I do a lot of writing in haunted hotels. So far I’ve had great luck choosing hotels that are authentically haunted, and only one place I traveled to was a bust. Last weekend I continued my lucky streak at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon, which is just outside of Portland.

Edgefield is well-known for being haunted, but I have never been able to find any ghost or orb photos or videos online. I am excited to say that I can change that now, because I took photos myself.

I took these photos Friday night at 12:46 a.m. in the third floor hallway. We were staying in room 310, which is called the “Ah Dock Room.” We got this room because it was directly above room 215, aka the room that is known for having the most paranormal activity.

This isn’t the first time I’ve managed to take photos of orbs because I have a trick to getting these shots. The secret is, you can’t wait until you see something to try to photograph it. These can move very fast, so chances are by the time you get your camera ready it’ll be gone. My method is as follows:

• Make sure you’re alone.
• Be as quiet as possible.
• Go to a quiet area of the hotel with no people (easier said than done on the third floor).
• Hold your camera out in front of you and take as many photos as possible.

It really is that simple. You might end up taking a lot of photos, but if even one of them captures a ghost or an orb it’ll be worth the effort.

Another thing I’ve discovered on my recent haunted hotel travels is you can sleep with an EMF meter on and it will let you know if a ghost enters the room. You can also use an EMF meter to ask ghosts yes or no questions, and sometimes you’ll get answers.

The first night we were at Edgefield, we stayed in room 218, which is also known as the “Stott Room.” Our room had a second room in it that contained only a bathtub and a chest of drawers. When we first entered the room the meter went nuts and then stopped, like something was in there and we disturbed it so it left because it didn’t want to watch middle-aged people bathing together.

Early the next morning the meter went off again. It woke us both up, and we heard a noise that sounded like something falling in the tub room. Later on, after we woke up, we looked all over the room and couldn’t find any sign that anything had moved or fallen.

After this trip, I am convinced that there is no single haunted room in this place and the whole thing is haunted. We will definitely be visiting again, and taking more baths there. Sorry ghosts.