Campfire Stories: A Going West Summer Special // 620

Summary

Going West: True Crime

Episode 620 – Campfire Stories: A Going West Summer Special
Date: June 26, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

---

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This special summer episode celebrates Heath's 38th birthday with a unique twist: listener-submitted, camp-themed true crime stories where, for the most part, no one dies—but the close calls and chilling encounters stay with the survivors forever. Set around the “campfire” in their whimsical Unwell Campground set, Daphne and Heath recount real and harrowing tales that emphasize personal safety, intuition, and the eerie vulnerabilities of camping. The tone is confiding but relatable, with candid reactions and the trademark blend of empathy and dry humor the hosts are known for.

---

KEY STORIES & DISCUSSION POINTS

---

1. The Neighbor at the Campground (Ashley’s Story)

Starts: [03:04]

• Setting: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 2010. Ashley, 19, joins her boyfriend Chris and his family for her first camping trip.
• Events:
  • Ashley has an unsettling encounter with a man in a pickup truck who asks if she is alone ([05:16]).
  • The man’s expression changes when Chris arrives, and he leaves.
  • Later that evening, the man circles their campsite and is noticed by Chris’s dad ([06:08]).
  • Next morning on a solo walk, Ashley encounters the man again; he walks beside her, asks personal questions, puts his hand around her waist, prompting Ashley to flee ([07:55]).
  • That day, Ashley returns from the bathroom to find the same man at their campsite, chatting with Chris’s parents—without anyone realizing he’s a threat ([08:43]).
  • At night, Ashley and Chris hear footsteps right outside their tent. Chris yells, scaring off the intruder—the same man, who flees in his truck ([11:08]).
  • The family leaves the next morning. Ashley never sees the man again but remains haunted by the experience.

Memorable Quotes:

• “His whole expression changed when Chris came up and kissed me on the cheek. I think Chris did it for show...but the guy in the truck didn’t seem to like it.” – Ashley (read by Daphne) [05:39]
• “You should definitely, at that point, be rude.” – Heath [07:50]
• “All I wanted to do was go to my boyfriend Chris, tell him I wanted to leave and go home. But I didn’t want his parents to think I was dramatic and I didn’t want to ruin their annual camping trip, so I stayed quiet.” – Ashley (read by Daphne) [08:12]
• “Don’t let creepy people into your campsite. And also don’t let creepy people get to your woman.” – Heath [12:38]

Insights:

• The story highlights the importance of trusting one’s intuition and being assertive in the face of persistent, unwanted attention.
• The hosts reflect on the vulnerability of camping and the added pressure women feel to be polite rather than direct about discomfort ([13:41]).

---

2. The Story that Changed How I Camp (Renee’s Story)

Starts: [14:47]

• Setting: Near Tillamook, Oregon, July 2024; submitted by Renee, a cautious, family-oriented camper.
• Events:
  • Two women camping are attacked at midnight: a man cuts into their tent, binds and blindfolds them, tells them he plans to sexually assault them, and brings a bag of razor blades ([16:28]).
  • The women escape unharmed; the story receives press, shocking the local camping community.
  • Two years later (May 28, 2026), the man is arrested—Gene Arnold McLenathan, 58, from Salem, Oregon, who has a prior record ([18:41]).
  • Renee now camps differently: only in populated areas, with keys and flashlight by her side, and no longer worries about seeming rude if she feels uneasy about someone.

Memorable Quotes:

• “After reading about those women I realized I had spent my entire life assuming that the thin layer of nylon around me meant more than it actually did.” – Renee (read by Heath) [17:54]
• “For the first time in my life I realized that the zipper on the tent isn’t really protection—it’s just a tiny bit of privacy.” – Renee (read by Heath) [19:44]
• “But that’s the beauty of camping, you know, is the fact that there is just this nylon wall between you and nature...but it’s also a kind of a vulnerable position to be in.” – Heath [20:55]

Insights:

• The hosts discuss the illusion of safety tents provide and the importance of trusting feelings over social pressure to be polite.
• They emphasize preparedness, especially for female campers ([21:12]).

---

3. The Man at the Rest Stop (Samantha’s Story)

Starts: [21:12]

• Setting: Road trip from Southern California to Arizona, 2005; Samantha, then 34, traveling with her 6-year-old daughter, Emma.
• Events:
  • Exhausted and emotionally drained, Samantha stops at an almost empty rest stop so Emma can use the bathroom ([23:10]).
  • While alone, a man enters, tries to open stalls, and lingers outside Emma’s stall ([25:07]).
  • Samantha confronts him; he shoves her and tries to reach over the stall to grab Emma. Samantha fights back, swinging a metal trashcan and driving the man off ([27:58]).
  • In the chaos of her father’s subsequent death, Samantha never reports the incident, and is haunted by guilt and uncertainty ([30:01]).

Memorable Quotes:

• “I immediately called out, ‘Occupied,’ only to be met with silence. The footsteps moved again, and for a second, I thought whoever it was had finally realized their mistake. But instead, I heard another stall being tested...My daughter Emma called out to me. ‘Mommy,’ I think is what she said, and my heart dropped.” – Samantha (read by Daphne) [25:09]
• “So I grabbed one of those little metal trash cans and swung it at him. I don’t know if I hit his shoulder or his head...but I know I made contact.” – Samantha (read by Daphne) [28:02]
• “Don’t make it—well, no, you know, if you’re that bold to try something like that, you would probably do it again.” – Heath [30:03]

Insights:

• The hosts stress that the fight-or-flight response is real and necessary, and urge listeners to report suspicious incidents, even if overwhelmed.
• They also highlight how single parents traveling alone are especially vulnerable in isolated public places.

---

4. The Night Shift (Jason’s Story)

Starts: [33:38]

• Setting: Idaho national forest, park ranger Jason shares an event from six years prior.
• Events:
  • Stationed late after hours, Jason receives an emergency from an older man covered in blood who claims his wife fell and died while hiking ([36:20]).
  • While he helps coordinate rescue, Jason’s true crime instincts prompt suspicions: the man is oddly apologetic, vague, and not visibly distraught for his wife ([36:21] - [38:46]).
  • Law enforcement ultimately deems the death an accident and closes the case. However, Jason remains haunted by doubt, wondering if the truth is buried ([40:09]).

Memorable Quotes:

• “Wildlife almost never worries me. It’s the people that do.” – Jason (read by Heath) [34:38]
• “All I found out that night is that she was deceased. But...I just have this feeling.” – Jason (read by Heath) [39:58]
• “You wonder how many stories like this are actually legit accidents, or how many people just simply got away with it and got lucky.” – Heath [41:02]

Insights:

• The story prompts discussion of undetected crime; how many "accidents" in the wilderness are genuine versus unprosecuted murder?
• It reflects the ways true crime knowledge shapes skepticism, and the difficult job park rangers face as first responders in remote tragedies.

---

NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “Women spend way too much of their lives worrying about being polite.” – Daphne [19:33]
• “The zipper on the tent isn't really protection—it's just a tiny bit of privacy.” – Renee, read by Heath [19:44]
• “Camping always felt safe to me. It was always a comfort activity.” – Renee (read by Heath) [16:07]
• “It is a very vulnerable feeling to sleep in a tent.” – Daphne [19:50]
• “I was terrified to leave that bathroom, worried that he was waiting for us outside...I threw Emma into the car as fast as I could and sped away.” – Samantha (read by Daphne) [29:05]
• “Wildlife almost never worries me. It’s the people that do.” – Jason [34:38]
• [Heath Reflecting on Ashley’s Story:] “Don’t let creepy people into your campsite. And also, believe her.” [12:38]

---

IMPORTANT TIMESTAMPS

• [03:04] – Ashley’s Campground Story starts
• [14:47] – Renee’s Oregon tent attack story starts
• [21:12] – Samantha’s rest stop incident starts
• [33:38] – Jason the Ranger’s “Night Shift” story starts

---

THEMES & TAKEAWAYS

• The Thin Line of Safety: Multiple stories reinforce how little actual protection exists in tents or remote areas, and how predators exploit this vulnerability.
• Intuition vs. Politeness: Nearly all stories involve the victim sensing danger but hesitating to cause a scene, highlighting the social conditioning, especially among women, to “not make a fuss.”
• Reporting and Guilt: Samantha’s story emphasizes the importance—and emotional cost—of reporting dangerous men, even when life is overwhelming.
• The Unknown in “Accidental” Deaths: Jason’s account raises questions about undetected crime in the outdoors, echoing famous cases discussed in previous episodes.
• Staying Prepared: Suggestions include camping in less isolated spots, carrying mace, being bold about discomfort, and trusting instincts over social expectations.

---

ATMOSPHERE & TONE

• Friendly, supportive, and sometimes humor-laced banter between Daphne and Heath, creating a campfire-style intimacy.
• Strong advocacy for victims’ voices and encouragement for listeners to trust their gut.
• Occasional self-reflection on the effects of true crime consumption (“True crime brain..."), leading to heightened skepticism and vigilance.

---

CLOSING REMARKS

The episode closes with reminders to camp safely this summer, to listen to intuition, prepare with safety tools, and enjoy the outdoors—while keeping a wary eye on the possibility that “strangers” aren’t always who they seem ([42:59]). The hosts encourage connecting on social media for ongoing stories and invite listeners for the next Tuesday’s episode.

---

For full listener impact:

• This episode is both a gentle warning and a celebration of resilience, presented by a duo who mix compassion, a dash of dark humor, and practical advice.

---

Transcript

[A]

Support for Unwell comes from Uber Eats. Uber Eats makes last minute gifting easy. Graduation, birthdays, anniversaries, you blink and they're here. The Uber Eats gift hub has something for everyone. Flowers, perfume, champagne, even their favorite takeout order. And it can show up in as little as 25 minutes. The best part, you can add a video message and a personal note so it actually feels like you planned it all along. Order on Uber Eats today must be 21 plus to purchase alcohol. Product availability varies per region. See app for details.

[B]

Consider lunch solved with Landofrost premium lunch meat.

[A]

It's the smart choice for families. It's packed with 8 plus grams of protein per serving, so you can fuel your day without overspending at checkout. There's no artificial flavors or byproducts, and

[B]

Landofrost has a variety of flavors that everybody in the family can enjoy. From black forest ham, honey smoked turkey, even hot honey ham and chicken chop.

[A]

Landofrost's premium lunch meat at your favorite local grocery store. Your morning sets the tone for your whole day. Start it with intention with the new Nespresso Vertuo up machine. From zero to brew in just three seconds. A simple press is all it takes to create a moment that's truly yours. Enjoy bold espressos or rich lattes made exactly how you like them, hot or over ice. So every morning cup is consistently smooth, flavorful, and made just for you press to explore. Because every coffee is a new world. Shop [e-mail] Foreign.

[B]

What is going on? True crime fans? I'm your host, Heath.

[A]

And I'm your host, Daphne.

[B]

And you're listening to a very special edition of Going West.

[A]

Very special, because this is a Camp Tales episode, all for our heath's 38th birthday. So happy birthday, Heath. We're going camping for his birthday. This episode drops on his birthday. So we thought it would be fun if we did a little something different and tell true crime stories where nobody has to die. These stories actually came straight from you guys, from Instagram. We posted you guys submitted and they're all like kind of camp adjacent. So it works for the theme.

[B]

Yeah. And I don't think. Well, I don't think anybody loses their life. Maybe one person or.

[A]

Well, there is one story. There is one questionable situation.

[B]

Questionable. Very questionable. All right, guys, without further ado, this is episode 621 of Going West. So let's get into it.

[A]

If you guys are watching over on YouTube, you. You can see that we're at a very fun set Today over at Unwell,

[B]

yes, the Unwell Campground.

[A]

We have our uncrustables, we have our lanterns, we have our tree.

[B]

We brought a tree in.

[A]

He brought a Christmas tree in. So go watch on YouTube if you guys can. Okay, I'm gonna tell the first story. This one is from Ashley and I'm calling it the Neighbor at the Campground. Ashley says, I'm 35 now, married with two kids, and have gone camping plenty of times since this strange ass story occurred. But my husband jokes that I have about 50 safety rules whenever we travel, and this is probably where most of them come from. I was 19 in 2010, and it was the first time I had ever gone camping with a boyfriend's family. I didn't grow up much of a camper in Philly, so there's that. My boyfriend at the time, Chris, and I had been together for about a year, and his parents invited me on their annual summer camping trip. They had been going to the same campground for years and loved it. I was a little nervous because I really liked his parents and I wanted them to like me. And they did. Started out really fun. We were getting to know each other, they were really chill, and I knew the trip would go just as swimmingly. The campground itself was beautiful. I remember there was like a little pond and a camp store that sold ice cream and bait and stuff like that. It wasn't deep wilderness or anything like that. There were kids riding bikes and families grilling burgers. Everywhere you looked. You can picture it. It was like many other campgrounds.

[B]

Yeah, that's pretty reminiscent of basically every campground I know.

[A]

I'm already like, so ready to camp. We were in Lancaster county surrounded by farmland, and there were Amish properties scattered all over the area. You'd see horse and buggies on the roads and roadside stands selling produce and pies. It was honestly super peaceful. And I remember thinking it felt completely different from where I grew up. And I had wondered why my parents didn't take my siblings and I on trips like this, but it just wasn't really their style. We had barely finished setting up camp when the first strange thing happened. My then boyfriend Chris had walked over to the camp store to grab ice cream and his parents were busy setting up the camper. I was unpacking camp chairs from the truck by myself when an older pickup slowed down in front of our side sight.

[B]

It's always the older pickup for some reason. All these stories have an older.

[A]

So true. That's the country man.

[B]

Yeah, the countryman. Shitty beat up pickup truck. You know?

[A]

Absolutely. The driver rolled down his window and sort of just smiled at me. He looked to be maybe in his late 30s or so older than me, but I didn't think he felt old. I remember thinking he was sort of cute, which I hate admitting now. And I wasn't interested in him, but he seemed normal. He asked if I had just arrived, and I said yes. And then he asked if I was camping alone. I think I laughed awkwardly because I thought maybe he hadn't seen everybody else or he was joking or something. Before I could answer, Chris came walking back carrying two bags of ice. And the man watched him approach the site. His whole expression changed when Chris came up and kissed me on the cheek. I think Chris did it for show. I don't know, maybe an insecure, late teenage thing. But the guy in the truck didn't seem to like it.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, because he had other intentions.

[A]

Yeah, because he's a creep. So he sort of just waved, drove off, and that was the end of that. Well, I thought it was. Later that evening, Chris's dad actually made a joke about somebody driving awfully slowly around the campground. I looked up, realized it was the same pickup truck from earlier, but I was weirdly embarrassed to bring it up, as though they would think I was into this guy or that I remembered him. I can't be sure why I didn't, but I didn't want to associate. I just wanted him to go away. And he eventually did, as we ate some hot dogs and went out about our night playing a card game and making s'. Mores. Love a card game. And s' mores are on the floor.

[B]

Yeah, that sounds amazing. I know.

[A]

This is like otherwise really good trip. The next morning, I woke up before everybody else and decided to go for a walk. I love walking by myself around the campground and smelling the morning firewood and seeing people starting their days. There's something peaceful and authentic about it. The guy from the night before was 100% out of my mind, and I was enjoying the nature around me. But I had only been walking for maybe 10 minutes when I heard a truck slow down beside me.

[B]

It's the campside creeper.

[A]

It was. It was him again. He smiled and said good morning like we were old friends and not total strangers. But instead, that him running into me was a daily occurrence, I guess. I remember immediately feeling uncomfortable, but I also didn't want to be rude. But then he parked and got out and started walking beside me As I walked. He had done this kind of jog up to Catch up to me.

[B]

No, no. You should. You should definitely, at that point, be rude.

[A]

I know. Literally, punch this man.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He asked where I was from and how long I'd be staying. I just told him I was camping with my boyfriend and had to get back. And then he spewed some weird line about younger guys never appreciating girls like me. Even though I was only 19. I just got this really gross feeling. But then he put his hand around my waist to pull me in closer, and I jumped away from him and told him I had to go. I was so creeped out. And I turned around and jogged back, which made me even more scared because I thought he was going to chase me. But when I turned around, he was walking back to his truck. All I wanted to do was go to my boyfriend, Chris, tell him I wanted to leave and go home. But I didn't want his parents to think I was dramatic and I didn't want to ruin their annual camping trip, so I stayed quiet. Poor girl. Poor Ashley.

[B]

Yeah, Seriously.

[A]

For some reason, I feel like I didn't have any fuel behind my fear. A few hours later, I came back from the camp bathroom after taking a shower and completely stopped dead in my tracks because the man was sitting in a folding chair at our campsite, casually talking to Chris's parents. He had brought over some vegetables from his garden because apparently he lived nearby and knew the campground owners. When I approached, he said, hey, Ashley. Which freaked me out because I never told him my name. I wondered if Chris's parents said something, but I still don't know to this day. At that point, I was scared because I knew something was wrong with this guy who wasn't taking no for an answer and was talking to my boyfriend's parents, trying to get close to me. So I sat there as Chris and his parents talked to him about the area, and they told him all of our camping plans when we were staying until where we lived, everything, thinking this guy was a nice, normal local. And I'm sure they did. You know, I'm sure he really chatted him up.

[B]

Of course. Yeah. This dude is, like, doing his very best to get as close to Ashley and, you know, Chris and his family. I guess he's trying to, like, insert

[A]

himself in the situation.

[B]

He's trying to insert himself in the situation so he can get a little bit closer to Ashley.

[A]

Well, I told Chris that this nice guy really creeped me out and that I kept seeing him around, but he had the gall to tell me that I was being dramatic. And that he seemed fine. Wonder why we're not together anymore. And then we went to sleep. So he really, kind of like Chris, really dismissed Ashley's situation.

[B]

Not good, Chris. Not good.

[A]

I can't remember what we did the rest of the night, but the actual night itself was very messy. Memorable because at some point I finally drifted off, but woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of footsteps outside our tent. Chris and I were in a tent together while his parents were in the trailer across the site. So it was just us outside. I know there were other campsites around us, but the footsteps were so close that I knew they had to be on our site, which no one would have reason to be on, which is true. We know. You know, we've camped around a lot of people before, and you don't walk onto somebody else's site.

[B]

No, you don't.

[A]

Through the rainfly, I could see clearly that someone was right outside our tent. I reached over and shook Chris awake and whispered as quietly as I could, somebody's outside. He sat up and looked toward the side of the tent and actually very quickly unzipped the tent and yelled at this guy. I didn't see what happened, you know, just saw that he was cursing at this guy, telling him to f off and get away from our sight. And he was yelling so loud that not only did Chris's parents come out, but other campers did too. I looked outside and could just barely see that same man jumping into his truck and driving off. It was such a big, chaotic deal, and I weirdly felt so embarrassed by it all, just feeling like it was my fault and we had disrupted the whole campground ground. But I was happy that other people saw how odd this guy was. Chris and I actually slept on the spare bed in his parents camper the rest of the night, though I don't remember sleeping. And we left first thing in the morning and never saw that guy again. I still think about it from time to time, and it almost feels like it never happened. But I know it did, and I'm just glad it wasn't something worse. But I do wonder where. Where he is now.

[B]

That's very, very creepy. Hold on. Let's get the super creepy.

[A]

He does his flashlight out. I have my blanket on. You're. Are you. You gotta cozy up.

[B]

You know what? I like that you're cozy. One thing I would say is that hopefully, Chris, you learn the error of your ways. Don't let creepy people into your campsite.

[A]

And also don't let creepy people get to your woman.

[B]

Yeah. And also, you know, believe her. You know, it's like she's telling you and. And I wonder if that like, hand around the waist was like an attempt. An attempt? Like abduction.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good point. Yeah. Because she was only 19 and I'm sure she looked somewhat young. He's in his late 30s. Like that was not the thing to do no matter what. But finally he has her alone. And he's kind of seems like he's taking that opportunity to see what he can do. I mean, his truck was right there. He might have been trying to take her. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it didn't want to chase her.

[B]

This is very reminiscent of our camping trips too. Not that we get. Not that part upon by creepers. No. But like just being in a tent, like, you'll hear the slightest sound outside and it'll. It's always like at like 3am yeah. When the camp is just dead silent, you'll hear like little footsteps. Usually it's like a deer or an animal or something.

[A]

Or somebody going to pee. Yeah. Going to the. The camp or something.

[B]

But it's like, you and I have been through that scenario where we wake up and we're like, what was that? You know.

[A]

You know, I hate when we're camping and you hear like a truck driving by or a car driving by. I'm like, what are you doing in the middle of the night? Why are you here?

[B]

Yeah, why are you just like. You're like. You're just showing up to your campsite at 3am what are you doing? Weirdo.

[A]

So weird.

[B]

It's free.

[A]

I'm glad that nothing happened to Ashley, but creepy story. Really bad first camping story.

[B]

Yeah. I wonder if Ashley continued to go camping after that. Yeah, she did. She did.

[A]

Okay, well, yeah, she says that she

[B]

still loves camping, but brought along some mace.

[A]

It seems like it got her into camping. Maybe. Yeah, she appreciated.

[B]

That's the story that got her into camping. Yes.

[A]

But like, you know, nothing has happened since it appears, so. Thank you, Ashley.

[B]

Well, we have another story for you guys. This next one is very interesting because Renee also sent in an article to this story that she's actually referencing, and it's a little different from the other stories that we have today, but it did catch our eye. So.

[A]

Yeah, it's almost like there's like a real true crime story embedded in this one that, like actually was on the news.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Not that the other ones aren't real, because they are. But just that, you know, this one's this One's got an article.

[B]

So. So we're, we're calling this one the Story that Changed How I Camp. Now, Renee says I've lived in Salem, Oregon for half of my life. I'm an elementary school teacher, a mom, and probably the least adventurous person anyone would describe as an avid camper. Not very much of a camper. I don't backpack into the wilderness or climb mountains. I like campgrounds with bathrooms.

[A]

Me too, girl.

[B]

Yeah. And I can bring way too much food. Actually, the food is part of the reason I camp.

[A]

Same.

[B]

I can't blame you, because I am literally. I'll eat like eight hot dogs in a day.

[A]

That's the point. Is like sitting and eating with your family.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Outside?

[B]

Yes. Around a campfire. Yes. That's. That's basically all you do. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents loading up our old station wagon and taking my sister and me to Silver Falls, Detroit Lake and the coast. If you're from Oregon, you. You probably know all of these places.

[A]

The Oregon coast is also so beautiful. That's where Heath and I like to camp.

[B]

Yeah, that's where we go camping.

[A]

It so friggin beautiful.

[B]

So camping always felt safe to me. It was always a comfort activity. But a few years ago, I came across a local news story that completely changed the way I think about all of it. I remember sitting at my kitchen table, scrolling through my phone before work when I saw a headline about two women who had been camping near Tillamook, Oregon. Shout out Tillamook cheese.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[B]

These two women were camping in Tillamook, Oregon on the 4th of July in 2024. Now, at first I assumed that it would turn out to be one of those stories where people got lost or possibly encountered a bear. You see stories like that all the time. But then I kept reading and my true crime brain finally turned on. According to investigators, these women, who remain unnamed, had been asleep inside their tent along a public trail when around midnight, a man cut his way inside their tent during the night. Now, this guy bound them, he blindfolded them, told them his plans to sexually assault them, and even abducted them from their tent. And he also, by the way, brought a bag of razor blades. This is a true story. You can look this up. He brought a bag of razor blades with him. But somehow these women did get away. It felt like a story that might have happened in the 1970s somewhere far away, but this was in 2024. But these were women who lived in my city who were trying to enjoy a nice holiday camping Trip together. And it almost cost them their lives. Surely it cost them some part of their sanity. And after reading about those women, I realized I had spent my entire life assuming that the thin layer of nylon around me meant more than it actually did. Now, my husband thought that I was overreacting at first, and he said things like, that's incredibly rare. And he's right. It is incredibly rare. But I remember sitting there naming campground after campground where we had stayed over the years and saying, no, you don't understand. These women camp exactly like we camp. I was reminded of this case a couple weeks ago when he was arrested. This guy, this perpetrator, on May 28th of 2026 for this crime. Whoa. Yeah. Finally this guy was arrested. He's a 58 year old man named gene Arnold mclenathan in connection with this crime. And honestly, that almost made it stranger for me Just because of how normal this guy looked and the fact that he too, is from salem, oregon. This is where she says, this is where I live.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

He also had a prior criminal record, too. A burglary and sexual assault in otis, oregon, which is out by the northern coast.

[A]

Have you been. I have not heard of Otis.

[B]

I'm trying to think if I know. I don't know if I know otis, oregon, but somewhere you do. Yeah. No, I don't. Northern coast area. But this guy actually forced his way into a residence and sexually assaulted a woman. So at this point, you know, the FBI thinks that he may actually have more victims.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Renee says with all of that said, I still camp. In fact, my family just went camping a few weeks ago. But I do things a little bit differently now. I don't camp in isolated, dispersed sites anymore. I keep my keys and flashlight beside me and I pay attention to who is around us. And if somebody gives me a bad feeling, I don't worry about seeming rude. Good, good. Because I think women spend way too much of their lives worrying about being polite. But for the first time in my life, I realized that the zipper on the tent isn't really protection. It's just a tiny bit of privacy.

[A]

Wow. So true. You know, it is a very vulnerable feeling to sleep in a tent.

[B]

Yeah, it is. Because you think about it, you're like, you're in your tent, you're in your sleeping bag. You're like, I feel safe. But it's like it is just nylon.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Somebody could easily. And there's just a zipper. Somebody could easily unzip it. They could cut through it.

[A]

Which usually, I mean, I Mean, the fact that that story that he cut through their tent and tied them up and assaulted them and kidnapped them or threatened to assault them, like, what a wild, horrific story.

[B]

Yeah. The other part of that is that he had a bag of razor blades. And I wonder if that was specifically to cut people's tents open, you know?

[A]

Yeah, good point.

[B]

Why would you be carrying a bag? Like, I could understand if you had a knife with you. Everybody. Everybody in Oregon's got a fucking knife.

[A]

Well, that's what's scary, too, is even if you. I. We talked about this in the past when we're camping of, like, getting a little lock for your zipper. But even if you do that, it is just nylon.

[B]

Somebody can cut it over.

[A]

Yeah. Which is horrible to even think about that.

[B]

But that's the beauty of camping, you know, is the fact that there is just this nylon wall between you and nature. Yeah. And. And that feels. That feels really nice. But it's also a kind of a vulnerable position to be in.

[A]

Absolutely. So true. It's like you want that, but. Well, thank you, Renee, for sharing that one. And now I have one from listener Samantha, who noted in her email how she thinks about this occurrence every time that we cover a child abduction story over on Going West. Of course, because of the time that her daughter almost became like a milk carton kid. I'm calling this one the man at the Rest Stop. Samantha says this happened nearly 20 years ago now, and even though my daughter barely remembers any of it, I still think about it more than I'd like to admit. I don't tell the story very often because for a long time I felt guilty about how I handled things afterward. And I think part of me always wondered if I should have done more. But here it is. Back then, I was about 34 years old, and my daughter Emma was 6. We lived in Southern California, and we were driving to Arizona to see my parents because my father had terminal cancer. We all knew he didn't have much time left, and I wanted Emma to spend one more visit with him while he was still well enough to sit outside with her and tell her stories, which had always been their thing together. Looking back now, I realize I wasn't really myself during that period. I was exhausted, emotional, and distracted, and had spent the previous week helping my mom over the phone with doctor's appointments and hospice decisions. And I remember crying after Emma went to bed almost every night because I knew what was coming. I was trying very hard to hold it together for everybody else, but mentally, I was all over the place, it was June, but I remember everything was gray and gloomy because the day we started the drive, it was even raining. I have hated driving in the rain since an accident I experienced as a child. So I wasn't thrilled about having a road trip in it.

[B]

Yeah, got a little bit of that June gloom going on.

[A]

Oh yeah. Well, Emma had fallen asleep in the back seat not long after we left. And by the time she woke up, we were already several hours into the drive. The first thing she said when she opened her eyes was that she needed to go to the bathroom immediately. This was around 2005, so luckily it wasn't long until we came across a rest stop, so I didn't have to look at my map. I remember noticing how empty it looked. There were probably only a couple cars there, if that. So nothing about it seemed threatening, but as a single mom, it set me on edge a little. Emma and I went inside together and I didn't see anyone else. I told her to go as quickly as possible and I took the stall next to her.

[B]

Yeah, let's get in and out. Let's get the out of here.

[A]

Back on the road.

[B]

Everybody knows. Everybody knows that feeling of being at a creepy rest stop.

[A]

I'm trying to think if I've ever been to a rest stop.

[B]

Have you not? You've never been to a rest stop?

[A]

No.

[B]

Have you not?

[A]

Have you not? I feel like every time we've stopped on a road trip, it's like at in and out or something. You know what I mean?

[B]

Like at like a. Yeah, you stop

[A]

at like a gas station. Like I'm trying. I'm trying to think. I really don't know if I've stopped at a rest stop before, but I don't want to.

[B]

I've stopped at many, you know, like in the middle of the night and it's. It is very creepy. Like it's so. It's also in the bathrooms. It's so like fluorescent. It's so weirdly bright.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And that, that almost makes it like. It feels like the beginning of a horror movie.

[A]

No, it's very. Rest stops are very horror movie as well.

[B]

Yeah, just what they are.

[A]

So understandably so. She is like, let's wrap this up, Emma. After I sat on the toilet, the main door opened and I had a wash of relief that there was someone else around. So it's kind of funny cuz you're like, oh good, there's other people. But also the other people are like what you can be afraid of.

[B]

Yeah, your brain could go either way. It's like, oh, maybe this is a nice person. Or is this a bad guy?

[A]

Exactly, she says. Until I heard heavy footsteps that sounded like work boots stop outside my stall.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

I could see a body through the cracks along the stall door. I wanted to say something, but nothing came out of my mouth. I couldn't even relieve myself because I was completely frozen. But then the boots moved over to Emma's stall, and I heard the handle move as though the person was trying it from the outside. That's when I spoke. I immediately called out, occupied, only to be met with silence. The footsteps moved again, and for a second, I thought whoever it was had finally realized their mistake. But instead, I heard another stall being tested. Until it seems the whole line was tested, which in my mind was to confirm that my daughter and I were the only ones inside. By then, I had this whole horrible feeling in my stomach that I can't really describe. Mothers will understand what I mean. My daughter Emma called out to me. Mommy, I think is what she said, and my heart dropped. I remember trying to sound calm when I answered her as I told her to stay where she was. I stood fast in my pants like girls just trying to pee.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And came out of my stall just in time to see a man standing outside of Emma's. He was probably in his late 40s or early 50s casual attire. Nothing very memorable about him. I said, sir, you're in the wrong bathroom. And he looked at me before shoving me to the ground and pulling at Emma's stall door handle again. Emma was screaming for me by then knowing something was happening, but I got myself up and threw myself against the door while trying to push him back and yelling for help while he remained completely still and determined to get me out of the way.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Even curling my hair.

[B]

Oh, my God. So now at this point, she knows for a fact that it's nefarious, because it could have been as simple as, hey, the men's restroom was closed tonight. Or, whoops, sorry. I really had to go to the bathroom, so I went into the women's.

[A]

No. Yeah.

[B]

No. This is now a nefarious situation where he has clear intentions.

[A]

Absolutely. And she knows it. I mean, he pushed her to the ground.

[B]

Yeah. This mommy is fighting for her life, for her daughter.

[A]

Yes. So at some point, he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the door hard enough that I hit the divider between the stalls with my shoulder. I remember the pain immediately, but I barely noticed it at the time because all I could think about was getting back between him and my daughter. Emma was crying hysterically inside the stall. And I remember telling her over and over not to unlock the door. Then I saw his hand reach over the top of the stall.

[B]

Oh no.

[A]

So I grabbed one of those little metal trash cans and swung it at him. I don't know if I hit his shoulder or his head because everything after that becomes blurry in my memory. But I know I made contact with something because he stumbled backward and ran out of the bathroom.

[B]

Beat that man's ass, Samantha. Beat his ass swinging a trash can. You go girl. Yeah, and you know she's in desperation mode too. She's probably just falling, swinging, doing whatever she can.

[A]

I was terrified to leave that bathroom, Worried that he was waiting for us outside. But I figured that was the best time to leave before he could think about coming back. Like, can you imagine? And you're just like, you don't know where he is outside you can't see the outdoors. It's not like there's windows in there.

[B]

It's like you want to leave the bathroom, but you kind of don't want to leave the bathroom too.

[A]

Yeah, because in a way you're like, well if he wanted us he would just come back in cuz there's nobody else around. But maybe he's got his car outside and when we come out he's going to like snatch us or try to snatch my daughter and put him in. Or put her in the car. She has no idea.

[B]

You're stuck. You're stuck in a very bad scenario.

[A]

Yeah, but she knows that she needs to act fast and that she wants to get the hell out of there. So she got Emma out of the stall, she says, and ran towards the car with Emma on her hip. But I didn't see see him outside. I threw Emma into the car as fast as I could and sped away. I remember thinking the rest of the ride that we were being followed. And I checked my rearview mirror constantly to ensure I wasn't. By the time we reached my parents house in Arizona, my mother was crying because my dad had taken a turn for the worse. Relatives were everywhere. Hospice nurses were coming and going. I kept thinking I'd call the police the next day. Then my father died six days later and life became consumed by funerals and paperwork and the grief. I never made that call. And after all these years, I am still kicking myself for it. Wondering if he ever did that to anybody else.

[B]

Chances are he probably did.

[A]

Okay. Damn.

[B]

Don't make it. Well, no, you know it's like if you're, if you're that bold to, to try something like that, you, you would probably do that again. Yeah.

[A]

Horrible person.

[B]

Because you're an evil, evil piece of.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

But like this, I don't know why this reminds me of, reminds me of the movie Urban Legend. You know, like when she said she, when she said she came out of the bat. I think everything reminds me of movie Urban Legend because there's so many different

[A]

stories in that movie.

[B]

No, but when she, when she said that she came out of the bathroom and hopped in the car, my, my mind immediately went to, is there somebody in the back of that car?

[A]

Oh, wow. I didn't even go there. You know, she didn't see him, so maybe. And there wasn't really any other cars.

[B]

Well, she, she did make it to Arizona. So did make it.

[A]

So it's probably what a devastating story. I mean, just everything that she was going through around that time, like that is the last thing that she needed and that is why she was handed so absolutely horrible. Thank you so much, Samantha for sharing that story with us.

[B]

Traditional old banks charge overdraft and monthly fees. But why pay to get your own money? Chime is banking built for you. And that's why they have thousands of fee free ATMs.

[A]

Chime members can earn up to $1,150 in annual rewards fee free. And with a Chime card, you get 5% cash back in a category that you choose. And you're not just switching banks here. You're upgrading to America's number one choice for banking with a Chime checking account.

[B]

Chime is not just smarter banking. It's the most rewarding way to bank. Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. Head to chime.com goingwest that is chime.com

[A]

goingwest it only takes a few minutes to sign up.

[B]

Chime is a fintech, not a bank. Banking services for Chime card provided by Chime's bank partners. Optional products and services may have fees or charges. Stated cash back for Chime prime only. No minimum balance required. Checking account ranking based on a J.D. power survey published October 20, 2025.

[A]

Even in 2026, replacing glasses feels like a whole production. So most of us just live with it. You know you've got to schedule an appointment, pay a fortune and then wait. But Zenni Optical is an online shop that fixes all of that with affordable frames and lenses.

[B]

You can switch it up whenever you feel like it. Choose a new style with Zenni's virtual. Try on Upload your prescription, then get them shipped straight to your door. Pick from Prescription Glasses, sunglasses, blue light lenses, and thousands of Styles what I

[A]

love about Zenny is that not only do they have so many different frames to choose from, so many different styles, but you can choose specifically the lens you want and not just for prescription glasses. You can actually get different frames for your sunglasses whether you want the prescription for your sunglasses or you want Polarizer, Classic or Blue Light. So I got to pick all these things and customize exactly how I wanted my sunglasses to make them perfect for me.

[B]

If your glasses are overdue for a refresh, now is the time. Go to zenni.com podcast and use code podcast15 for 15% off your first order.

[A]

The styles sell out fast, so don't sit on it that Z e n n I.com podcast promo code podcast15.

[B]

This next story was submitted by a longtime listener. His name is Jason and I'm gonna call this one the Night Shift. I'm a lifelong Idaho guy, 46 years old now, and I've been a park ranger for a little over 17 years. I grew up fishing with my dad and grandpa, spent most of my childhood in the woods, and honestly, there was never any other career I seriously considered. So this guy was just a park ranger through and through, just like you almost became. That's what I wanted to become, yes. I knew what I wanted when I was a kid, and somehow I actually got to do it. I still love the work, even though days aren't exciting. You're typically checking trailheads, talking to visitors, helping somebody jump a dead battery, dealing with illegal campfires, cleaning up after people who somehow managed to bring half their house into the forest and and then leave it behind. Every once in a while you assist with search and rescue, and every ranger has stories about bears or mountain lions. But the truth is, wildlife almost never worries me. It's the people that do. It's been almost six years since the incident. He calls it the incident, and out of everything I've dealt with over the years, it's the one thing that still pops into my head when I lock up the station at night. I won't name the exact forest because I still work in the area, but it was September, right after Labor Day, and tourist season was mostly wound down and things were finally kind of coming to a close. Now I can't remember why, because I didn't do this very often, but I stayed late to finish paperwork, probably because it had been piling up. Our station officially closed at 5 but it wasn't completely unusual for me to stay until, you know, seven or eight. Catching up on reports. The building itself was small. There was a front desk, public restrooms, a couple offices in the back. Nothing too fancy. By the time this happened, it was almost dark outside. I was working on something or other when I heard somebody pull into the parking lot. Like I said, I dealt with a lot of people and a lot of lost people. So I thought that it was somebody that was just in need of general help. I looked outside and saw an older pickup truck. Damn. It's always the fucking older pickup truck parked near the entrance. It's always the old pickup truck.

[A]

Own an old pickup truck. What are you doing?

[B]

You'd be out there creeping campsites, I don't know. So the driver got out and right away I could tell that something just was not right by the way he shuffled to the locked door. But when I went to the door to open it, though, if I'm being honest, I was pretty hesitant. He rushed his way inside. His clothes were dirty, and I could tell straight away that the red on his shirt and jeans was blood.

[A]

Oh, God.

[B]

The man looked to be in his early 60s and he looked absolutely exhausted. Now, before I could say anything, the first thing that he said to me was, I need help. My wife fell. I asked him if she was okay and if she was conscious. And he just looked at me and said no. Then he said, I think she's dead. Now by that point, I had dealt with a gaggle of emergencies before, but hearing somebody say that out loud still stopped me in my tracks. I called dispatch then, and while we waited for deputies and ems, I sat him down. And while dispatch was on the line, I spread out a map and had him point to where he had parked his truck. You know, where they had been on that trailhead. I marked everything down because I knew that deputies in search and rescue teams would need it as soon as they arrived. I remember him, like, apologizing for everything. For getting blood on the chair, for coming in after hours, for making me deal with him. I thought that was so unordinary because of the nature of his visit. I couldn't tell if he was trying to distract himself, but I wondered why he wasn't focused more on his wife. I had been instructed by deputies not to search for his wife and stay with the man before they knew what actually had happened. And they were close as it was. So they're saying, the deputies are saying, hey, just stay there with the guy. Don't go out looking for the wife,

[A]

Even though he's, like, been on search and rescues before, they're like, let's stick with this guy so he doesn't go somewhere. Probably.

[B]

Yeah. They're like, it's probably not a good idea to leave.

[A]

And it's getting dark, right?

[B]

Yes, it's getting dark. It's almost dark. The gentleman explained that he and his wife had been hiking one of the trails in the area and that they had done it before. Several times they went at sunset, knowing that they'd be back before dark since they'd done it only a few days earlier, but that she had slipped while trying to take a picture near some rocks and had fallen down a steep embankment.

[A]

Sounds familiar. We've seen that before.

[B]

Are you talking about Harold Henthorn?

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, that's actually exactly what I'm thinking.

[B]

Yep. Yep. So he said he climbed down to her, but that she wasn't breathing. Wanting help as fast as he could get it, he hiked back the short way to his truck and drove to the station. Maybe it was the fact that I listened to too much True Crime. I've been listening to Going west and some other pods for years now. Thank you, Jason, by the way. But I remember sitting there thinking, this guy killed his wife, right?

[A]

I mean, that's what comes to your head. Yeah, well, I guess especially because he's got the true crime brain like we do.

[B]

But I had no real reason to think it, but I just couldn't help it.

[A]

Fair.

[B]

Deputies arrive a minute or so later, followed by Search and rescue personnel, and the man rushed out to show them to his wife. He was trying to show them to the area that she was. One of the deputies asked if I'd ride along because I knew the trail better than anybody else out there. By then, it was almost fully dark, and Search and Rescue had lights everywhere. I never got particularly close, but I remember seeing her hiking poles, leaning against a rock and realizing that she had probably set them down to take that picture. All I found out that night is that she was deceased. But the next day, I asked my supervisor if he had heard anything. His brother worked for the sheriff's office, and a couple days later, he came by the station and filled me in. Now, according to investigators, it was simply a terrible accident because there was no crime and no ongoing investigation. It actually never made the news. And honestly, I hope the deputies were right. But every now and then, usually when I'm sitting alone in the station finishing paperwork, I think about that man sitting under those fluorescent lights and dried blood. On his hands. I think about how absolutely convinced I was that he had killed her. Like I said, maybe I watched too much true crime and I've heard too many stories over the years, but I just have this feeling, understandably so.

[A]

Jason.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That is weird. You know, I think about this sometimes. Like, how many true crime stories exist out there that. I mean, I'm not saying that this was. But if it was, and nobody is fighting against it, like the woman's children or the woman's sister or something. Like, nobody's fighting against the situation.

[B]

They just chalk it up to being an accident.

[A]

Exactly. Like, I wonder how many times that has happened.

[B]

Yeah. Well, I know when we. When we talked about the Harold Henthorn case, we talked about the fact that didn't he kill. He didn't just kill one wife. He actually wasn't there. Like, a car that had dropped on.

[A]

That sounds so. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Is that Harold Henthorn or was that somebody else?

[B]

I can't remember.

[A]

We've covered a couple cases very similar to this.

[B]

Yeah. But it's like.

[A]

Yeah, there was one where, like, a car. She was under the car, supposedly looking under it, and it, like, fell on her.

[B]

Yeah. You wonder how many stories like this are actually legit. Like, if they were actually accidents.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or how many people just simply got away with it and got lucky. You remember we talked about that girl in. Was it Montana? That her. They were, like, newlyweds. And she. Yes. She. She killed. She killed her husband, though. She, like, pushed. Pushed him off a cliff.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then tried to make it seem like it was just a tragic accident.

[A]

Cody Johnson. Wrong.

[B]

You know. Oh, no, I think it was Cody Johnson.

[A]

Was it?

[B]

Yeah, I think you're right. I think you're right.

[A]

But. Yeah, I wonder. I just wonder how many times that has happened, if this was a tragic accident or if somebody got away with murder. And good on you, Jason, for wondering, because somebody's gotta.

[B]

Yeah, somebody's gotta be a skeptic out there. You know what I mean?

[A]

Thank you so much, everybody, for listening to this episode of Going West.

[B]

Yes. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode. Hope you guys had fun again. We're hanging out in the Unwell Campground today.

[A]

If you can't see us, come see us on YouTube.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

He's put up this Coleman grill. We have some uncrustables. We have lanterns, blankets.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I forgot. We.

[A]

I know. Should we. Should we break in as you tell us about your birthday?

[B]

I think we should. I think we should. Cheers. Our uncrusties.

[A]

Tell us what you're doing for your birthday, Keith, or tell us what we're doing for your birthday.

[B]

We are going to be camping in Oregon. It's going to be lovely. We've got a little cabin on a lake somewhere.

[A]

Not going to tell anyone and then we're going camping. We're doing like all the Oregon things for your birthday.

[B]

Yeah, I think, you know, we're doing like four days of camping. Right. And then I don't. We haven't quite decided on the last few days, but it's going to be a blast. All of you guys get some time in and are able to camp this summer and have a good time with your families at least in honor of

[A]

Heath, because in honor of this whole episode for the camping summer.

[B]

But also stay safe. Bring some mace. You know, keep an eye out for the camp creepers because you know they're out there with bags full of razor blades ready to cut your tent open. So just keep an eye out for those dudes. We love you guys.

[A]

Yeah, check out clips for this. If you happen to listen and not Watch us on YouTube, check out clips on our socials. We're on Instagram at going with podcast. We're also on TikTok. We're on Facebook. And yeah, we will see you guys on Tuesday with a crazy story. You guys don't want to miss this one.

[B]

Yes. Don't miss it. All right, guys, so for everybody out

[A]

there in the world, don't be a stranger. There's a difference between liking a house and actually getting it. Redfin is built to close that gap. Redfin agents close twice as many deals as other agents. So when you find a home you love, you're not a step behind when it's time to make an offer. That means less watching great homes disappear and more zeroing in on the one you'll actually end up calling home. Redfin helps turn saved listings into real addresses. Get [e-mail] own the dream.

[B]

This heat isn't letting up and if your windows and doors aren't performing, your home is feeling it. Now's the time to replace your old worn out windows and doors during the Renewal by Andersen summer Sizzler event. For a limited time, enjoy. Buy one, get one 40% off plus $50 off each window and door with a minimum of four and buy now and pay later with our special financing. Stay cool with these summer Savings by visiting renewalbyandersonhome.com today and get your project started. Introducing Taco Bell's new Jalapeno Citrus Salsa with bright citrus, real red jalapenos, guajillo chiles. Usually you add sauce to the food,

[A]

but when the sauce is this good, the food is just there to get

[B]

the sauce to your mouth. That rolled quesadilla. Not a rolled quesadilla anymore. Now it's a sauce shovel. Taco Bell's Jalapeno Citrus Salsa. Get it with any item on the Cantina Chicken menu while it's here. The participating U.S. taco Bell locations for a limited time only while supplies last contact store for availability.

[A]

Why have we asked our contractor we found on Angie.com to be our kid's legal guardian? Because he took such good care when redoing our basement that we knew we could trust him to care for our kids.

[B]

Uh, we only met a month ago. Angie the one you trust. Define the ones you trust. Find pros for all your home [e-mail].