Bitterly cold and sparkling clear, this Sunday night in January seemed no different from many others in Franklin County, Georgia until——————
It was 1958, and I and my college roommate had coerced my daddy into letting us have his brand new Buick Century to ride around for an hour or two. North Georgia College had afforded us a long week-end, no boys were banging at our door for a date, and we were bored. But not for long, for sure !
Leaving Lavonia on Hwy 59 , driving toward Carnesville, one of us commented that a single star stood out from the others : somewhat larger and red instead of white or yellow. Wondering at the difference , in both size and color, we speculated that perhaps it was a radio tower in Athens, some 50 miles away, the night being so clear, etc. The farther we drove, the bigger it became.
Approximately four miles out of town, in the community of Fairview, I turned left, moving in the direction of the star, which , by this time, was many times larger and blindingly red.
AND THEN , ” it ” landed on the hood of our car, completely covering the entire windshield and pulsating as if it were a large heart beating ! It seemed soft, with no clearly defined edges. Scared beyond words, I slammed on the brakes, blew the horn ( what else would a teen driver do ? ) and froze !!!!! And praise the Lord, ” it ” lifted itself off the hood, rose gracefully and silently upward and away it flew—–or floated—–or maneuvered—–until it again became a red star in the heavens.
My roomie, Jo Ann, in the meantime , had thrown herself onto the floorboard and was crying hysterically.
I drove recklessly back to Lavonia to tell my parents the scary story. Because I had earned my wings in the Cold War Civil Defense, my daddy advised me to call the secure number we had been given to report any unusual activity that we observed. I did but never had a response, understandably.
A couple of observations regarding the incident : in recent years Jo Ann and I have discussed that night and all the implications , and our memories are the same——-and my daddy traded his new Buick a few months later because none of the electronics functioned properly.
It was real, it was scary, and it happened in Franklin County ……..and it has only been in the last few years that I have stopped scanning the nighttime skies for that eerily strange red ” star ” !
I may have mentioned this before, as I have a fascination with UFO phenomenon. Decades ago, I read an article (date and publication long forgotten) that outlined a number of notable UFO reports in the state of Georgia. Given the location of one incident in the article, the details have been imprinted in my memory to this day. Two women were driving along highway 59 near Carnesville, Georgia when they encountered a UFO. It approached them from the sky and landed on the hood of the vehicle for a short interval and then flew off. The story included a pictorial sketch of the scene, which had two terrified women looking through the front windshield at the object descending toward the hood of their car. No names were mentioned, and i wondered at the time if I might know the people involved. Recently when I read your book, and the description of what you and Jo Ann experienced, it immediately rang a bell.
To add more intrigue this story, I will now document my personal experience with a UFO sighting in the same area that you described. It occurred during the early 1950s–I don’t recall the exact date or season, but early one afternoon my dad and one of his friends were planning to go to the Broad River where it crossed Highway 59 between Lavonia and Carnesville to do some duck hunting. While I was not interested hunting or shooting game, at all, I did accompany them with my 22 rifle to conduct some target practice. Since they wanted quiet and camouflage to hide from the ducks, I was asked to walk in another direction away from them and not fire my rifle within their ear-shot, and scare the duck. We were on the south side of highway 59 along the west side of the river. Dad and friend walked further south along the river, and I walked back north toward highway 59. It was a bright and clear day and the weather was pleasant. After walking a considerable distance along the river, I arrived at a point where on my right, looking east across the river, I had a clear view to the horizon. On my left, the view was mostly open, but in the distance, trees somewhat obscured the western horizon. Suddenly, I noticed on the eastern horizon, and headed in my direction, a small silver metallic orb moving at a very high rate of speed, and leaving a short vapor trail, which evaporated quickly. In contrast, the contrails of high altitude aircraft remain in sight for an extended period of time. Also, I have never observed aircraft that traveled as fast as the orb. It appeared small, but was obviously at a very high altitude, and passed almost directly above me maintaining a constant speed and a straight line of flight. I detected absolutely no sound from the object. I watched it until it passed behind the the tree line near the western horizon. The entire duration of my sighting was probably less than 60 seconds. I am certain that it was not an aircraft that I have ever seen. Meteors and Meteorites are normally not visible during daylight hours, and have characteristics not comparable to what I witnessed. It remains a mystery. As fate would have it, my dad and friend saw nothing. They probably thought I had smoked some loco-weed.
WOW ! Wish we would one day know the truth behind all the various sightings back in the day. And it was especially tough on teens who had these experiences for the very reasons you stated.
Interesting that you read something that might have reflected Jo Ann’s and my frightening experience. Perhaps my call to Civil Defense was indeed recorded. I’ll try to do some research now that you’ve shared this with me.
I’d like to think that you might consider a blog, David. You are gifted and have stories to tell. It truly is good therapy for me !
DIane and David , I’ve always thought Lavonia was the most wonderful place in the world to grow up! We had everything, Including UFOs!
I agree with DIane about your writing . You do have a gift!
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud as I read this one even though I know you must have been scared out of your mind at the time. I am certain it felt very surreal to both you and Jo Ann. Thank you for sharing!
Of all your adventures, this one is the most mesmerizing! And I might add scary
Great story! I wish I had been in the car with you and Jo Ann.
Great story told as only you can!!’
Thank you. It was quite an event.