The Jersey Devil

This morning I was laying in bed and reminiscing a bit about my childhood. When I was in the boy Scouts (Troop 13 in Swedesboro, NJ) we would go camping in many places in NJ, however we took several trips down into the Pine Barrens. The yearly canoe trip was always a favorite. It was a father/son camp out and it was something I always looked forward to.

As you know, one of the things we do when we go camping is tell scary stories around the campfire. Every time we would sit around the campfire, someone would always bring up the Jersey Devil.

The Jersey Devil supposedly lived in the Pine Barrens and lurked around waiting to strike on some poor unsuspecting person or large animal. Fortunatley for us, most of camping trips would occur in the Pine Barrens. The stories were never ending sometimes. I can remember people saying to each other, "if you don't behave, the Jersey Devil will get you".

Stories of the Jersey Devil have been around long before I was born. In fact, stories of the Jersey Devil been around for over 200 years. Its one of those folklore stories that never die. I'm sure that some of the people are real, but I really don't think that the Jersey Devil is real. Or is it?

There are a number of website dedicated to the stories of the Jersey Devil and how it was "born" and how people have actually seen it. However many people have been saying it is a hoax. Others have been trying to disprove there is not a Jersey Devil.

As you know, most of these folklore stories are born out of gossip and then they tend to take on a life of their own.

I really don't think there is Jersey Devil. But it makes for a good scary story while camping and having fun with family and friends.