The other day Darlene Wilson, owner of A Haunting Experience Tours based in Prescott, Arizona, contacted me about a link exchange. Heck ya! Always up for that. Popped her on our Recommended Ghost Tours page.
Plus, Prescott is among my most favorite places ever. It’s got everything I like in a jaunt: history, romance and ghosts. In fact, it made my list of 14 Most Romantic Haunted Cities. (That we’d jaunted to up to that point at least. I’ve got a couple others I’d add to that list these days.)
I decided to ask Darlene if she’d be interested in being interviewed. I sent her a few questions and to my delight, she answered right back. Great! Here’s the result of our exchange. If you decide you want to book a tour, her website info is listed below.
Haunt Jaunts: What made you start your tour company and how long have you been doing it?
I was laid off from my previous job (Wedding/Event Coordinator at a winery in Page Springs, AZ) and knew I wanted to be back in Prescott. I also wanted to start my own business and realized, with my background and experience (psychic in Los Angeles with celebrity clients, and worked with the police in Colorado and many ghosts experiences) this might be the perfect place for haunted tours. I did some investigating online on ghosts or haunted places in Prescott and The Hotel Vendome and Hassayampa Inn came up with stories. I met with the Owners and General Manager and they were very excited about my tours visiting their hotels.
HJ: What’s your favorite haunted place or ghost story that you discuss on your tour?
Wow, that’s a tough one because there are SO many stories and I’ve had several things happen to me while on my tours. But one story was, I was helping out the owners of the Hotel Vendome by filling in one evening. Late that night a couple came in and wanted to look around. I’m showing them the “Tom Mix” room and as I’m talking to them (their backs are to the hallway), I notice this shadow walking down the hall. While talking to them my eyes follow the shadow as he walks the hall and they turn around quickly and ask what I’m looking at. I explained it was nothing and continued talking about the hotel.
A month later we had a paranormal group from Las Vegas stay at the hotel and one person in their group asked me about a shadow of a man they saw in the hallway. I had not mentioned anything to them about the shadow. I’m so glad someone else saw it too.
HJ: What do you like most about being a ghost tour guide?
I have met the most incredible people on my tour. Not everyone is interested in ghosts so my tours touch on the incredible “old west” history of this town. But I love having this opportunity to teach people about ghosts, that they are here for a reason and they need and deserve our respect. I teach them to “feel” the energy around them, to be aware of it and how it can change quickly. That we are always surrounded by ghosts/spirits and they want to communicate with us so pay attention.
HJ: For anyone who’s interested in taking one of your tours, can you tell them how much it costs, if reservations are necessary, and how long the tour lasts?
The tours are $20 per person but huge discounts for groups of 10 or more. I also have a special package on my website that includes hotel, breakfast, tour, workshops and hanging out in the lobby of the Hotel Vendome that evening.
The tours last at least 2 hours and are mostly walking so I ask everyone to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. I also encourage everyone to bring cameras because interesting pictures have been taken. Pictures are posted on my website as well.
Reservations are required and can be made on my website. http://www.ahauntingexperiencetours.com/
NOTE: A Haunting Experience Tours are currently on hiatus, but Darlene said she’s planning on resuming them come September 2013.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I went on Darlene’s tour on Halloween night. I was very excited anticipating the tour, but more excited about it during and after the tour. It was well above my high expectations. I learned so much interesting history and learned about the spirits that linger. I captured images on my camera that can’t be explained. Great tour, I am hoping to attend again!
Oh how exciting to read from someone who went on her tour. Thanks you for stopping by to leave this comment!