BALSAM LAKE WISCONSIN
Ref: County Ledger Press, Greg Marsten 7-25-02
Experiencer: Loretta Potter and son Peter Cupp
Location: Polk County , Town of Maple Plain, North of Hwy 48.
Details:
Potter and her son, Peter Cupp, 18, were the lone witnesses in the strange sighting in the early morning hours between 1a.m. and 2 a.m.
Cupp claims to have been within 20 feet of the 'bigfoot' almost running into it saying that it had a awful smell.
"It was rotten, like something dead," Cupp described, alter comparing it to a 'burning smell'.
Potter had heard the stories and tales of the Bigfoot for years and there are other Bigfoot Sightings in the Sand Lake Region, going back as far as July of 1976. Potter had never seen the bigfoot before, but she claims to have heard it in the past. "It's been out there for years, but it's never ventured so close to the houses before."
Cupp, a security officers, was the first to spot the creature that Thursday, week of 7-25-02
He described something very large and dark. He ran inside when he saw and heard the creature stand up from between three evergreens next to the driveway. He grabbed a flashlight and went back outside to confirm or deny his suspicions.
"I think it was more scared of me than I was of him. I was shaking, though. It shocked me." stated Cupp.
Potter mentioned the flurry of broken branches, some very large, that made her so afraid. "It would take something pretty big to break those branches...and the 'smell'!"
Cupp noticed that several local dogs had been barking loud that evening in an area to the southeast of their home where new homes are being built. Potter feels that new construciton combined with the recent heat way may have brought the homoid to their home and onto her deck that evening.
Other sightings have been made in the Sand Lake/Cumberland area, although only a handful have ever been officially reported. The most recent was noted in an area seven miles tot he west of Cumberland in the proximity of Sand Lake. The area has dense woods, many ponds and tall grass with a few paved roads.
Cupp and Potter also noticed that two pet rabbits were missing from their yard the next morning.