Utah's legend is particularly troubling for tourists, as they might be taking the horror home with them, even if they escape the forest. With shocking regularity, visitors who have stolen chunks of petrified wood from Escalante Petrified Forest State Park will mail back their lifted souvenirs. All their letters detail series of unfortunate events, from broken collarbones, arms, and ribs to mysterious illnesses, horrific accidents, and financial ruin. The one thing they have in common? They all occurred AFTER the victim illegally stole a piece of the forest. Many people have -- and still do -- mail back cursed pieces of the petrified wood, and the park even displays the letters and samples openly as an attraction. Apparently, there have been cases of stolen wood turning to bad luck since the 1930s, though it's unclear the actual root of the curse. Maybe it's the burden of moral ambiguity affecting other areas of life? Maybe it's just coincidence? Either way, it's not worth risking your collarbone.
