Texas Veteran Recalls First Sasquatch Encounter During Cross Country Run

Just came across a fascinating interview over on the Creek Devil YouTube channel, and folks, this one is a must-watch if you haven't seen it yet. The host, William Jevning — a two-time witness and field researcher with over four decades of experience — sits down with a guest named Abe Arenas, a military veteran with a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Abe's background alone makes him a credible witness. He served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1999, spending ten years in the military as a 19K — that's a tanker, for those unfamiliar with MOS codes. He saw action during Desert Storm, specifically at the Battle of Medina Ridge against the Medina Republican Guard, and was later stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. When someone with that kind of training and discipline steps forward to share an encounter, you tend to listen a little closer. The conversation kicks off with some hilarious and relatable military stories about the wild pigs in Germany — the havalas, as Abe calls them, or "rudyudes" as the hosts referred to them. If you've ever been stationed overseas, you know exactly how terrifying those things can be. But things take a serious turn when they get into Abe's encounters back in Texas. His first experience happened when he was just 15 years old, out training for cross country in his small hometown of Rainbowville, Texas. Abe was doing what any dedicated young runner would do — hitting the dirt roads made of white caliche rock to log his miles, passing through an old cemetery along his route, and crossing Highway 77 to loop back. It was around 5 or 6 in the evening, the sun just starting to set, and he was running at full speed, taking long strides like any competitive mile or two-mile runner would. Then, out of nowhere, something hit him. Hard. Right in the face and chest — hard enough to completely stop his momentum. Abe describes looking down and seeing himself covered in, as he puts it, "crap." His first instinct was to look up at the sky to see if a plane had dumped something or if birds had done the deed, but the sky was completely clear. No aircraft, no ducks, nothing. That's when it hit him — whatever hit him came from the right side, where there was nothing but woods and a cabin tucked deep in the trees. Abe started yelling out, "Hey, anybody there?" trying to figure out what in the world just happened to him. The discussion cuts off right at that cliffhanger moment, which honestly feels like the perfect reason to head over to Creek Devil's channel and watch the full interview. Because if Abe's first encounter at 15 was this intense, you can only imagine what the rest of his experiences in Texas — and possibly even during his time in the military — might reveal. There's something about military witnesses that always stands out in this field. People who have been trained to observe, to assess threats, to remain calm under pressure — when they come forward with an encounter, it carries a different weight. Abe's story is a perfect example of that. He wasn't looking for attention. He was just a kid running his route, doing what he loved, and something in those Texas woods made its presence known in the most visceral way possible. If you're a researcher, a witness, or just someone who loves a good encounter story, do yourself a favor and check out this interview on the Creek Devil channel. The full story is worth the listen, and Abe's military background adds a layer of credibility that's hard to ignore. Plus, the banter between the hosts and the guest makes it feel like you're sitting around a campfire swapping stories with folks who've actually been out there in the field. Stay curious, stay open-minded, and keep those eyes on the trees.