensation of being watched and hearing unusual animal sounds.
Following this, a caller from Illinois shares his experiences of strange occurrences in the woods near his home, including hearing a baby crying, which he investigates with night vision and a spotlight. The caller mentions the presence of coyotes and bobcats, adding to the eerie atmosphere of his story.
Another caller, also interested in Mel’s hole, expresses a willingness to be lowered into it despite a work-related injury. He discusses taking out a life insurance policy and contemplates whether Lloyds of London would insure such a venture. Art humorously questions the logic behind this idea and stresses the value of life, regardless of physical condition.
The conversation then shifts to a caller who brings up the topic of animal mutilations and the possibility that they might be linked to environmental testing. This leads to a discussion about new diseases and the impact of environmental changes on animals and humans.
Finally, a security officer from Fort Myers, Florida, talks about a ‘vanishing vagrant’ he has encountered in his area. The vagrant allegedly disappears right before the eyes of witnesses, a phenomenon that both Art and the caller find baffling and intriguing.
Art Bell’s show continues to delve into the mysterious and unexplained. A notable topic in this segment is the continuation of the discussion about Mel Waters and his infamous holes. Mel’s previous appearances on the show have captivated listeners with his accounts of a mysterious hole on his property in central Washington, which he claimed had no bottom and measured to an astounding depth of 80,000 feet using fishing line and a weight. Mel’s stories have intrigued many, leading to strange and unfortunate events related to him and the people connected to the hole.
Art then introduces Mel Waters, who joins the program to update listeners on his situation. Mel, currently in the Pacific Northwest, talks about his encounters with people who recognize him due to his previous appearances on the show. He shares an amusing anecdote about being mistaken for Willie Nelson by truckers.
Mel explains that he was returning from Nevada when he heard a rebroadcast of his original interview about the hole. This prompted him to update the audience on his current status and the ongoing mystery surrounding his property. He briefly outlines his discovery of the hole near Ellensburg, Washington, situated near Manastash Ridge and Kittitas Valley, an area characterized by valleys, mountain ranges, and ridges.
Mel Waters recounts how for many years, various items, including refrigerators, dead animals, and TV picture tubes, were thrown into the hole, yet nothing ever seemed to hit the bottom. Mel emphasizes the hole’s unusual properties, describing it as 90 feet across, with a retaining wall and seemingly bottomless depth.
Mel then explains his method for measuring the depth of the hole. He used large fishing reels with substantial amounts of line, attaching a roll of Lifesavers candy to the end as an indicator for water presence, assuming the candy would dissolve on contact. Despite extending the line up to 3,000 feet, he found no sign of a bottom. Driven by curiosity, Mel eventually acquired monofilament line in wholesale quantities and began lowering it into the hole with a one-pound lead weight.
Mel mentions that this project was a solo endeavor on his property, conducted out of personal interest. His wife, estranged at the time, was not present. He used a device to measure the line, estimating that he had lowered approximately 80,000 feet of line into the hole. Addressing skepticism regarding the weight of the line possibly affecting the measurement, Mel recalls using a fisherman’s scale to monitor the weight, which totaled between 17 and 18 pounds at the top.
Waters recounts how various objects, including TVs and dead animals, were thrown into the hole without any sound of them hitting the bottom. Interestingly, local animals and birds also seemed to avoid the hole. He shares a peculiar story about a man who claimed his deceased dog reappeared after being thrown into the hole, suggesting a paranormal aspect to it.
Mel then describes the aftermath of his public discussion about the hole on Art Bell’s show. Following the broadcast, he claims that uniformed personnel prevented him from accessing his property, citing a plane crash investigation. Mel, skeptical about the alleged crash due to the lack of evidence, was eventually threatened with accusations of running a drug lab, which he denies, stating he only dealt with native herbs and plants.
The situation escalated when the government purportedly offered to lease his property for a significant sum, leading him to relocate to Australia. Mel confirms he did move to Australia and stayed in touch with Art Bell to assure his well-being. He reflects on his time there, suggesting a content life but does not delve into the reasons for his return or current situation.
Mel describes being paid a considerable sum by the government to lease his property indefinitely, amounting to nearly a quarter of a million dollars per month. This arrangement led to his relocation to Australia, where he engaged in various activities, including wombat rescue.
During his time in Australia, Mel received regular payments as agreed, enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. However, his return to the United States in the year 2000 brought unforeseen complications. Mel recalls being approached by uniformed individuals who fabricated a story about a plane crash on his property to prevent him from accessing it. He suspected a cover-up and felt threatened due to his involvement with herbal and Native American medicines, which could be misconstrued as illegal activities.
Further legal troubles arose concerning his property and divorce, leading to a loss of his rights to the property. This situation was exacerbated by a bizarre incident where Mel was abducted, beaten, and left in an alley in San Francisco, resulting in severe injuries.
The story takes a turn as Mel discusses the disappearance of the substantial payments he received. He explains that legal complications and modifications made to his property after his departure led to a loss of his rights to the property and, subsequently, the money he had received. This left Mel in a precarious situation, with much of his newfound wealth gone and his rights to the property in question.
Mel Waters continues his fascinating tale, explaining how he spent a significant portion of the money he received. Much of it went towards his work in Australia, including setting up a facility for wombat rescue and restoration. This endeavor consumed a substantial amount of funds, reflecting Mel’s dedication to environmental conservation and animal welfare.
However, upon attempting to access his money later, Mel discovered that his funds were no longer available. His colleagues in Australia informed him that his wombat facility had been dismantled, and everyone working there had been given severance pay. This sudden turn of events left Mel in a precarious situation, as he found himself in financial trouble despite previously having a considerable income.
Adding to his misfortunes, Mel recounts a mysterious incident where he was abducted and later found himself injured in San Francisco, with no memory of what had happened in the intervening time. He describes being physically assaulted, resulting in significant dental damage.
Mel also delves into his hobby of jewelry making, particularly creating unique belt buckles. He recalls a specific buckle he made, adorned with coins featuring Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Franklin Roosevelt, representing the great conference they had. However, he notices an anomaly: a 1943 dime with Roosevelt’s image, which he asserts is impossible since Roosevelt was still alive in 1943. Further adding to the mystery, the dime had a ‘B’ mint mark, which is uncharacteristic as U.S. dimes typically have mint marks from San Francisco, Philadelphia, or Denver.
Mel Waters discusses how he spent the substantial money he received, with a significant portion going towards his wombat rescue project in Australia. Unfortunately, upon his return to the United States, Mel found his financial resources drained and his Australian facility dismantled.
He recounts an unusual incident involving a series of belt buckles he crafted, each featuring a unique 1943 dime with the faces of Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Franklin Roosevelt. One of these buckles caught the attention of a coin dealer, leading to a bizarre encounter with treasury officials who confiscated the dime for unknown reasons.
Mel also touches upon the strange occurrences on his property, likening it to intersections where miscellaneous car parts accumulate. He implies that his property seemed to attract various unusual items and events, reinforcing the mysterious nature of his land and the infamous hole.
Regarding his former wife, Mel mentions that she has seemingly vanished without a trace. When asked about the current status of his property, he believes it is likely fenced off and marked as an agricultural research area. Mel directs listeners to use the TerraServer, a satellite imagery service, to view his property near Ellensburg, Washington. Mel instructs them to look for two white squares on the satellite images, indicating where his property would be. He suggests that these white squares are evidence that specific details about his property have been intentionally obscured or removed from the public view.
Listeners who followed Mel’s instructions reported that the TerraServer images indeed showed an area near Ellensburg with a conspicuous missing patch, supporting Mel’s claim. This discovery adds to the intrigue surrounding Mel’s story, suggesting possible government involvement or cover-up regarding his property and the mysterious hole.
As the show approaches the top of the hour, Art Bell teases that Mel has discovered another seemingly endless hole, hinting at more revelations to come. The conversation also touches on government secrecy, particularly regarding UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Mel and Art discuss the likelihood that the government would never fully disclose information about UFOs, as such knowledge could undermine their control over the public.
Mel also shares anecdotes from people who claim to have seen a “black beam of light” near his property, adding to the aura of mystery. A television crew that visited Ellensburg after Mel’s last program found evidence of military presence in the area, further fueling speculations about government involvement.
Moreover, Mel discusses the expansion of the Yakima firing range and fly zone near his property, suggesting a possible military interest in the area. He then brings up an intriguing point raised by a listener about the improbability of one person discovering two seemingly bottomless holes in their lifetime, implying extraordinary circumstances.
Richard Hoagland, another guest on the show, proposes a theory involving parallel universes to explain the anomalies Mel has encountered, including the peculiar 1943 dime with a ‘B’ mint mark, which might stand for Berlin in an alternate reality.
Mel also mentions reports of large deliveries of fiber optic cables and instruments from Lawrence Livermore Laboratory to a warehouse in Ellensburg, hinting at sophisticated activities possibly related to his property. These deliveries, involving Israeli nationals, raise more questions about the international interest in the area.
Mel Waters discusses his interactions with Native Americans in Nevada, revealing that they contacted him due to his expertise in herbal medicine and metalwork. This connection led Mel to visit the reservation, where he exchanged knowledge about various plants, particularly those he grew on his property near the original hole in Washington. During these discussions, Mel learned about another mysterious hole located in Nevada.
This new hole, according to Mel, shares similarities with the original one in Washington, including its nine-foot diameter. However, it features a distinct metal collar around it, suggesting a purpose for something to be locked into place from above. The Basque community, known for sheepherding in the area, informed Mel that this hole has existed since at least the 1800s.
Mel mentions that the land where this second hole is located is probably under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), indicating that it is federal land and not privately owned by the Basque community. They have used the land for grazing but do not claim ownership.
Mel describes the hole as having a diameter of nine feet, similar to the one in Washington, and reveals that it is lined with a unique metal that radiates heat. Interestingly, the metal is not hot to the touch but creates a warm environment around it, which is used by locals to keep warm during the winter.
Mel explains that this hole has been known to the local Basque community and Native Americans since at least the 1800s and is considered a spiritual site. He further notes that animals, including dogs, are fearful of approaching the hole, and there have been reports of a black beam of light emanating from it. This phenomenon, described as a contradiction but referred to as a “black beam of light,” is said to shoot up into the sky from the hole for a brief period.
The conversation also touches on the TerraServer images Mel previously mentioned. Art Bell confirms that they found the image with the big white square where Mel’s hole in Washington would be, adding credibility to Mel’s claims. Mel continues to discuss the Nevada hole’s peculiarities, including the metal collar around it with notches that suggest something could be locked or aligned with it from above.
Mel Waters discusses an experiment he conducted with the second mysterious hole in Nevada, involving lowering a bucket of ice into it. The purpose was to determine the temperature inside the hole, based on whether the ice melted or not. They lowered the bucket to a depth of 1,500 feet and compared it with a control bucket of ice on the surface.
Upon retrieving the bucket from the hole, the ice had not melted, unlike the surface ice, which was partially melted. Intriguingly, the ice from the hole did not feel cold to the touch and did not melt when held in hand. To further investigate, they placed the ice on a fire, where it unexpectedly began to emit heat without melting or showing a visible flame, resembling the last flicker of a gas stove before turning off.
This unusual reaction continued even after the ice was removed from the fire. Mel mentions that one of the experimenters took some of this ice home, placing it in a wood stove, where it has reportedly been emitting heat since September, effectively heating the cabin continuously.
Mel further shares that the locals, including Basque shepherds and Native Americans, have known about this hole for generations. The Basque community, in particular, regards it as a spiritual site. They have observed it since the 1800s, and it has always been as it is now. The Native Americans in the area are aware of the hole but choose not to interact with it.
Mel also mentions that the locals did not conduct any experiments like lowering a line or camera into the hole due to limited resources. There were, however, suggestions to lower marijuana into the hole to see if it would enhance its properties, humorously calling it a “pothole.”
Regarding his own wishes for after death, Mel reiterates his earlier request to have his remains disposed of in the original hole in Washington. However, due to the changes in circumstances and his discovery of the second hole, he now considers being interred in the Nevada hole.
Mel Waters discusses a daring experiment involving the second mysterious hole in Nevada. He reveals that they decided to lower a live sheep into the hole to explore its effects. The sheep was placed in a crate and lowered down to a depth of 1,500 feet, the maximum length of the line they had available.
This experiment was motivated by curiosity about how a living organism would react to the hole’s unusual properties. Mel compares the weight of the sheep to that of a small human, emphasizing the significance of the experiment. The sheep was initially terrified, similar to other animals’ reactions to the hole. Despite ethical concerns, they stunned the sheep and placed it in a crate to be lowered into the hole.
The experiment took a strange turn when the sheep, which was making a lot of noise, suddenly became silent as it approached the hole. The silence continued even as they lowered the sheep down the hole, with no sound emanating from the crate despite apparent movement within it.
As they lowered the crate to about 700 feet, the movement ceased. Upon reaching the full length of the line at 1,500 feet, they felt a vibration and a static electricity-like sensation. After leaving the sheep at this depth for about half an hour, they hoisted the crate back to the surface.
Upon retrieval, the crate appeared normal from the outside, but the sheep inside was dead. Mel compares the texture of the ice that didn’t melt (from a previous experiment) to the feel of desiccant, a substance found in “do not eat” packets in electronic equipment packaging.
A Basque man began to dissect the sheep, and they discovered something extraordinary and disturbing. The inside of the sheep appeared to have been cooked, and instead of normal internal organs, they found a gel-like substance and a large tumor occupying most of the body cavity.
Upon further inspection, the tumor was found to be pulsating, and when cut open, it revealed what appeared to be a fetal seal with human-like eyes. The creature was still connected to the tumor by a cord and was alive, showing movements and seemingly observing the people around it.
The creature was alive and seemed to possess an awareness of its surroundings, moving and looking at the people around it. Mel described feeling a strong connection with the creature when he picked it up and placed it on the ground.
The creature, which emitted a smell like ozone, was observed for about two hours. It displayed intelligent behavior, including a compassionate look and a nodding gesture. Eventually, the creature moved towards the hole and voluntarily returned to it, disappearing into the depths.
Mel relates that after this intense encounter, he and the others present, including the Basque shepherds and Native Americans, were deeply affected. They felt a profound sense of transformation and a shift in their understanding of reality. Mel also shares a personal revelation: before his trip to Nevada, he was diagnosed with a lethal form of esophageal cancer, but after the encounter with the seal-like creature and his return, he was found to be cancer-free. He speculates that his interaction with the creature, which he describes as exuding compassion and emitting a smell like ozone, might have contributed to his miraculous recovery.
The Basque elder with whom Mel spoke afterward affirmed the spiritual significance of the area around the hole, acknowledging its long-standing importance in Basque tradition. This conversation reinforced the notion that the hole and its surroundings hold a deep, almost mystical significance.
Mel Waters discusses his plans to work more closely with the Native American tribes and the Basque people in Northern Nevada, where the mysterious hole is located. He expresses a desire to study the hole further but also mentions his reluctance to exploit or commercialize the experience, emphasizing the profound impact it has had on him.
Mel reflects on his miraculous recovery from a lethal form of esophageal cancer, which he attributes to his encounter with the seal-like creature that emerged from the tumor in the sheep. He believes that the compassion he felt from the creature and his physical contact with it played a role in his healing.
He also talks about his future plans to return to the hole and his commitment to understanding its mysteries better. Mel invites anyone with knowledge or theories about such phenomena to contact him via email for a deeper understanding.
One of the most profound moments Mel shares is his conversation with an elder Basque man, who seemed to have expected Mel’s extraordinary experiences and believed his story without question. As a parting gift, the elder gave Mel an object that, upon examination, turned out to be a 1943 Roosevelt dime – the same kind of dime that Mel had previously attached to his belt buckles and which had sparked his interest in the hole’s mysteries.
Mel plans to photograph this 1943 Roosevelt dime and share it, acknowledging its potential value at a coin auction but choosing to keep it due to its personal and possibly significant meaning. The Basque family emphasized the importance of this item to Mel, though he had not previously shared the story of the dimes with them.
The story concludes with Mel expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his extraordinary experiences and the profound impact they have had on his life.