Camping Trip in Menard, Texas My mom, dad, two sisters, aunt, uncle, and cousin were camping along the San Saba River in Menard, Texas. My parents and sisters were in a tent, while the others slept in the cab and bed of a pickup truck. At about 3:30 a.m. my dad was going to get up and check the trot lines that they had set out during the night. He never left the tent. He said that he couldn't even move. He lay there awake listening to La Llorona. At the time, he didn't know for sure what it was, but he knew the stories and didn't want to find out. My mom, who was laying next to him was also awake, but she was very scared and didn't open her eyes. When the sun started to rise they got up and asked if anyone else heard the crying. My aunt said that someone nudged her and woke her up. She had been asleep in the cab of the truck with the windows up and doors locked. Feeling spooked, they decided at that point to pack up and go home. When they got back into town, they called the sheriff to see if anything had happened that night out at the river (where local kids are known to party). They thought that maybe someone had been killed or something and that the crying was that of maybe someone who was grieving. The sheriff said that he had patrolled out there and it was quiet the whole night. Mom said that it was the type of crying that you hear at funerals, only a lot louder and continuous. My grandmother told us that it was definitely La Llorona. Many years ago, you could sit at my grandmother's porch, and hear her crying pretty often. I have always believed in La Llorona and have also heard her when I was about twelve years old. I was with about ten other boy scouts who are believers since that day. We are all grown up now, but when we see each other and talk about it, we all still feel a little scared. When I tell the story of that day to others, I still shiver.

Submitted by: Joseph Ramon Copyright 2001