VANISHED IN PLAIN SIGHT 🔍 WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO POLLY MELTON? 🔍 Craft Time Mysteries

#nikthebooksmith #bookbinding #crafttimemysteries
Special thanks to the following:
charleyproject.org
unsolvedappalachia.org
missingin.org
gabulosis: • WOMAN WALKS AHEAD OF H...
*Favorite Supplies Lists: www.amazon.com/ideas/amzn1.ac...
/41479378144/
Online Booksmith courses:
Teachable: nik-the-booksmith.teachable.com (feel free to message me at my Etsy shop if you have questions about Teachable or my courses)
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TheBooksmit...
*DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, this channel will receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you.
FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The Copyright Laws of the United States recognizes a “fair use” of copyrighted content. This video and KZbin channel in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, parody, or research, and is not an infringement of copyright. This video is for educational purposes only. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.
This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws.
Reproduction and distribution in any form without the written permission of ©Nik the Booksmith is prohibited.
©2021 Nik the Booksmith All rights reserved.
0:00 - intro
5:45 - Polly Melton case
33:18 - outro

[@Mel-qr5ob]

a few months ago my mum went missing for 2 days out of the blue. I'm 21 and live with her, I was freaking the F out. It was completely out of character, mum was the type to make me text her every hour on a car drive to make sure I haven't crashed. And also her car was in the driveway, how would she go anywhere for 2 days without her car or a bag?? I thought she'd been kidnappped by a rando and was walking round and round the neighborhood looking for anything of hers, her sunglasses etc. She came back just 1hr before she would have become a missing person's case (required 48hrs). Turns out she's got CPTSD (complex ptsd) and depression this entire time and I had no idea. She went for a walk to the next town over while thinking really hard, slept in the forest, and walked back. Anyway I bring this up because -yes people can absolutely go missing willingly, with no transport -no one knows everything about someone and it's possible Polly had other stuff going on that no one knew about -mental health issues can make you do really weird out of character stuff... and Polly had depression

[@yukonswimmom]

Hi there I just wanted to say I'm so glad your mom was able to make her way back home. I hope she gets the treatment she needs for her depression and CPTSD, and I hope you have support too. Watching a loved one go through a bad depression is so hard. I know, as I live that situation every day. Wishing you and your mom peace and healing.

[@mariep-MAPAT]

You're story touched me! I hope your mum is getting the help she needs now, and I hope you do take care of yourself too.

[@nameissturdy1390]

Damn

[@coffeelvnwmn8706]

Thank God your mom made it home safely; you're right, we do not know everything about a person. I pray y'all are healing and getting the help needed. Depression is such an ugly thing to have and battle w/, but there is hope. Jesus was the One that saved me from all of that, God is good.❤️

[@katherinelarini8514]

Oh great Nik!!! I'm in the foothills of NC and we live in the middle of the woods on 20+ acres and it will now be 2-3 years before I can even go out of the house again - wait, haven't sink holes taken entire houses before?.. just GREAT; thanks a lot Nik... hope you sleep well tonight because I sure won't...

[@phillipstroll7385]

Lol. I'm in the smokies myself. Sink holes lol

[@fyrtalker]

Lol!

[@kathyphillips9482]

I've hiked the NC mountains for most of my life & have never heard of quicksand occurring in that terrain. Not only that, but quicksand does not behave in nature as it does in the movies. It can't swallow people whole. Sink holes can happen - but they are commonly associated with eroding limestone. Our mountains are mostly granite. It is possible that a natural cave or an old mining tunnel could collapse due to heavy rain. But if there were such structures near a public campground, the area would be clearly marked or trails would be re-routed. A much more likely scenario would be that Polly left the trail to relieve herself out of sight of the trail and was unable to locate the trail herself when she tried to rejoin her friends. You can be only yards from the trail & become hopelessly lost. The more you try to find your way back, the more lost you become. LOVE THE FABRIC!!! Any chance you can show us how you created such beautiful tones?

[@priscillamcwhorter9568]

Hey, Nik...Your mystery story sounded so so familiar to me. I live in Tennessee and I do remember a news story with the same aspects that did happen in the Smokey Mountains/North Carolina area on the Appalachian Trail. This lady was a very experienced hiker of this trail. She hiked the trail yearly and was very familiar with the area. What happened to this lady was that she stepped off the trail to use the bathroom...far off the trail, in fact. She became disoriented,subsequently broke her ankle and couldn't find her way back to the trail. They searched for her for a long time but couldn't find her. I believe it was 10 years later that they found her on a bluff where she set up a tent and stayed alive for ?...I don't want to say because I can't remember the exact amount of time. She had a scant amount of water and (granola bars?) and rationed those until she finally ran out. She had paper and documented what she could and left a letter to her husband and (her daughter, I believe). They did a whole news story about her when they recovered her body. I will try to find that and send it to you. ***I just looked up this story I just mentioned...her name was Geraldine Largay...I tried to share it with you but it wouldn't let me....Very similar stories though. ****Ok, last edit on this...I looked up Polly's story too and read it...my theory, just from visiting the Smokey Mountains...There are such steep bluffs along some parts of the trails and...one false step and you could slide all the way down that joker. I suspect that is what happened to her...She probably lost her footing, slipped on some loose rocks and slid down the bluff and hit her head on a boulder. It rendered her unconscious or she died on impact when she hit the boulder. Subsequently if someone called out to her she couldn't answer. Plus, searching the brush on such a steep area could be very dangerous for all involved...plus there are a LOT of them. Just my thoughts...but I am so curious now that I am going to have to get out my map of the Smokey Mountains and look up that area...oh and in 2016, there was a major fire there that burned a lot of the businesses and of course homes and land around it. That could help in her discovery if she is dead..as they replant trees and such...

[@kimellis6285]

I totally agree with you... my brother lived in Fairmont WV , he was walking with his father n law in his well manicured back yard in a housing development one day while he was off work with a broken arm.... he slipped into a sink hole that just showed up when he stepped and he started falling and got to his chest.. His father n law was able to grab him by the arm and help him get out... If his father n law hadn't been there he would have fallen in the underground caves/ areas that happen to be there in Fairmont. He would not have been able to get out with the cast on his arm and it being broken. We would have never known what happened to him. They said the hole kind of closed up with just a messy look in the yard once they were out of the area... so who would look in the yard to see if the fell in a sink hole.. no one would have even thought of that. I believe you could possibly be right!

[@MrsC48]

My number one theory is that she was using the phone where she volunteered, away from her husband, to call her lover. They were setting up their plan to disappear. My number two theory is that the tree that the dogs alerted on was where the sink hole was and she disappeared into the abyss. I live in the desert, so no sink holes here. . .that I know of anyway. :-)

[@torageirs6473]

I have to tell you that I really wait for your next Craft Time Mystery video LOL I also agree with you on this one, I think it must have been a sink hole. Very sad tail. TFS

[@suelepage6970]

Beautiful fabric, it turned out gorgeous.

[@eileenpawluk353]

💕 BRILLIANT Nik❣️ Thank you 😊

[@TJ-mu6ud]

Interesting case, Nik! I think your theory about Polly’s disappearance is plausible. And I love that paper & fabric!!! Your talent just astonishes me!

[@charlotteragan6583]

I love your talk and craft videos.

[@shannonfinn4316]

Pk, now I'm addicted not only to your tutorials, I'm addicted to your crime stories. Great job Nik. You're the best. Taught me almost everything I know about junk journaling.

[@ionelena325]

Your work looks always impeccable, my journals look like my 7 years old crafting.

[@wordscrafter]

I live in NC, but I don't remember any of this. That was a very eventful year at home, so.... this was extremely interesting. And sad. The end papers on the little book are gorgeous! A sinkhole swallowed a very expensive car about 8 miles from my house. I can't remember if it was a car lot or a restaurant, but it made national news. A few years later, less than 5 miles from my house, one opened up in a grocery store parking lot. Twice. Last year, or the year before, one opened up on the main road less than 2 miles from me. A water main had been leaking and eroding for a while. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Yeah, sinkholes are kinda terrifying.

[@CJG1419]

Love the way the fabric turned out. Your theory makes sense. How sad. It doesn’t make sense she would take her life in that way.

[@minajones1635]

I think she ran away and assumed a new identity! Her husband was 20 yrs older, and she would soon turn 60 yo, and was realizing time was of the essence, her youth disappearing, and wanted to change the direction of her life. Therefore, her atypical phone call was finalizing logistical plans for her disappearance. 🤷‍♀️. I LOVE your journal and the gold leaf looks amazing! You’re one talented lady!!

[@melanienicholson2834]

I think what really sticks out to me is the pastor, why would he think she was having an affair? When he couldn't say why he thought that? Was she having a affair with him? Or did he know based on a confession? What about a person(s) at the food bank who thought she had money and took her for ransom and during the process she died so they took her to a different location and disposed of her?

[@lindagunter7811]

Wow...i missed your eco die video...please link it🙃🙂😊

[@eileenpawluk353]

I missed it as well 😔

[@deborahclaxton9544]

I'm with you Nik. I was thinking sink hole before you said it. That's the only thing that makes sense with what you told us about Polly. Love your Channel!!!

[@lisajmascord8183]

Love the fabric , papers and both books. The little book is super gorgeous. Very Poe kind of tale of mystery.

[@barblydell9800]

Love the fabrics - especially the lighter watercolor one

[@vikkimcglen2925]

Interesring 🤔 all i know is... I'd never heard of these sink holes but now I'm also terrified of the thought of them 🤯 great work with the gold leaf..gorgeous ❤love it

[@coffeelvnwmn8706]

Wow, I learned a lot about sinkholes;I had no idea there are or may be sinkholes in the forest. Interesting. I've watched other channels that chalk up these mysterious disappearances to the paranormal --which at this point, ANYTHING could be possible. I enjoyed the craft, very pretty.

[@jneigler]

This was fun. I must say… part of the fun was watching you glue and apply the gold leaf! Wish I knew what really happened to Polly!

[@sharonjohnson8713]

I think you are probably right. Its very odd for her to just disappear with no trace at all and for her not to call out. I lived in SC for a while and used to walk in the mountains. Lots of areas to just disappear.

[@shannone1830]

Interesting theory. I live in KY, just a few miles from the Corvette Museum where a huge sinkhole did indeed open up and destroy several rare corvettes. This is the Mammoth Cave area, the longest cave system in the US that hasn’t even been completely mapped. So yes, sinkholes are a real threat to this entire area. I think part of your theory is correct and she went off the trail for some reason but in that area I’d say it’s more likely she fell off a bluff or something. All in all it’s just a sad thing to know her husband and family never knew what happened to someone they loved.

[@theresewallentin2856]

Amazing folio Nik, you should change from Nik the Booksmith to Nik the Master Booksmith. I think your theory about the sinkhole is the most plausible and I agree with MrsC48 that the tree the dogs alerted on was where the sinkhole was. I really enjoy the true crime and craft videos. Thanks for being awesome.

[@abc97971]

I love this style of video! It's like a mini video podcast. Thanks for the great watch/listen.

[@bitstobooks]

Dear Nik, thank you for the craft time mysteries, I have become addicted to them! Who knew that listening to a story about missing people would help me focus so much on crafting...

[@mjhamron6604]

Interesting case. I would have to agree with your theory of disappearance. The dogs scent at the tree is extremely powerful. I believe she is still around the tree that the dogs lead them to. I wish that they would have searched deeper and harder at the tree, i think they would have found more clues or her.

[@dan_lat]

Oh my goodness! More of this please! I love mystery/crime and watching you craft so this is amazing. I also agree with your theory, such an interesting case.

[@lorigordon1970]

Interesting. I think your idea is plausible. It is so sad that she was never found. My heart goes out to the family left behind. Thank you for sharing

[@marymcmullen6902]

I just love story time 😊.

[@kayhammock]

I can definitely see what you propose happening. After fires went through town a lot of ground cover was gone and below that was sinkhole type places. Everyone was warned to stay on trails, especially in the forests.

[@nanvaughn2258]

I have hiked that trail and never knew about Polly's disappearance. I think she was gobbled up by a bear. Love your storytelling style!

[@maryschaeufele6818]

I want to thank you for these Craft Time Mysteries. I love your projects and the addition of these stories really adds a unique element to the videos.

[@lalagamma4452]

Absolutely love the folio!!! I live in Florida and we get our share and then some of sinkholes. I've seen small ones in yards and some that took a few houses. Though I've never seen more heard of them closing up on their own. My neighbor's house was having a problem and leaning to one side getting cracked in the walls they had to get somebody to come in and lift the side of the house and put more dirt and stuff under the house. That was only done after the state came out and made sure it wasn't going to affect the other homes in the area. Sinkholes are very scary I remember there was one in particular that swallowed an entire house while the person was sleeping inside they never found them. I feel bad for her husband and Friends it's hard when you don't get answers. I love your stories and ideas thanks for sharing. Namesta 🐞🥰

[@paperbesos]

Yes! Tampa Bay Area years ago, Sinkhole opened under a house and a man sleeping inside fell in and they were never able to recover his body. So scary! 😲😲😲

[@janedunlap6879]

I absolutely remember the one with the guy sleeping! It was so scary and I watched the news for weeks as they tried to put cameras down and all kinds of things. It was so sad. I think they have since filled the hole in, and put a memorial there, but I'm not positive. I live in New Port Richey, and we had a pretty big sinkhole open in a major roadway last year. I'm surprised no one drove into it, or anything, but I think it opened slowly.

[@karengreen5599]

Yes, crevices, depressions in the ground, water trough from flooding - the dogs tracking to the tree is of interest, too! Love you and your work!

[@kitrinaburgess3572]

I really enjoy this new format. What could be better than mysteries, true crime, and crafting?

[@pamelasfindsanddesigns]

I think if she was running away with a lover, she never would have gone on the trip. She would have backed out at the last minute and disappeared while her husband was away or while he was sleeping if he chose not to go without her. So the sinkhole theory is plausible. Keep the stories and the great creative projects coming, Nik!!!

[@janb2162]

Awesome printed fabric! Loved the fern prints!!

[@roxstar3726]

I thoroughly enjoy craft time mysteries! Thank you for sharing the not too common stories, it’s such a sad disappearance, I felt so bad for poor Bob and for poor Polly. TFS! Your books are awesome 👏🏻

[@matildagentle3816]

Plausible sink hole theory! Now I want to research sink holes, work with gold film and in the Spring try eco dying. Love your work

[@NorthlightsStudio]

Good one Nik!! I think you are correct. Just did a quick search on seismic activity in that area ( interesting research paper on it) which could coincide with your theory. She probably rested on that log for a minute and then when she went to move she was sucked into a sink hole. The dogs wouldn't pick up her scent if it was suddenly buried and she was too far below ground as well. I love that fabric and paper! I'm going to have to try it!

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

lovely fabric! just lovely! I really like the fern fronds. Here on Vancouver Island we have sword fern’s growing in the forest right outside my door and all over the island. I must do some fabrics and papers as per your inspiration!🦌💌❤️📚🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

[@mssherrydmarshall303]

Yes please video on dyes and how to use them I got dyes but stuff up everytime I use them.

[@cris-amv]

I totally agree with you. From the details you shared there was no reasons for thinking she run away or was abducted. So your theory sounds very plausible. Thanks for the story! You’re really good at telling these stories! 👍🏻👏

[@phoebea]

This reminds me of the Vermillion Teens case from 1971where two young women and their car went missing for 40+ years. They were on their way to a party and went missing while on the road. The bodies/car were found and investigators determined the case to be an accident. They had lost control off their car and fell into a creek that was known for flooding. The car only reemerged when there was a drought that dried up the creek.

[@doreenwatson-read]

The best of both worlds, crafty crime storytime. I think Polly had a child out of wedlock and he came to find her as an adult - that covers what the vicar thought she was alluding to. She called on the phone for him to come and fetch her at the campsite.

[@NiktheBooksmith]

Now there's a novel waiting to be written!

[@GigisART]

I think you're closer to the truth. Sounds plausible. Love both books. Thanks Nik. I was just telling my daughter about your stories! 😊

[@camillefulton7709]

Your dyed cloth is exquisite never seen something so lovely Before...to die for 😁 💜 Camille 🇦🇺

[@NiktheBooksmith]

😄

[@barbaracabrera207]

Simply gorgeous!!! Austin,TX USA

[@elizabethhammond1348]

Interesting case. I enjoy these, Nic! Great to think things over.

[@kykategray]

Last year, my family moved back to Pikeville, Ky from Lexington (usually happens the other way around:) and I frequently travel back to Lexington via the Mountain Parkway. Last summer, a section of the parkway was closed because a sinkhole was discovered under the pavement. The detour was a huge pain in the rear, but sinkholes are no joke. I think you are into something with your theory. I love this series. Your eco dyed papers are gorgeous so now I’m off to find that video.

[@cococreates26]

I like your theory Nik! Very plausible! And yep, sink holes freak me out too! 😳 It got me thinking too - you said she might have left the trail for one reason or another. What if she had a "funny turn"- maybe she ran out of her medication? So was calling a pharmacy? And without her medication she may have reacted badly to missing a few doses - especially if she was on something for her depression as they can make you feel funny if you suddenly stop. So what if she went to sit down, prob on the log, and because she couldn't focus or think straight, she just couldn't get back to the trail? She just wandered off on the wrong direction for hours until she was too tired to continue. She may have travelled miles (esp as she was missing for 2hrs before the ranger was told), and gone way outside the search area? She then could have fallen or had an accident, gotten too weak to carry on, or been attacked by wild animals etc...

[@NiktheBooksmith]

I was thinking along those lines, as well. Then I thought...wouldn't the search dogs have kept following her scent? They stopped at a fallen log and lost the scent there. But, pfft who knows! Her medications were for blood pressure and stomach issues, if I recall. There may have been others, but couldn't find out anything else on that. On another note, since you are a fellow sinkhole phobic, I've been reading some of the stories in the comments under this video and was surprised how many people have had experiences with sink holes and the like. Makes me extra skeered to venture in the woods Lol

[@dadams9158]

That was fun. Thanks.

[@grahamfox931]

Hello Nik, I have just discovered this series you have done, and boy, you are speaking my thoughts out loud. I worry about everything and when I know I have to have blood test eg. I worry that they are going to find some strange lurgy laying in wait, just to be discovered. LOL. ANYHOOOOOO, have enjoyed this and am now going to binge watch the others. I hope this becomes a regular feature of your videos. It is fun watching the crafting, but, telling of stories as well, WELL.................. that is my idea of a good time. So PLEASE, PLEASE carry on with this. I am now going to jab the subscribe button so that I miss NOTHING. Thank you for this brilliant concept, will be watching with eager abandon. Blessings and Hugs from Cape Town Diana

[@thedomesticfox717]

Living on the TN side of the Smokies...I have seen and experienced some things. The sinkhole theory...holds water. We have a small cave area on our property...that had 5 old cars in it. It looked so small from the outside - but no - it was huge. Also - being in the woods...when trees fall eventually their roots rot out and leave voids in the soil. If you happen to step on them - they sink. Sometimes it’s very short and other times they could make people, pets and things disappear. So yeah - I think you are on to something. The dogs loosing her scent at a log spoke volumes to this theory.

[@nancybuzzard2079]

What a beautiful eco dyed journal! And the mystery is just a fun addition to the day!♥️

[@sharona8737]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a sinkhole phobia. My friends and family literally jab jokes at me all the time over it. Classic car sinkhole was Bowling Green, KY, by the way.

[@wendyleigh3222]

How wild! I live about 20 minutes from Bryson City and will, in fact, be there on Tuesday for a meeting. 😊

[@rtd1791]

I have no idea what happened to poor Polly. But I do know what it’s like to fall through the ground. It happened to me one 4th of July when I was a kid. I grew up in Colorado which has a lot of mountains over 14,000 feet. The tall mountains can still have lots of snow even in the heart of summer. We’d gone up into the mountains to have a picnic in the snow and to watch fireworks in a little mountain town. I still love having picnics in inclement weather. We found a virgin snowfield that didn’t even have any bird tracks let alone human footprints. I was so delighted I went running across the snow. And I fell through it. The snow was frozen and packed near the road but farther away it was loose and far less dense. I fell through it up to my neck. I was lucky my head was poking up because my dad was able to find me. He wasn’t able to come and pull me out because he was much heavier than me and would have fallen through the snow too. But he got as close as he could and talked me through it. Getting out was similar to what you are supposed to do if you fall through ice into water. Anyway I manage to kick myself up and onto the surface of the snow. Then I had to roll back to the more solid snow. My dad coached me the entire time and made sure I was spreading my weight out as much as possible. The really scary thing was that my feet were never touching solid ground. I was like suspended in the snow and I easily could have been completely buried. Snow can cover up depressions or even fill in holes. I could have suffocated or developed hypothermia if I had fallen deeper or hadn’t been able to get out fast enough. I didn’t develop a fear of snow. But naturally I became more cautious about crossing snowfields in unfamiliar territory. I still love the idea of snow on the 4th, but it’s not a possibility in Southern California where I currently live. These days I spend the 4th cuddling my dog and keeping him “safe” from the fireworks. Polly’s story creeped me out. And somehow made your gold lines look sinister. Maybe it’s just that it’s 3:30 am & everyone is asleep except for me. It’s scary to think that you could just vanish and no one would know what happened to you.

[@JulieAlexanderJohnson]

Wow! Yours is an incredible story. I often consider this possibility when looking at a seemingly innocent pristine snow field. It may not be a field... it could be a lake, a crevice, etc. Caution! It's like sneaker waves on the Oregon coast. I know personally of 3 innocent people from my Oregon town who died this way. Do not turn your back on the ocean!!

[@rtd1791]

@@JulieAlexanderJohnson Yeah. No joke. When we were moving to California I felt like my kids were too confident in their ability to swim in the ocean. Fortunately on our first trip to the beach a surprisingly strong wave knocked us down & tumbled us around pretty good. Lesson learned.

[@mjhamron6604]

I love your books and eco dying. Absolutely beautiful.

[@ljbj4]

ah yes! paper crafts and mysteries! great combo as far as i’m concerned! beautiful dyeing work and books, mysterious mystery! tfs!

[@darlenescreativejourney6755]

beautiful leaves on the prints your eco dyeing turned out fantastic

[@wonderwend1]

I enjoyed watching this. Not only am I watching crafting stuff without the patronising "how to" but also a fascinating story. I agree with you. My original theory was Bear, but I don't know how prevalent they are there, but there would have been evidence around. Your theory sou d much more plausible and I think you may have solved the case.

[@melissashultz9448]

I don’t have an opinion about her disappearance. But wanted to reply to your theory on the cashed check. I’ve worked at a bank and 2 credit unions. I’ve been in the financial services field since the late 90’s. I’ve come across many accounts where the person used their preferred name rather than their legal name. Especially the scenario of using a middle name for first name. Using legal names really only matters on certain legal documents like mortgages. And by the way, not all financial institutions lack humor. Our CEO has a great sense of humor. I do have an opinion on your book and fabric. They are very cool. Especially that fabric. Love it.

[@marthamurphy7940]

The mother of one of my son's friends disappeared in a similar way some years back. She was with her sister searching for old bottles along a creek where gold miners had worked in the 1800s. They decided to go separate directions for a bit and meet back at their vehicle. Her sister, on the way back to their vehicle, found the ski pole she used as a walking stick lying in the road. The local search and rescue team, along with family members and friends, looked for her for quite some time, but she was never found. We don't have sinkholes in our area. Your books are really beautiful, by the way. I'd like to know how you made the images in the small book.

[@Time.and.Spoons]

My question, how long had the tree been fallen? My suspicion is that she's under the tree

[@JessicaDipzinskiThePaperHeart]

Now I'm totally freaked out about sink holes!

[@deborahm.2460]

Those fabrics are lovely!!

[@michelleanne9530]

So sad. What a story! Thank you for telling and crafting. I think your idea is most interesting. No sinkholes here in Maine, thank goodness. How else could she disappear and not be found anywhere? I know that searchers don't just give up after a few days.

[@thesandyspade6642]

Nik, I think you are right. She would never have left without her meds and ID. Someone with serious medical conditions are very careful with their meds and access to medical care. The North Carolina mountains are infested with caverns. Some people don't know there are little trimmers in the NC mountains all the time making things shift and unstable. It would be easy for someone to step on a sinkhole without realizing until it was too late. The leaves and natural debris covers lots of things. I don't think it was quicksand. NC has quicksand but it takes more than a few minutes to sink a whole person that tall with no trace unless she fell face first and it was a really big area of quicksand. I've only seen small, spotty areas of quicksand in NC. I'm with you, sinkhole is my vote.

[@April4YHWH]

Your theory is extremely likely and I would agree that's probably what happened; take everything else out of the equation and not a lot is left. It's terrible she vanished. I visited Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park and lemme tell ya --- those are some deep caves! Rivers run through there's hundreds of square miles *just for the park!* Lots of other places around that region have the potential to harbor sinkholes. Love the dyed fabric, I absolutely loved how they all turned out. Keep the stories coming.

[@burrowscarol]

Interesting story! I will have to contact my sister and her husband (last name Melton, but dont get too excited - apparently there are a bunch of Meltons in the area) who live not very far from there to see if they know about the story. I am making the little book you are showing here. I’m all ready to make the folio pockets then the book will be ready for embellishing. I did not use fabric, I used wrapping paper (from Pepin) instead. The folio should add heft though. When i look back to 8 years ago when I started watching you o KZbin, not knowing anything about making books to where I am today, I just have to thank you for your videos and inspiration! I just retired and mostly what i do is make books - ALL kinds of them!

[@tharp2499]

First off...OMG! Sinkholes freak me the "bleep!" out. Next...your tale of Polly sounds like a David Paulides "Missing" account of people/families/children hiking, hunting, camping...someone goes around a bend or a boulder, or even a bush, and poof!...they're gone. So scary and sad. Your theory makes perfect sense to me. though, I'm a California girl. Don't know much about the Carolinas. But, we did have a sinkhole open up right in the middle of a road I used to take to the grocery store. It was not large. But, I don't take that road anymore.🤨 I have to say, I am loving Craft-time Mysteries. More please.🤗 The eco-dyed paper and fabrics are gorgeous! Why don't mine turn out like that?? Mine are just "ok". But yours are stunning.🤩 Could you do a tutorial/process video on the fabric sometime?...Pleeeeaase?? Can't wait for the next mystery! Love and blessings.💙💙💙 p.s. Gonna try the gold leafing too! Maybe it will boost the look of my recent attempts. Thx!

[@janetvisochi-baum7572]

what an interesting story Nik - i also have a fear of sink holes - watched a special on the Science Channel - and oh dear me lol - terrifying - my sister fell into one about 20 years ago - but it was caused by decaying tree roots - it was in her backyard - she went down about 10 feet - was able to use the roots to get herself out because no one heard her screams BUT back to your story - if she fell into something - it makes me believe that it would have to be off the trail - and with her age and health would she have risked that - if there was some type of crevice by the trail you would feel that others would have fallen or it would have been found - an abduction - hmmm - big woman with no screams - so maybe not - i think lol - she ran off with someone - the scent of the tree - maybe that's where he was waiting for her lol - Love your Craft Time Mysteries Nik - and i absolutely love what you did here today - thank you for the entertainment and well as your inspirations - be well xx

[@JannyHaak]

Very interesting case and so sad for everyone involved when the person is never found! I can totally go along with your theory, Nik. I think they could have searched for her longer, and maybe they would have found something. But we'll never know 🤔 On a different note: LOVE those fabrics!! 💕😍

[@wonderwonder30]

My mother and stepfather worked for the phone company for 30+ years, they said yes you could see if there was a called made even if no one answered on the end of the phone call.

[@JodisPanacheJodisPanache]

I know all about sinkholes I lived in San Diego, California and a sinkhole opened up at the end of my driveway. It went from my driveway to the other side of the street and up the hill to my next-door neighbors and downhill neighbor. It was 60 feet deep. Took 1.5 months to close up. Your theory is very possible. I love this series of yours. I love true crime and hearing others' thoughts and opinions on cases. Please keep them going. I love your eco dyed items I want to try it. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

[@maryellenweber3545]

I absolutely love the papers and fabrics. I wish someone could recommend some pod casts to listen to.

[@suekelly2835]

Do you have a video on how to dye the fabric? Love the results! Love the mysteries also!

[@MA__]

Also after I heard you tell the story I had no clue what happened to her but your sinkhole theory sounds spot on. Subscribing and looking forward to more

[@RedKittieKat]

No idea what could have happened to poor Polly. Maybe it was some elaborate plan to escape, but I have a feeling your version is much more plausible. She was older and not in good health. I highly doubt she was able to race off through the woods when she rounded the corner. Her friends would have heard her crashing through the brush or seen her. But, whatever happened I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Polly's disappearance. 🥰

[@chrissy24-7]

The eco dyed fabrics are gorgeous 🤩 💞 This made my day!! Sinkhole is pretty genius, but you never know about aliens 😂 🌿 but the dogs wouldn't be able to find her underground, so I'm with you

[@sharonjohnson7474]

Quite a story and what a storyteller you are. There was a little boy lost in the mountains of Colorado. Probably around 10 years ago, his name was Jacob Atadero. No trace of him was found for a seriously long time. He was running ahead of the group on the trail. Eventually, I think they found remnants of the shirt he was wearing but I don't remember if any conclusion was made to the exact cause of his dissapearance. I love to watch your book crafting on KZbin. And now I'm also interested in your story telling. I live in Thornton, CO. I did not realize that there were places that you could disappear into in the ground in other parts of the country. Hiking in Western Colorado as a child. I remember seeing a couple of people that slipped into quick sand. One went up to their waist and that happened fast. The indication that this was a place to stay away from was dried up, bleached bones laying on top of that cracked looking ground. It was actually like soup underneath. I plan to have courage soon to try my hand at Junk Journal making. Thank you for sharing your talents.

[@NiktheBooksmith]

Thank you, Sharon! I remember that story, too. There were so many theories about the cause of his disappearance, but I'm glad they finally did find him for his family's sake.

[@ann-ingridhelik3056]

Hi Nik. I love your energy 🙂. The eco book/portfolio is beautiful. But those fabrics are amazing! I remember the video on eco printing on paper, but missed the one on fabric 😔I'll have to go back to find it! Now this sink hole, there would have been shaking or at least people would have felt vibrations or something ? The earth cannot open up without some shaking or some sort of feeling the others would have felt. I'm in Quebec, Canada, and there have been sinkholes and a lot of publicity about it when it happened. For me it's more likely a runaway thing: even if you're old, you still want a better life.....who knows?🤷‍♀️ I love your crafting and stories. Actually i love everything you do. You are very talented,! Now I'm off to find if i missed the eco fabric video 🤞

[@teresemartinez6215]

I love the guilding, gives me ideas on what to do with my eco prints. Great mystery, I agree with your theory.

[@coffeejournalcreate]

Absolutely LOVE dried mangoes!!!

[@dawncarter2759]

love the craft time Mysteries. Awesome work

[@katpaints]

I'm always up for a mystery! You might be on to something. I've spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest and there are a lot of good reasons for staying on trail. I don't know that we have sinkholes but there are holes from routing roots. Most wouldn't be deep because so many of our trees where we are are Douglas cut and their tours are quite shallow, but back there so many are deciduous, with deep tap roots. My imagination can come up with all kinds of things, Nik!

[@gardensiren]

Love the books…Your fabric is fabulous!

[@carolineleeking]

I would love to see a tutorial on how to create your folio in this video!

[@craftygrandma56]

Ferns are very finicky....well mine were....they normally don't go dormant during winter but if you cut them down, stick them in the garage or dark corner they will sleep and regrow in the spring. However, if you are in a warm climate you can plant them in the ground!!! They don't like direct sun and because of their mossy roots don't always get the water they need.....My daughter had a beautiful palm this summer but sadly our winters reach as low as -20 or lower so the palm was moved to her husband's company. Love your mystery stories!!

[@o0oMysticdragono0o]

LOVE your paper and fabric, you did a video when you made those didn't you...Is this a real case or one of those puzzles...interesting...my uncle lived in Kentucky and had a sink hole show up in his cow's pasture...it was big and deep...he lived close to the mammoth cave area so there are plenty of caves...I have also been to the smoky mountain parks but never left the trails...you could be close to someone there and not see them the trees are that thick...

[@recoveringsoul755]

CD = Certificate of Deposit. They usually earn a higher interest rate than a savings account, but you have to lock it in for a certain period of time, like 1 year, 3 years, 5 years etc. If you take it out early there's a penalty. Normally the interest accrued and goes back into the CD, but maybe there was a way to set it up to get a check.

[@sherrireeves8110]

Thank you for another of your stories! Love them and love this journal!

[@fyrtalker]

That fabric is GORGEOUS Nik! Is there a tutorial?

[@trashpandajournaling4850]

Nick I love your craft time mysteries. Have you ever read the book Killers of the Flower Moon. It’s fascinating and is the beginning of the FBI. Your stories remind me of the book. I read it several years ago.

[@49dragonflies]

I lover this new series of yours! More please! :)

[@emmkaa2099]

Baby girl!!!!